Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Dr. Z. P. Patel inaugurated the Lead Nodal Center for DUS Sapota project at Horticulture Instructional Farm, ACH, NAU, Navsari on 21-07-2025 in the presence of Dr. T. R. Ahlawat, Director of Research and Dean P.G. Studies; Dr. Alka Singh, Dean, ASPEE College of Horticulture and PI of the project Dr. Avnish Pandey, Associate Professor (Fruit Science). Prof. J. R. Naik, Director of Student Welfare; Dr. P. B. Patel, Dean (Agriculture); Dr. V. R. Naik, ADR; Dr. Vipul Shinde, Executive Engineer; and Heads of the Department, Dr. D. K. Sharma (Fruit Science), Dr. C. G. Intwala (Vegetable Science), along with senior professors and other faculty members and staff of ACH and CoF were also present.

On this auspicious occasion, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor performed the traditional Puja of the Nodal center of Sapota project. He congratulated the horticulture team and appreciated the work done on Sapota for validation of DUS testing at ACH, NAU. He further gave valuable suggestions for more such projects on different horticultural crops to strengthen the University.