Dr Surinder K Tikoo is currently a director at a not-for-profit foundation ATPBR. He has over 56 years’ experience as a breeder, teacher, research & development leader in both public and private sector. He has held positions of principal breeder and research management leadership at Asia and Global levels at Advanta, Syngenta, Pioneer (Now Corteva) and before that led the Solanaceous Crops Lab at ICAR-IIHR. As a breeder, he has bred market leading hybrids of Tomato & Okra for India. Serving on various Advisory Committees of Govt. and non-Govt. bodies. Has published over 60 research and review papers and two books by Springer. FAO Consultant 1997 & 1998 on Vegetable Improvement to Myanmar. Served as member Supervisory Board, Access to Seed Index Foundation, Netherlands (2015-2021). Recognised for his contributions by APSA, ICAR and professional societies with several awards.
Climate change is defined as significant, long-term major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, that occur over several decades or longer. Vegetables are a source of nutrient rich foods, especially micronutrients and antioxidants, which assure our immunity & health and are critical to provide nutritional security. A decline in vegetable production and quality, can lead to a condition referred to as "hidden hunger”. There are several reports of lowering nutritional content in various vegetable crops, viz. 1. high temperature reduces Vit C, lycopene content and accelerates decay in tomato; lowers folate and Vit C in spinach, reduces glucosinolates in brassica vegetables; lowers beta-carotene in carrots; lowers protein content in peas; early bolting and low nitrogen assimilation in lettuce and 2. high rainfall reduces sugar content in fruit vegetables and impairs colour development as well as leaches away iron, calcium and sulphur causing lower fruit quality. The average per-capita consumption of vegetables in India is 250g vs the required 450g, probably lowest in Asia. Another big challenge is that vegetables are now sown year round, not following a typical best season of growth, thereby further subjecting the vegetable crops to seasonal stresses. To meet these challenges a call to action is required in following areas to ensure our nutritional security:
A potential path to make progress in above action points will be discussed
