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Horticulture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of agriculture, contributing significantly to food and nutritional security, rural livelihoods, export earnings, and environmental sustainability. However, increasing climate variability, natural resource degradation, labour shortages, market uncertainties, and rising consumer demand for quality produce necessitate a paradigm shift towards climate-smart, technology-driven, and sustainable horticultural production systems.
The Progressive Horticulture Conclave (PHC) 2026 provides a unique global platform for scientists, academicians, policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, students, extension professionals, and progressive farmers to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, strengthen collaborations, and develop strategies for sustainable horticultural development.
The theme, “Climate-Smart Horticulture: Ensuring Sustainability and Farmers' Prosperity,” highlights the importance of integrating advanced breeding technologies, quality planting materials, precision agriculture, digital horticulture, artificial intelligence, smart-orchard management, protected cultivation, plant protection, natural farming, regenerative practices, post-harvest innovations, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and market intelligence to build resilient horticultural systems capable of addressing future climatic and economic challenges.
A special highlight of the conclave is the Scholar’s Conclave, designed to nurture and encourage postgraduate and doctoral scholars from horticulture and allied disciplines. Hosted in the arid landscapes of Jodhpur, the conclave offers an ideal venue to discuss innovative technologies that improve productivity, resource-use efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability of horticulture under diverse agro-climatic conditions.
The Indian Society for Horticultural Research and Development (ISHRD) is one of India's oldest and most prestigious professional scientific societies dedicated to the advancement of horticultural research, education, innovation, and technology dissemination. Established in March 1969 as the Hills Horticulture Development Board at Chaubatia (Ranikhet), the Society has served for more than five decades as a vibrant platform bringing together scientists, academicians, students, policymakers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, extension workers, and progressive farmers committed to strengthening the horticulture sector. ISHRD has played a pioneering role in promoting excellence in horticultural science through national and international conferences, symposia, workshops, training programmes, and scientific deliberations that foster interdisciplinary collaborations and facilitate the exchange of knowledge across diverse disciplines of horticulture.
One of the Society's most distinguished contributions is the publication of Progressive Horticulture since April 1969, one of India's oldest peer-reviewed journals in horticultural sciences. The journal has earned national and international recognition for publishing high-quality research on fruit, vegetable, ornamental, plantation, medicinal and aromatic crops, postharvest technology, biotechnology, crop improvement, natural resource management, and emerging frontiers in horticulture. Through its scientific publications and professional activities, ISHRD has consistently promoted innovation, encouraged young researchers, strengthened academia-industry partnerships, and facilitated the translation of research into practical technologies for farmers. Building upon the remarkable success of the Progressive Horticulture Conclaves organized at Lucknow (2019), Pantnagar (2023), and Navsari (2024), the Society proudly presents the Progressive Horticulture Conclave (PHC) 2026 & International Meet at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Under the theme “Climate-Smart Horticulture: Ensuring Sustainability and Farmers' Prosperity,” the conclave seeks to foster global scientific collaboration, showcase cutting-edge innovations, and develop sustainable, technology-driven horticultural solutions that enhance productivity, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and farmers' livelihoods.
The ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (ICAR–CAZRI), Jodhpur, was established in 1959 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It is India's premier research institute dedicated to the sustainable development of arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Situated at the gateway to the ‘Thar Desert’, the Institute addresses the unique challenges of dryland agriculture, including water scarcity, soil degradation, salinity, desertification, climate variability, and declining natural resources. Over the past six decades, ICAR–CAZRI has developed numerous location-specific technologies in arid horticulture, dryland crop production, agroforestry, rangeland management, livestock production, soil and water conservation, watershed management, renewable energy, protected cultivation, precision agriculture, and climate-resilient farming systems.
The Institute has developed climate-resilient cultivars of ber, pomegranate, lasora, and karonda, besides improved production technologies for ber, pomegranate, date palm, aonla, bael, citrus, lasora, grafted khejri, and horticulture-based agrivoltaic and integrated farming systems. It has also successfully introduced fig, dragon fruit, sapota, and mango to diversify fruit production and enhance farmers' income in arid and semi-arid regions. ICAR–CAZRI has emerged as a national leader in protected cultivation, soilless cultivation, vegetable grafting, and precision horticulture, with innovations in micro-irrigation, precision fertigation, hydroponics, aeroponics, digital horticulture, solar–rainwater harvesting-based protected cultivation, post-harvest management, value addition, and solar tunnel drying. Through its Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) Centre, the Institute has developed hundreds of successful entrepreneurs in modern horticultural nurseries, vegetable grafting, and protected cultivation, creating a successful model for engaging rural youth in horticultural enterprises.
Through strong collaborations with national and international organizations, universities, industry partners, and farming communities, ICAR–CAZRI continues to deliver science-based solutions for climate-resilient and sustainable dryland horticulture. Hosting the Progressive Horticulture Conclave (PHC) 2026 & International Meet at ICAR–CAZRI provides an ideal platform for showcasing cutting-edge innovations in climate-smart horticulture while fostering scientific partnerships and policy dialogue aimed at ensuring sustainable production systems, environmental resilience, and enhanced prosperity for farmers in a changing climate.
