ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) organized a special online training programme on “Advances in Production Technology of Vegetable Crops" for the executives of Bayer Crop Science India Limited (BCSL) during February 24 to 25, 2021. This programme was sponsored by BCSL. 180 executives of BCSL representing different parts of the country participated in the training programme. The objective of this programme was to impart knowledge on advanced vegetable crops production technology for the executives.
This two-day online programme was started with welcome address by Dr. R. Venkattakumar, Principal Scientist and Head (I/C), Division of Social Sciences and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore. Dr. B. Balakrishna, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training and co-ordinator of the training programme, briefed course content of programme. Mr. Yogesh Mohite, BCSL briefed the expectations of the training programmes.
Head of the Divisions of ICAR-IIHR from various divisions such as Dr. K. Madhavi Reddy, Division of Vegetable Crops; Dr. Reju Kurien, Division of Fruit Crops; Dr. C. Ashwath, Division of Floriculture and Medicinal Crops; Dr. M. Krishna Reddy, Division of Crop Protection and Dr. K. S. Shivashankara, Division of Basic Sciences participated in the inaugural session and felicitated the intention of the programme. Mr. G. A. Atheequlla, Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training and the other co-ordinator of the programme, proposed a formal vote of thanks for the inauguration session.
During the two-day deliberations, 14 scientists of ICAR-IIHR representing the Divisions of Vegetable Crops, Natural Resources Management, Crop Protection, Basic Sciences and Post-Harvest Technology & Agricultural Engineering participated as resource persons and delivered lectures. As a result, the participants acquired knowledge on various advanced production technologies of vegetable crops such as scientific nursery management techniques, integrated nutrient management, pest and disease management, post-harvest management for enhancing the marketability at domestic and export markets etc. Two experts from BCSL also sensitized the participants about various innovative interventions for insect-pest, diseases and nematode management. Each session was followed by meaningful interaction sessions between the participants and resource persons.
During the concluding session, Dr. R. Venkattakumar expressed his opinion that the collaboration between ICAR-IIHR and BCSL should continue for similar such training programmes on horticulture and farmer-centric programmes with common mandates. Mr. Yogesh Mohite, BCSL and the participants from BCSL expressed their satisfaction on the training programme and opined that they have acquired information about innovative scientific horticultural management practices recommended for vegetable cultivation to be implemented under real farm situations. They also expressed their willingness to sponsor similar such programmes and continue to have collaboration with ICAR-IIHR. This online programme was coordinated by Dr. B. Balakrishna, Principal Scientist and Mr. G. A. Atheequlla, Scientist, Division of Social Science and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru.