VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry

Research and Extension Centre, Gaja

Research Overview

To cater the needs of the farmers of hill districts, the Uttar Pradesh government transferred Gaja farm of Horticulture Department, Tehri to the GBPUA&T, Pantnagar in 1991 with an area of 9.12 hectares (22.54 acre). Later, it was transferred to VCSG UUHF Bharsar in 2011. The station is positioned at the Narendra Nagar block of Tehri district. It is an important research centre for Western Himalaya of Uttarakhand. Gaja Research Station lies in 30° 16’17’’ N latitude and longitude of 78° 25’21’’ E. The altitudinal range of the campus varies from about 1700 m to about 1760 m above mean sea level. Cultivable area of this station is 4.0 hectares(10 acre). This is a major multi crop station in the Garhwal Region engaged in research and extension and seed production activities of various agricultural crops.

About the Campus

MANDATES OF THE CENTRE:

Breeding and evaluation of new crop varieties of small millets (Finger Millet, Barnyard millet, Proso Millet, Foxtail Millet), Amaranth, Buckwheat, Rice bean etc. for hill region of Uttarakhand.
Development of agro-technologies for agricultural crops and cropping systems.
Fertilizer and weed management research on agricultural hill crops.
Pest and disease surveillance and recommendations on various crops.
Production of breeder, foundation and true seed of hill crops.
Evolving technologies for rainfed crops.
Research on the utilization of farm implements.
Dissemination of the technologies by conducting farmers’ day, field days, training programmes.

Activities:

Research, seed production, education and extension activities are being carried out in this station.

ON GOING PROJECT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:

• Productivity enhancement of elite apple cultivars on MM-106 through high density planting.
• Medium density orcharding for higher almond productivity.
• Plant architectural engineering for higher productivity in apple.
• Multi-location testing of elite walnut genotypes under medium density.
• Multi-location testing of elite apricot genotypes under medium density.
• Survey and mapping of major pest and disease of temperate fruits testing of identified genotypes of temperate fruit crops.
• Rejuvenation of old unproductive apple orchards.
• Water Harvesting and moisture conservation techniques for rainfed apple production.
• Water Harvesting and moisture conservation techniques for rainfed apple production.
• Low cost poly house propagation techniques in walnut.

Research Work

All India Coordinated Research Project Small Millet: Gaja research station is one of the testing centers of this project. The breeding, agronomic and entomological trials are being conducted at this centre. The major thrust areas under this scheme are given below:

Evaluation centre of genetic resources of small millet crops
Development of improved varieties
Development of improved low cost production technology
Demonstration of improved varieties and production technology

All India Coordinated Network Project on Potential Crop:Gaja research station land also used to test germplasm, develop new varieties and improved cost effective production technologies of this project. The breeding and agronomic trials have been conducted at the centre.

Post Graduate student’s field research: The students of M.Sc. Seed Science and Technology, College of Forestry are doing their field research of master’s thesis at this centre.