Indian officials visit Institute of Horticultural Research

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, visited ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru on 20th May 2016. He was accompanied by the DDG (Hort Science), Dr N.K.Krishna Kumar. Dr. M.R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IIHR explained the various achievements made and initiatives being taken up by the institute. Dr. T.Mohapatra visited the newly constructed Polyhouses (2 acre) along with scientific water harvesting structure, pomegranate germplasm from USDA, vegetable breeder seed unit and phenomics facility (NICRA program). The Director General took keen interest in these initiatives and interacted with the concerned scientists.

Later, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra was accompanied to an exhibition of all the ICAR-IIHR varieties and technologies arranged in view of his visit. A mega collection of over 150 mango varieties was arranged. Recently developed fruit, vegetable, ornamental and medicinal crop varieties by the institute were displayed. Popular technologies developed by various Divisions were explained. Licensing of various institute technologies to the tune of nearly two crores during the last year was brought to his notice. Technologies of KVK & CHES (Hirehally), CHES (Chettalli) & KVK (Gonikoppa) were also exhibited.

This was followed by a staff interaction meeting. Hon'ble DG appreciated all the staff for their research achievements made so far from the inception of the Institute and remarked that the Council takes pride in ICAR-IIHR which contributed immensely to cause of farmers in the field horticulture. He also remarked that, the progress made in different facets in terms of technologies and varieties, commercialisation, improving farmers income, research publications and awards is exemplary and satisfying.

He advised that, as ICAR-IIHR celebrates its 50 years of existence, it is important to revisit the roles and responsibilities vis a vis the vision chalked for the future as a leader in the field of horticulture. In this regard, he called for a meeting of all Directors of ICAR Horticulture institutions for bringing in synergy and complementation in their activities and to develop Horticulture based Action plans for different states of the country. He suggested that ICAR-IIHR should focus more on basic and fundamental research and provide hand holding to crop based institutions of horticulture.

He opined that research publications are means to assess research output of any research based institution and hence an assessment of this for the last five years needs to be worked out in well accepted terms of citations and H-index. He promised that any practical technology would be given promotion at the highest level of ICAR for quicker spread and adoption. He also felicitated a progressive farmer from Kolar, Shri Anjaneyya Murthy, for realizing high yield (128 t/ha) by adopting IIHR developed triple disease resistant tomato F1 hybrid, Arka Rakshak. Dr Sadashiva, Principal Scientist & HOD (Vegetable Crops) proposed vote of thanks and expressed sincere gratitude to DG, ICAR for visiting ICAR-IIHR and assured to take appropriate measures to address the suggestions that emerged out of the interaction.

Source: IIHR