Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli organized Field Day cum Diversity Fair on Avocado on 21st June, 2023 at CHES-Chettalli, to showcase the genetic diversity in avocado and to address the problems in cultivation of avocado. Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist and Head (I/c) welcomed and briefed the importance of programme. Dr. S. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-IIHR, while presiding over the programme suggested to form an Avocado Growers Association for the benefit of avocado growers and inaugurated the exhibition along with other chief guests. Exhibition displayed specimens of more than sixty diverse avocado genotypes, nutrient deficiency, pests, diseases and grafted and budded plants. The chief guest Shri Bose Mandanna, Former Vice Chairman Coffee Board and Planter, Suntikoppa, stressed the problems of growers and requested the Director to strengthen the manpower of the station. The guest of honour Dr. Manjunath Shetty, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, Somwarpet Taluk, Kodagu district briefed about different schemes and subsides available to the farmers for cultivation of avocado. Extension folder on “Management of pests and diseases of avocado” was also released during the programme. During the technical session Dr. Muralidhara B.M., Scientist (Fruit Science) presented the genetic diversity and varietal wealth in avocado. Dr. Rajendiran S., presented nutrient and water management in avocado. Mr. Madhu G.S., Scientist (Plant Pathology) and Dr. Rani A.T., Scientist (Agri. Entomology) created awareness on diseases and pests management in avocado, respectively. 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 220 farmers from eight districts of Karnataka, farmers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu were also participated in the programme.
