SRINAGAR: The annual group meeting of ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AIRCP) on Vegetable Crops concluded at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus.
About 300 scientists from across the country participated in the three-day annual group meeting and discussed the latest technologies, cutting-edge research and innovation in horticulture science particularly for the new interventions in vegetable crops.
SKUAST-K’s Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture in collaboration with ICAR-IIVR (Indian Institute of Vegetable Research), Varanasi conducted the annual group meet of AICRP for the first time in Kashmir.
Renowned horticulture and vegetable scientists of the country including Dr Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General Horticulture-ICAR; Prof RS, Chandel (Vice Chancellor YSPUH&F Solan); Dr Bijendra Singh (Vice Chancellor NDUA&T Ayodhya); Dr B Neeraja (Vice-Chancellor, Telangana SHU), Dr Nazeer Ahmed (Former VC SKUAST-Kashmir); Dr Major Singh Member (PS) ASRB; Dr TK Behera (Director ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi); Dr MK Verma (Director CITH) Dr PM Singh (PC, AICRP) participated in the meeting.
Vice Chancllor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the meeting, which was also attended by Dr Tariq Hussain Masoodi (Director Research), Dr SA Wani (Dean FOA); Dr Baseerat Afroza (HOD), Directors, Deans Heads of Divisions /Research Stations Station and the university alumni.
The organising secretary of the conference, Dr Ajaz Ahmed Malik, presented the formal address and Dr Baseerat Afroza, HOD, Vegetable Science presented the overview of the developments regarding vegetable crops in the university.
On this occasion, seven publications, from SKUAST-K and ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi were released. Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, VC, SKUAST-(K) highlighted the role of
Vegetable crops for creating economic opportunities for farmers and contribute to rural development. Dr PM Singh, I/C PC Cell, AICRP (VC), ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi presented a vote of thanks.
The meeting consisted of XII technical sessions in which, the results based on last year’s technical programme were presented and discussed. Technical programmes for 2023-24 were finalized in the plenary session.

KR Desk