New crop, flower varieties & discoveries: Nauni varsity ends yr on high note despite limited funds

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Notwithstanding availability of limited funds, the 39-year-old Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, achieved several milestones in research this year.

It attained the 18th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2024 rankings for agriculture and allied disciplines this year, certifying its leadership in the fields of education, research and extension.

In the area of plant breeding, new varieties of crops, comprising Solan Shresth temperate carrot and Laxmi French bean were released at the national level.

Their performance has been lauded nationally.

Scientists of the Department of Plant Pathology came out to the rescue of orchardists when a foliar disease hit the orchards this monsoon. They organised awareness camps and effectively disseminated information on how to cope with the disease which had spread through pest infestation.

Despite limited funds for research, university scientists also discovered two new fruit fly species while three varieties of flowers — Solan Jwala and Solan Shringar of Chrysanthemum and Gladiolus variety Solan Mangla — were released this year.

The university bagged 33 projects worth around Rs 10 crores, while competing for additional 159 projects valued at Rs 50 crores.

Over 400 research publications were published in the year highlighting the university’s focus on research. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-Solan at Kandaghat was recognised as the best KVK in Himachal Pradesh by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Solan Centre for the All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators was also adjudged the best among its peers.

The university was granted two voluntary research centres of the ICAR AINP (Vertebrate Pest Management and Soil Arthropod Pests), adding to its research infrastructure.

The icing on the cake was the success achieved by its 66 students who cleared National Eligibility Test, Junior Research Fellowship and Senior Research Fellowship exam. Since March, over 80 students have been selected in different government and corporate jobs.

The university was chosen as one of seven Centres of Natural Farming (CoNF) under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) by the Government of India.

For years, the varsity has been a leader in research and extension on natural farming.

Offering over 100 different natural products, the university launched the UHF Naturals outlet as part of the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) initiative.

In a bid to provide international exposure, the university expanded its global and national partnerships.

The university became an integral part of the EU-funded Agroecological Crop Protection Towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project, which focuses on agroecology and aims to promote co-innovation in agroecological crop protection. This project, coordinated by France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), involves a consortium of 15 members from 13 countries, including academic organisations and companies.

The university also forged a partnership with the state Agriculture Department and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) for prestigious projects such as SuSPNF (Sustainable Food Systems Platform for Natural Farming).

This initiative focuses on supporting Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) engaged in natural farming, helping them improve their agricultural practices, sustainability and economic viability.

Notably, Vice-Chancellor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel was honoured with the Honorary Colonel rank by the National Cadet Corps (NCC), making him one of the 19 vice-chancellors across India to receive this prestigious title this year.

Four students cleared the prestigious Agricultural Research Service exam — Dr Prashant Sharma and Dr Harish Sharma in agroforestry, Dr Manisha Negi in soil science, and Dr Thaneshwari in floriculture and landscape architecture. Parul Saini, a former BSc student, was selected as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force.

The university signed 15 MoUs with academic and industrial partners while also joining hands with Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh, to establish an Incubation Centre for Vocational Education in Agriculture and Allied Sectors, providing hands-on learning and fostering entrepreneurial skills to the school students, contributing towards sustainable agriculture.