AICRP (Fruits) - NAU

• The ICAR-AICRP, a landmark in the history of agricultural research, was extended to fruit crops by the ICAR during the Fourth Five Year plan (1969–74) on July 31, 1971. 

• This project was initially named the All India Coordinated Fruit Improvement Project (AICFIP) to work on Citrus, banana, papaya and pineapple as Cell-I and on mango, guava and grape as Cell-II. 

• AICFIP was renamed AICRP; Cell-I was referred to as AICRP on Tropical Fruits at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru; and Cell-II became AICRP on Sub-Tropical Fruits at ICAR-CISH, Lucknow.

• In 2013, a merger of these two coordinated projects formed the ICAR-AICRP on Fruits. 

• The project is operational at 50 centres (There are 30 SAU-based centres, 14 ICAR-Institute-based centres, 4 CAU-based centres and one at a private centre in Pune and one under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh).

• In Gujarat, ICAR-AICRP on Tropical Fruits with banana and sapota crops was started at Fruit Research Station, NAU, (Erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University) Gandevi during December 1987. 

• After that from June 2010, research trials on papaya were also commenced at this centre.

This research station is located at Khergam Village of Gandevi Taluka in Navsari District under South Gujarat region. It was established in 1935 by Gaikwad state with a view to develop horticultural activities in this region. Geographically, it is situated at 20.807545º N 73.022260º E and 7.6 meter height from sea level. It is 4 km away from Gandevi town. The total area of the farm is 12.23 ha out of which 10.17 ha is under cultivation. The soil of the farm is clayey with moderate drainage.