PAU, Maharashtra firm ink pact to promote onion research

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and a Maharashtra-based company have signed a pact for onion research, said officials.

They said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jain Irrigation Systems Limited (JISL), Jalgaon, is aimed at promoting collaboration in agricultural research and technological advancement in onion breeding and cultivation.

The MoU was signed during the fourth national symposium, titled “edible alliums: current scenario and future strategies for sustainable production”.

Ajmer Singh Dhatt, director of research, PAU, and Anil Dhoke, senior vice-president, agricultural research and development, JISL, signed the MoU.

The JISL is the world’s largest micro-irrigation company and has diverse interests in value addition of agricultural produce, including dehydrated products of onions and other vegetables.

Dhatt said the MoU will foster cooperation between the two institutions in areas of mutual interest related to crop improvement, advanced production technologies and knowledge exchange. The agreement is aimed at leveraging the strengths of both the organisations to address emerging challenges in agriculture and enhance innovation in agri-technologies.

Both the organisations will collaborate in breeding onion cultivars and F1 hybrids, premature bolting tolerance and resistance against different stresses, the officials said, and added that development of double haploid lines and speed breeding protocols for onion has been envisaged under the collaboration. According to the officials, focus will also be laid on high-tech production, post-harvest management and processing technologies for onions.

Officials said the partnership is expected to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and accelerate innovation in agricultural research in onion breeding and advanced cultivation technologies. Both institutions expressed confidence that the collaboration will contribute to improving productivity, quality and sustainability in agriculture.

Symposium concludes

The symposium organised by the Department of Vegetable Science concluded here, the officials said, adding that it brought together scientists, researchers, academicians, representatives from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, state agricultural universities, multi-national companies and progressive farmers from across the country to deliberate on recent advancements in onion and garlic research.

Onion and garlic are important vegetable crops in the state and beyond and contribute to crop diversification and farmers’ income. These crops play a vital role in the state’s vegetable production and are valued for their nutritional, medicinal and economic importance, the officials added.

During the symposium, deliberations were held on various themes, including crop improvement, production, stress management, mechanisation and post-harvest management, and transfer of technology and trade-related issues.

Eminent scientists delivered lectures highlighting innovative approaches for sustainable production, improved varieties, integrated pest and disease management, efficient water and nutrient management, value addition, advances in storage and processing technologies, and extension strategies to promote onion and garlic cultivation for domestic and international markets.

Students, research fellows and scientists from various institutes and universities presented their research findings through oral and poster presentations. N Krishna Kumar, former Deputy Director General, Horticultural Sciences, ICAR, was the chief guest. He emphasised that improving the productivity and quality of onion and garlic is essential to meet increasing domestic demand and enhance farmers’ income.

KE Lawande, president, Indian Society of Alliums, and former Vice-Chancellor, Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, highlighted the importance of collaborative research, adoption of modern breeding technologies and improved post-harvest management to enhance the productivity and profitability of allium crops.

Vijay Mahajan, director, ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, stressed on the use of emerging technologies such as molecular breeding, precision agriculture and mechanisation to address challenges related to climate change, pests and diseases, and post-harvest losses in onion and garlic cultivation.

The event concluded with a field visit by the participants and dignitaries to the Vegetable Research Farm of the PAU here. During the visit, the dignitaries appreciated the onion and garlic breeding programme of the university and commended the efforts of the scientists in developing improved varieties and production technologies.