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World Coconut Day Celebration at ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms Centres

H. P. Maheswarappa and N. R. Dhatri

All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod- 671 124

The World coconut day was celebrated at Coconut centres of AICRP on Palms, with various functions like interactive discussions among scientists and entrepreneurs, farmers, exhibition, distribution of seedlings, field visit etc. at Arsikere (Karnataka), Ambajipeta (Andhra Pradesh), Aliyarnagar and Veppankulam (Tamil Nadu), Kahikuchi (Assam), CCARI Old Goa, Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) and Mondouri (West Bengal).

Arsikere

The 'World Coconut Day' was organised with the theme Coconut for family nutrition was celebrated at AICRP on palms, (HRES), Arsikere. Nearly 500 progressive farmers from various parts of state witnessed the programme, which was inaugurated by Dr. H. P. Maheswarappa, Project Coordinator AICRP on Palms, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargod. In his speech, he emphasized the efforts made by scientists under AICRP on palms to tackle the repercussions of continuous drought being faced by farmers of coconut growing track and also emphasised on the issues related to moisture conservation and efficient management of pest and diseases to cope up the situation. Dr. V. Nachegowda, Director of Research, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot presided over the function. The special lecture by Shri Hulivan Gangadarayya on 'Neera and other by-products of coconut' was also arranged in the same programme. Progressive farmers Mrs. Hema Ananth and Manjunath were also spoke on the successful adoption of coconut technologies to achieve higher returns.

Ambajipeta

The World coconut day was celebrated on 2nd September 2017 as National programme by Coconut Development Board, Kochi, State Centre, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh with the technical support of Dr.YSR Horticultural University, AICRP on Palms, Horticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta and in collaboration with Department of Horticulture Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. The theme for this year celebration 'A healthy, wealthy life with coconut'. During the function an exhibition was arranged by different stake holders on processing & value addition with samples. The Horticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta also arranged exhibition stall displaying live specimens of parasitoids, samples of different coconut varieties/Hybrids, production, protection technologies and value added products. Shri. Somireddy Chandrasekhar Reddy, Hon'ble minister of Agriculture, Horticulture & Sericulture, Govt. of A.P. was the chief guest and Shri. Chiranjiv Chowdary, IFS, Commissioner of Horticulture, Govt. of A.P., and Vice Chancellor, Dr.YSRHU and Dr. B.S.N. Murthy, Chairman, CDB presided over the function. A technical session was held in afternoon session, wherein Dr.G. Ramanandam, Principal Scientist (Hort.) & Head gave a detailed power point presentation on role of quality planting material and good management practices in sustaining the coconut yields. This lecture was followed by another lecture on the incidence of insect pest in coconut and its management duly giving emphasis on bio control based management practices by Dr. N.B.V. Chalapathi Rao, Senior Scientist (Ent.), followed by lecture on disease management in coconut was delivered by Dr. Snehalatha Rani, Scientist (Path.), Horticultural Research Station, Kovvur. About 600 farmers from various states participated in the World Coconut Day 2017 celebration.

Aliyarnagar

The World Coconut Day 2017 was jointly organized by Coimbatore Coconut Producer Company, Coconut Development Board and Vinayaga Coconut Producers Company on 02.09.2017 at PA College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi. The honourable ministers of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. R. Duraikkannu, Minister of Agriculture, Thiru. S. P. Velumani, Urban Development Minister and Dr. Pollachi V. Jeyaraman, Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu assembly addressed the gathering. Farmers ' scientists interactive meeting was arranged under the headmanship of Dr. K. Rajamanickam, Professor (Entomology) and various queries raised by the farmers regarding coconut improvement, production and protection technologies were answered by the scientists of Coconut Research Station, TNAU, Aliyarnagar. A total of 1000 coconut farmers participated and benefited from the function. An exhibition stall was arranged on behalf of CRS, TNAU, Aliyarnagar in which various coconut production technologies, varieties, bio inputs, etc. were displayed for the benefit of all the coconut farmers. A booklet on Coconut Cultivation Technologies was released during the morning session.

