National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Brainstorming
on
Underutilized Wild Fruits and Vegetable Crops for Economic and Nutritional Security: Policy Perspectives

November 14, 2024

The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) organized a Brainstorming Session on “Underutilized Wild Fruits & Vegetables for Nutritional and Health Security: Policy Perspectives” on November 14, 2024 under the Chairmanship of Dr W.S. Lakra (Secretary, NAAS). The session was convened by Dr T.K. Behera (Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru) and he gave an overview of underutilized fruits and vegetable crops, present status, challenges and future strategies for promotion of cultivation, processing and marketing of underutilised fruits and vegetables. The session was attended by more than 80 experts from various fields including NAAS fellows and NAAS associates both in person and online. A number of insightful presentations were made by Dr V. B. Patel, ADG (Fruits and Plantation Crops), Dr Sudhakar Pandey, ADG (Vegetables, flower, spices and medicinal crops), Directors of the ICAR institutes (Dr M. K. Verma, Dr J. Rane, Dr Vijay Mahajan) Heads of divisions (Dr M. Sankaran, Dr B. S. Tomar, Dr O. P. Awasthi, Dr H. C. Prasanna, Dr R. B. Tiwari) and other scientists from various ICAR institutes. Special invitees and esteemed fellows Dr Malavika Dadlani and Dr R. K. Palemphasized for a successful R&D on underutilised fruits and vegetable crops.