Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) conducted its five-year review meeting on December 11, 2024, at its Shahanshahpur campus, highlighting innovative approaches to address challenges in vegetable crop farming. Led by Dr. P. Rajendran, former Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University, the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and agricultural experts to discuss achievements and formulate future strategies.
Key discussions focused on creating a strong seed network to improve farmers' access to high-quality seeds and introducing mini kits for urban horticulture. Dr. Rajendran highlighted the need for a pollen bank to boost hybrid seed production. In line with these efforts, departmental representatives, including Dr. Anant Bahadur and Dr. A.N. Singh, outlined progress made since the previous review.
The event highlighted the significance of engaging youth in vegetable-related value chains, with committee member Dr. Pranab Hazra urging for entrepreneurial initiatives. Meanwhile, Dr. K. Bhaskaracharya from ICMR underlined the importance of developing a nutrient database for vegetables and leveraging technology through decision support systems. Advocating for sustainable farming practices, Dr. Harikesh Bahadur Singh from BHU stressed reducing chemical usage by adopting microbial solutions and organic farming techniques.
Dr. K.P. Singh proposed training programs to equip farmers with modern technologies, ensuring that innovations effectively reach the grassroots level. Principal Scientist Dr. Neeraj Singh shared IIVR’s farmer-centric initiatives, while Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Chairperson of AICRP, provided updates on nationwide vegetable research projects.
The meeting also included a tour of IIVR’s research fields and laboratories, facilitated by Team Secretary Dr. R.K. Dubey, showcasing actionable outcomes from earlier recommendations.
The event concluded with Dr. Rajesh Kumar delivering a heartfelt vote of thanks, reinforcing IIVR’s commitment to enhancing vegetable farming through innovation, collaboration, and farmer engagement.
