A new era for agricultural innovation in India: ICAR and WorldVeg join forces

World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) has been a pivotal force in advancing vegetable research and production in India since establishing its South Asia regional office in Hyderabad in 2006. Building on collaborations with national and international agricultural research Institutes that began in the late 1970s, WorldVeg has engaged in numerous projects aimed at enhancing the Indian mungbean industry, improving vegetable production, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

A major review in 2015 highlighted the impact of WorldVeg’s germplasm on Indian agriculture, revealing that 14% of hybrid tomato seeds and 13% of hybrid chili seeds sold in India contain WorldVeg’s germplasm. Notably, WorldVeg has significantly contributed to public sector hybrids, with 38% of tomato hybrids and 72% of chili hybrids incorporating its germplasm. The study found that improved varieties of mungbean were planted on 82% of the mungbean area in India.

A New Era of Collaboration

On October 14, 2024, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and World Vegetable Center signed a Memorandum of Association (MoA) to strengthen their collaboration on vegetable research and sustainable farming practices across India. This agreement builds on an existing umbrella Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2019 for a period of ten years.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR, and Dr. Marco Wopereis, Director General of the World Vegetable Center. The event was attended by notable figures including Dr. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture) at ICAR; Dr. Bikas Mandal, Additional Director General (International Relations) at ICAR; Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General for Flowers, Vegetables, Spices, and Medicinal Plants at ICAR; Shri Ravi Prakash, Director of International Relations at the Department of Agricultural Research and Education; Aravazhi Selvaraj, India Country Director at the World Vegetable Center; and Dr. Ramakrishnan M. Nair, Global Plant Breeder for Legumes at the World Vegetable Center.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICAR and Secretary, DARE, Government of India: “Signing this MoA reinforces our commitment to advancing agricultural research in India. With WorldVeg by our side, we’re aiming to address critical challenges in food security and improve the resilience of our agricultural systems for the future. This partnership is about making a real impact.”

To kickstart this collaboration, ICAR institutes, including the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) and the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), along with the WorldVeg team, developed a five-year work plan that is now being implemented through this new MoA, set to run until 2026.

Dr. Marco Wopereis, Director General, World Vegetable Center (Taiwan – Headquarters): “This agreement is a big step forward for our collaboration with ICAR. By bringing together our expertise, we can drive innovation in vegetable research and develop sustainable practices that truly benefit farmers and consumers alike. Together, we’re in a great position to tackle the challenges of agriculture today.”

Key Initiatives of the 2024-2026 Work Plan

The collaboration focuses on several key projects that will involve joint efforts from ICAR and WorldVeg, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in India. Here are some of the major initiatives:

1. Identification and Promotion of Suitable Rootstocks for Tomato Grafting

This project will address the bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, affecting solanaceous crops. The work plan includes mapping genetic diversity, screening potential resistant rootstocks from eggplant, and promoting grafting technology. Collaborating institutions include ICAR-IIHR and IIVR.

2. Genome-Wide Association Mapping in Tomato for Heat Tolerance

This initiative aims to identify heat-tolerant tomato genotypes using Genome-Wide Association Mapping (GWAS). Multi-location testing will be conducted in partnership with ICAR-IIVR and ICAR-IIHR to discover new heat-tolerant varieties.

3. Evaluation and Improvement of Genetic Wealth of Underutilized Amaranth

Focused on the evaluation and genetic improvement of amaranth, this project aims to enhance nutritional security. Germplasm collection and characterization will be conducted with collaboration from ICAR-NBPGR and WorldVeg.

4. Development of Photo-Thermo Insensitive Indian Bean Cultivars

This initiative seeks to develop cultivars that are insensitive to light and temperature, enhancing yield and adaptability. This project will utilize germplasm from ICAR-NBPGR, ICAR-IIHR, and WorldVeg for breeding efforts.

5. Genetic Enhancement for Vegetable Soybean

The goal of this project is to improve vegetable soybean varieties to combat protein deficiency in India. Collaboration with ICAR-IIVR, ICAR-IIHR, and WorldVeg will focus on augmenting and characterizing germplasm, identifying promising accessions, and developing high-yielding varieties.

In conclusion, the collaboration between ICAR and WorldVeg represents a pivotal step toward revolutionizing Indian agriculture. By focusing on the development of improved crop varieties, effective disease management strategies, and sustainable practices, this partnership aims to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and food security for farmers. Moreover, initiatives promoting climate resilience and nutritional security address critical challenges faced by rural communities. Through knowledge empowerment and collaborative research, ICAR and WorldVeg are poised to create a lasting impact on the livelihoods of farmers across India, fostering a robust and sustainable agricultural ecosystem that can thrive in the face of future challenges.