IIHR trying to promote avocado-based industries along with cultivation to reduce imports worth ₹1000-cr. a year

India faces significant annual imports of avocado and its products, valued at ₹1,000 crore. The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) is actively working to reduce these imports by promoting scientific avocado cultivation and value addition through product diversification. The initiative focuses on developing disease-resistant hybrids (e.g., Arka Supreme, Arka Coorg Ravi), ensuring clean planting material, and establishing cluster-based production linked to entrepreneur-led value-addition units. This strategy aims to meet the growing demand for avocados, driven by health awareness, and achieve self-reliance, similar to dragon fruit. The article also highlights the crop's non-native origin, its introduction to India from Sri Lanka, and its sensitivity to environmental conditions.