Visit to CAZRI and AFRI, Jodhpur

Department of Botany

VISIT TO CAZRI AND AFRI, JODHPUR

An Educational tour was organized by the Department of Botany, The IIS University, Jaipur on 29th and 30th March, 2016 to Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) and Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur. The tour was organized for the students of M.Sc (Botany) Semester II. The students were accompanied by two faculty members- Dr. Smita Purohit and Dr. Anuja Joshi. The purpose of the visit was to acquaint the students with the latest research and developments in the field of Botany.

Day 1: CAZRI

It is a premiere institute under the jurisdictions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute caters to agriculture and allied disciplines focussing on sustainable land use practices and diversified livelihood options for the inhabitants of arid regions of India. The students visited various divisions including Desert Botanical garden, Division of Plant Improvement, Propagation and Pest Management, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Solar plant Division, National Bureau Of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) etc. Through the visit, students got an in depth knowledge of the various extention activities  and  success stories of CAZRI including rejuvenation of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) trees through bio-control agents and  improved germplasm and package practices of Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) cultivation. The local hospitality was taken care of by CAZRI.

Day 2: AFRI

Arid Forest Research Institute is one of the nine Regional Research Institutes of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), involved in the forestry research needs of the nation. The main thrust areas of the Institute are soil, water and nutrient management technologies for afforestation of stress sites, management of plantations, growth and yield modeling, planting stock improvement, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, agroforestry, JFM and extension, phytochemistry and non-timber forest products, integrated pest and disease management and forestry education. The students acquired knowledge about working principles of various instruments and also shown highly equipped laboratories in the institute. The students also visited nursery that harbours and maintains elite plant germplasm of arid and semi arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.