Prof HS Baweja, Vice-Chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, on Saturday, 17 October called for deeper agricultural cooperation between India and Nepal, emphasising technical exchange, capacity building, and the adoption of scientific farming practices. His remarks came at the valedictory ceremony of a 10-day training programme on the scientific cultivation and management of horticultural crops, held for extension functionaries and farmers from Nepal.

Key Developments at the Valedictory Ceremony

Addressing the closing session, Prof Baweja underlined the longstanding bilateral partnership between the two nations and stressed that modern agricultural techniques hold the potential to improve productivity, enhance produce quality, and raise farmers' incomes. He drew particular attention to beekeeping as a viable component of diversified farming, discussing the commercial and therapeutic value of bee products including royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee venom. He also introduced participants to apitherapy and its emerging applications in allied health and agriculture.

Encouraging diversification beyond conventional crops, he identified nut crops as a promising avenue for enterprise development, income generation, and sustainable agricultural growth in Nepal's hilly terrain.

What the Training Covered

Dr DP Sharma, Director of Extension Education, reinforced the importance of scientific methods in fruit cultivation, noting that effective dissemination of modern horticultural technologies could generate employment, promote rural entrepreneurship, and contribute to broader economic development in farming communities.

As part of the programme, participants undertook field visits to the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kandaghat; and the Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan. These visits provided hands-on exposure to advanced production technologies and ongoing research initiatives, grounding classroom learning in practical application.

Participants' Response and Outcomes

The Nepali participants particularly valued sessions focused on the scientific cultivation and management of temperate fruit crops, especially apples and walnuts. They said the programme had enhanced both their technical knowledge and practical skills, while familiarising them with improved horticultural technologies and sustainable farming methods.

Participants expressed confidence that applying the knowledge gained would help improve fruit cultivation, boost farm productivity, and support sustainable horticultural development back home in Nepal. The valedictory ceremony was attended by Joint Directors and scientific staff of the Directorate of Extension Education.

Broader Significance for India-Nepal Ties

This programme represents a continuing thread in India-Nepal agricultural diplomacy, where knowledge transfer in horticulture has served as a practical bridge alongside broader bilateral relations. The UHF Nauni, situated in Himachal Pradesh, is well-positioned to share expertise in temperate horticulture given its own research strengths in apple, walnut, and mushroom cultivation — crops directly relevant to Nepal's agro-climatic zones. Notably, such training initiatives complement government-level cooperation frameworks and are seen as building grassroots technical capacity that formal diplomatic agreements alone cannot deliver.

The programme marks another step in strengthening technical cooperation and knowledge sharing between the two countries in horticulture and allied agricultural sectors, with further exchanges expected in the coming months.