ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB), Tiruchirappalli has successfully completed 25th year of its establishment and to commemorate its silver jubilee year, it has celebrated its foundation day and kisan mela on 31st August 2018. Shri Chhabilendra Roul, IAS, Special Secretary DARE and Secretary, ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest of the function.

Dr. S. Uma, Director, ICAR-NRCB, in her opening remarks, narrated the genesis of the institute and its contribution in increasing the national banana production from 9.945 mt in 1993 and 30.477 mt in 2017 and productivity from 22.968 tonnes/ha to 35 tonnes/ha in the last two and half decades.

The chief guest, Shri Chhabilendra Roul, IAS, Special Secretary DARE and Secretary, ICAR, New Delhi declared open three new facilities created at NRCB viz., Glass House for screening against Fusarium wilt disease, Technology Display Centre for the sale of value added products and Solar Roof Top for self-sufficiency in power production. He distributed awards to various categories of banana stake holders, the Best Banana Conservator award was conferred upon Shri. Debabrat Rabha S/o. Ramen Rabha NEH, Meghalaya and best banana grower to Shri. Ravi Arashingodi (Karnataka). The award for entrepreneur category was given to Shri. Sivakumar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu while Perunthalaivar Kamaraj KVK, Puducherry and KVK, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu were awarded for their involvement in the technology dissemination. Silver Jubilee publications including Success Stories of ICAR-NRCB (Hindi) were released.

He also chaired the “Banana stake holders meet attended by more than 40 stakeholders representing banana exports, processors, FPO’s, engineers involved in developing instruments for banana value chain, other ICAR institutes, SAU’s, State department functionaries, academicians, scientists and leading banana growers from various parts of the country. The efforts of ICAR-NRCB was appreciated for their robust networking with various stake holders in all fronts of banana development from production to processing to export. He congratulated ICAR-NRCB for their contributions made towards the cause of banana farming community.

As demanded and requested by the Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Federation, the Secretary has assured to support the establishment of a biocontrol lab at ICAR-NRCB and of processing lab in the region. The Centres role was appreciated by all the leading banana farmers federations and companies and the scientists were felicitated for their contribution.

Dr K.N. Shiva and Dr V. Kumar Principal Scientists, spoke on pre and post-harvest handlings, value addition, shelf life enhancement, package of practices for export bananas on the technical session held after inauguration. About 600 participants including banana growers, entrepreneur, KVK scientists, state department officials and exporters attended the function. The Principal Scientists of the centre Dr. B. Padmanaban welcomed the gathering and Dr. K.J. Jeyabaskaran, proposed the formal vote of thanks.