The Vice-Chancellor of Telangana State Agricultural University Dr. V. Praveen Rao won the 7th M. S. Swaminathan Award for the 2017-19 year. He received the Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award for his contributions in the fields of Agricultural Research, Teaching, Extension, and Administration. Praveen Rao handled 13 research and 6 consultancy projects on micro-irrigation in India, Israel and South Africa.
It is a biennial national (every 2 years) award that was presented by the retired ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Employees Association (RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited. It carries a cash prize of INR 2 lakh and a citation.
