ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MAGNET) Society, a body under the Government of Maharashtra. This agreement, formalized on July 23, 2024, in Nagpur, designates ICAR-CCRI as a Centre of Excellence. This designation highlights ICAR-CCRI's critical role in advancing technological development, disseminating innovative practices, and providing business incubation support to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Village Cooperatives (VCOs) within the citrus industry.
Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director of ICAR-CCRI, expressed that this MoU symbolizes the beginning of a fruitful and impactful collaboration that will benefit all citrus stakeholders in Maharashtra. The partnership is poised to drive significant advancements in the citrus sector, promoting growth and sustainability.
MAGNET Project, a key initiative of the Maharashtra government supported by the Asian Development Bank, focuses on enhancing the capabilities of agricultural institutions, FPOs, and VCOs. It aims to improve organizational, technical, and promotional capacities, upgrade the agricultural value chain infrastructure within the state, and facilitate access to financing for these entities.
Dr. Amol Yadav, Joint Managing Director, and Vinayak Kokade, Director of the MAGNET Project, lauded ICAR-CCRI for its significant contributions to the citrus sector's enhancement in Maharashtra and across India. They emphasized that this partnership is expected to foster innovation and stimulate growth within the citrus sector.
The collaboration is seen as a significant step forward in promoting the citrus industry in Maharashtra. The partnership aims to bring about transformative changes, enabling better technology adoption, improved market access, and enhanced financial viability for FPOs and VCOs engaged in citrus cultivation by leveraging ICAR-CCRI's expertise and MAGNET's support framework.
This MoU marks a promising advancement for the citrus industry in Maharashtra, aiming to create a robust support system for stakeholders and driving the sector towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.
