Bareilly: Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University (MJPRU), Bareilly, has launched an innovative initiative in agriculture and horticulture with the inauguration of an ‘Ideal Grape Garden’ on the university campus.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by University Vice-Chancellor Professor K.P. Singh, while ADG Police, Bareilly Zone, Dr Ramit Sharma, attended as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the project.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, Dr Sharma and Professor Singh planted grapevines, formally marking the beginning of the ambitious horticulture and agricultural project. Faculty members, university officials, employees and students were present on the occasion.
Professor K.P. Singh said the Ideal Grape Garden was an important initiative aimed at promoting agriculture, horticulture, research, innovation and skill development at the university. Apart from enhancing the green and aesthetic appeal of the campus, the project would provide students and research scholars with practical exposure to scientific and modern grape cultivation techniques.
He said the garden would eventually be developed as a model demonstration and research centre, where modern techniques related to grape cultivation would be demonstrated and studied. These would include vine training and pruning, micro-irrigation, fertigation, nutrient management, pest and disease management and techniques for producing high-quality grapes.
The Vice-Chancellor said advanced, high-quality grape planting material would be imported from Spain and Italy to enrich the garden with internationally recognised varieties. These varieties would be cultivated under Bareilly’s agro-climatic conditions to scientifically assess their adaptability, yield potential, fruit quality and commercial prospects.
Highlighting the potential of grape cultivation in the Bareilly region, Professor Singh said the initiative assumed special significance as efforts were underway to explore the region’s potential as a grape-production cluster. The university’s grape garden could serve as an important model and resource centre for farmers, agriculture students, researchers and agri-entrepreneurs.
Professor Upendra Kumar said the objective of the Ideal Grape Garden was not merely to plant grapevines but to develop it as a field laboratory. Students and research scholars would be able to understand the complete scientific process of grape production through hands-on learning.
He added that the facility could subsequently support research and training in areas such as grape production, fruit quality, water and nutrient management, value addition and agriculture-based entrepreneurship.
Chief guest Dr Ramit Sharma appreciated the university’s innovative initiative and said agriculture- and environment-based projects in educational institutions could connect students with nature and the principles of sustainable development while conveying a positive message to society.
He said the Ideal Grape Garden had the potential to emerge as a vibrant centre of practical learning and innovation for students.
During the inauguration, participants also pledged to make the university campus greener, cleaner and more environmentally friendly and to ensure proper protection and nurturing of the plants established on the campus.
The inauguration of the Ideal Grape Garden marks a new chapter for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University in the fields of agriculture and horticulture. By combining international grape varieties, modern cultivation techniques, scientific research and practical training, the project is expected to emerge as a model centre showcasing the potential for modern grape cultivation in Bareilly and the wider Rohilkhand region.
Report: Akhilesh Chandra Saxena, Bareilly
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