Veppankulam (TN)

Dr.V.Ravi, Director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Dr.K.Ganesamurthy, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore, Dr.K.Chozhan, Dean, RVS Agricultural College, Thanjavur, Joint Directors of Agriculture, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur districts participated in the function and offered their felicitation addresses. Dr.D. Saraladevi, Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute (Women), Tiruchirappalli delivered a special address on the importance of coconut, high yielding coconut varieties/hybrids and improved technologies on coconut cultivation. Progressive farmers Thiru. Balakrishnan, Pandian, Ramamoorthy and Dhanapal offered their felicitation. About 250 coconut farmers participated and benefitted in the World Coconut Day function. In the function, exhibition and skilled demonstrations (fertilizer application, root feeding, Bordeaux mixture preparation) were organized for the benefit of coconut farmers.

ICAR-CCARI Old Goa

World Coconut day was celebrated at ICAR-CCARI Old Goa with support from ICAR-AICRP on Palms-Goa centre and ICAR-KVK North Goa and ICAR-CCARI Old Goa. The inaugural ceremony was held at conference hall in the forenoon chaired by Dr EB Chakurkar Director (A) ICAR-CCARI Old Goa. Dr V. Arunachalam Principal Scientist (Horticulture) & In-charge ICAR-AICRP on Palms-Goa centre and Mr RS Joshi from Directorate of Agriculture Government of Goa graced the occasion. The practical session consisted on demo on use of coconut tree climbing device, root feeding and manure application. The farmers actively interacted with the experts and clarified their doubts on various aspects of coconut cultivation and utilization.

Bhatye, Ratnagiri

< p style='text-align:justify'> The rally of coconut growers and entrepreneurs organized on the occasion of world coconut day on 2nd September, 2017 at Seminar hall, Fisheries College, Ratnagiri. Dr. S.B. Kadrekar, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli, was inaugurated the programme by releasing the pamphlet on "Improved management practices for coconut eriophyid mite" and underlined the importance of coconut in processing industries. Dr. S.G. Bhave, Director, Extension Education, Dr. P.M. Haldankar, Director of Research, Shri. Rajabhau Limaye, Ex-Vice Chairman, Coconut Development Board, Kochi, Dr. Anil Joshi, President, 'Shriphal Utpadak Sangh, Ratnagiri and Dr. Raghvendra Pai, Associate Dean, College of Fisheries, Shirgaon were present on the occasion and guided to the audience on various immerging issues regarding coconut cultivation and its value added products.

Kahikuchi

The programme was organized in the Farmers' Field at Singra under Kamrup district by All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms (Horticultural Research Station), Kahikuchi Guwahati, Assam. At the beginning of the programme, planting of coconut seedlings was done in one of the farmers' field as block plantation which was initiated under TSP programme of the station. The programme included awareness generation, training, method demonstration and farmer-scientist interaction. Various queries of the participants regarding coconut cultivation were lucidly elaborated by the scientists during the interaction session which included issues such as nursery management, planting method and disease and pest management, with special reference to tackling squirrel menace. Altogether around 100 farmers of both genders actively participated in the programme.

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh)

World coconut day was celebrated on 2nd September 2017 with inclusive lecture presentation and farmers' field visit. Shri. D.K. Bhoyar, Joint Director of Agricluture, Bastar zone, was the chief guest, Dr. S.C. Mukherjee, Dean SGCARS, Jagdalpur and Dr. D.S.Thakur, Dean, College of Horticulture, Jagdlapur were graced the occasion. Shri Bhoyar in his speech, indicated that the coconut cultivation can increase the income of farmers and could be a better source of doubling the income & livelihood. Further Dr. Mukherjee has pointed out the cultivation practices of coconut trees and recommended to the farmers for planting at least five coconut trees per household. Shri P.K. Salam, Scientist of AICRP on Palms presented the overall status of project and deliver the lecture on 'Suitable coconut varieties for Bastar'. During the programme about 80 coconut farmers of different villages such as Tandpal, Tokapal, Biringpal, Lamker, Bodanpal and students of SGCARS, Jagdalpur were present. At the end of programme about 50 coconut plants were distributed among farmers to promote coconut cultivation in Bastar.

