Importance of Mechanization in Onion Cultivation Discussed at Annual Meeting of All India Network Research Project on Onion & Garlic

The ICAR-Directorate of Onion Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune organized the “10^th Annual Group Meeting of All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic” at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi from 31^st May to 2^ndJune, 2019. 

In his inaugural address, Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Horticulture Sciences), ICAR emphasized the importance of mechanization in onion cultivation as almost 50 percent of the total cost of production is incurred on labor charges.  He urged the participants for using the modern information tools for timely application of advance technologies in production and export of onion and garlic. 

The Guest of Honor, Dr. T. Janakiram, ADG (HS-I), ICAR, New Delhi applauded the ICAR-DOGR’s achievements. He outlined about the spread of various varieties and technologies developed by the ICAR’DOGR. He also emphasized for addressing the various challenges like developing processable varieties with more TSS (>17percent), breeding more Kharif onion varieties, developing diagnostics for viruses, haploid induction. 

Dr. Major Singh, Director, ICAR-DOGR discussed about the AINRPOG and its achievements with the importance of onion and garlic in day-to-day life. 

Dr. P.K. Gupta, Director, NHRDF, New Delhi also marked his presence as the Guest of Honor along with Dr. Kirti Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor and Former Chairman, ASRB and Dr. K.E. Lawande, former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli and Ex-Director, ICAR-DOGR, Pune during the workshop. 

Earlier, Dr. Rashmi Aggarwal, Dean & Joint Director (Education), ICAR-IARI, New Delhi welcomed the dignitaries. 

Different ICAR-DOGR publications were released on the occasion. The Scientists from 29 centers and farmers from all over the country participated in the workshop.