K L Chadha’s role in horticulture’s progress recalled

Lucknow: The ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day on Thursday, commemorating its inception as Central Mango Research Station in 1972 under late Padma Shri Dr K L Chadha. Bust of Dr K L Chadha was unveiled by Prof S K Singh, deputy director general (horticultural science), ICAR, New Delhi, who also opened Dr K L Chadha auditorium.Prof S K Singh lauded progress in varietal development, mango export protocols through sea route, Digital Orchard Health Card, smart orchard management and post-harvest technologies and emphasised multi-commodity clusters, development of novel nutritional products, zero-waste horticulture, diversification of fruit crops and nutrient-efficient production systems.Dr V B Patel, ADG (fruits & plantation crops), underscored importance of breeding climate-resilient varieties and promoting smart orchard management practices to fortify India's fruit sector against climate change and other emerging issues. Director, ICAR-CISH, T Damodaran, presented the institute's salient achievements and technological interventions, including release of new varieties of mango, guava, bael and parwal by CVRC, development of techno-receptive mango orchards through canopy management, innovations in digital orchard management, sea-route export protocols for mango, promotion of good agricultural practice, advances in wilt management and post-harvest research breakthroughs.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Teacher's Day wishes, messages and Quotes !