Under the Tribal Sub-Plan project “Awareness cum Input Distribution Program” was organized by Central Horticultural Experiment Station, CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar on 23rd and 24th August, 2021 at Mohana (Gajapati) and Kashipur (Rayagada), respectively. At Mohana the program was organized with the help of SACAL, a tribal NGO, which was attended by more than 25 beneficiaries. Dr. G. C. Acharya, Head I/c & PI, highlighted the activities of tribal sub-plan carried out by CHES, Bhubaneswar for the benefits of tribal farmers. Dr. P. Srinivas, Co-PI advised the beneficiaries to use the planting materials and seeds of vegetables for income improvement. Dr. Kundan Kishore, Co-PI also highlighted the importance of quality planting materials in enhancing yield and quality. Among the beneficiaries planting materials of fruit crops such as Arka Udaya, Arka Suprabhath, Nagpur mandarin and pineapple, and seeds of French bean (Arka Arjun) and Dolichos bean (Arka Vistar) were distributed. Efforts of Sh. Chitrasan Mallik and Sh. Kalia Mallik in carrying our nursery activities and teasel gourd cultivation, respectively at Mohana were appreciated. Visits were undertaken to the beneficiary plot (Arka Bharat) and New-Age nursery.
Awareness cum Input Distribution Program was also organized at Kashipur, Rayagada on August 24, 2021 with the support of HARPAL, a tribal self-help group. Planting materials of fruit crops such as Arka Udaya, Arka Suprabhath and Nagpur mandarin, and seeds of French bean (Arka Arjun) and Dolichos bean (Arka Vistar) were distributed among the tribal beneficiaries in the presence of Sh. K. C. Mohapatra, a progressive farmer of Kashipur. More than 50 TSP beneficiaries including women participated in the program. Dr. Acharya, appreciated the effort of HARPAL and beneficiaries in adoption of horticultural technologies. Sh. K C Mohapatra highlighted the traits of fruit and vegetable varieties during the program. Since mango and beans are important crops of the area, distribution of improved varieties will be helpful in enhancing the income of tribal farmers, Dr. Kishore and Dr. Srinivas told. Viewing the potential of orange in the region, planting materials of Nagpur mandarin (CRIC, Nagpur) were also provided to the beneficiaries. Beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction over the program and told that planting materials seeds shall perform satisfactorily in their field. A Visit to the field of Sri K C Mohapatra was also undertaken. The program was coordinated by Dr. G. C. Acharya, Dr. P. Srinivas, Dr. Kundan Kishore and Sh. B. C. Patra.
