Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli organized an “Avocado Diversity Fair, Field Day and Stakeholders Meet” on 21st June, 2025 at CHES, Chettalli. The main aim of the programme was to showcase the genetic diversity in avocado, to address the problems in cultivation of avocado and post harvest management and value addition in avocado. Firstly the exotic fruits block was inaugurated by the chief guest and the other dignitaries. Then exhibition on avocado had been untied by the chief guest Dr. Dinesh M.R., Former Director, ICAR-IIHR, and the other guests. Exhibition includes the display of specimens of more than hundred diverse avocado genotypes (fruit samples of institute and farmers collections, and exotic varieties), pest and diseases of avocado, post harvest products and avocado recipes. Dr. Nayan Deepak, G. explained the in detail about the importance of diversity show. The formal inaugural programme was started with ICAR and IIHR songs. Dr. Sankaran M, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, welcomed the guests and the gathering and briefed the importance of programme. The guest of honour Mr. Chinappa K.A., Director, Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampete & Progressive Planter addressed the stakeholders and stressed the problems of growers and suggested farmers to adopt the technologies of CHES, Chettalli and to be benefitted. The extension folder on “Production of quality planting materials in avocado” was released during the programme. The chief guest Dr. Dinesh, M.R., Former Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru addressed the gathering about the importance of germplasm conservation. During programme the MOU was exchanged for two avocado varieties between ICAR-IIHR and Rashmi K., Gonikoppal. Dr. Prakash Patil, Project Coordinator, AICRP on Fruits and Director (I/C) presided over the programme and suggested farmers to cultivate avocados in a scientific way. Distribution of three cash prizes and certificates to the farmers for displaying best samples and three cash prizes and certificates for women’s for preparing and displaying best avocado recipes was done. The inaugural programme was ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Muralidhara, B.M., Senior Scientist & Head (I/C), CHES, Chettalli. The technical session was also conducted for the benefit of farmers and the session was chaired by Dr. Sankaran M, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Fruit Crops, and Co-Chaired by Dr. Karunakaran G., Principal Scientist (Fruit Science), ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. In the technical session Dr. Preethi P., Senior Scientist, presented lecture on “Post harvest management and value addition in avocado” and Dr. Muralidhara, B.M., Senior Scientist (Fruit Science) delivered talk on “Problems and strategies in cultivation of avocado”.
The field visits were arranged for farmers to showcase results of avocado varieties Arka Supreme and Arka Coorg Ravi. Dr. Nayan Deepak G., Scientist (Fruit Science) explained special traits of avocado varieties to the farmers during the field visit. Sales of planting materials of different fruit crops were arranged for the benefit of farmers. More than 250 stakeholders from six districts of Karnataka and few farmers from Kerala were participated in the programme.
https://www.iihr.res.in/icar-iihr-central-horticultural-experiment-station-chettalli-organized-%E2%80%9Cavocado-diversity-fair-field
