The ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) in Trichy celebrated the contributions of banana cultivators and showcased cutting-edge agricultural technologies during its Farmers' Day and Banana Festival held on Tuesday. The event served as a platform to bridge the gap between scientific research and on-ground farming practices, urging the adoption of modern methods to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Honouring Farmers and Showcasing Technological Frontiers
The gathering witnessed robust participation, with over 800 farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), and various stakeholders in attendance. In his address, G Byju, Director of ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, highlighted the disproportionate contribution of bananas to India's horticultural basket. He noted that while banana cultivation occupies merely 3% of the total cultivated area, it accounts for a significant 10% of the nation's horticultural production.
Emphasizing the role of horticulture in ensuring nutritional security, Byju stressed the need for farmers to embrace technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which are revolutionizing contemporary agriculture. This call for tech-integration was a central theme of the event.
NRCB's Initiatives and the Digital Agriculture Push
R. Selvarajan, Director of ICAR–NRCB, commended Indian farmers for establishing the country as a global leader in the banana sector. He detailed the institute's role in this success through initiatives such as integrated farming systems, clump management technology, and the development of over 60 value-added products derived from bananas.
The transformative potential of digital tools was further underscored by Dr. Moni Madaswamy, former DG of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). He pointed out that effective value addition could generate an additional Rs. 50 per plant. Advocating for a grassroots tech revolution, he called for an agri-tech start-up in every village panchayat and emphasized the convergence of Genomics, Robotics, Informatics, and Nanotechnology (GRIN) for smart farming.
R. Viswanathan, former Director of ICAR–Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, praised NRCB for its demand-driven research and extensive outreach across all banana-growing states in India.
Tangible Support and Future Collaborations
The event was not just about discussions. As a direct benefit to farmers, the institute distributed free planting material of the 'Kaveri Poovan' variety, agricultural inputs, and essential farm implements like spades and crowbars to 200 beneficiaries under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) scheme.
An exhibition with more than 15 stalls displayed the latest banana technologies and products. In a significant step towards inclusive development, NRCB also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Vivekananda Trust. This collaboration, under the Ainthinai Mission Project and in partnership with the Tamil Nadu government's tribal welfare department, aims specifically at the development of tribal farmers.
The day featured in-depth panel discussions on banana production, protection technologies, and strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages. The session began with a welcome address by principal scientist M Mayilvaganan and concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by principal scientist V. Kumar.
