The World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), Centre for Advanced Agricultural Science and Technology (CAAST) funded training programme on ‘Plant Genetic Resources Management and Utilization’ for Post Graduate students from different universities across India, was organized by ICAR – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi from September 30 – October 11, 2019.

The training was attended by twenty seven students belonging to 20 different universities from 15 states of India. Lectures, demonstrations as well as practical sessions were conducted for the students in a way so as to provide hands on experience of crop germplasm, its handling and conservation. Apart from lectures from NBPGR faculty, six eminent scientists from other institutions of repute of the country were also invited to share their knowledge and experience with the students. A special session with representatives from the industry sector was conducted to provide the students an exposure to other career opportunities.

Field visits were organised at the NBPGR Experimental Station and Yamuna Biodiversity Park. Apart from that, students visited the National Genebank, Phenomics and Phytotron facilities of IARI and other facilities housed inside NBPGR.