Last Date of Abstract Submission

Welcome
to
National Conference on Arid Horticulture
"Shaping Sustainability for the Future through Biodiversity and Climate Resilience"

Arid and semi-arid regions, characterized by scarce rainfall, extreme temperatures, and fragile ecosystems, present unique challenges to agricultural and horticultural development. Yet, these landscapes also hold immense potential—rich in native biodiversity, adaptive crop species, and traditional knowledge systems that can guide sustainable resource use. In the face of accelerating climate change, the need to harness this potential through innovative, resilient, and ecologically sound horticultural practices has never been greater. The National Conference on Arid Horticulture aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to share insights, scientific advancements, and success stories that strengthen the horticultural base of arid regions. By emphasizing biodiversity conservation, climate-smart technologies, and sustainable production systems, the conference seeks to chart a course toward food, nutritional, and livelihood security in these challenging environments. Through collaborative dialogue and knowledge exchange, this event aspires to shape a sustainable future, where arid horticulture not only survives but thrives—building resilience, enhancing productivity, and fostering harmony between people and nature.

Objectives

To promote climate-resilient horticultural practices that enhance productivity in arid and semi-arid regions.
To strengthen biodiversity-based approaches for sustainable horticulture and ecological stability.
To foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders for developing future-ready arid horticulture strategies.

Conference Themes

Genetic Resources, Field Gene Banks, and Genomics for Improvement of Indigenous and Underutilized Arid and Semi-Arid Horticultural Crops

This theme focuses on biodiversity and conservation of threatened germplasm, identifying stress-tolerant genetic resources and strengthening the breeding pipeline for arid and semi-arid crops. It highlights the biotechnological application, genomic and multi-omics tools to pinpoint key genes for resilience and quality traits, while promoting improved rootstocks, advanced breeding lines, resilient hybrids, and the use of underutilized crops for diversification and nutritional security.

Scaling-Up of Quality Planting Material and Seeds

This theme focuses on expanding reliable planting material systems through tissue-culture-based micropropagation, improved propagation techniques for native crops, and strengthened commercial seed multiplication. It highlights entrepreneurship and rural employment, supported by industry partnerships, PPP models, and FPO-led value-chain development.

Integrating Climate-Resilient Arid and Semi-Arid Crops into the Agri-Food System

This theme focuses on developing horticulture-based cropping systems tailored to arid ecologies, introducing soilless cultivation for safe and residue-free produce, and strengthening traceability and post-harvest frameworks to ensure food safety and quality assurance across the agri-food chain.

Diversification for Health and Nutritional Security

This theme emphasizes identifying bioactive compounds from desert crops, advancing bioprospecting and nutraceutical-led product development, and enhancing the role of women and tribal communities in processing and value chains. It also highlights ecosystem-level evaluations to understand the socio-economic and environmental impacts of emerging technologies.

Inclusion and Impact Analysis

This theme promotes gender and social inclusion by empowering women and tribal groups across production and marketing activities. It also supports rigorous impact assessments to gauge the adoption, effectiveness, and sustainability of technologies, while encouraging circular economy models within arid agri-food systems.

Plant Architecture and Canopy Management

This theme focuses on optimizing training and pruning systems to develop compact, mechanization-friendly canopies and modifying crop phenology to improve productivity, fruit quality, and harvest efficiency under arid conditions.

Horticulture-Based Cropping Models and Input Management

This theme emphasizes integrated cropping modules built around indigenous crops, cereals, pulses, millets, livestock, and emerging enterprises to enhance resilience and income diversification. It also highlights improved PoPs, mechanization in horticultural crops, strategic use of PGRs, optimized input management, carbon credit and innovative pollination and fruit-protection techniques.

Conventional and AI-Driven Precision in Horticulture

This theme promotes sensor-based smart mechanization, AI-driven decision-support tools for economic and environmental sustainability, and the development of agri- horti voltaic systems that integrate renewable energy with horticultural production.

