Pawar inaugurates ICAR centre at Solapur

Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established an exclusive National Research Centre on Pomegranate at Solapur in Maharashtra.

The new centre, inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Monday, is expected to boost the production of pomegranate, an official release said.

India is one of the leading countries in pomegranate production and more than one lakh hectare area is under cultivation presently.

Out of this, nearly 80,000 hectare area is covered in Maharashtra, which produces fruits of over 1 lakh metric tones worth about Rs 400 crores.

Pomegranate is the most important fruit crop of the tropical and subtropical region.

During 10th Plan, the emphasis would be given on establishing National Repository of Pomegranate germplasm; integrated nutrient and water management schedules; integrated disease, pest management; post harvest handling and processing of pomegranate and market surveillance for export.