Consulate General of Japan Visits ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur: Boosting Indo-Japan Collaboration in Citrus Research

15 June 2025, Nagpur

Mr. Yagi Koji, Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, visited the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, marking a significant step towards enhancing Indo-Japan cooperation in citrus research and sustainable agriculture.

In his address, Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, underlined the critical need for global partnerships to address challenges faced by citrus growers, particularly in disease resistance, climate resilience, and advanced technologies. He also emphasized the socio-economic importance of citrus cultivation in the region and the institute’s contributions to farmer empowerment through science-led initiatives.

A video presentation highlighted the institute’s major achievements and its pivotal role in citrus development, decline management, and farmer-centric innovations across India.

Key highlight of the visit was an interactive session between ICAR-CCRI scientists, and citrus farmers. The dialogue focused on shared challenges, emerging technologies, and opportunities for collaboration in climate-smart agriculture, precision farming, and partnerships with Japanese start-ups.

The visit concluded with a tour of ICAR-CCRI’s nursery and experimental fields, showcasing sensor-based drip irrigation and sub-surface irrigation technologies for precision citrus farming.

The visit marked a promising beginning toward a robust Indo-Japanese partnership in sustainable citrus farming and agricultural innovation.

(Source: ICAR- Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur)