ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow’s Regional Research Station at Makdumpur, Malda, West Bengal was inaugurated 28.2.2016 by Shri Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, Hon’ble Minister In-Charge Department of FPI & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal in the presence of Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General (Horticulture Science), ICAR, New Delhi in the presence many dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion Shri Chowdhury emphasized the need of technology dissemination in the field of Horticulture particularly mango and litchi for the overall development of the farmers of the region. He traced the history of the establishment of the Regional Research Station and the efforts made by Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR and the Government of West Bengal and how the impediments in its establishment were surmounted. Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, DDG (Hort. Science) told the dignitaries and the farmers that he intends to form a team of experts working on mango throughout the country and identify the problems and draw a roadmap for future research. He assured that the Institute proposes to establish an elite nursery and commence the research on vegetables, floriculture and medicinal & aromatic plants, besides mango, guava and litchi. He also emphasized the need for creating export infrastructure for fruits as well as processed products and creating awareness on international standards. Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Shailendra Rajan, Director, talked about the conservation of mango and other fruit varieties at the farmers fields through community efforts. He assured that the nursery programme will get the desired impetus for producing elite planting material. He also emphasized the need for efficient training of the farmers towards technology dissemination.

Shri C.M, Bachawat, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Department of FPI and Horticulture, Prof. Debasis Mazumdar, Vice Chancellor, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, Dr. P. K. Pramanick, Director, Horticulture and Shri S. K. Dwivedi, District Magistrate and Collector, Malda also graced the ceremony.

Temporary office cum Laboratory building of ICAR-CISH Regional Research Station at Food Park, Malda was also inaugurated on 28.02.16 by Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, Hon’ble DDG (Hort. Science), ICAR in presence of Hon’ble Minister In-Charge Department of FPI & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal and other dignitaries.