Solan: A 21-day advanced training course on Breeding Vegetable Crops for Climate Resilience concluded today at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni. The course, organized by the Centre for Advanced Faculty Training (CAFT) in Horticulture (Vegetables) within the Department of Vegetable Science, welcomed scientists from across the country.
Fifteen scientists from six states—Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh—participated in the training, representing various agricultural universities and institutes.
In his address at the valedictory function, Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel emphasized the need for more research on farming practices in dryland and water-stressed conditions. He highlighted water as an increasingly precious resource and called for efforts to curb its overuse in regions with good irrigation facilities. Prof. Chandel outlined strategies for developing new varieties of commercial vegetable crops to withstand changing climatic conditions. He urged scientists to incorporate natural farming principles into their research proposals and to consider local ecosystems when designing new research initiatives. Additionally, he encouraged participants to build strong emotional connections with farmers and maintain regular communication with their peers to enhance the relevance and impact of their work.
Dr. Happy Dev Sharma, Head of the Department of Vegetable Science and Director of CAFT, welcomed the Chief Guest and provided an overview of the Centre’s long-standing contributions. Since its inception in 1994, CAFT has organized 33 advanced training programs, benefiting over 600 scientists and researchers by enhancing their skills in vegetable science.
Throughout the course, six eminent scientists were invited to present on cutting-edge research in vegetable breeding. Additionally, 27 lectures were delivered by senior faculty members of the university, covering various aspects of vegetable production, plant protection, and general horticulture.
The training emphasized the need for rapid development of new vegetable varieties and innovative technologies, alongside effective transfer methods to farmers. Experts also stressed the importance of increasing productivity and expanding vegetable cultivation to ensure nutritional and health security for India’s growing population. The development of cost-effective technologies for protected vegetable cultivation was also discussed.
Participants had the opportunity to visit university farms and labs, as well as notable research institutions, including the Directorate of Mushroom Research, Central Potato Research Laboratory, and the university’s Regional Research Stations at Mashobra and Krishi Vigyan Kendra Solan at Kandaghat.
The training program focused on aligning vegetable breeding strategies with the growing food demands of a rapidly increasing population. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Kuldeep Singh Thakur, Principal Scientist and Coordinator of the training.
