Dr. P. Irene Vethamoni Vethamoni is an eminent horticulture scientist, academician, researcher, and administrator with more than 37 years of professional experience in the field of horticulture, agriculture education, research, and extension. She is currently serving as the Principal of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.

She has made significant contributions to the advancement of horticultural sciences through her long-standing association with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in various capacities including Dean (Horticulture), Professor, Research Coordinator, PG Coordinator, UG Coordinator, and Professor-in-charge of PG Education. Her academic leadership has strengthened teaching, research, innovation, and industry–farmer linkages in agricultural education.

Research Contributions & Innovations

Dr. Vethamoni has made outstanding contributions to horticultural crop improvement, sustainable production technologies, and value addition. She has developed 13 varieties and 8 technologies in horticultural crops, with 20 varieties and 14 technologies released during her research tenure.

Her research expertise covers:

• Vegetable crops and plantation crops
• Medicinal and aromatic plants
• Precision horticulture
• Post-harvest technology
• Climate-resilient horticultural crops

She has successfully handled 17 university research projects, 8 externally funded projects, and 4 All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) involving fruits, vegetables, flowers, plantation crops, and medicinal plants.

She has served as Principal Investigator for the externally funded project on “Development of DUS Testing Guidelines for Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.)” sponsored by PPV&FRA, New Delhi

Technical, administrative and overall controlling officer of SCSP programmes of All India Coordinated projects of Fruits, Vegetables, Plantation Spices, Medicinal Crops andFlowers functioned at TNAU for three years from 2022 May to 2025 May

Academic Publications & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Vethamoni has published 125 research articles in national and international scientific journals and presented numerous research findings at scientific forums.

Her scholarly contributions include:

• 28 research papers as first author
• 79 research papers as co-author
• 22 books authored as first author
• 21 books authored as co-author
• 8 edited books
• Numerous book chapters, manuals, and popular scientific articles

She has guided:

• 23 M.Sc. scholars
• 9 Ph.D. scholars
• Several undergraduate research projects

Her academic publications have significantly contributed to horticulture education and farmer-oriented knowledge dissemination.

Leadership & Administrative Achievements

Dr. Vethamoni has demonstrated exceptional leadership in higher agricultural education and institutional development.

Her major administrative roles include:

• Principal, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College, Perambalur
• Dean (Horticulture), Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore
• Professor, Karunya University
• Dean & Academic Council Member, RVS Horticultural College
• Research and PG Coordinator at TNAU

She has also served as:

• ASRB Nominee Chairman for departmental promotion committees at ICAR institutions including Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune and Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Gujarat.
• Expert member in academic accreditation and selection committees of reputed agricultural universities.

Extension & Social Impact

Dr. Vethamoni has played a vital role in transferring scientific innovations to farming communities. She has organized several national and international training programmes, workshops, farmer awareness programmes, and skill development initiatives.

Her extension achievements include:

• Development of linkages with 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
• Signing of 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions and organizations
• Implementation of “One Student One Farm Family” programme
• Digital Crop Survey initiatives involving hundreds of agricultural students
• Distribution of vegetable seeds to farming communities
• Training programmes on precision farming, hydroponics, nursery technologies, value addition, and climate-smart horticulture

Conferences, Workshops & Capacity Building

She has organized and coordinated several national and international scientific events, including:

• International Conference on Emerging Post Harvest Technologies for Shelf Life Enhancement and Valorization of Horticultural Crops (ICPHTV’24)
• International Conference on Futuristic Horticulture (ICFH’24)
• International Conference on Precision Horticulture (ICPH 2024)
• International Coffee Workshop on Sustainable and Profitable Coffee Cultivation

She has also conducted numerous faculty development programmes and farmer-oriented training programmes focusing on modern horticultural technologies.

Patents & Innovations

Dr. Vethamoni has contributed to innovation through patents including:

• Plant Monitoring Pot Using Nanotechnology
• Creation of Caffeine-Free Coffee from Double Roasted Jackfruit Seeds
• Sensor-Based Bird Scarer and IoT-Based Black Pepper Harvesting Device

These innovations demonstrate her commitment towards technology-driven agricultural advancement.

Awards & Recognitions

Dr. P. Irene Vethamoni has received several prestigious awards and honours for her outstanding contributions, including:

• Indian Society of Vegetable Science Fellowship Award
• Frontier in Coconut Research Award 2024
• SoPHoST Award for Academic Excellence
• SoPHoST Award for Excellence in Horticulture Research
• Best Teacher Award
• Best Scientist Award
• Best Book Award
• Best Paper Presentation Award
• Best Poster Award
• TNAU Award for Technology Release

Her research stations and institutions under her leadership have also received national-level recognition for excellence.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award 

Dr. P. Irene Vethamoni Vethamoni is highly eligible for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels owing to her exceptional contributions to agricultural science, horticultural research, innovation, and academic leadership. With more than three decades of experience, she has demonstrated excellence through the development of improved crop varieties, innovative technologies, internationally recognized research publications, patents, successful project implementation, and mentoring of young researchers.

Her outstanding achievements in strengthening horticulture research, empowering farming communities through technology transfer, promoting sustainable agriculture, and leading major academic and scientific initiatives reflect her dedication towards advancing science and society. Her contributions as a woman scientist and academic leader make her a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.