I.P. Gautam1,T.K. Gotame2 and S.L. Shrestha1
1Horticulture Research Division,Khumaltar,Lalitpur
2Regional Agricultural Research Station,Parwanipur, Bara
Corresponding email:gothame@gmail.com
Abstract
Fruit in Nepal contributes about 4.8% of national GDP and 15.32% of AGDP.The major public institutions involved in fruits research is primarily Nepal Agricultural Research Council.It has spent about twenty five years of researches in fruit species.Among 62 Stations/Divisions,National Citrus Research Program is only one commodity program while highly dedicated stations in fruit researches are ARS Pakhribas;HRD,Khumaltar;HRS,Malepatan; HRS, Dailekh and HRS,Rajikot, and RARS Tarahara; RARS,Parwanipur; RARS, Lumle and RARS,Nepalgung.Some good ground work has already been done during past in major fruits particularly in apple,pear,Plum,citrus,kiwifruit,pomegranate,grape,banana,litchi,pineapple, and mango.A major research in the past was focused on genotype collection and evaluation,propagation methods and protocol standardization,plant protection in few commodities and postharvest management.In recent years about 25 technologies have been generated and documented.With long efforts of research in fruits,two varieties of acid lime Sunkagati-1 and Sunkagati-2 have been released while Khoku Local of mandarin and Tehrathum Local of acid lime have been registered so far.Variety registration of banana germplasm particularly, ‘William Hybrid’, ‘G9’ and ‘Malbhog’ has also been proposed for registration by Horticulture Research Division,Khumaltar in collaboration with National Fruit Development Centre and Seed Quality Control Centre.Even though,the researches in fruits and nuts are still lagged behind than that of technological demand from the users.There is still lack of streamline in the fruit research and definite lead centers.To take the momentum in fruit research in NARC,it needs to be restructured with special focus on fruit researches.For example,Horticulture Research Institute as envisaged by ADS should be established.One Fruit and Nut Research Division at each province as leading apex body including Fruit Research Units should be established under NARC.Further upgrading of NCRP along with establishment of Tropical Fruit Research Station at Province 2 and Temperate Fruit Research Station at Province 6 at national level can streamline NARC’s fruit researches.
Keywords:Tropical fruits,Temperate fruits,Citrus,Nuts,Commodity Program