• Germplasm resources, genetic diversity, exploration, evaluation, conservation, and utilization:

Germplasm resources for special traits, development of genetic stocks for biotic and abiotic stresses and quality traits (nutrition and processing), pre­breeding, rootstock breeding, and harnessing potential crops to diversify agricultural systems and enhance food security.

• Crop improvement through conventional and genomic approaches:

Genetic improvement through conventional breeding, genetic mapping and genome editing, molecular markers for crop improvement, OMICS and bio-informatics technologies for more precise and efficient development of improved crop varieties with desired traits.

• Advances in production technology of horticultural crops:

Innovations and adoption of breakthroughs in horticultural crop production, challenges and opportunities in organic production of horticultural crops for overall development and success of the horticulture industry.

• Post-harvest management, processing, value-addition and export of horticultural crops:

Post-harvest management of perishable commodities through emerging technologies like nano-encapsulation, smart packaging, value-added products, minimal processing, thermal and non-thermal processing, functional foods and waste utilization, export possibilities of horticultural commodities through Agri Export Zones (AEZs) to enhance profitability, reduce waste, and contribute to economic development.

• Clean planting material and quality seed production using modern techniques:

Production of clean planting material and high-quality seeds of horticultural crops including advanced techniques such as tissue culture, micropropagation, hybrid seed production, genetic testing, and seed treatment methods to meet the growing demand nationwide contributing to improved yield, quality, and overall productivity.

• Precision farming and protected cultivation:

Site-specific crop management, integrated resource management through precision horticulture, drone technology, GIS, GPS, nutrient film technique, drip fertigation, soil-less cultivation such as hydroponics and aeroponics, challenges and opportunities in protected cultivation, grafting technology for biotic and abiotic stress management to optimize resource use, improve crop performance, and capitalize on market opportunities for sustainable and efficient production, mitigating environmental impacts and ensuring food security.

• Advances in plant health management:

Integrated management of pest and diseases through modern approaches including diagnostics for in-field disease diagnosis, new molecules and botanicals, biocontrol for enhancing productivity and quality, and management of pesticide residues for production of high-quality and safe horticultural crops.

• Climate smart horticulture:

Canopy management, high-density planting, utilization of rootstocks for managing biotic and abiotic stresses, recent developments in biofertilizers, nano-urea, fertigation and open-field hydroponics, organic horticulture, conservation horticulture, zero-budget farming, deficit irrigation, agronomic biofortification through multi-micronutrient foliar fertilization in horticultural crops.