PREFACE

National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur (Maharashtra), was established on June 16, 2005, by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, as a step to strengthen research and development infrastructure for pomegranate crop. Universities and institutes all over the world are having research programmes on pomegranate, but this is the only institution working solely on pomegranate. The centre was established visualizing the increasing demand both for domestic consumption and export, as we have immense production potential in the country.

Pomegranate is a high value crop. Entire tree of pomegranate is of great economic importance. Apart from its demand for fresh fruits and juice, the processed products like wine and candy are also gaining importance in world trade. All parts of pomegranate tree have great therapeutic value and use in leather and dying industry. Demand in the international market has widened the scope for earning higher dividends from this crop. Profits up to 1.5 lakhs/ha/annum have been demonstrated by some growers. It is, therefore, a highly remunerative crop for replacing subsistence farming and thus alleviating poverty levels. It is an ideal crop for the sustainability of small holdings, as pomegranate is well suited to the topography and agro-climate of arid and semi-arid regions. In addition, it provides nutritional security, has high potentials to develop wastelands widely available in the region and an ideal crop for diversification. Moreover, it can make higher contribution to GDP with a small area.

There has been a steady increase in area and production in the country. It is proposed that by the year 2025, the area under pomegranate is projected to increase to 7.5 lakhs ha, from 1.25 lakhs ha at present. Consequently production is expected to increase by 10 folds and export by 6.97 folds by the year 2025.

To achieve these targets coordinated and sustained efforts are required by all concerned with pomegranate research and development. We have to orient our research programmes to develop sustainable technologies by making best use of the opportunities to meet the increasing demands and challenges. Potential areas for pomegranate cultivation will have to be identified and non traditional areas will be explored for its cultivation. Though pomegranate can tolerate water stress, it responds well to irrigation and fertigation. Developing Hi-tech micro-irrigation systems for water management will therefore be a priority. Desirable traits need to be introduced in existing commercial varieties and transgenic lines need to be developed through biotechnology. Rapid multiplication of desired propagating material will be achieved through tissue culture technology.

The Centre- a year and a quarter in existence -presents its first perspective plan through Vision 2025. It presents the basic framework of research and development proposed by the centre. The perspective plan emphasizes the methods of achieving the targets through scientific, profitable, ecofriendly and innovative technologies for cultivation, both in traditional as well as non traditional areas thereby, expanding pomegranate area and production. Emphasis will also be given to promote processing and value addition. Expansion of export of fresh fruits and processed products will be achieved through organic farming and managing pesticide residues in fruits, which have acceptance in international market.
I acknowledge with thanks the valuable suggestions and guidance from Dr. Mangala Rai, Secretary DARE and Director General; Dr. Nawab Ali, Deputy Director General (Engg. and Hort.); Dr. G. Kalloo former Deputy Director General (Hort.) and Dr. S.N. Pandey, Assistant Director General (Hort.), ICAR, New Delhi. Sincere thanks are due to all the scientists of this Centre for the inputs given by them and their efforts in making the document.

Date: January 12, 2007

( Vilas T..Jadhav)
Director