Virtual Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Groundnut organized

25 - 26 April, 2022, Junagadh

The Virtual Annual Group Meeting (AGM) of All India Coordinated Research Project on Groundnut was organized from 25^th to 26^th April, 2022.

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Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR urged for giving emphasis to the pre-breeding to broaden the genetic base of the Groundnut. The DDG also urged for strengthening the Breeding Programme through the modern approaches like speed breeding, QTL mapping for major biotic and abiotic stress, genome wide association mapping tools, use of genome editing tools for drought tolerance and RNAi technology for addressing aflatoxin contamination, etc. Dr. Sharma accentuated on conducting surveys on the emerging diseases and insect-pests to study the outbreak of the races for Crop Protection Programme.

Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, ADG (O&P), ICAR urged for the constituting a Committee for the necessary guidelines to promote entries to the advanced varietal trials for evaluation and identification. The need for registering the germplasm showing the consistent reaction for at least 3 Years for a particular trait after the validation at the Institute or in the Artificial Environmental Conditions was also stressed by Dr. Gupta.

During the plenary session, Dr. N.K. Gontia, Vice-Chancellor, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat appreciated the efforts made in the AICRP on Groundnut and the accomplishments during the last Year. The implementation of mechanization in the Groundnut cultivation, especially, using the drone technology in monitoring the pest and diseases was also suggested by Dr. Gontia.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. C.S. Praharaj, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, Gujarat underlined the highlights of the AICRP on Groundnut Programme made during the Rabi-Summer - 2020-21 and Kharif - 2021.

Around 150 participants from the various parts of the country representing both Public and Private Sectors involved in Groundnut R&D virtually participated in the Meeting.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, Gujarat)