It is my pleasure to join and serve ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate (ICAR-NRCP),
Solapur on 28 th April, 2021. The ICAR-NRCP completed 15 years of journey on September 25, 2020.
The Centre has made several remarkable accomplishments during this short span and we feel proud
to be a part of growing pomegranate sector in India. Constant increase in pomegranate area,
production and productivity has been observed in India since last 7 years. Record pomegranate area
of 2.62 lakh ha and production of 30.36 Lakh MT have been projected as third estimate for 2018-19
on Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI, website, though 2018-19 was a drought year. A
pomegranate export of 67.89 thousand MT (Value Rs 68.85 x108) is also a record figure till date
showing 43.41% increase over previous year. It is visible that the Centre has played important role in
improving pomegranate scenario in India by combating important diseases improving fruit yield and
quality, providing quality planting material, identifying suitable pomegranate growing areas in India,
developing sound package of practices, acting as reservoir of germplasm for breeding , giving value
addition technologies, dissemination, commercialization and transfer of technologies and imparting
on-site and in-house trainings to stakeholders. The Centre has introduced pomegranate cultivation
in different states through Tribal Sub Plan, (TSP), Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) and Scheduled
Cast Sub Plan (SCSP) by demonstrations, inputs, Soil Health Cards and technical guidance. The
promising pomegranate scenario and the positive feedback of review committees and farmers give
us confidence to move forward with higher commitment.
It is also observed that some of the states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh which are highly or
moderately suitable for pomegranate, are not growing pomegranate, hence, introducing
pomegranate in these areas may prove promising in improving economic status of the poor farmers
in these states. It is point of concern, that though India is the largest producer of pomegranate, yet
its export share in world trade of pomegranate is just 14% in comparison to China (34%) and Iran
(29%) with respectively 50% and 33% less area than India. Demand for big size fruit and very few
(only 9) chemicals with label claims appear to be major concerns for export from India. The Centre is
making efforts to overcome these constraints, so as to increase export that will in turn improve
market rates for the benefit of farmers. The Centre has a challenging task ahead to improve export
through breeding large size variety and pesticide residue free production; work on these aspects is in
progress. I am sure ICAR-NRCP will continue to move forward with confidence to achieve new
milestones and to fulfill the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minster of Doubling farmers’ income. It is a
matter of great privilege to serve the institute that is working for the benefit of pomegranate
growers all over India. With the constant guidance, encouragement and support from the ICAR
headquarters, vision of the previous Directors who served this Centre, concerted efforts of all the
past and present scientists, support of the dedicated technical and administrative staff, the visibility
of the ICAR- NRCP has increased many folds at national and international levels. I am indebted to
one and all for their unflinching support and place on record my sincere thanks to them with the
hope for their constant co-operation in future for the betterment of this young dynamic Centre. Last
but not the least, I wish to thank pomegranate growers from all over India, whose constant queries
have helped us understand the crop better and provide practical solutions to major problems in
pomegranate.
