FLUCTUATING PRICES, A THREAT TO LOW PRODUCTION OF VEGGIES: EXPERTS

LUDHIANA
Vegetable scientists from different parts of the country gathered at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today to attend the inauguration of the three-day “IXth Annual Group Meeting of All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic.” The meet has been jointly organized by the Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, and ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (DOGR), Pune.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest Dr R.S. Sidhu, Registrar, PAU, called for augmenting the production of vegetables by strengthening the breeding programmes, providing proper storage facilities, managing post-harvest losses and encountering variations in prices. Fluctuation in prices has contributed to low production of onion and garlic, he observed. There is a need to mobilize in order to compete with the developed countries (international markets), he stressed.

The Guest of Honour Dr K.E. Lawande, Former Vice Chancellor, Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and Ex-Director, ICAR-DOGR, Pune, said: “India is the largest producer of onion and garlic, surpassing China.” To further enhance their production, he urged the scientists to focus on variety/hybrid development; good agricultural practices, mechanization and storage; organic production of onions and garlic seed production.

Another Guest of Honour Dr G. Kalloo, Former Deputy Director General (Horticulture and Crop Science), ICAR, while highlighting the importance of hybrid technology, emphasized on developing onion hybrids. Quality improvement of Kharif onion also calls for the attention of experts, he added.

Dr T. Jankiram, Assistant Director General (Horticulture Science), ICAR, said onion and garlic crops are important for the country as they are seen as major export commodities. There is a need to combat the challenges of meeting more onion and garlic requirements of the country, maintaining and widening genetic resources, and providing appropriate storage facilities.

Dr Major Singh, Director, ICAR-DOGR, Pune, while presenting the report, highlighted the activities of the Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research.Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Dr N.S. Bains, Director of Research, PAU, said mechanization is an important part of vegetable production and there is a complete mechanization of vegetable cultivation practices in the state. There are advances in processing and other aspects of onion and garlic research as well, he added. The region also holds good prospects for seed production, he observed.Later, Dr A.S. Dhatt, Head, Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, and Organizing Secretary of the meet, proposed a vote of thanks.

On the occasion, Dr V. Mahajan, Principal Scientist (Horticulture) and Nodal Officer of All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic, received the “Best Scientist Award,” whereas, Dr A.S. Dhatt and his team from PAU got the “Best Team Award” in recognition of their contributions to vegetable research, especially, onion and garlic. The awards were bestowed by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation.

In addition, seven publications were released by the chief guest. These comprised Annual Report (2017-18) of All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic, Special Issue of Indian Horticulture on Onion and Garlic, Mechanization Proceedings, Export Proceedings, Thrips Proceedings, Journal of Indian Research and Journal of Allium Research. An exhibition, showcasing several crop varieties and technologies of vegetables, was also put up during the meet.