Pre- and Post-Harvest Innovations

This theme focuses on biosensor-enabled detection of spoilage and quality changes, innovative packaging solutions that enhance shelf life and consumer appeal, and targeted bioprospecting of arid flora for value addition and product development.

Integrated Plant Health Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Horticulture

This theme focuses on climate-resilient pest and disease management through early detection, integrated pest management, biocontrol-based solutions, and safe pesticide practices. It also highlights surveillance, forecasting, and digital diagnostic tools to address emerging threats and ensure healthy, productive arid horticultural systems.

Accommodation

Nearby Hotel Information

Hotel Sagar

Category: Premium Accommodation

Rooms & Charges (Including GST):
Deluxe Room – ₹3000 (Single Occupancy / Room / Day)
Deluxe Room – ₹3500 (Double Occupancy / Room / Day)
Royal Suite – ₹4000 (Single Occupancy / Room / Day)
Royal Suite – ₹4500 (Double Occupancy / Room / Day)

Location Link:
View on Google Maps

Please Note: Hotel Booking and Payment has to be made by the particpants directly at the Hotel., pick-up and drop will be arranged from the above listed hotel.
For Accommodation Booking Assistance Contact - ncah2026@gmail.com

Letter of Non-Availability of the Guest House will be provided by the Accommodation Committee during the Conference

Conference Committee

Chief Patrons

Dr. M L Jat

DG, ICAR & Secretary, DARE, New Delhi

Patron

Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh

DDG (Horticultural Science), ICAR, New Delhi

Convenor

Dr. Jagadish Rane

Director, ICAR–CIAH, Bikaner

Dr. V B Patel

ADG, (F&PC), ICAR New Delhi

Co-Convenors

Dr. Dhurendra Singh, Principal Scientist

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sarolia, Principal Scientist

Dr. S K Maheshwari, Principal Scientist

Dr. B R Choudhary, Principal Scientist

Organizing Secretary

Dr. M K Jatav, Principal Scientist
+91 8005759883

Dr. A K Singh, Principal Scientist
+91 9426575966

Co-Organizing Secretaries

Dr. Ramkesh Meena, Principal Scientist

Dr. R P Meena, Senior Scientist

Dr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Senior Scientist

Dr. Pawan Kumar, Scientist

Dr. Manpreet Kaur, Scientist

National Advisory Committee

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi
Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (FVSMAP), ICAR, New Delhi
Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, ADG (Seeds, Oilseeds and Pulses), ICAR, New Delhi
Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPVFRA, New Delhi
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR–Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra
Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–CISH, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR–CIARI, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Dr. K. B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala
Dr. K. V. Prasad, Director, ICAR–Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune, Maharashtra
Dr. V. P. Sharma, Director, ICAR–Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Dr. Vijay Mahajan, Director, ICAR–Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra
Dr. Tusar Kanti Behera, Director, ICAR–IIHR, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Dr. Kancherla Suresh, Director, ICAR–IIOPR, Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh
Dr. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala
Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Director, ICAR–IIVR, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Kaushik Banerjee, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune, Maharashtra
Dr. Bikash Das, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre for Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Dr. Sankar Prasad Das, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre for Orchids, Gangtok, Sikkim
Dr. R. A. Marathe, Director, ICAR–NRCP, Solapur, Maharashtra
Dr. J. Dinkara Adiga, Director, ICAR–Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka
Dr. Mahendra Kumar Verma, Director, ICAR–CITH, Srinagar, J&K
Dr. Manish Das, Director, ICAR-DMAPR, Anand, Gujarat
Dr. Brajesh Singh, Director, ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu
Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Dr. G. P. Singh, Director, ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi
Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa
Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad
Dr. R. K. Mathur, Director, ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad
Dr. Gopal Lal, Director (Acting), ICAR–NAARM, Hyderabad
Dr. Pushpendra Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, SKNAU, Jobner, Rajasthan
Dr. R. B. Dube, Vice Chancellor, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, MPUA&T, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Dr. S. K. Malhotra, Vice Chancellor, Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, Haryana
Dr. Manoj Dixit, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner
Dr. V. S. Jaitawat, Vice Chancellor, Agricultural University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Dr. Vimla Dunkwal, Vice Chancellor, Agricultural University, Kota, Rajasthan
Dr. Sumant Vyas, Vice Chancellor, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. J. P. Mishra, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Dr. S. P. S. Tanwar, Director (Acting), ICAR–CAZRI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Dr. Anil Kumar Puniya, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner
Dr. A. K. Tomar, Director, ICAR–CSWRI, Avikanagar, Tonk, Rajasthan
Dr. T. A. More, Former Director ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner
Dr. S. K. Sharma, Former Director, ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner
Dr. P L. Saroj, Former Director, ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner
Sh. Priya Ranjan, Managing Director, NHB, Gurugram, Haryana
Mr. S. Srinivas, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan
Dr. P. C. Panchariya, Director, CSIR–CEERI, Pilani, Rajasthan
Dr. R. Ravi Babu, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Jaipur
Mr. Suresh Kumar Ola, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of Rajasthan
Smt. Manju Rajpal, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan
Dr. Vijay Veer Singh, ICAR–IIRMR, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Local Advisory Committee

