11th Annual Workshop of Network Project on “HPVA of NRGS”

19 - 20 November, 2019, Parbhani

The Indian Institute of Naturals Resins & Gums, Ranchi organized the “11^th Annual Workshop of Network Project on “Harvesting, Processing and Value Addition of Natural Resins and Gums (NP-HPVA of NRGS)” at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, Maharashtra from 19^th to 20^th November, 2019.

The Chief Guest, Dr. K.K. Sharma, Director, ICAR-IINRG, Ranchi highlighted the Network Project Centres’ achievements. He urged to carry out the value-addition of gums and resins on a larger scale for developing the products based on gum and resin. Dr. Sharma stressed on the importance of NRGs of being low volume and high value not only from the farmers’ point of view, but also from the foreign exchange angle too. He stated that a meager value-addition in NRGs may increase the foreign exchange a lot. Dr. Sharma urged for diversifying and intensifying the research activities under the networking for the farmers’ benefits.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. N. Prasad, Coordinator, Network Project on HPVA of NRGs briefed about the objectives of the Network Project. He also highlighted about the number of methodologies/techniques, processes/products and technologies/patents developed or transferred by the PIs of Network Project to the interested farmers/stakeholders.

Dr. A.S. Dhawan, Vice-Chancellor, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani accentuated that with the scientific tools in our hands, we can ensure the production, processing and value-addition of NRGs. He also underlined about the guar gum being largest export commodity that has enormous potentials in the food industry and other sectors too. He urged for the integration of all the components of agro-forestry with the farming system for improving the livelihood of the rural and poor people.

The dignitaries also released 4 Publications and Guggul Gum-based Laddus developed by Principal Investigators of different Centres under the Network Project on HPVA of NRG.

The workshop was organized for reviewing the Network Project Centres’ annual progress and to discuss the technical programmes for the Year - 2019-20.

About 50 delegates from different collaborating centres and the host Institute participated in the deliberations.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Natural Resins & Gums, Ranchi)