Mondouri (WB)

The 'World Coconut Day' celebrated at the APC Roy hall of Directorate of Research, BCKV, Kalyani on 2nd September. Nearly 100 farmers from various parts of state witnessed the programme. Prof. D. D. Patra, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, BCKV presided over the function. Prof K Brahmachari, Director EE, Dr S Mitra, Director of Farms, Dr R N Biswas, Hon'ble MLA, Kalyani graced the occasion. In the technical session scientists from different departments gave a brief note about organic cultivation of coconut, coconut processing and health benefits, plant protection in coconut and disease management in coconut.

XXV ANNUAL GROUP MEETING OF ALL INDIA COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECT ON PALMS

XXV ANNUAL GROUP MEETING OF ALL INDIA COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECT ON PALMS will be held at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod during May 19-21, 2016.

Celebration of World Coconut Day – 2/September/2015

The World coconut day was celebrated at Coconut centres of AICRP on Palms, with various functions like interactive discussions among scientists and entrepreneurs, farmers, exhibition, distribution of seedlings at Coconut Research Stations, Aliyarnagar and Veppankulam (Tamil Nadu), HRES, Arsikere (Karnataka), HRS, Ambajipeta (A.P.) Mondouri (West Bengal), Kahikuchi (Assam), Navsari (Gujarat), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) and Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh).

CRS, Aliyarnagar:

At Aliyarnagar function was presided by Dr. M. Mariappan, Dean, HC & RI, Coimbatore (TNAU), Dr. H.P. Maheswarappa, PC (Palms), Er. Madhuramakrishnan, Organic farmer, Mr. O.V.R. Somasundaram, Progressive farmer, Mr. C.M. Kamaraj, Managing Director, Sakthi Coir Exports (P) Ltd. An interactive session was held in which coconut farmers and scientists had face-to-face interactions and queries of coconut farmers were addressed. On this occasion exhibition with regard to showcasing the developed technologies in coconut was also arranged and around 200 farmers attended the function.

HRES, Arsikere

World coconut day with the theme “Coconut for family nutrition, health and wellness” was celebrated at AICRP on palms, HRES Arsikere on 2nd September 2015. Around 100 farmers from various villages of Arsikere taluka participated in the programme. The programme commenced with invocation song and Raitageete. Dr. Prashanth, Associate Professor welcomed the gathering. Dr. T. R Gruprasad, Associate Director of Research and Extension, GKVK, Bangalore inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp and addressed the gathering. In his speech, he emphasized on balanced nutrition and diversified cropping in coconut garden for higher yield and income.

Horticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta

The world Coconut Day celebrations for the year 2015-16 with the theme “Coconut for Family Nutrition, Health & Wellness” was conducted Jointly by Coconut Development Board, (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt.of India), Department of Horticulture, Andhra Pradesh on 2nd September 2015 at Swarna Vedika, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Honourable Member of Parliament and Member, Coconut Development Board, Sri Thota Narasimham garu was the Chief guest. Sri Koneru Sreedhar, Worshipful Mayor, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, Dr.B.M.C.Reddy, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr.YSR Horticultural University were guest of honour for the function. Sri T.K.Jose, IAS, Chairman, CDB, Sri Johar Khan, Member, CDB, Sri B.Pandu Ranga, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, Andhra Pradesh were presided over the function. On the request of the Chairman, CDB, the scientists, AICRP on Palms, Horticultural Research Station, Ambajipeta, played key role as resource persons and displayed the latest technologies of coconut on production, protection and value addition and arranged exhibition stall for the benefit of the farmers. About 500 coconut farmers across the country participated in the programme.

Best ICAR Award

Chawdhury Devi Lal outstanding AICRP Award for 2014 was honourned to the All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms (ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala) for its contribution in developing many location-specific technologies in crop improvement, production and plant health management of mandate crops viz., Coconut, Oil palm and Palmyrah. AICRP Centre, Ambajipeta (Dr. YSRHU, AP) has been judged as the best centre.
The award was received by Dr. H.P. Maheswarappa, Project Coordinator (Palms) on 25th July, 2015 during the 87th ICAR Foundation and ICAR award ceremony held at Patna (Bihar), which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modiji. The award was given by Hon’ble Minister of state for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Shri Mohan Bhai Kundariya.