Bottle Gourd of the Arka Shreyas variety, which is resistant to Gummy Stem Blight (GSB) and will provide a yield up to 48 tonnes per hectare, Red Dragon Fruit powder, and Arka Jackfruit frozen patties and kebabs, are some of the horticultural innovations that will be on display at the National Horticulture Fair (NHF). The fair will be organised at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) from February 27 to March 1.The theme for this year’s NHF is ‘Horticulture for Vikasit Bharat - Nutrition, Empowerment and Livelihood’. The focus will be on promoting varieties and technologies which will help in improving nutrition levels in the country.“The event is focused on technologies suitable for socio-economically deprived groups and to improve the productivity, income and livelihood from horticultural crops, which are socially compatible, economically acceptable and environmentally safe,” said Tusar Kanthi Behera, Chairman of the organising committee and Director ICAR-IIHR.He also said that horticulture production in the country has crossed 350 million tonnes surpassing agriculture production of 330 million tonnes, hence achieving the nutritional security of the country besides exporting to other needy countries.Around 250 horticultural institutions will display their innovations under different categories at the stalls of NHF. The IIHR will also display 250 varieties and technologies it has developed in varietal improvement, crop production, crop protection, post-harvest management, value addition, machinery and tools. The organisers said that around 75,000 farmers are expected to participate in the three-day exhibition.Published - February 25, 2025 12:02 am IST