Virtual Training Programme on “Management of Fruit Genetic Resources for partners of ICAR-AICRP on Fruits” concludes

2^nd February, 2021

The two-day Virtual Training Programme on “Management of Fruit Genetic Resources” jointly organized by the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi and ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka from 1^st to 2^nd February, 2021 concluded today.

In his valedictory address, the Chief Guest, Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), ICAR applauded the organizers for timely conduct of the training programme, given the importance of horticulture crops in general, and fruits in particular, towards the nutritional security. Dr. Singh stressed on the necessity of such customized trainings for human resource development of those who are directly involved in the activities related to germplasm management and utilization.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. B.K. Pandey, ADG (Horticultural Science - II), ICAR complemented the organizers for the very successful completion of the programme.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. M.R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, Karnataka apprised the participants about some interesting and recent progress made by the Institute in promoting the genetic resource management, especially, for on-farm conservation.

Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi stressed on the need to identify the gene sanctuaries similar to the one on citrus for the other fruit crops. He urged the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project Group for focusing on investigating the minor fruit species having rich genetic diversity in the country and great potential in promoting the livelihood of small or marginal farmers.

The programme was specifically designed for all the partners of the ICAR-AICRP on Fruits for orientation towards the basic management issues in plant genetic resources with special reference to fruit crops.

A total of 72 trainees from 9 ICAR Institutes and Departments of 32 State Agricultural Universities virtually participated in the two-day Virtual Training Programme.

(Source: ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka)