A five-day training program on “Spineless Cactus Cultivation and its Economic Usages” was
successfully organized from 17–21 November 2025 at the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research
Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, in collaboration with the National Institute of Rural
Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad and the Department of Land
Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, with sponsorship support
from NIRDPR. The program included expert lectures on CAZRI’s experience with Opuntia
ficus-indica, cultivation techniques, nutrient management, value addition approaches, and
potential economic opportunities, along with field visits and hands-on demonstrations.
Technical sessions were led by resource persons from ICAR-CAZRI, ICARDA, and BAIF
Research Foundation. The training witnessed enthusiastic participation from representatives
of government and private organizations, NGOs, and progressive farmers. A variety of valueadded products prepared from spineless cactus were displayed during the program, and the
beverages made from spineless cactus were also served to participants and dignitaries. The training was successfully coordinated by Dr. R. N. Kumawat and Dr. Dipika Hajong.
https://www.cazri.res.in/document.php
