As part of the Swachhta Pakhwada 2024 program, the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) in Tiruchirappalli organized a Banana Festival and Kisan Diwas on December 23, 2024, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mr. Choudhary Charan Singh and to honor the dedication and sacrifices of farmers. As part of the celebration, Chief Guest Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture Sciences), ICAR, New Delhi, inaugurated the Common Incubation Centre, funded under the PMFME scheme (Rs. 2.50 crores), and the Trainees' Hostel (Rs. 1.75 Crores) at ICAR-NRCB. In his Chief guest address, he emphasized the importance of banana research and development, particularly in distributing quality plant material to farmers. He noted that while India boasts eight GI (Geographical Indication) varieties of bananas, their full potential remains underutilized. Dr. Singh highlighted the necessity of registering farmers’ varieties under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA). Congratulating ICAR-NRCB for promoting value-added products and export protocols, he also launched an E-commerce website and inaugurated the International Society for Banana and Plantains. Tissue culture plants were distributed to SC/ST farmers under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan/ Tribal Sub- Plan. In his presidential address, Dr. Selvarajan, Director of NRCB, underscored the importance of automation and sensor-based irrigation systems in boosting banana production while minimizing inputs. He advocated for small business initiatives like producing banana stem juice and extracting banana fiber to ensure resource efficiency and reduce waste. Dr. Selvarajan emphasized the need for efficient input use, the adoption of technologies, and the utilization of the Common Incubation Centre to enhance farmers’ incomes. The Director also announced plans for the commercial production of tissue culture plants for various traditional banana varieties. Notably, two farmers’ varieties—Numaran and Manoranjitham—were registered with the PPV&FRA, New Delhi, during the current year. He also discussed upcoming projects, such as developing a Decision Support System in collaboration with ISRO Regional Remote Sensing Centre, Bengaluru. The event saw participation from approximately 600 attendees, including farmers, entrepreneurs, KVK scientists, and other stakeholders. The program featured panel discussions on banana production and protection technologies, as well as research-extension-farmer linkages. Extension publications were released to raise awareness among farmers about Pisang Lilin, a low glycemic index banana, and effective mealy bug management. Guest of Honor participants included, Dr. C. Vanniarajan, Dean of ADAC & RI, TNAU, Trichy, Dr. J. Ranjangam, Dean of HC & RI, TNAU, Periyakulam, Dr. J. Suresh, Dean of HC & RI (W), TNAU, Trichy. The event began with a welcome address by Dr. J. Poorani, Principal Scientist at ICAR-NRCB, Tiruchirappalli, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. C. Karpagam, Principal Scientist at ICAR-NRCB, Tiruchirappalli.