Union Minister Chouhan Calls for Extending Shelf Life of Horticultural Produce
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, during a visit to the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) in Bengaluru on Sunday, directed scientists to prioritize extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. He emphasized that this initiative is crucial for enhancing farmer incomes across the nation.
Review of Horticultural Research and Integrated Farming Models
While reviewing new varieties of horticultural crops and interacting with heads of other Bengaluru-based institutes under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Chouhan highlighted the importance of integrated farming. "Alongside grains, farmers should integrate fruits and vegetables with dairy, fisheries, or beekeeping to boost their income. The models for integrated farming must be strengthened," he stated.
During inspections of nurseries and demonstration plots, scientists informed the minister that a new crop variety typically takes about six years after development to reach farmers due to mandatory field trials. In response, Chouhan urged researchers to compress this timeline to three years, aiming to accelerate the adoption of innovative agricultural practices.
Focus on Self-Reliance and Market-Driven Research
Chouhan set a clear target for the agricultural sector: "Our goal is to avoid importing fruits and vegetables. We are already becoming self-reliant in some fruits like dragon fruit," he remarked. He instructed IIHR scientists to assess market demand before promoting specific crops and to encourage the cultivation of varieties with better commercial prospects.
To foster collaboration and innovation, the minister proposed organizing a national brainstorming meet on horticulture in Bengaluru. "Researchers and farmers from across India will be invited. The focus will be on extension, disease control, and other practical issues," he explained, underscoring the need for actionable solutions.
Engagement with Farmers and Agri-Entrepreneurs
Chouhan interacted briefly with farmers and agri-entrepreneurs present at the event. Manikanta, a tuberose grower from Doddaballapur taluk, requested wider availability of the IIHR-bred Arka Prajwal variety, noting that it yields throughout the year and has helped stabilize his income.
Another participant, Varun Kashyap, who runs a startup focused on precision beehives, sought government support to build a structured value chain for beekeeping, similar to the dairy sector. He argued that such a system would enable small farmers to earn better returns from honey and related products.
Support for Climate-Resilient Research and Post-Harvest Technologies
Officials from IIHR briefed the minister on ongoing work in developing climate-resilient varieties, post-harvest technologies, and disease management strategies. Chouhan assured that the Centre would continue to support research that directly benefits farmers and consumers by reducing wastage and improving the quality of produce.
This visit underscores the government's commitment to advancing horticultural research and addressing key challenges in the agricultural sector to ensure sustainable farmer livelihoods.
