Three CoEs were accepted on March 9, 2023, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), out of the 49 that have already been approved.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) has designated three new Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for horticultural crops. These CoEs will function as demonstration and teaching facilities for the most recent horticultural technology, as well as a supply of planting material for fruit and vegetable seedlings for protected cultivation. They will aid in the transfer of technology and know-how in a variety of fields, including post-harvest management, irrigation and fertigation, plant protection, the introduction of new kinds, pollination, and others.
In Bengaluru CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) :
The CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) will be established by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) at the Experimental station, Hirehalli, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This facility’s mission is to exhibit cutting-edge production methods for high yield output during the off-season while also developing them in accordance with international standards. The Institute will also concentrate on creating high-performance cultivars that are more resilient to biotic and abiotic challenges and have better yield, nutrient utilisation efficiency, nutritional quality, and nutritional value. In order to decrease post-harvest losses and encourage export to far-off markets, the centre will also standardise propagation methods, provide high-quality planting material using a participatory approach with the general population, and create standards for post-harvest handling and storage.
The centre will also concentrate on creating value-added goods and procedures to increase product variety and income generation. Through training and field trips, the centre will make developed technology available to farmers and other stakeholders.
Also in Jajpur, Odisha, CoE for Mango and Vegetables :
The CoE for Mango and Vegetables will created as part of the Indo-Israel Action Plan in Panikoili, Jajpur District, Odisha. The center’s mission is to further expertise in nursery management, agricultural techniques, and the development of superior planting material in significant quantities for mango and vegetable crops. The demonstration of novel varieties, Israeli Agro technology for irrigation, fertigation, and plant protection, as well as precision farming and post-harvest management technology, will also be a main emphasis of the centre. For the benefit of farmers, the centre will develop a training model based on targeted fields including irrigation, fertigation, nurseries, canopy, and value chain.
South Goa, CoE for Flowers and Vegetables :
Under the Indo-Israel Action Plan, the CoE for Vegetables and Flowers would developed in the Govt. Agricultural Farm, Codar, Khandepar, Ponda, South Goa, Goa. The facility’s main focus will be on showcasing a high tech nursery management system with cutting edge production technologies. Which using an automated irrigation and fertigation system to produce disease-free. And healthy vegetable seedlings of enhanced types of vegetables and flowers appropriate for Goa. The centre will also establish procedures and recommendations that specifically suited to the regional circumstances in the CoE and farmers’ fields, as well as build infrastructure for the promotion of pre- and post-harvest management of high-quality fruit.
The construction of these three Centers of Excellence for horticultural crops will contribute to the development of the newest technology in the area of horticulture and boost the economic growth of the agricultural community. Moreover, these CoEs will encourage the growth of crops of good quality. It increase yield and fertiliser usage effectiveness, and lessen post-harvest losses. In order to boost agricultural output and guarantee food security. It will be essential to make developed technology available to farmers and other stakeholders. The growth of the agriculture industry and the nation as a whole depend on the government’s support for such projects.