A mega farmers mela entitled “Introductory Stakeholders Meeting on
Banana Export Ecosystem Development in Thoothukudi District” of Tamil Nadu
was conducted on 25.07.2025 at ICAR SCAD Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Vagaikulam. This mela was attended by more than 500 banana growers from
various blocks of the district. The present ICAR ATARI Director of Zone-X,
Hyderabad, Dr. Shaik N. Meera was invited as a chief guest for this mela. Director
ATARI Zone-X interacted with all the scientists of ICAR SCAD KVK and the
representative banana growers of Thoothukudi District to bridge the gap between
the farmers needs and technological solutions to promote banana cultivation and
export promotion and delivered a chief guest keynote address during the event.
Dr. P. P. Murugan, DEE, TNAU Coimbatore, delivered a Guest of Honor
Address, followed by a Special Address by Dr. M. Theradimani, Dean of VOC
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam; Dr. R. Swarnapriya,
Special Officer, Banana Research Station, VOC Agricultural College and
Research Institute, Killikulam; Mrs. Alli Rani, Deputy Director of Agriculture;
and Dr. Alex, Assistant Director of Horticulture. On the sidelines of the mela, an
exhibition was arranged for displaying the various technological products of
Banana. During the event, a book on banana cultivation and post-harvest
technologies was released by the Director of ATARI Zone-X. Towards the
closing ceremony of the programme, the farmers have been distributed with
Banana Special and vermicompost by the Director of ATARI.
