IIPR research centre to be set up in Himachal

Our Correspondent

Palampur, November 8

A regional centre of Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, in collaboration with CSK HP Agriculture University, will be established in the state. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prof Harinder Kumar Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor, and attended by NP Singh, Director, IIPS, and others today.

Chaudhary said till the establishment of the regional centre, the university would offer its infrastructure, land and other facilities to Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and research stations at Sundarnagar in Mandi and Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti district for crop cafeteria.

He said the state was deficient in pulses and with the new centre, research and extension work would get an impetus.

NP Singh said the regional centre would cater to all north hill states and the IIPR would start nursery raising work in this season at the facilities offered by the university. In another meeting with the officials of the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Ayush Ministry, Chaudhary said that the university would try to popularise the concept of ‘one district, one medicinal plant’. He said the university would submit a comprehensive proposal on medicinal plants to the board to propel research and conservation work on these valuable varieties.

He said the university would also submit a roadmap on seabuckthorn development in high altitudes. He advised the scientists to work for the release of seabuckthorn at the national level and simultaneously work for the introduction and cultivation of exotic Russian varieties.