The ICAR- National Research Centre for Banana, Trichy has successfully organized Krishi Unnati Mela-2018 on 17th March, 2018 and over 300 farmers from Trichy, Karur, Namakkal, Pudukottai, Perambalur and Ariyalur districts participated in the programme. Shri. N. Ravichandran, Commissioner, Trichy City Corporation in his Chief Guest address, appreciated the institute for developing farmers oriented agricultural technologies and its initiatives on cleanliness and waste management. He emphasized upon more active participation of all the institutions and the public in the Swatchh Bharat movement to make the City as the Cleanest in the country. He requested the farmers to use the manure made from the kitchen wastes to enhance the productivity and avoid the use of plastics. Shri. Manikantan Nair, Deputy General Manager, SBI, Trichy briefed about various schemes for the agriculture sector and urged the farmers to make use of them for better economic growth. He noted that the bank mainly focuses on kisan credit cards and agri lending with the budget allocation of 6500 crores in Trichy circle. Shri. K. Natarajan, Programme Director, All India Radio, Trichy appreciated the Government’s efforts to make participatory governance of all the stake holders and urged the farmers and other stakeholders to regularly listen to the agriculture related programmes to enrich their knowledge. Dr. S. Uma, Director, NRCB, explained the importance of the programme to the gathered farmers and stressed upon the adoption of improved technologies of drip irrigation, low input agriculture and soil health management for sustainable farming to attain the goal of doubling the farmer’s income. Later, Dr. I. Ravi and Dr. R. Thangavelu, scientists of the Centre delivered lectures on effective management Fusarium wilt disease and drought in banana and interacted with the farmers. Earlier, the live coverage of the address by the Prime Minister at the Krishi Unnati Mela, New Delhi was telecasted at the venue and the gist of the speech was translated for the better understanding and benefit of the farmers and other participants. Dr. B. Padmanaban welcomed the gathering and Dr. V. Kumar proposed vote of thanks.