Dr. D. K. Samadia, Principal Scientist, ICAR–CIAH, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. S. R. Meena, Principal Scientist, ICAR–CIAH, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Sh. Amar Singh, Deputy Director, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. P. K. Yadav, Dean, College of Agriculture, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. S. C. Mehta, Head, NRCE–RRS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Narendra Kumar, Head, IIGR–RRS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Sudheer Kumar, Head, IIPR–RRS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Nirmala Saini, Head, CSWRI–ARC, Bikaner
Dr. N. R. Panwar, Head, CAZRI–RRS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Kanak Lata, Head, KVK, Panchmahal, Gujarat
Dr. R. Bhargava, Pro-Vice Chancellor, RNB Global University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. B. D. Sharma, Dean (Faculty), RNB Global University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. R. S. Rathore, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Anil Kumar, RRS, Abohar, Punjab
Dr. Hemant Kumar Singh, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Bawal, Haryana
Dr. M. R. Choudhary, SKNAU, Jobner, Rajasthan
Dr. R. Akila, Aruppukottai, TNAU, Tamil Nadu
Dr. R. K. Dhuria, Director of Extension Education, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. B. N. Shringi, Director of Research, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Mr. Ramesh Tambia, District Development Manager, NABARD, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. Rakesh Ranjan, Principal Scientist, NRC on Camel, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. A. K. Chhangani, Dean, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. R. R. Choyal, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. H. L. Deshwal, Zonal Director of Research, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Dr. I. S. Naruka, Associate Director of Research, RVSKVV, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Dr. S. M. Haldhar, PS, ICAR-NCIPM, New Delhi
Dr. P. P. Singh, Head, ICAR-IIVR RRS, Sargatia, UP
Dr. Hare Krishna, ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, UP

Members

Dr. V. V. Apparao, Principal Scientist
Dr. D. S. Mishra, Principal Scientist
Dr. K. Dinesh, NRCP, Solapur
Dr. P. Balasubramanian, TNAU
Dr. Manoj Kumar, Bawal, Haryana
Dr. U. K. Chanderia, Jabalpur
Dr. P. D. Dalve, MPKV, Rahuri
Dr. Nirmal Kumar Meena, Jhalawar
Dr. R. P. Ghasolia, SKNAU, Jobner
Sh. S. B. Patel, SDAU, S. K. Nagar
Dr. Mukesh Kumar Berwal, Senior Scientist
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Senior Scientist
Dr. Chet Ram, Senior Scientist
Dr. J. S. Gora, Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram, UP
Dr. Mahendra Chaudhary, Scientist
Dr. Anita Meena, Senior Scientist
Dr. Pawan Singh Gurjar, Senior Scientist
Dr. Vikas Yadav, Senior Scientist
Dr. Kishan Lal Kumawat, Senior Scientist
Sh. Roop Chand Balai, Scientist
Dr. Lal Chand, Scientist
Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma, Scientist
Dr. Hanuman Ram, Scientist
Dr. Anil, Scientist
Dr. Sagar N., Scientist
Dr. Jaipal Yadav, Subject Matter Specialist (SMS)
Dr. Shakti Khajuria, Subject Matter Specialist (SMS)
Ms. Renu, Subject Matter Specialist (SMS)