Genetic resources, conventional and molecular breeding, genomics, gene editing, climate-resilient and biofortified varieties, hybrid development, seed quality, DUS testing, plant variety protection, intellectual property rights (IPR), and precision breeding.
Propagation technologies, tissue culture, nursery production systems, certification, quality planting materials, rootstocks, grafting technologies, nursery automation, and entrepreneurship.
Climate-smart production systems, protected cultivation, integrated crop management, nutrient management, water-use efficiency, biostimulants, integrated pest and disease management, and climate-resilient crop protection technologies.
Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), drones, sensors, GIS, remote sensing, automation, digital twins, decision support systems (DSS), robotics, precision irrigation, fertigation, crop monitoring, and protected cultivation technologies.
Natural farming, organic horticulture, regenerative agriculture, soil health, biofertilizers, beneficial microorganisms, circular nutrient management, carbon sequestration, and sustainable resource-use practices.
Medicinal and aromatic plants, horticultural crops for nutrition and health, nutraceuticals, functional foods, bioactive compounds, Ayurveda, herbal products, and plant-based wellness.
Postharvest physiology, packaging, cold chain management, processing, value addition, food safety, waste utilization, circular bioeconomy, and sustainable supply chains.
Agri-startups, incubation, agribusiness management, technology commercialization, public-private partnerships, precision horticultural enterprises, and farmer-industry collaborations.
Farmer Producer Organizations, digital extension, market intelligence, value chains, export promotion, policy interventions, success stories, agri-financing, and global horticultural trade.
Thesis presentations (M.Sc. & Ph.D.), Best Thesis Presentation Awards, career guidance, scientific writing and publication, entrepreneurship, and mentoring by eminent speakers.
Valid ID Card must be produced at the Registration Desk
Early Bird Registration: Valid till November 10, 2026.
Director, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur
PS & Head, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow & Ex-Director, ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner
PS, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi
Dean, BBA University, Lucknow
PS & Head, ICAR–CAZRI, Jodhpur
PS, ICAR–CAZRI, Jodhpur
Treasurer, ISHRD, DRDO-DIBER, Haldwani
Director, DRDO (HRV) & Editor-in-Chief, Progressive Horticulture
Secretary, ISHRD, Uttarakhand
Jodhpur, popularly known as the “Blue City”, is one of Rajasthan's most historic and culturally vibrant cities. Located on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan and an important centre of heritage, agriculture, education, research, tourism and commerce.
Founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, the city served as the capital of the former Marwar kingdom. The historic city is renowned for its distinctive blue-painted houses, magnificent forts, royal palaces, temples, traditional markets and rich cultural traditions. The imposing Mehrangarh Fort, rising above the city on a rocky hill, is one of the most prominent landmarks of Jodhpur and provides spectacular views of the Blue City.
Jodhpur represents a unique blend of Rajasthani heritage and modern development. The city is home to important educational and research institutions, including ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), making it particularly significant for research and academic activities related to arid agriculture, natural resource management and dryland development.
With its historic architecture, desert landscape, vibrant traditions, distinctive cuisine and warm hospitality, Jodhpur provides an ideal setting for academic conferences, scientific gatherings, professional interactions and cultural experiences. Rajasthan Tourism describes Jodhpur as a distinctive blend of traditional and modern character and highlights its forts, palaces, temples, lakes and heritage attractions.
Jodhpur and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of attractions, including historic forts, royal palaces, gardens, lakes, traditional markets and desert landscapes.
Jodhpur is well connected to major cities across India through airways, railways and roadways, making it convenient for conference participants and visitors travelling from different parts of the country.
The city's strong transportation connectivity, combined with its rich heritage and proximity to major destinations of Rajasthan, makes Jodhpur an excellent destination for conferences, academic events, research gatherings, tourism and professional interactions.
December is generally one of the most pleasant months to visit Jodhpur. The city experiences a cool and dry winter climate, with comfortable daytime temperatures and noticeably cooler mornings and evenings.
During December, daytime temperatures in Jodhpur are typically around 22–27°C, while temperatures during the night and early morning may fall to approximately 8–12°C. Rainfall is generally very low during this period and the weather is usually dry, with clear or mostly clear skies.
The pleasant winter conditions make December particularly suitable for conference participation, sightseeing, heritage walks and outdoor visits. Participants are advised to carry light woollens or a warm jacket for early mornings and evenings, while comfortable cotton clothing is generally suitable during the daytime.
For conference participants: The weather in December is generally favourable for travelling around Jodhpur and visiting attractions such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Gardens and Kaylana Lake.
A visit to Jodhpur offers participants an opportunity to experience the distinctive heritage and culture of Marwar. From the blue lanes of the old city and magnificent Rajput architecture to traditional Rajasthani cuisine, handicrafts, folk traditions and the surrounding desert landscape, Jodhpur provides a memorable combination of academic engagement, cultural discovery and tourism.
