27 AGM

The 27th Annual group meeting of AICRP on Palms was held during 24th to 26th May 2018 at IIOPR, Pedavagi. Dr. W.S. Dhillon, ADG (Hort. Sci.-I), ICAR, New Delhi presided over the inaugural session. Dr. J. Dilip Babu, Director of Research, Dr.YSRHU, Venkataramnnagudem, AP was the Chief Guest. Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargod Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri, Former Director of ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, and Dr. D. Damodar Reddy, Director, ICAR-CTRI, Rajahmundry were the guests of honour.

The inaugural session was begun with invocation song by students and was followed by ICAR song. The chief guest along with guest of honour inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp. Dr. R. K. Mathur, Director, ICAR-IIOPR, Pedavagi welcomed the delegates and participants with a brief introduction. The Project Coordinator AICRP on Palms narrated the brief report of the year 2017-18. In his report, he explained the total budget outlay of Rs. 485 lakhs for the preceding year, also emphasised on the technology passed on to farming community, publications made from AICRP centres, and front line demonstrations being conducted at various centres. In addition to this, the attempts made in curtailing the menace of emerging pest on coconut rugose spiralling whitefly in various parts of country were also briefed. Based on performance grading, AICRP centre Bhubaneswar was adjudged as best AICRP centre for the year 2017-18. The guest of honour, Dr. K.U.K. Nampoothiri, Former Director of ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod addressed the gathering and emphasised on importance of group meetings under AICRP system and need for multilocation research. Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod addressed the participants and in his speech, he focussed on doubling of farmers income and also emphasised the efforts of CPCRI in doubling farmers income and also in managing new and emerging pest and diseases in plantation crop. The Director, ICAR-CTRI, also gave a formal speech in the session and he narrated the role of AICRPs in national research programmes. The chief guest of the function, Dr. J. Dilip Babu, Director of Research, DR.YSRHU, Venkataramannagudem, highlighted the status of Horticulture sector in Andhra Pradesh and its contribution to the economy of state. Further, he mentioned the new challenges under horticulture sector and the preparedness of university for the same. At last he explained about few success stories of managaing pests in AP. The publications brought by various centres in different regional languages were released during the session by chief guest and guests of honour. In the presidential remarks, Dr. W. S. Dillon, ADG (Hort. Sci.- I), gave overall picture of horticulture sector in the country and also status of plantation crops in the nation. Further, he emphasised doubling of profitability and not income of farmers. He, also called upon for time bound, need based research under AICRP systems. During the inaugural function eight extension folders were released from different AICRP on Palms centres in local languages on various aspects of the mandate crops. AICRP on Palms centre, Bhubaneswar has been awarded with Best AICRP centre award during 2017-18 based on the location specific research on coconut crop improvement and crop production. About 100 scientists from 30 AICRP centres, ICAR-CPCRI and ICAR-IIOPR attended the programme. Different technical sessions on crop improvement, crop production, crop protection, post harvest technology in palmyrah and transfer of technology were carried out for subsequent days to assess the progress of research during 2017-18 and to formulate new technical programme for 2018-19. Technologies emerged by continuous research in various AICRP on Palms centres were recommended for different mandate crops to benefit the farming community. The sessions concluded with plenary session on 26th May 2018.

Hon’ble ADG (HS -1) addressing the gathering during 27th AGM of ICAR-AICRP on Palms

Release of Publications during 27th AGM of ICAR-AICRP on Palms

Delegates attended 27th AGM of ICAR-AICRP on Palms

Best centre award for Bhubaneswar centre

Best presenter award gave to Dr. Thangeswari from Veppankulam centre