PAU concludes 43rd Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Vegetable Crops with insightful deliberations and future roadmap

Ludhiana, March 06, 2025: The 43rd Annual Group Meeting (AGM) of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Vegetable Crops concluded successfully at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, on March 5, 2025. The three-day scientific congregation, held from March 3-5, brought together eminent scientists, researchers, and policymakers from across the country to deliberate on advancements, challenges, and future strategies in vegetable crop research.

The final day of the AGM witnessed intensive discussions and technical sessions, paving the way for significant enhancements in research programs aimed at improving vegetable productivity, nutritional security, and sustainability. The day commenced with a dedicated technical session on the ‘Tribal Sub-Plan Programme and Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan Programme’, which focused on research interventions and extension strategies tailored for marginalized farming communities. This session was chaired by Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, ADG (Fruits, Vegetables & MAPs), ICAR, and co-chaired by Dr. T.S. Dhillon, Head, Department of Vegetable Sciences, PAU, Ludhiana, and Dr. V. Pandey, Principal Scientist, Division of Horticultural Science, ICAR. The participating scientists presented their progress, discussed key challenges, and proposed measures to strengthen these initiatives for greater impact.

The Plenary Session, which marked the culmination of the AGM, was a highlight of the day, bringing together the entire AICRP-VC scientific fraternity. Chaired by Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, with Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Project Coordinator, AICRP-VC, Varanasi, as the co-chair, the session witnessed the presentation of key findings and recommendations from nine technical sessions held over the three days. Discussions focused on the incorporation of new research findings, breeding advancements, climate-resilient vegetable varieties, and precision horticulture techniques into the forthcoming research programs.

The scientific roadmap for the upcoming year was also laid out, ensuring alignment with national agricultural priorities and sustainability goals. Experts emphasized the need for innovative breeding strategies, efficient resource utilization, and policy-level interventions to address emerging challenges in vegetable production and supply chains.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. T.S. Dhillon extended gratitude to all dignitaries, researchers, and participants for their valuable contributions. He lauded the collaborative efforts under AICRP-VC, emphasizing the need for continued synergy between research institutions, policymakers, and the farming community.

As a concluding activity, the delegates embarked on a field visit to PAU’s demonstration and experimental trial plots, where ongoing research trials on high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient vegetable varieties were showcased. The visit provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative discussions on practical applications of research advancements.

The 43rd AGM of AICRP-VC at PAU not only served as a think tank for pioneering research but also laid the groundwork for future innovations in vegetable crop science. The deliberations and resolutions from the event are expected to drive scientific breakthroughs and policy interventions, ultimately benefiting India’s agricultural landscape and ensuring nutritional security for millions.