Jorhat, March 6 (PTI): Assam Agricultural University (AAU) and Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI), Nagpur, today signed an MoU here to boost and promote citrus production in the North Eastern region.
As per the MoU, a sub-centre of the CCRI would be opened in the agricultural college of AAU at Biswanath Chariali in Biswanath district of Assam.
“We have taken up this joint venture to propel citrus production in the NE region following instruction from the Ministry of Agriculture,” CCRI director Dr M L Ladaniya said.
The region has a natural advantage for growing citrus fruits in its hill tracts and valleys, said Ladaniya who signed the MoU on behalf of his organisation.
CCRI is an organisation under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with a mission to to increase citrus production with innovative and high-tech citriculture in the country.
Due to some reason, citrus production was in the decline in the region, the AAU has taken up the issue with the CCRI, he said.
The sub-centre would provide required technical guidelines and assistance to citrus growers of Assam and other states of the region, AAU vice-chancellor Dr Kamal Malla Buzarbaruah said.
It would also impart training to state department officials, he said.
Registrar Arpon Saikia signed the MoU on behalf of AAU.
