Brainstorming on Underutilized Wild Fruits and Vegetable Crops for Economic and Nutritional Security: Policy Perspectives

The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) organized a Brainstorming Session on “Underutilized Wild Fruits & Vegetables for Nutritional and Health Security: Policy Perspectives” on 14^th November, 2024 at NASC Complex, New Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Dr W. S. Lakra, Secretary, NAAS. The session was convened by Dr T. K. Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru and he gave an overview of underutilized fruits and vegetable crops, present status, challenges and future strategies for promotion of cultivation, processing and marketing of underutilised fruits and vegetables. The session was attended by more than 80 experts from various fields including NAAS fellows and NAAS associates both in person and online. The event was commenced by welcome address by Dr W. S. Lakra, Secretary, NAAS, who greeted the convener and all the participants. In his opening remarks, he has emphasized the importance and potentials of underutilized horticultural crops especially on diversity, sustainable utilization, food diversification and widening the food basket for healthy society and enhancing the farmers income. A number of insightful presentations were made by Dr V. B. Patel, ADG (Fruits and Plantation Crops), Dr Sudhakar Pandey, ADG (Vegetables, flower, spices and medicinal crops), Directors of the ICAR institutes (Dr M. K. Verma, Dr J. Rane, Dr Vijay Mahajan) Heads of divisions (Dr M. Sankaran, Dr B. S. Tomar, Dr O. P. Awasthi, Dr H. C. Prasanna, Dr R. B. Tiwari) and other scientists from various institutes like ICAR-IIHR, ICAR-IARI, ICAR-CISH, ICAR-CTCRI, ICAR-CIAH, ICAR-CITH etc. Special invitees Dr Malvika Dadlani, Former Joint Director (Research), ICAR-IARI, Dr R. K. Pal, Former Director, NRC for Pomegranate gave an insightful action points to be taken up for a successful R&D on underutilized fruits and vegetable crops. Detailed discussion were made on identifying and prioritizing key crops, exploring strategies for the preservation of genetic resources, developing sustainable cultivation practices, nutritional benefits and food security, analyzing the nutritional profiles, value addition and marketing, community engagement, participatory approaches, enhancing market access and strengthening policy support. In concluding remarks, Dr W. S. Lakra, Secretary, NAAS, has expressed the gratitude to the conveners, panellists, invited speakers and participants for their valuable contribution.

Read more: https://www.iihr.res.in/brainstorming-underutilized-wild-fruits-and-vegetable-crops-economic-and-nutritional-security-policy