STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: A three-day skill development program on “Advances in Plant Tissue Culture”, equipping participants with state-of-the-art techniques to address challenges in agriculture and biotechnology, concluded at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu. The event blended theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, fostering innovation and skill development among researchers, students, and industry professionals. In the programme, More than 20 participants, including scholars, students and agri-entrepreneurs drawn across the country, have got the opportunity to emphasize its role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agriculture.
The final day advanced into genetic transformation techniques, where participants prepared explants for infection using Agrobacterium, a bacterium pivotal in transferring desirable genes to plants. A live demonstration of synthetic seed preparation highlighted their role in cost-effective, large-scale cultivation of elite plant varieties. The session underscored the potential of these techniques in addressing food security and climate resilience.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, presided over the valedictory session and felicitated participants with certificates. In his address, Dr. Ahmed emphasized the transformative role of plant tissue culture in agriculture, crop diversification, crop improvement and other allied sectors, urging attendees to drive innovation through startups and collaborative research.
Among various scientists, technical staff and scholars, the valedictory event was graced by Er. Abdul Rahim, Head, RMBD & IST Division; Dr Dhiraj Vyas, Head, Plant Sciences & Agrotechnology Division; Dr. Srinivas Kota, Scientist & Technical Coordinator; and Dr Nasir Ul Rasheed, Senior Scientist & Nodal, Skill Development.