Director Speaks
I am pleased to take charge as the Director of this esteemed Institution and am deeply committed to strengthening its rich legacy while exploring new frontiers of research and innovation. I am optimistic that with our collective efforts we will achieve our shared goals and transform challenges into opportunities for the benefit of farmers and stakeholders. In this quarter, the Institute released many field crop varieties for cultivation across various agro-climatic zones. A high-yielding mustard variety Pusa Mustard 37 was also identified with a higher average yield of 26.0 q/ha. Research achievements include development of climate-smart wheat to address biotic and abiotic stresses, the identification of eco-friendly entomopathogenic fungi for managing woolly aphid infestations in apples and the identification of superior-quality lines of tomato and cherry tomato. The innovative Pusa Trishool pruning method improved the productivity of the tomatoes. Under SDG 12, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, research extended the shelf life of strawberries by using edible films derived from mango kernel starch. The waste to wealth generation target led to optimization of a protocol to produce gluconic acid from potato peel waste. Smart agriculture technologies were employed to develop a deep learning-based method for detection of insect damage in cruciferous crops, a RFID-based automatic basin irrigation system and drone-based thermal remote sensing for water stress assessment in wheat. The Graduate School at IARI introduced “Deeksharambh,” an innovative induction program for newly admitted undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Institute also organized several capacity-building programs, high-end workshops and open field days with themes focusing on farmers and industry stakeholders to exchange ideas. Special events were organised to commemorate Technology Day, World Food Day, World Soil Day, Kisan Diwas and Agricultural Education Day, with lectures by eminent speakers. We are proud that the Institute secured commendable externally funded research grants, promoting both national and international collaborations. Under the Lab to Land initiative, patents were filed and renewed, and copyrights were granted for IARI technologies. Numerous training programs, Kisan Goshthis and exhibitions were also organized for farmers and farm women.