Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan is an acclaimed Academician with more than 35 years of experience in Education, Research and Extension activities in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Apart from academics, he is known for his efficient administration possessing 15 years of administrative caliber as the Head of various constituent units of TNAU namely teaching campuses, KVKs and Research Stations. Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan is a specialized Agronomist with rich irrigation management experience with embedded interest in educating the students for the prime profession of Agriculture.

     Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan started his career at the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai and served in the Cauvery Delta Zone for more than two decades. He is an Irrigation Expert who served at the Irrigation Management Training Institute, Trichy under the TN Water Resources Department for a period of five years. Prof.Dr.SP.Ramanathan acted as the Agriculture Expert for the Cauvery Water Management Authority of Govt.of India and played crucial role in water sharing between the partner states. Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan was serving as an active member in the Academic Council of TNAU during which he has contributed much for the UG and PG. His contribution for the BSMA syllabus revision in the subject of Agrometeorology is remarkable.  

      Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan has authored 15 books with ISBN, published around 40 articles in International and more than 110 articles in National journals of repute apart from 150 popular articles. Regarding academia, Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan has guided 15 Doctoral students and more than 25 Post graduate students in the fields of Agronomy, Agrometeorology, Soil and Water Conservation. IN addition, he acted as the Advisory Council Member for more than 30 Ph.D and PG students. Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan is an efficient teacher who handled several PG and Ph.D courses.

      He was acting as the Principal Nodal Officer for the India Meteorological Department sponsored GKMS schemes and served thousands of farmers across the state through precise weather based agro advisories. Earlier, Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan organized a certificate course on water management to the rural youth in collaboration with the Central University of Tamilnadu at Tiruvarur during 2012-14. He has handled several research projects funded by International and National Organizations. Prof. Dr. SP. Ramanathan is presently a Life Member of the learned societies like Indian Society of Agronomy, Association of Agrometeorologists of India, Madras Agricultural Students Union and continue to serve for the upliftment of the students and farmers.