Institute Project

Vegetable production in India faces mounting challenges from erratic climate patterns, declining soil health, water scarcity, and the growing demand for safe, nutritious produce. The Division of Vegetable Production at ICAR-IIVR addresses these challenges through innovative, farmer-centric research that bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and field-level adoption.

The Division's work centers on making vegetable production and farm management sustainable, self-resilient, profitable and farmer-friendly. Through grafting technologies, farmers can now cultivate tomato, brinjal, and cucumber under waterlogging, drought, and salinity conditions that would otherwise destroy ungrafted crops—rootstocks like Solanum torvum and ash gourd have demonstrated major yield improvements under stress. The pioneering Pomato technology exemplifies resource-use efficiency, enabling simultaneous harvest of tomatoes and potatoes from the same plant with 26.3% enhanced productivity. For farmers transitioning to organic systems, the Division has identified suitable varieties and microbial-enriched nutrient packages that match conventional yields while building long-term soil health.

The real-world impact speaks volumes as exemplified by the Institute’s bottlegourd variety Kashi Ganga that has spread across 73,414 hectares in 30 states, generating Rs. 78.45 crores in economic surplus. The nutri-garden module transforms just 100 square meters into a year-round nutrition source for rural families, addressing malnutrition through vegetable diversity rather than supplementation. For the processing industry, characterized bioactive compounds in bitter gourd and optimized chilli powder formulations open avenues for health-focused products. Researchers benefit from validated stress physiology protocols and precision nutrient scheduling data applicable across agro-climatic zones. Ultimately, the Division's research supports India's vision of sustainable intensification—producing more from less while safeguarding natural resources and farmer livelihoods.