Rabi Pulse Scientists’ Meet-cum-Field Day Organized

9 February 2026, Kanpur

Rabi pulses chickpea, lentil, and field pea form the backbone of pulse production in the country, playing a pivotal role in ensuring nutritional security, improving soil health, and sustaining farmers’ livelihoods across diverse agro-ecologies of India. Achieving the ambitious national targets set for 2030 and 2047 necessitates coordinated research efforts, stronger institutional linkages, and enhanced synergy among stakeholders.

In this context, the ‘Rabi Pulse Scientists’ Meet-cum-Field Day’ was successfully organized at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur.

The inaugural session was chaired by the Director, ICAR–IIPR, and witnessed participation of more than 30 scientists from across the country representing various State Agricultural Universities and national research institutes, including Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay.

As part of the programme, participants visited the rabi pulse research fields at the IIPR Research Farm, where they evaluated and selected promising germplasm and breeding materials suited to their respective pulse improvement programmes. The field interactions facilitated knowledge exchange and strengthened collaborative research efforts aimed at accelerating varietal development and enhancing productivity.

The valedictory function was chaired by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi, and former Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR). Dr. Mohapatra interacted with participating scientists and appreciated the Institute’s efforts in advancing pulse research. He offered valuable suggestions to further strengthen research strategies and collaborative initiatives to meet future production and sustainability goals in pulses.

The meet-cum-field day provided a dynamic platform for scientific dialogue, germplasm exchange, and strategic planning, reinforcing ICAR–IIPR’s commitment to enhancing pulse productivity and achieving national food and nutritional security objectives.

(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur)