The ICAR - National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli in collaboration with Horticultural Research Station, Kovvur, AP organized one day Banana Farmers Interface Meeting at Dr. YSR Horticultural University Campus, Venkataramanagudem on 28th April, 2016. About 120 farmers participated in the event.

The meeting was presided over by Dr. B.Padmanaban, Director Incharge, ICAR-NRCB, Tiruchirapalli. Dr. BMC. Reddy, Vice Chancellor, Dr. YSR Horticultural University was chief guest of the function. Dr. J. Dilip Babu, Director of Research and Dr. RVSK Reddy, Director of Extension, Dr. YLN. Reddy, Dean, College of Horticulture and Dr. BVK Bhagwan, Prof. & Head, HRS, Kovvur, Dr. YSR Horticultural University spoke on the event. Dr. BMC. Reddy, Vice Chancellor has distributed farm inputs viz., Banana Shakthi and Banana Bunch Sleeves to the farmers and delivered Chief Guest address.

Following Presentation / lectures were given by ICAR-NRCB Scientists during the meeting enlighten the importance of banana cultivation in the area .

• Advances in Banana Cultivation - Dr.V.Kumar, PS
• Improved Soil and Nutrient Management in Banana - Dr. KJ. Jeyabaskaran, PS
• Banana disease and their management - Dr. R.Thangavelu, PS
• Insect pests and their management in banana - Dr. B.Padmanaban, Director Incharge
• Post Harvest Management and Value addition in banana - Dr. KN.Shiva, PS

A Farmers - Scientists interaction meeting was held in which Scientists from ICAR-NRCB, HRS, Kovvur and Officials from Dr.YSR Horticultural University and improved technologies were demonstrated for the benefit of the participants by the Scientists of ICAR-NRCB.

Vote of thanks for proposed by Dr.V. Kumar, Principal Scientsit, NRCB, Tiruchirapalli.