Early Times Report
PANTNAGAR, Nov 1: The 34th Annual Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Floriculture commenced today at the College of Agriculture, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar. GBPUAT, Pantnagar, and the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR), Pune, are jointly organising the three-day national meeting, scheduled from November 1 to 3, 2026.
Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Dr. Shivendra Kumar Kashyap graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest, while Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (FVSMAP), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), attended as Guest of Honour.
The programme was attended by Dr. S. P. Das, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids; Dr. K.V. Prasad, Director, ICAR-DFR, Pune, and Project Coordinator, AICRP on Floriculture; Dr. S. K. Verma, Director of Research; and Dr. Anil Shukla, Dean, College of Agriculture, GBPUAT, Pantnagar. In his welcome address, Dr. S. K. Verma highlighted the potential of floriculture in Uttarakhand and the university's role in advancing the sector through research and technology. He also outlined the university's key research achievements in floriculture.
Dr. K.V. Prasad presented an overview of AICRP on Floriculture's research achievements over the past year. He also discussed progress in various research programmes and steps taken to implement the project's technical agenda effectively.
Dr. Sudhakar Pandey emphasized floriculture's role in strengthening the rural economy and supporting sustainable livelihoods. He noted that the sector can contribute to India's vision of *Viksit Bharat* by promoting commercial cultivation, expanding markets, advancing research and innovation, and creating entrepreneurial opportunities for rural youth and women.
In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT Dr. Shivendra Kumar Kashyap emphasized the vast untapped potential of floriculture in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, particularly in the Himalayan region. He stressed the need to identify and harness emerging opportunities in the sector through scientific research, technological advancement and entrepreneurship. He also informed that the university is making efforts to establish a Centre of Excellence in Floriculture at Pantnagar to strengthen research, technology development and promotion of the sector.
During the three-day meeting, research achievements under AICRP on Floriculture will be critically reviewed, and the technical programme for the ensuing year will be finalised through detailed deliberations. The technical sessions will cover key research areas, including Crop Improvement, Crop Production, Crop Protection, Post-harvest Management and Value Addition, besides plenary sessions focusing on emerging priorities and future research strategies.
A major highlight of the inaugural programme was the release of 10 technical bulletins and 02 Annual Reports of AICRP on Floriculture, documenting key research findings, technological developments, and achievements in the field. More than 50 delegates from different parts of the country are participating in the national meeting. The event was also attended by Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, scientists, faculty members and students, along with representatives of the print and electronic media.
The meeting is expected to provide an important national platform to review research progress, exchange scientific knowledge, and formulate future strategies to strengthen floriculture research, development, and entrepreneurship in the country. |
