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Farmers Learn to Combat Super El Niño's Banana Threat
21 Aug
Summary
- Farmers were educated on strategies to mitigate El Niño's impact on banana crops.
- Two new high-yield banana varieties, Kaveri Thangam and Kaveri Nadan, were released.
- Techniques like intercropping and mulching were recommended for climate resilience.
The ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB) recently marked its 33rd Foundation Day with a kisan mela, addressing the critical theme of "Super El Niño: Mitigation in Banana-based Cropping System." The event focused on equipping farmers with strategies to counter the potential impacts of the Super El Niño phenomenon on banana cultivation.
Researchers and agricultural experts shared valuable insights with approximately 1,000 farmers in attendance. Key recommendations included adopting intercropping over monocropping for perennial crops to foster a beneficial microclimate. Furthermore, the adoption of mulching and weed mats was strongly advised to enhance soil moisture retention and buffer against climatic variability.
During the foundation day celebration, ICAR-NRCB director R Selvarajan announced the institute-level release of two innovative banana varieties: Kaveri Thangam and Kaveri Nadan. Kaveri Thangam is distinguished by its premium quality, aroma, and rich provitamin A content, while Kaveri Nadan offers a substantial increase in yield. Planting materials for both varieties have been distributed to farmers nationwide.
