Celebration of 79th Foundation Day of Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli held on 3rd February, 2025. Dr. Muralidhara B.M., Scientist (Fruit Science), CHES, Chettalli welcomed all the guests and participants. Felicitation was done to retired staff Mrs. Kusuma B.A., Ex. AAO and best farmers Mr. Motanalira M. Somaiah, Sirangalli Village, Kodagu and Mr. K.T. Harish, Koojageri Village, Kodagu. The Guest of Honour, Dr. E. Sreenivasa Rao, Principal Scientist & Nodal Officer, PME Cell, ICAR-IIHR addressed the gathering and expressed the importance and outcome of this station and highlighted the stalwarts who were all worked in the station and highlighted their achievements. Then extension folder on “Scientific Cultivation of Off-season Litchi” and “Problems in Off-season Litchi Cultivation and Their Management” had been released by the Director, ICAR-IIHR and the Guests.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. K.M. Thimmaiah, Progressive Planter from Siddapura, Kodagu shared his childhood memories of the station, Coorg mandarin orchards and significance of the station. A website http:/sphehc.com/ for Society for Promotion of High-value Exotic Horticultural Crops (SPHEHC), CHES, Chettalli, had been unveiled by the Director and “Soil Fertility Map of CHES, Chettalli Farm” had also been disclosed by the Chief Guest. Last Five Year Achievements of CHES, Chettalli had been presented by Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist & Head (I/c), CHES, Chettalli.
The Chief Guest, Dr. M. Senthilkumar, Director of Research, Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Board of India, Balehonnur, Chikmagalur addressed the gathering and delivered a foundation day lecture on “Diversification in Coffee- The Nature’s Gift for Sustainable Farming”. Dr. Tusar Kanti Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, delivered a Presidential Speech and mentioned the important contribution of the station to the horticulture sector and farming community, importance of crop diversification and appreciated the efforts of station in this line. He congratulated all the staff and their family members. He had also mentioned that required steps would be taken to upgrade facilities and increase manpower of the station.
The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Nayan Deepak, Scientist (Fruit Science), CHES, Chettalli. Then cultural event had been organized. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of Foundation Day Sports and to all the participants of Cultural Programme.
