A New Era for Agricultural Innovation in India: ICAR and WorldVeg Join Forces

We are excited to share that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) have officially joined hands, signing a Memorandum of Association (MoA) on October 14, 2024. This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts to enhance vegetable research and promote sustainable farming practices in India!

The MoA was signed by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR, and Dr Marco Wopereis, Director General of WorldVeg, solidifying our commitment to agricultural excellence. Our partnership will leverage the expertise of ICAR institutes, including the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) and the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), to drive impactful initiatives over the next few years.

Key Initiatives in Our 2024-2026 Workplan:

• Tomato Grafting for Disease Management: We will focus on identifying and promoting rootstocks that are effective in grafting tomatoes, targeting bacterial wilt disease in endemic regions across India.
• Heat Tolerance in Tomatoes: Our research will utilize Genome-Wide Association Mapping to pinpoint Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) that enhance heat tolerance in tomato crops.
• Amaranth Genetic Improvement: We aim to improve underutilized amaranth species, enhancing their genetic diversity to support nutritional and health security in the region.
• Indian Bean (Lablab purpureus L.) Development: Our work will involve creating photo-thermo insensitive cultivars of the Indian bean to boost adaptability and productivity across varying climates.
• Vegetable Soybean Genetic Enhancement: We will focus on improving vegetable soybean varieties, raising yield and nutritional quality, while promoting their reintroduction into Indian diets and expanding market opportunities for farmers.

Voices from the Leaders:

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR, emphasized, “Signing this MoA reinforces our commitment to advancing agricultural research in India. We aim to tackle food security challenges and enhance the resilience of our agricultural systems.”

Dr Marco Wopereis, Director General of WorldVeg, added, “This agreement strengthens our collaboration with ICAR, enabling us to drive innovation in vegetable research and develop sustainable practices for farmers and consumers alike.”

As we embark on this exciting journey, we are eager to see the positive impact these initiatives will have on agriculture in India, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future!