The ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu and IIOPR-Regional Station, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram jointly organized a One Day Training cum Demonstration on "Improved Production Technologies and Value Addition in Banana" under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) program of Govt. of India on 16/11/2016 at ICAR-IIOPR-RS, Palode. The meeting was attended by about 100 tribal farmers and farm women from the villages under the Peringamala, Nanniyodu, Vidhura, Pangodu and Anade Panchayats of Thiruvanathapuram district. Tribal farmers from MGMG villages selected by IIOPR Regional station i.e. Peringamala and Nanniyode are the main participants in the progarmme
Dr. V. Kumar, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer-TSP and Dr. K.N. Shiva, Principal Scientist from ICAR-NRC Banana, Tiruchirappalli and Dr. P. Murugesan, Principal Scientist and In-charge, IIOPR-RS, Palode delivered the lectures on various topics and imparted training on production, post harvest management and Value addition technologies. An exhibition was organized depicting the technologies on banana value added products in the Oil Palm Training Centre of the IIOPR Regional Station. The farm inputs of "Banana Shakti'- banana micronutrient mixture, Knap sack sprayers and 'Banana Fibre Extraction Machine' were distributed to the tribal farmers. It is decided to conduct demonstration programmes in near future for the benefit of tribal community in the region. Mr. A.S Sabu, Senior Technical Officer of ICAR-IIOPR Regional Station welcomed the gathering and Dr. KN Shiva proposed vote of thanks. Tribal farmers wish to have demonstrations of technologies on spices, insect pest's management, wild animal scarring, conservation of biodiversity etc in the future meetings.
