International Conference on Pomegranate–2026, Concludes at ICAR–NRCP, Solapur

6-8 September 2026, Pune

The inaugural ceremony of the international conference on pomegranate was held on 7 September 2026. Dr Rajiv A. Marathe, Organiser of the Conference, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre on Pomegranate and President, SARP, welcomed the dignitaries and participants with a floral welcome.

In his welcome address, Dr Marathe outlined the objectives behind organising the ambitious mega conference and highlighted its strong international participation. Dr Marathe stated that this was the first international conference exclusively dedicated to the pomegranate crop, providing an important platform for knowledge exchange and sharing of scientific and technological advancements in pomegranate production. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts among research institutions, farmers, industry and policymakers to address emerging challenges and promote sustainable growth of the pomegranate sector.

Shri Dattatray Bharane, Agriculture Minister, Maharashtra, highlighted the significant contribution of pomegranate cultivation to the agricultural economy of the state. He emphasised the importance of improving production quality, strengthening post-harvest management, developing cold-chain and storage infrastructure, promoting processing and value addition, and establishing stronger export linkages to enhance the competitiveness of Indian pomegranate in global markets.

The valedictory session was chaired by Dr V. B. Patel, Assistant Director General, ICAR, New Delhi. The deliberations emphasised the importance of disease-free and quality planting material, region-specific varieties and production technologies, and strengthening farmers participation in research and technology dissemination.

Dr Rajiv A. Marathe assured the participants that ICAR-NRC Pomegranate would undertake demand-driven research and reorient its research programmes in collaboration with other ICAR institutes to develop practical solutions to the challenges identified during the conference deliberations. He also stressed the need to further strengthen linkages among research institutions, farmers, industry and policymakers for effective transfer of technologies from laboratories to farmers and from farms to global markets

The conference was attended by 12 international delegates from Italy, South Africa, the USA, Spain, Sri Lanka, Oman and Nepal, along with more than 300 participants from major pomegranate-growing states of India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

(Source: ICAR–National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur)