ICAR- National Research Centre for Banana actively participated in the prestigious Mega "AGRI EXPO 2023" held from 27th to 29th July 2023 at CARE Engineering College in Tiruchirappalli. This agricultural extravaganza, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Tamil Nadu Government, witnessed an impressive footfall of approximately one lakh farmers from Tamil Nadu over the three days. ICAR-NRCB conceptualized its stall with the theme "BANANA - A Plant of Virtue“KALPATHARU,"which revolved around four sub-concepts: banana varietal diversity, value-added products, and high-quality disease-free planting materials and technology-driven banana farming.
The stall showcased an extensive collection of around 40 indigenous banana varieties of Tamil Nadu. Additionally, visitors were exposed to 45 value-added banana products,
showcasing the crop's potential for diversification and value enhancement. The exhibition stall also highlights the benefits of tissue culture production and certification for improved yields and value addition.
The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu keenly explored the exhibits, spending valuable time in the stall to observe the advancements in banana agriculture. The stall also played host to several other dignitaries, including ministers, collectors, and VIPs. An estimated 100,000 farmers eagerly visited the ICAR-NRCB stall.
In the stall, all NRCB technologies viz., value-added products, other products, and varieties were also displayed. Pest and disease management and production and export technologies were explained to the benefit of the farmers and different stakeholders. Dr. R. Selvarajan, the Director of ICAR-NRCB, expressed his belief that participating in such a mega exhibition could create awareness among farmers and the general public about bananas, their diverse range of products, and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
During the three days, ICAR-NRCB addressed approximately 3,000 queries related to business opportunities within the banana sector. Many entrepreneurs showed interest to be part of Agri-Business Incubation at NRCB. The tireless efforts and commitment of the ICAR-NRCB team earned them the third prize in the highly competitive Government stall category among 250 participants. Dr. C. Karpagam, Principal Scientist (Extension) emphasized that the Centre's participation in such a mega Agri Expo through extension approaches was instrumental in elevating the visibility, effectively showcasing the technologies, and promoting the value of products developed at the research center.
Overall, the Mega Agri-Expo 2023 served as an exceptional platform for ICAR-NRCB to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and practical applications, fostering stronger connections with farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
