A two-day Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) meeting on Pulses for North Zone concludes at SKUAST-Jammu on a successful note. Prof. J. P. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, was the chief guest at the inaugural session. In his opening remarks, Prof. Sharma said that pulses are the common man options for proteins in the diet of the majority of Indian households. The phrase Dal chawal and Dal roti are the usual proverbs when we talk of food. Pulses are the staple food consumed particularly in the hills of Himalayas and are the chief means of livelihood security. Pulses are the primary source of proteins in vegetarian’s diet in India. They complement the cereal diet with proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. From protein point of view, pulses contain 20-24% protein, which is almost twice the protein in wheat and thrice that of rice. He also welcomed the QRT members present physically and online and delegates from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and UT of J&K. He further informed the gathering that SKUAST-Jammu has recently released three varieties of pulses. He stressed on developing ways and techniques for reducing post harvest losses and yield gaps, developing climate resilient pulse varieties, value addition, and branding of the marketable pulses.
Prof. S.K Sharma, Chairman QRT and former Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPKV, Palampur, in his address, said that now the focus should be on getting geographical GIs (geographical indications) and Trademark tags to our hill specific pulse varieties, which will popularise pulses and will give the pulse products more attractive attention and remunerative price. Prof. Sharma also echoed his views on the importance of inter-disciplinary approaches, inter-institutional linkages and collaborations among the hill states for better research outcomes. He also talked about augmentation of germplasm, nutritional profiling, quality seed production and continuity of the research program for a longer period for optimal and sustainable results.
Dr. G.P. Dixit, Project Coordinator (Chickpea), ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur and member secretary of QRT on pulses, presented the introductory remarks about the theme and importance of the meeting.
At the outset, Prof. Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research cum Registrar, SKUAST-Jammu, welcomed the chief guest, Prof. J.P Sharma, Hon’ble VC SKUAST-Jammu; the Chairman QRT, Prof. S.K Sharma, former Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPKV, Palampur; Dr. G.P. Dixit, Project Coordinator (Chickpea), ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur and other QRT members present physically and online, namely Dr. D.P Singh, Ex-Dir (R), GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Dr. D.K. Sharma, Ex-Dir, CSSRI, Karnal, Dr. D.B. Ahuja, Ex-Dir, NCIPM, Dr. P. Kumar, Ex- Head, Agril. Economics, IARI and Prof. K.R. Koundal, Ex-Dir, NIPB, IARI, New Delhi.
During the two day event, centre wise presentations and threadbare discussions of All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) of North Zone, namely PAU Ludhiana, CCS HAU Hisar, GBPUAT Pantnagar, ARS Sriganganagar, RARI Durgapura, ARS Bikaner, SKUAST-K Srinagar, SKUAST-J Samba and CSKHPKV Palampur took place. In concluding remarks, Chairman QRT and other members of QRT on pulses expressed their satisfaction and happiness about the outcomes of the various research projects on pulses being carried out at various locations of north zone. Dr. G.P. Dixit, Project Coordinator (Chickpea), ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur, coordinated the centre-wise presentations and extended vote of thanks.
