Event Highlights
The 36th Annual Group Meeting of the ICAR – All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRPS) was held at the ICAR – Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, during 29–31 October 2025.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. B. C. Deka, Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, and presided over by Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR.
Dr. D. Prasath, Project Coordinator, ICAR–AICRP on Spices, presented an overview of the project’s achievements during the previous year and the new initiatives undertaken under the project.
Key addresses were delivered by prominent scientists including Dr. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR–IISR; Dr. Vinay Bharadwaj, Director, ICAR–NRCSS; Dr. Samarendra Hazarika, Director, ICAR–RC NEH; Dr. Prakash Patil, Project Coordinator, AICRP on Fruits; and Dr. Augustine Gerard, Project Coordinator, AICRP on Palms.
Key Major Announcements
Six New Crop Varieties Recommended
During the workshop, six new high-yielding spice varieties were recommended for release to enhance productivity and resilience in spice farming:
- Ajwain: Hisar Ajwain-7 (HAJ-7), Gujarat Ajwain-4 (JA-19-1), and Ajmer Ajwain-24
- Fennel: Karan Saunf-2 (RF 231)
- Ginger: Koraput Ada and IISR Navya
Seven Innovative Technologies Adopted
The workshop recommended innovative technologies for adoption by the farming community:
- Chemical control strategies for pollu beetle in black pepper.
- Foliar application of growth regulators for enhancing yield in fenugreek and coriander.
- Biocontrol methods for managing powdery mildew in fenugreek.
- Eco-friendly management of blight disease in cumin.
- Intercropping of field and tuber crops with ginger for higher economic returns.
- The use of Bacillus subtilis for phosphorus and zinc solubilization to improve ginger yield.