Dr. Vishaw Bandhu Patel

It is a privilege to assume the responsibility of Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (CIAH), Bikaner an institution dedicated to transforming the challenges of arid and semi-arid regions into opportunities for sustainable horticultural development, improved livelihoods, and ecological resilience.
While the conventional, “business-as-usual” approach to germplasm collection, characterization, utilization, and the development of production and protection technologies continues, it is equally important to address the pressing need to reduce the indiscriminate use of plant-protection chemicals. Such misuse poses a serious threat to the nation’s “One Health” vision, which encompasses the health of humans, livestock, soil, and beneficial microbiomes. In this context, the scientific validation of emerging organic formulations in the market becomes crucial.
Over the years, ICAR-CIAH has emerged as a leading national institute in arid horticulture. The institute is making significant contributions through the development of improved varieties and suitable technologies for fruit, vegetable, and other horticultural crops suited to hot, dry, and resource-scarce environments. It has developed efficient propagation systems and quality planting material to support large-scale adoption among farmers. These efforts have directly benefited farmers in dryland regions by improving productivity, income, and nutritional security.
Building on this strong foundation, we focus to strengthen ICAR–CIAH as a globally recognized centre for climate-resilient and future-ready arid horticulture. Our efforts remain firmly on the needs of farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in India’s drylands. We also intend towards contributing to global efforts in addressing food security, water scarcity, land degradation, and climate change aligning with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
We prioritise our research to develop high-yielding, nutrient-rich, and stress-tolerant horticultural crops capable of withstanding with extreme heat, drought, salinity, and emerging pest and disease challenges. A strong emphasis is placed on ensuring the availability of seeds and quality planting material through seed production, hi-tech nursery and micropropagation. Efficient resource use, especially water, are promoted through precision irrigation, fertigation, soil health monitoring and AI-based advisories. Remote sensing, GIS, and drones research support the real-time crop monitoring. Digital agriculture, including AI tools and mobile advisories, will empower farmers. Post-harvest management, value addition, and agri-entrepreneurship are strengthened to build a vibrant and inclusive desert-based horticultural economy.
The Institute is intensifying and strategically expanding its collaborative ecosystem, forging deeper, more dynamic, and impact-driven partnerships with farmers, ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, government departments, industry leaders, start-ups, NGOs, and international organizations. This aims to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion, and on-ground transformation. A participatory approach will be encouraged to ensure that technologies are co-developed, locally relevant, and widely adoptable.
I am committed to fostering a culture of scientific excellence, integrity, teamwork, and innovation within the Institute. Together with our dedicated staff, and stakeholders, we will work towards making arid horticulture a powerful driver of livelihood security, sustainable development, and prosperity in India’s drylands.