Horticultural Research Workers Conference

The Horticultural Society of India organised two Horticultural Research Workers Conferences in collaboration with ICAR, one before partition of the country and second soon after partition.

i. First All India Horticultural Research Workers’ Conference-1946, New Delhi
The first all India Horticultural Workers’ Conference was held in 1946 at New Delhi. It was organised by the ICAR in partnership with the Horticultural Society of India. It addressed different emerging challenges in the Horticulture sector. In this meeting it was decided that ICAR would hold a horticulture conference regularly to discuss the developments in horticultural research and education, besides developing future plans.

ii. Second All India Horticultural Research Workers’ Conference, 2528 May, 1948, Conoor, Madras, Tamil Nadu
The second All India Horticultural Research Workers’ Conference was held from May 25-28, 1948 at Conoor, Madras, Tamil Nadu. The conference was inaugurated by Mr. Jairamdas Daulatram, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Government of India. He gave the slogan ‘Fruit and Vegetables for Vast Masses’ keeping in view their importance and very less area under fruits and vegetables (1 acre for 75 persons compared to 1 acre for 3 persons in California and 1 acre for 7 persons in Palestine (IJH, 6(1): 4-7, 1949). He also urged for promotion of commercial horticulture. Sir Dattar Singh, Vice Chairman, ICAR was scheduled to give the introductory speech but due to his attendance in Wheat Conference in Australia during the same time, he could not attend and Dr G.S. Cheema read his speech. Dr Cheema in his address said that Horticulture industry is in its infancy, while horticultural science has made rapid strides. He stressed the need of systematic expansion of area under fruits and also regulation on nursery trade to ensure, production and avilability of quality planting material.