The theme of meeting was “Development of Citrus in North-Eastern Region”.
The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI) erstwhile ICAR-National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC), Nagpur, Maharashtra organized the three-day “National Citrus Meet – 2020” at the Regional Research Centre for Citrus, Biswanath Chariali, Assam from 10th to 12th January, 2020. The meet was organized in collaboration with the Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Assam; Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and ICAR-Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region, Umiam. The theme of meeting was “Development of Citrus in North-Eastern Region”.
The Chief Guest of the inaugural session, Dr K.V. Prabhu, Chairperson, PPV&FRA stressed on the need for properly registering the citrus varieties. He urged the scientists to develop the techniques for identifying the admixtures. Dr Prabhu emphasized on giving the priority to the North Eastern Region being Centre of Origin for Citrus, germplasm collection and cataloguing.
Dr A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR urged for focusing on the productivity enhancement and value-added products from citrus. He emphasized on green but, low cost technologies for doubling the farmers’ income.
Dr Ashok Bhattacharya, Vice-Chancellor, AAU; Dr. B.K. Kandpal, Director, ICAR-Research Centre for North-Eastern Hills Region and Dr. R.N. Barman, Associate Dean, BNCA, Biswanath Chariali also marked their presence as the Guests of Honour during the occasion.
Earlier, Dr M.S. Ladaniya, Director, ICAR-CCRI highlighted the various Institutional activities of the ICAR-CCRI and ICAR-RRCC in the recent years. He stated that the Institute will provide first-hand information and all details about the cultivation, marketing and post-harvest management of citrus fruits in the North-Eastern Region.
Dhrubajyoti Das, Deputy Commissioner, Biswanath marked his presence as the Chief Guest along with Abdul Jalil, Director, Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Government of Assam; Shri Mangthiana, Joint Director (Horticulture), Mizoram as the Guests of Honour.
The dignitaries also released the “Souvenir & Abstracts” and Extension Bulletin on “Improved cultivation practices for Khasi mandarin in Mizoram” during the inaugural session. The Citrus Diversity Show displayed the wide varieties of citrus fruits (commercial and wild) from eight North Eastern States.
A total of 150 delegates including Citrus Experts, Horticulturists, State Agricultural Department Officials, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Subject matter Specialists & Programme Coordinators, Development Agencies, University faculties, scientists, students and farmers participated in the meeting.
