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In order to tap the vast potential in the country for the production of quality pomegranate, a new National Research Centre on Pomegranate (NRCP), has been established by ICAR, which was inaugurated by Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, yesterday in Solapur, Maharashtra. The new centre is expected to give fillip to the production of pomegranate, both for domestic consumption and export, through conducting basic and strategic research for increasing production.
During the function, Shri Pawar referred to National Horticulture Mission, which targets to double the horticulture production in the country by 2011 and said it provides an ideal option for diversification in agriculture. The Minister talked about the importance of pomegranate in the tropical and subtropical region and asked agriculture scientists to come up with high yielding, resistance-free varieties and viable production technologies. He said setting up of a full fledged research centre would give mission oriented approach to undertake R & D activities in pomegranate production.
India is one of the leading country in pomegranate production and more than 1 lakh hectare area is under cultivation presently. Out of this, nearly 80000 hectare area is covered in Maharashtra, which produces fruits of over 1 lakh metric tones worth about Rs. 400 crores. Pomegranate is the most important fruit crop of the tropical and subtropical region. Because of its low maintenance cost, steady but high yielding, better keeping quality and possibilities to thrive the plant into rest period when irrigation potential is low, pomegranate provides for vast potential in semi-arid regions of the country.
Dr. Rai in his speech said that this centre would act as a repository of information related to pomegranate and conduct research through breeding superior varieties and better production technologies. It would also act as national gene bank of pomegranate fruit crop and would provide consultancy in research and development of pomegranate. He said that during Xth Plan, the emphasis would be given on establishing National Repository of Pomegranate germplasm; integrated nutrient and water management schedules; integrated disease, pest management; post harvest handling and processing of pomegranate and market surveillance for export. A total amount of Rs. 325. 50 lakh (plan budget) has been provided for as the Xth Plan outlay of NRC Pomegranate.
UM/RC/N: Pomegranate - 260905
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