Dr. Adda Venkata Durga Dorajee Rao is an accomplished academic, horticultural scientist, researcher, and academic administrator with extensive experience in teaching, research, institutional development, and agricultural education. His professional career spans more than two decades, including service as an Agricultural Officer in tribal areas, Research Associate at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Scientist, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of Department, Associate Dean, and Chief Warden.

He began his professional career as an Agricultural Officer in the interior tribal areas of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh during 1998–2000, followed by service as a Research Associate at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nellore. He subsequently joined agricultural university service as an Assistant Professor and Scientist in horticulture, building a career that combines teaching, applied research, extension, and academic leadership.

Teaching & Academic Career

Dr. Dorajee Rao served as Assistant Professor at Agricultural College, Aswaraopeta, from 2001 to 2006. He then worked as a Scientist in Horticulture at Agricultural Research Station, Ambajipeta, contributing to research activities from 2006 to 2011. From 2011, he served as Assistant Professor at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem, and was subsequently elevated to Associate Professor and Professor at the College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem.

His academic responsibilities have included UG and PG academic administration, curriculum and course execution, student mentoring, external evaluation and examination, research supervision, academic committee coordination, and participation in University Academic Councils and UG/PG Boards of Faculty.

Research & Publications

Dr. Dorajee Rao has made significant contributions to horticultural research, particularly in floriculture, ornamental horticulture, landscaping, crop production, plant propagation, tissue culture, turf management, and value addition in flower crops. His recent research includes studies on potato production, ornamental banana accessions, marigold rooting media and yield, turf genotypes, Spathiphyllum tissue culture, and Alternanthera for vertical gardening.

His publication record includes numerous research articles in journals such as Plant Archives, Journal of Ornamental Horticulture, Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, and the International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development. His research demonstrates a strong orientation toward improving horticultural production technologies and developing practical solutions for growers and the horticulture sector.

Research Projects

He has participated as Co-Principal Investigator in several externally funded projects. These include the ICAR-NATP project on entrepreneurship development through value addition in flower crops, as well as ICAR Tribal Sub Plan projects focused on integrated pest management and the introduction and popularization of elite cashew cultivars in tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh.

These projects reflect his commitment to agricultural innovation, technology dissemination, entrepreneurship development, and improving horticultural livelihoods in rural and tribal communities.

Academic Administration & Leadership

Dr. Dorajee Rao has demonstrated substantial leadership in academic and institutional administration. He served as Head of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping from 2016 to 2024, Associate Dean during 2024–25, and Chief Warden during 2024–25 at the College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem. He has also served as Officer-in-Charge of Campus Beautification and Officer-in-Charge of the BC Cell.

As Associate Dean, he contributed to campus-wide academic and administrative operations. He has also served in various institutional committees, including the University Academic Council and UG and PG Boards of Faculty.

Policy, Accreditation & National-Level Contributions

His professional achievements extend beyond routine academic responsibilities. He was nominated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for developing the national Horticulture Question Bank for competitive higher education examinations. He also chaired the committee responsible for drafting the Andhra Pradesh State Agriculture, Horticulture and Veterinary Education Policy.

He played an important role in the university's ICAR accreditation process by preparing comprehensive Self-Study Reports and academic documentation. He was also involved in drafting Detailed Project Reports for proposed Centres of Excellence on Climate Resilience and served on the Final Selection Committee for the prestigious Andhra Pradesh State Teacher Awards.

Awards, Medals & Recognitions

Dr. Dorajee Rao has an exceptional record of academic distinctions. During his Ph.D., he received three prestigious University-level Gold Medals: the UAS Gold Medal, S.A. Patil Gold Medal, and S.V. Korikanthimath Gold Medal.

He was also awarded the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Gold Medal during his M.Sc. (Agriculture), along with the Sri Vasireddy Saktheeswarudu Gold Medal and Collegiate Gold Medal of Agricultural College, Aswaraopet during his B.Sc. (Agriculture).

His academic excellence was further recognized through Silver Medals in Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, and Plant Protection. A major milestone in his teaching career was receiving the State Best Teacher Award in 2018 from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

He also completed the Executive Development Programme on Leadership Development at ICAR–NAARM, strengthening his capabilities in academic leadership and institutional management.

Areas of Expertise

His principal areas of expertise include:

• Horticulture and Floriculture
• Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping
• Plant Propagation and Tissue Culture
• Turf Management and Vertical Gardening
• Crop Production and Nutrition
• Agricultural Research and Extension
• Curriculum Development
• Research Supervision
• Academic Administration
• Institutional Planning and Accreditation
• Policy Formulation
• Leadership and Team Management

Eligibility for Distinguished Professor Award

Dr. Adda Venkata Durga Dorajee Rao presents a distinguished combination of long-standing teaching experience, horticultural research, academic leadership, institutional administration, policy contributions, funded research projects, scientific publications, and exceptional academic distinctions. His career demonstrates sustained contributions to higher agricultural education and horticultural science, together with significant responsibilities at departmental, institutional, university, state, and national levels.

His receipt of multiple Gold and Silver Medals, the Andhra Pradesh State Best Teacher Award, leadership as Professor and Head and Associate Dean, participation in major academic and policy committees, contributions to ICAR accreditation, NTA question-bank development, funded research projects, and continuing scientific publications collectively establish a strong record of professional excellence.

Based on his distinguished academic career, research contributions, teaching excellence, institutional leadership, policy involvement, professional recognitions, and sustained service to horticultural education and science, Dr. Adda Venkata Durga Dorajee Rao is eligible for the Distinguished Professor Award under Scientific Laurels.