The Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility at ICAR-CITH Srinagar is a highly secure, regulated environment designed to safely introduce and monitor exotic temperate fruit germplasm. This state-of-the-art facility plays a crucial role in intercepting and preventing the entry of foreign pests, viruses, and diseases into the country's agricultural ecosystem. By rigorously testing and observing imported plant materials under controlled conditions before they are released for field trials or commercial use, PEQ Srinagar ensures the biological security of India's horticulture while enabling farmers to benefit from high-yielding international varieties.

Vision

The vision of ICAR-CITH is to improve the livelihood and economic security of farmers in the temperate regions through research, development, and the adoption of sustainable farming technologies.

Mandates

• To act as national repository of germplasm & scientific information on temperate horticultural crops.
• To undertake basic, strategic and applied research on temperate horticultural crops in collaboration with national and international agencies to enhance productivity and quality.

Objectives

Germplasm Management

Establishment of field gene bank and management of genetic resources and scientific data base of temperate horticultural crops.

Genetic Improvement

Genetic improvement of temperate horticultural crops for yield, maturity, quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses through conventional breeding methods and biotechnological tools.

Nursery Management

Standardization of nursery management and high-tech propagation techniques of temperate horticultural crops.

Production Technologies

To device efficient and cost-effective production technologies and cropping systems for increasing productivity and improving quality of temperate horticultural crops.

Integrated Management

To develop eco-friendly integrated diseases/pest management modules and diagnostics.