ICAR Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR CISH) one of the premiere institutes known for production of quality planting material of mango and guava is able to meet about one-third requirements of UP State while the rest is borne by private nurseries. Private Nurseries have not been able to supply certified true varieties and disease-free quality material to the farmers. As a result of which the desired productivity and profitability is not be achieved. The Clean Planting Material Production Program of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi which is to be implemented in coordination with National Horticulture Board and Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi. ICAR-CISH, Lucknow is one of the centers selected for clean planting material production in mango, guava and litchi. In this regard a team of international experts (Mr. Ioannis Tzanetakis. J.E. Martinus, Dipak Paudiyal) and National Horticulture Board officials (Mr. C. P. Gandhi and Dr. S.N. Sahay) visited ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow to finalize area for CPP and had discussion with the scientists. Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR CISH briefed about the potential and need for the State to have the Centre. He also briefed the requirement of planting material, germplasm available and importance of CISH in this work. The experts visited the laboratory, fields and expressed their satisfaction on the progress made by institute towards quality research for the global cause. Dr. S. R. Singh, Principal Scientist replied to questions related to planting material production; and Dr. P. K. Shukla regarding crop protection issues. Experts suggested the institute to start with the work on hazard analysis on our mandated (mango and guava) and litchi crops to generate basic information to be taken care of under Clean Plant Program. The Clean Planting Material Production Program will address the issue and help the country in better establishment of orchards, improvement in quality and production of export quality fruits.
