GENESIS

The Horticultural College and Research Institute (HC&RI), one of the constituent colleges of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, is located at Periyakulam, on the Theni - Dindigul high way in Tamil Nadu State (NH). The famous upper Pulney hill ranges featuring nearby offer natural beauty and scenic frontage to this unique Institute. Geographically, the College campus is situated at 10'N latitude with an elevation of 300 m above MSL. The climatic conditions are quite congenial for cultivation of a wide array of horticultural crops.

This Institute provides both teaching and research opportunities of high order in an exceptionally pleasant environment. The College Campus encompasses over 100 hectares of farm lands to cater to the needs of teaching, research, training, seed production and plant propagation activities. This is the only full-fledged Institute providing horticulture education in Southern Peninsular India.

GROWTH

          A Fruit Research Station was set up in 1957 at Periyakulam, with a view to meet the needs and aspirations of the fruit growers of the erstwhile Madurai District. In the year 1971, Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Periyakulam, was developed which marked the expansion of the research mandate to all major horticultural crops. Commendable progress in fruit and vegetable research is achieved. The centre was upgraded in 1990 as a full-fledged teaching and research institute.