The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) came into being on June 1, 1971.However, it had its genesis from establishment of an Agricultural School at Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, as early as 1868 and it was later relocated at Coimbatore. In 1920 it was affiliated to Madras University. TNAU assumed full responsibilities of Agricultural Education and Research and supported the State Agricultural Department by delivering research products. Till 1946, the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, was the only Institute for Agricultural Education for the whole of South India. In 1958, it was recognized as a Post-graduate Centre leading to Masters and Doctoral degrees. The Agricultural College & Research Institute, Madurai was established in 1965. These two colleges formed the nucleus of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University while it was established in 1971.
In 1972, separate degree programmes of B.Sc. (Horticulture) and B.E.(Agriculture) were started. In 1979, a separate Faculty of Horticulture was established. In 1980, B.Sc.(Home Science) programme was started at Madurai campus. The third Agricultural College was started at Killikulam in 1984 and the fourth at Kumulur (Trichy) in 1989 and later shifted to Navalur Kuttappattu (Trichy) in 1992 which is named as Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute. During 1985, B.Sc.(Forestry) programme was started at Coimbatore. Presently the B.Sc.(Horticulture) degree programme is being offered at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam and B.Sc.(Forestry) degree programme at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. In line with technological changes the B.E.(Agriculture) hither to offered is offered as B.Tech.(Agricultural Engineering) from the Academic year 2002-2003 at Agricultural Engineering College & Research Institute, Kumulur, Trichy. B.Sc.(Home Science) degree program is being offered at Home Science College & Research Institute, Agricultural College Campus, Madurai. The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture & Research Institute, Karaikal, governed by Government of Pondichery, is an affiliated institute of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University where B.Sc.(Agriculture) course is being offered. Apart from these academic institutes, the University now has research programs at more than 32 stations, spread over in Tamil Nadu with more than 1000 scientists and teachers.
The global technological developments has lead to introduction of new courses. Introduction of B.Tech.(Food Process Engineering) from the academic year 1998-99, B.Tech.(Agricultural Biotechnology) and B.Tech.(Horticulture) from the academic year 2002-2003 as self supporting program has created avenues for bugetary independence. A new degree program B.Tech.(Energy and Environmental Engineering) was started during 2004 and B.Tech.(Bioinformatics) during 2006.
The milestones of growth and development of TNAU in transforming lives of Farmers.
1868
Agricultural School was started at Saidapet, Chennai (Madras)
1906
The Saidapet Agricultural School was shifted to Coimbatore and foundation stone laid for Madras Agricultural College.
1908
Students were admitted to education program leading to Licentiate in Agriculture (L. Ag.)
1909
Opening of Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC & RI) by Sir Arthur Lawley.
1920
The AC & RI was affiliated to Madras University. A new course of study leading to a three year degree in Agriculture -B.Sc. (Ag.) was started.
1945
Second Agricultural College was started at Bapatla (Now in Andhra Pradesh).
1958
Regional Post Graduate Center was established to offer programs leading to Masters degree in Agriculture & Horticulture.
1960
Integrated system with four year B.Sc. (Ag) degree program after Pre-University education was introduced and subsequently doctoral program in Agriculture was started.
1965
Third Agricultural College was started at Madurai, Tamil Nadu and the Masters program at Madurai was introduced during 1969.
1971
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University came into existence with Coimbatore as its Head Quarters.
1972
A separate Faculty of Horticulture was established and a degree program in Horticulture - B.Sc. (Hort.) was introduced. The College of Agricultural Engineering was established at Coimbatore and a Bachelor's degree program in Agricultural Engineering - B.E.(Ag) was introduced.
1973
Doctoral program was introduced in Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore.
1975
Faculty of Post Graduate Education was established in TNAU, Coimbatore and Masters and Doctoral (1978) programs were started in Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology.
1976
The Madras Veterinary College became constituent unit of TNAU and B.V.Sc. degree program was suitably restructured*.
1977
Bachelor's degree (B.F.Sc.) program in Fisheries Science at Thoothukudi was started*.
Masters and Doctoral program in Agricultural Engineering was introduced.
1980
Bachelor's degree (B.Sc. (H.Sc.)) in Home Science was launched in Madurai Campus.
1981
Masters program was introduced in Home Science College & Research Institute, Madurai and Doctoral program in 1988.
1989
Doctoral program in Agriculture was introduced in Agricultural college & Research Institute, Madurai; Masters program introduced in Forest College & Research Institute, Mettupalayam and Horticultural College & Research Institute, Periyakulam.
1990
Masters program in Agriculture was introduced in Agricultural College & Research Institute, Killikulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu and Doctoral program in Forest College & Research Institute, Mettupalayam.
1998
B.Tech.(Food Process Engineering) introduced as self supporting program.
2002
B.Tech.(Horticulture) and B.Tech(Agricultue Biotechnology) introduced as self supporting programs.
2004
B.Tech.(Energy and Environmental Engineering) introduced as a self supporting program.
2005
Centenary celebrations of AC&RI, Coimbatore
2006
B.Tech.(Bioinformatics) introduced as a self supporting program.
2008
MOU signed for dual degree courses
Courses offered at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University: The University is offering TWELVE undergraduate degree programs in 10 colleges distributed in seven campuses all over Tamil Nadu. The duration of these courses is four years (8 semesters).
A. Science Programs
1.
B.Sc.(Agriculture)
2.
B.Sc.(Horticulture)
3.
B.Sc.(Forestry)
4.
B.Sc.(Home Science)
5.
B.Tech.(Agricultural Engineering)
6.
B.Sc.(Sericulture)
B. Technology Programs
1.
B.Tech.(Biotechnology)
2.
B.Tech.(Horticulture)
3.
B.Tech.(Food Process Engineering)
4.
B.Tech.(Energy and Environmental Engineering)
5.
B.Tech.(Bioinformatics)
6.
B.S.(Agribusiness Management)
7.
B.Tech.(Agricultural Information Technology)
At present the University is offering the following Undergraduate Degree Programs of four years (8 semesters) duration in its constituent and affiliated colleges:
Sl.No.
Courses offered
Campus
1.
B.Sc. (Agriculture)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai - 625 104.
Agrl. College and Res. Inst., Killikulam, Tuticorin District - 628 252
Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Navalur Kuttappattu, Trichy - 620 009.
2.
B.Sc. (Horticulture)
Horticultural College and Research Inst., Periyakulam - 625 604
3.
B.Sc. (Forestry)
Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam - 641 301
4.
B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering)
Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, Pallapuram (P.O.), Poovalur (Via),Trichy - 621 712
5.
B.Sc. (Home Science)
Home Science College and Research Institute, Agricultural College Campus, Madurai – 625 104
6.
B.Tech. (FPE)
Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimabtore - 641 003
7.
B.Tech. (EEE)
Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimabtore - 641 003
8.
B.Tech. (Hort)
Horticultural College and Research Inst., Coimabtore - 641 003
9.
B.Tech. (Biotechnology)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
10.
B.Tech. (Bioinformatics)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
11.
B.S. (Agribusiness Management)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
12.
B.Tech. (Agricultural Information Technology)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
13.
B.Sc. (Sericulture)
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003
