Dr. Triolochan Mohapatra, Hon’ble Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) visited Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research), Bhubaneswar on May 21, 2022 and reviewed various research and development programme of the Station.
At the outset, Dr. G. C. Acharya, Head, CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar welcomed Hon’ble DG and other dignitaries to the occasion. Dr. Debi Sharma, representing Director, ICAR-IIHR apprised of the research and development activities of the Institute in the region. Dr. Acharya presented the progress and achievements of the Station by projecting new research developments at the Station and success stories in the region.
During the occasion, he inaugurated the Post-harvest unit and Seed processing and Testing Unit in the campus of CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar in the august presence of Dr. Debi Sharma, Principal Scientist (ICAR-IIHR), Dr. Atmaram Mishra, Director, ICAR-IIWM, Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, ICAR-CIWA, and Dr. K. Laxminarayana, Head of the regional centre of ICAR-CTCRI, and scientists of the Station, other sister ICAR institutes, and the Staff of CHES(ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar. Dr. Acharya described about the significance of both the infrastructure for the benefit of farming community.
During the inauguration and visit to the post-harvest facility unit, Dr. Kundan Kishore, Principal Scientist and PI, RKVY-Post harvest project, explained the virtues of washing and grading unit, hot water treatment unit, ethylene ripening chamber, cold storage and packing facilities to the Hon’ble DG and all dignitaries. He also explained the functioning and usage of non-destructive equipment (NIR spectrophotometer, ethylene analyser, colourimeter, etc.) for the assessment of fruit quality. During the discussion Hon’ble DG endorsed the significance of post-harvest management in value addition and improvement in farmers’ income.
During the inauguration and visit to the Seed Processing Facility and Seed Testing Laboratory Hon'ble DG emphasized on the expansion of the seed processing facility and stressed on importance of seed health. He witnessed the seed processing activity for French bean variety Arka Arjun in the newly inaugurated seed processing facility. Dr. P. Srinivas, Principal Scientist and PI, MIDH-SEEDs project, explained the seed production activities in the State and demonstrated the functioning of the seed processing equipment and procedures. During the discussion, Hon'ble DG advised for expanding the base of ICAR-IIHR varieties across the eastern region through formation of FPOs and promotion of entrepreneurs for seed production activities in the region.
Hon'ble DG appealed the farmers to avail the newly inaugurated facilities for better income realization. The Post-harvest unit and Seed processing and Testing Unit are established under RKVY, Govt. of Odisha and MIDH, Govt. of Odisha, respectively.
During the interaction with the scientists, Hon’ble Director General put emphasis on effective transfer of technology in all the sections of farming community. He appreciated the efforts of CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar for their achievements and extension activities in the tribal districts. Hon’ble Director General emphasized the importance of availability of seeds of high yielding varieties, quality planting materials to meet the demand of the stakeholders, intercropping in fruit crops and on conservation and exploitation of elite clones of local germplasm such as jackfruit, jamun, carambola, tamarind, and vegetables as crucial component for the development of horticulture in the region for income enhancement of growers.
The program ended with the vote of thanks.