About Bikaner

Sam Sand Dunes: A breathtaking expanse of rolling golden sands, providing sweeping desert vistas, vibrant cultural performances, and the quintessential Thar Desert experience that captures the spirit and timeless beauty of Rajasthan’s arid landscapes.
Junagarh Fort: A magnificent fort complex showcasing grand palaces, ornate courtyards, and exquisite artwork that narrates the opulent history of Bikaner’s rulers.
Lalgarh Palace: A striking red-sandstone palace built in the Indo-Saracenic style, renowned for its royal charm, landscaped gardens, and an on-site museum.
National Research Centre on Camel: A one-of-a-kind institute where visitors can enjoy camel rides, explore the camel museum, and learn about the region’s rich camel-breeding heritage.
Karni Mata Temple (Deshnok): Famous for its revered rats, this unique temple offers a deeply cultural and spiritual experience and is a major landmark of Rajasthan.
Ganga Singh Museum: Houses an impressive collection of ancient artifacts, weapons, paintings, and manuscripts that reflect the artistic and historical richness of Rajasthan.
Bhandasar Jain Temple: Renowned for its vibrant frescoes, intricate carvings, and colorful interiors, representing a masterpiece of Jain architectural excellence.
Rampuria Havelis: A stunning cluster of historic mansions known for their elaborate facades and traditional craftsmanship, making them ideal for heritage walks and photography.

How to Reach Bikaner

Nal Airport, Bikaner away 17 kilometers from conference venue and flights connect to Jaipur International Airport and Delhi airport. Bikaner and Lalgarh Junction are well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad. Conference venue is 12 km from the Bikaner junction and 8 Km from Lalgarh junction.Bikaner is well connected via NH 62 (Jodhpur–Ganganagar) and NH 11 (Jaipur–Bikaner). Conference venue is located 8 km from the Bus Stand on the Ganganagar Highway

Conference Venue

ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture
Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Dr. M K Jatav, Organizing Secretary - +918005759883
Dr. A K Singh, Organizing Secretary - +919426575966

Dr. Ramkesh Meena, Co-Organizing Secretary - +919461899483
Dr. R P Meena, Co-Organizing Secretary - +918010725219
Dr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Co-Organizing Secretary - +917016898482
Dr. Pawan Kumar, Co-Organizing Secretary - +919079367952
Dr. Manpreet Kaur, Co-Organizing Secretary - +918988853772

Technical issues - EventUP Team - eventupindia@gmail.com
ncah2026@gmail.com

Registration Begins	20 December, 2025
Last date for Abstract Submission	15 February, 2026
Abstract Acceptance Notification	16 February, 2026
Last Date of Early Bird Registration	15 February, 2026
Conference Regular Registration	until 26 February 2026

Participant Category	Early Bird Registration	Regular Registration
ISAH Members	₹ 5,000/-	₹ 6,000/-
Non-Members of ISAH (Academicians / Scientists)	₹ 6,000/-	₹ 7,000/-
Students/Research Fellows	₹ 1,200/-	₹ 1,500/-
Industry/ Private Sector/FPOs/NGOs etc.	₹ 7,000/-	₹ 8,000/-
Farmers	₹ 500/-	₹ 600/-
Foreign Delegates	$ 100/-	$ 110/-
Accompanying per Person (*)	₹ 1500/-

Welcome toNational Conference on Arid Horticulture "Shaping Sustainability for the Future through Biodiversity and Climate Resilience"