A field day on Okra was organized at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi by its Zonal Technology Management Unit on 28th October, 2020 to showcase and commercialize the promising okra varieties, hybrids and advanced lines developed by the Institute. Keeping in view the Covid Pandemic, the event was organized in virtual mode through online virtual meeting. In his welcome address, Dr. Jagdish Singh, Director, IIVR, informed the participants about the important varieties/hybrids available with IIVR in okra and commitment of IIVR to make it available to the farmers through the strong marketing network of the private seed companies in accordance with the guidelines issued by the ICAR. Dr. PM Singh, PI of Zonal Technology Management Unit informed the participants about the outline of the program. Dr. Vidya Sagar made the presentation of the promising material available with the IIVR.
The event was attended by more than 40 breeders and marketing strategists from twenty-nine private vegetable seed-companies like Ankur Seeds, Mahyco Seeds, Advanta Seeds, Sayaji Seeds, Namdhari Seeds, Nuziveedu Seeds, Nunhems Seeds, Dayal Seeds, Dinkar Seeds, Indo-American Hybrid Seeds, Nirmal Seeds, Nath Seeds, East West seeds and others. Five representatives from companies having their research and marketing team at Varanasi attended the program physically and participated in field visit. Dr. Pradip Karmakar and Dr. Achuit Kumar Singh made presentation of live samples of the elite lines, varieties/hybrids on the research field of the institute. Dr. Shailesh Kumar Tiwari, Senior Scientist and In-charge of Institute Technology Management Unit coordinated the event and proposed the vote of thanks.
The participants appreciated the varieties, hybrids and other advanced breeding lines developed by the Institute. Kashi Lalima-the red coloured Bhindi along with advance breeding lines tolerant to Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus and Enation Leaf Curl Virus like VRO-120 and VRO-124 were the center of attraction for the delegates. The representatives critically observed the promising materials and expressed their desire to get some of the promising advanced breeding lines, combining virus-resistance and high-yield. The delegates thoroughly interacted with the team of scientists of the institute and provided valuable feedback on the current market needs of okra.