A field day on Papaya (Arka Prabhath) under Bhoosamruthi project at Alampur village, Chintamani Taluq, Chikkabalapur District on 08.01.2020 was jointly organized by ICAR-IIHR, Bengalore and KVK, Chintamani. The main aim of this field day was to create awareness about the papaya variety Arka Prabhath. The field day was conducted in the Papaya field of Mr.Praveen at Alampur village. Dr.M.R.Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IIHR along with Dr.P.C.Tripathi, Principal Investigator of the BhooSamruthi Project, Dr.P.Venkataravna, Dean, College of Sericulture, Dr.Reju M. Kurian, Head I/C, Division of fruit crops, Dr.R.Venkattakumar, Head I/c, Division of Social Sciences and Training and Dr.R.Manjunath, Head, KVK held an Interaction meeting with farmers and advised them about good agricultural practices for successful Papaya cultivation. After the Interaction session at Papaya field, there was an interface between scientists and farmers, which was started with welcome by Dr.Vishwanath of KVK, Chintamani, followed by Mrs. Laxmi, ICRISAT representative briefing about BhooSamruthi activities at Chikaaballapur district. Dr.J.Sathisha, Principal Scientist, Division of Fruit crops elaborated the purpose of Papaya field day. Dr.C.Vasugi, Principal Scientist, Division of Fruit crops delivered a talk on Papaya cultivation and seed production. Mr. Praveen, Papaya grower shared his experience and the doubts raised by farmers were clarified by Dr. Reju M Kurian, Head i/c, Dr. B. L. Manjunath, Principal scientist, Division of fruit crops. Dr. M. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IIHR in his presidential remarks highlighted the Papaya growers about the potential of Arka Prabhath, precautions to be taken for managing the diseases, and schedule of operations for profitable cultivation of papaya. He also invited farmers to utilize the opportunity of National Horticulture Fair, which is going to held at IIHR during February 5-8, 2020. The meeting came to end with vote of thanks proposed by Dr.R.Venkattakumar, Head i/c, Division of Social Sciences and Training. The participants in this field day were Dr.A.Rekha, Dr.Anil Kumar Nair, Dr.Anuradha Sane, Dr.Sankaran, Dr.Karuanakaran Principal scientists and Mr.Atheequlla, Scientist from Indian Institute of Horticultural Research. Officials from Department of Agriculture, Staff members of KVK and more than 50 progressive farmers also participated. This field day was coordinated by Dr.P.C.Tripathi Principal Scientist, Division of fruits crops and Dr.R.Senthil Kumar Principal Scientist, Division of Social sciences and training.
