Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA) chairman Selwyn Snell has welcomed the potential for joint research and development (R&A) programmes with India.
It come after HIA last week moved to sign MoU’s with three Indian research agencies, namely the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT), Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd (JISL) and Bioseed Research India (BRI). “This will benefit both countries as we identify research gaps and potential opportunities,” Snell explained.
The relationship between HIA and ICRISAT will focus on the area of modern genome science, including sequencing, genotyping and functional genomics. William Dar, director of ICRISAT, said the partnership would have long-term benefits for producers in both countries.
“We are excited that through this collaboration with HIA Ltd, ICRISAT and Australia will be doing not only high-quality but also high-impact research that is expected to reach and benefit millions of farmers and consumers globally,” Dar noted.
JISL and HIA have committed to exploring research in a number of horticultural crops, with an initial focus on mangos. It marks the first formal partnership between two nations to address key research issues surrounding mango production.
HAL will work with BRI to continue developing the Indian organisation’s R&D programme, which services vegetable and broad acre farms with hybrid seeds.
