ICAR-DFR celebrated its 15th Foundation Day on 10th December 2024 with a series of notable events. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr. Indra Mani Mishra, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The celebrations commenced with a field visit, followed by a formal welcome address by Dr. K.V. Prasad, Director of ICAR-DFR, Pune. In his speech, Dr. Prasad highlighted the key achievements of ICAR-DFR over the past year, including the development of various new varieties and technologies.
Dr. S.K. Roy, Director of ICAR-ATARI, Pune, also graced the event and emphasized the collaborative efforts between ICAR-DFR, ATARI, Pune, and KVKs in promoting floriculture across the country. Dr. Vijay Mahajan, Director of ICAR-DOGR, Pune, spoke about the positive impact of pollinators on onion seed production, a project initiated in collaboration with ICAR-DFR. Dr. K. Sammi Reddy, Director of ICAR-NIASM, Baramati, addressed the challenges faced by crops due to both biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly in light of the changing climate. He also extended the facilities of ICAR-NIASM Baramati for collaborative research with ICAR-DFR.
The occasion was marked by fruitful discussions and the reaffirmation of ICAR-DFR's commitment to advancing agricultural research and technology for the benefit of farmers across the nation.
Various stakeholders from the floriculture industry also participated in the Foundation Day celebrations and discussed key issues related to the sector. Mr. Dhananjay Kadam, from the Grower Flower Council of India (GFCI), provided an overview of the organization's efforts to promote flower crops and address the challenges faced by the industry in India. Mr. Ashish Phadake, from KF Biotech, Pune, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration between government institutes and industry, noting its role in resolving issues affecting both farmers and the floriculture industry.
Mr. Narendra Patil, from Soex Flora, Pune, expressed a keen interest in the chrysanthemum varieties developed by ICAR-DFR and highlighted the potential for expanding international market opportunities for this flower. Mr. Balashivprasad, from the Hosur Flower Growers Association in Tamil Nadu, emphasized the need to establish a robust marketing channel for flower crops, enabling farmers to benefit more from their produce. He stressed that timely market information is crucial for farmers to secure better returns. Lastly, Mr. Mukund Thakar, from the Pawana Phool Utpadak Sangh, Pune, shared insights on the support provided by ICAR-DFR to rose growers, particularly in addressing some of the major challenges in the production system.
The discussions underscored the importance of continued collaboration between research institutions, growers, and the industry to foster growth and overcome challenges in the floriculture sector.
During the program, progressive farmers and industry representatives were felicitated for their significant contributions to the promotion of floriculture. The event concluded with an address by Dr. Indra Mani Mishra, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. In his speech, Dr. Mishra emphasized the importance of flower crops in enhancing farmers' economic well-being, highlighting their high profitability. He stressed the need for systematic crop planning to ensure better marketing opportunities. Additionally, he shared insights into the university's initiatives aimed at benefiting farmers, with "One Day at Farmers' Field" (Ek Diwas Shetarya Sobat) being one of the most notable initiatives.
Dr. Mishra conveyed that the core of all research should focus on benefiting farmers and that efforts in agriculture must ultimately serve their needs. He also praised the development of infrastructure and the exceptional work undertaken by the ICAR-DFR team. The event saw active participation from farmers of Nimdari and Pawana villages, ICAR-DFR staff, scientists from AICRP (F) Ganeshkhind, teaching staff of the College of Horticulture, and all stakeholders associated with floriculture. Around 200 participants attended the celebration.
In the afternoon, a field visit and a scientist-farmer-industry interaction session were organized, allowing participants to engage directly with the latest advancements in floriculture. The Foundation Day program concluded with a formal vote of thanks.
For more information:
Pandharinath Mhaske
Co-ordinator India Florist Association
Mob.: 9371009085
Email [email protected]