Climate resilience now central to IIHR breeding programme

The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has made climate resilience a core focus of its crop breeding programme, according to director Tusar Kanti Behera. Horticultural crops are more vulnerable to climate variability compared to many field crops, necessitating breeding efforts that prioritize adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

The shift reflects growing concerns about the impact of climate change on horticulture, a significant sector for Indian agriculture. IIHR's emphasis on developing climate-resilient varieties aims to help farmers maintain productivity despite mounting climatic challenges.