ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru participated in “Expansion of Horticulture Value Chain in India – Potential and Opportunities”, held at VAMNICOM, Pune, Maharashtra during 1-2nd November,2022 which was inaugurated by Honourable Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar along with Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Mr. Abdul Sattar and State Horticulture Minister Mr. Sandipanrao Bhumre. The ICAR-IIHR stall was arranged with posters on different themes prepared on fruits and vegetables for nutritional security, diversity, enhancing income, eco-friendly machineries, protein rich mushrooms and value added products etc. There were also live samples of fruits (Guava, star fruit, custard apple, dragon fruit, rambutan, oranges etc); vegetables (different chilli varieties, brinjal, onion, pumpkin); flowers (roses, gerbera, crossandra); products such as Arka herbiwash, seed pockets, processed products of fruits, vegetables and products of mushroom apart from relevant publications. The ICAR-IIHR stall attracted more than 1000 visitors including bureaucrats, policy makers, progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, students, FPOs, start – ups and bankers, mainly from the state of Maharashtra and other neighbouring states and they expressed great interest and appreciation towards the technologies. This programme was coordinated by Dr V. Sankar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training and Dr Lakshmipathi, ACTO, Division of Fruit Crops.
During the technical session organised as a part of the summit on 1st November,2022, Dr. Debi Sharma, Director, ICAR-IIHR chaired a session on “ GAP and Extension innovation in Horticulture” and delivered an invited talk on “Role of Technology and Innovation in Horticulture in India”. Dr. G. Senthil Kumaran, Principal Scientist, Division of Post-Harvest Management and Agricultural Engineering also chaired a session on “Mechanisation in Horticulture- Emerging Technologies”.