This article is based on the technical presentation by Dr. Sangita Ladha, Director, IHITC at the Indo-Dutch Seminar held in Horti Expo & Flora Expo 2011. On a request by Floriculture Today, Dr. Ladha sent this article for the benefit of the magazine's readers.

ALTHOUGH, several advanced horticultural technologies have been developed, the extent of their adoption is dependent on demonstration and Training on user friendly advanced technologies. Advanced training centres in horticulture like International Horticulture Innovation and Training Centre (IHITC) shall enable incorporating learning and training to address any technology adaptation constraints and create a strong market intelligence. Configuration- A collaboration of global expertise: IHITC is established by the Rajasthan Horticulture and Nursery Society (RAJHANS) in technical collaboration with a leading international partner , Practical Training Centre ( PTC+ ) of The Netherlands and DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd(DSCL) as a PPP model duly registered as a society to support the commercial development of the horticulture sector by offering innovative practical trainings and by demonstration of advanced commercial horticultural technology.

IHITC is established in Jaipur and makes its maiden impact in the challenging terrain of Rajasthan. Infrastructure and Faculty - Imparting global standards: The centre is strengthened by the Indian and Dutch professionals having wide exposure in imparting practical training and handling commercial hi-tech horticulture projects and is a project showcasing applied technologies, skills and information tailored to the needs of the horticulture sector in the region. IHITC offers applied short duration training programs in a practical learning environment to educate and train growers in the commercial horticulture industry and related sectors (e.g. post harvest handling, grading and packaging, auxiliary input and technology services, logistical services, value-added storage, international quality certification etc.). IHITC is closely linked to commercial enterprises to ensure that the training and other services are tailored to the needs of the market. A commercial demonstration farm of 22 ha which has rain water harvesting system, GAP compliant farm with commercial plantation of mango , pomegranate, date-palm, and various tropical fruit plants , vermi-composting unit Different designs of indigenous greenhouses, different types of irrigation and fertigation systems, post harvest facilities, disease forecasting systems, post harvest facilities consisting of precooling chamber, cold storage , ripening and grading packing chambers etc are a part of technical infrastructure set up to enable growers to make informed decisions on advance commercial horticulture production.

IHITC's Initiatives : The ultimate endeavor is offering spectrum of short duration trainings in courses that are practical and innovative in nature and upgrading the skills of personnel's in the areas related with hi-value commercial horticulture, value addition or processing for the promotion of agricultural entrepreneurship and for demonstrating advanced horticultural technology in commercial hi-value horticulture crops for the promotion of entrepreneurship in horticulture in relation to retail marketing. The centre has a mandate of encouraging the development of PPP / corporate farming or tie-ups, horticultural chain developments and facilitating of exports of produce with the growers and provides access to market intelligence and quick information dissemination mechanism for farmers, entrepreneurs and extension workers with a view of promoting exports from the state. This shall enable providing overall insight in technical and economical aspects of growing tropical and subtropical horticulture crops.

Bridging the gap: The USP of the centre is establishing a strong interface with national and international Agril. Universities, ICAR Research Institutes ,etc and the Corporate sector for application of the research for training and get at the growers door steps globally proven practices since horticulture of future will be knowledge based and technology driven as it is knowledge alone that will drive its forward momentum South East Asia Partnership with US university: As a part of global outreach mission, an MOU was signed between IHITC and Michigan State University (MSU ) which is recognized worldwide as a centre of excellence in international agricultural development and capacity building. MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a three-fold mandate covering research, teaching and extension/outreach This MOU shall initiate collaborative research and education and building knowledge partnership with private and public sector institutions in South East Asia in hi-tech horticulture. Project under USAID: It's also a proud moment for IHITC as a project proposal submitted by IHITC with MSU for under USAID Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program on "Providing Cell Phone enabled personalized agro advisory services for horticultural crops in South Asia" has been approved as an innovative pilot project and the financial assistance shall be provided under USAID.

Project under Euro-AID :
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands as a part of Dutch funded program "Support of Agriculture Education in Afghanistan " is setting up a training centre for Horticulture in Kabul. The employees of the Extension Department of Ministry of Agriculture, Afghanistan completed, Training of Trainers (TOT) at IHITC, Jaipur along with collaborators, PTC+ who are the implementing partners of this program The trainings imparted at IHITC are on Greenhouse and Nursery Management , Irrigation and Fertigation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Cultivation and Management of different commercial Horticultural Crops(Mango, Date- Palm, Grapes, Pomegranate), Supply Chain Management of Horticultural Crops, Organic Farming , Post harvest management etc Way forward : IHITC is shortly launching certificate programs of 1/2/3 month duration especially focused on hitech horticulture with a view to educate the agriculture/horticulture grads in commercial aspects of horticulture in collaboration with national , international organizations and corporate sector. Training Facilities: IHITC is based in a lush green landscaped farm and has residential air conditioned hostels, cafeteria, classrooms with modern laboratories on different subjects, library, digital classrooms, modern convention centre.