Photo above: The Dean of the college of Horticulture, Mudigere, delivering the presidential remarks

Dr. Raviraja Shetty G.  organized a 10-day course on “Recent advances in conservation and management  of genetic resources of spices, plantation, medicinal and aromatic crops” at College of Horticulture, Mudigere (University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India) from 1 to 10 October, 2019. The course was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - New Delhi (ICAR). This professional development course was organized to impart training to agricultural scientists and faculties in different research institutions and agricultural universities involved in the conservation of genetic resources.

All the participants from different parts of the country attended the inaugural function. Staff members of College of Horticulture, Mudigere and Post Graduate students of the college were also present.

The programme was inaugurated On October 1st by Dr. Anitha Karun, Director, Central Plantation Crops, Research Institute, Kasargod, India. Dr. M. K. Naik, Honorable Vice Chancellor, UAHS Shivamogga was the chief guest. Dr. Raviraja Shetty G, Course Director welcomed all dignitaries and participants and delivered proposal note. He mentioned the relevance of this course at this particular region as the College of Horticulture, Mudigere is located at the central part of Western Ghats and spices and plantation crops are the traditional crops of this region and Western Ghats is the repository of more than 2000 medicinal plants. He also remembered the words of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.. “If conservation of natural resources goes wrong, nothing else will go right”.

      Photo: TBD

Dr.Anitha Karun in her inaugural address appreciated the ICAR for approving such an important short course at this particular college. She mentioned that the importance of conservation of genetic resources is being increasingly realized by many developing countries in recent years. Research and development in Plantation, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic crops in India is historic and there is need to give priority for conservation of our genetic resources.

Photo: Inauguration of the programme by Dr. Anitha Karun, Director of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod, India

Dr. M. K. Naik, Honourable Vice Chancellor, mentioned that Western Ghats being recently nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is most relevant topic on which the short course being organized, There is an urgent need to conserve these genetic resources of high value. He enlightened the importance of this short course and inspired everyone to actively participate in such courses so that an individual can improve his personality and which is a way to develop the nation. 

During the course of 10 days, eminent scientists in the field of conservation were made available to deliver talk and impart training to the participants.

The Valedictory programme was held on October 10th in the seminar hall at the College of Horticulture, Mudigere. Dr. B.Hemla Naik, the esteemed Registrar of the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga was the chief guest. Dr. Raviraja Shetty, G. the course director welcomed the dignitaries. Welcome speech was then followed by the feedback from the participants. The participants and the delegates were totally satisfied with the short course and expressed their gratitude for being a part of it.

Acknowledging the talent of the trainees for their best efforts put up during the course the delegates, the participants were provided with the certificates from the hands of our honourable chief guest Dr. B. Hemla Naik. A huge congratulation was given to all the participants for their successful completion of the course.

There were many field trips, visits to research stations and practical sessions relevant to the short course to give the participants first hand information in a best way.

      Photo: TBD

* Dr.Raviraja Shetty G (at the podium) is Assistant Professor, Dept. of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, University of Agricultural & Horticultural SCiences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India