GEF Project Team visited ICAR-NBPGR, RS, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

Dr. H. S. Gupta (Former Director, IARI and Former DG BISA) along with Dr. J. C. Rana (National Coordinator, UN Environment-GEF Project) visited ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Jodhpur on 19th February 2021. The purpose of their visit was to explore the activities being carried out at the station. At the outset Dr. Vijay Singh Meena, Scientist (SS) & Officer In Charge, welcomed them and briefed about the activities being undertaken. The team visited Field Gene Bank of the station where 453 accessions belonging to 49 species are being maintained as live plants. Dr. Gupta appreciated the diversity being maintained in various horticultural crops like ber, bael, pomegranate, karonda and other perennial crops. Dr. Kartar Singh, Scientist explained about different crop germplasm being evaluated for heat/drought tolerance. Dr. Gupta advised that already identified unique accessions of different crops may be further utilized for farmer’s welfare. Visiting team admired the experimental field germplasm variability particularly of ber fruit in terms of different size & shape and appreciated the work being done by NBPGR Jodhpur team. Dr. H. S. Gupta and Dr. Rana also planted saplings of pomegranate fruit in station.

(Source:  Dr Vijay Singh Meena, ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Jodhpur)