ICAR-NRCB Hosts Workshop and Farmers' Training Programme

4^th February 2025, Tiruchirappalli 

A one-day workshop on ‘Bioprimed Elite High-Yielding Quality TC Plants for Higher Productivity’ and the inauguration of a three-day training programme on ‘Improved Hi-Tech Banana Technology for Holistic Development of Tribal Farmers in Namakkal District’ was organised at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli. The programme was jointly organized by ICAR-NRCB, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, the District Forest Department, Namakkal, and ICAR-KVKs of Tiruchirappalli, Karur, and Ariyalur. 

The event was graced by distinguished guests, including, Thiru. S. Kalanidhi, IFS, District Forest Officer, Namakkal, and other senior officials. 

A total of 25000 virus-free banana plants were distributed to the SC and Tribal farmers of Trichy.

Dr R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR-NRCB, emphasized the importance of Geographical Indications (GI) and the preservation of indigenous banana varieties like Numaran and Manoranjitham in the Kolli hills. He noted that technological interventions will empower SC & ST farmers, providing them with improved livelihood opportunities. He also highlighted ICAR's commitment to the “Reaching the Unreached” initiative, which aims to bring technological advancements to marginalized communities. Furthermore, ICAR-NRCB is focused on enhancing farm income per unit area while ensuring both economic and nutritional security for farmers in remote regions.

A technology exhibition featuring the latest innovations from ICAR-NRCB and ICAR-CTCRI was a key highlight of the event, offering valuable insights to participating farmers.

This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering tribal farmers through advanced technological interventions in banana and tapioca cultivation, ensuring higher productivity and long-term sustainability in agriculture.

A total of 60 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers participated in this initiative, aimed at distributing elite high-yielding quality planting materials of banana to enhance agricultural productivity. 

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli)