Shillong, May 02 : A one-day Stakeholders Meeting on “Scientific Cultivation for Sustainable Production of Arecanut and Cocoa” was held at the Meghalaya Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (MAMETI), Upper Shillong, on May 2nd, 2025.
The event was organized by the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, in collaboration with the Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Meghalaya.
Scientists from ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala, and ICAR-CPCRI, Kahikuchi, Assam, provided detailed information on various aspects of arecanut and cocoa cultivation:
- “Arecanut Production Technologies” by Dr. Bhavishya, Scientist, CPCRI
- “Plant Health Management in Arecanut” by Dr. Vinayaka Hedge, Head-Division of Crop Protection, CPCRI
- “Prospects of Cocoa Cultivation in Meghalaya” by Dr. Alpana Das, Scientist in-charge ICAR-CPCRI Kahikuchi, Assam
Dr. Balkho R. Marak, Assistant Soil and Water Conservation Officer, Shillong, presented the Current Status of Cocoa cultivation in the state, and Smt. M. Ch. Marak, Assistant Director of Horticulture (PSC), Shillong, presented the Current Status of Arecanut Plantation in the state.
The Director of Horticulture, Smt. B. Mylliem Umlong, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The program was attended by approximately 100 participants, including senior officials from the Directorates of Horticulture and Agriculture, KVKs, ATMA functionaries, and farmers from the state.
Prior to the meeting, on May 1st, 2025, the team conducted a field visit to an arecanut plantation affected by budrot in Nongmyndoo Village, West Khasi Hills District. Experts shared knowledge with farmers on the prevention and control of bud rot/crown rot in arecanut crops.
