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Tura, October 28, 2025: A one day stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Scientific Cultivation Practices for Sustainable Production of Arecanut and Cocoa’ was held on Tuesday at Social Mobilisation Experimentation and Learning Centre (SMELC), Tura, West Garo Hills.

The programme was organised by ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, West Garo Hills and the Department of Horticulture, West Garo Hills.

A team of scientists from ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala, led by Dr. Vinayak Hegde, Head of Crop Protection Division, conducted sessions covering various aspects of arecanut and cocoa cultivation. The scientists also shared technical knowledge with the farmers on the prevention and control of bud rot disease in arecanut plants, a major concern affecting annual yields for arecanut cultivators in the region.

Smt. Tahsri M. Momin, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

Around a hundred arecanut farmers from Gambegre and Rongram C&RD Block, West Garo Hills District, participated in the programme, which was also attended by senior officials from the Department of Horticulture and Agriculture, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra West Garo Hills.