Farmer-scientist interface organized at Ratnagiri coastal district, Maharashtra

A field visit and farmer-scientist interface was organized at Golap Village, Ratnagiri coastal district, Maharashtra on 18 January 2025. A total of 15 scheduled caste women farmers under the Golap Self-Help-Group (SHG) are currently engaged in paddy cultivation and mango farming in the village. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI interacted with the farmers and informed about the research and development initiatives of the institute for the benefit of farmers. Dr Santosh Metar, Associate Professor, College of Fisheries, Ratnagiri made them aware about the farming scenario in Ratnagiri and different schemes of the Government that farmers can utilize to improve the farm income. A field visit was also arranged to the mango plantations and the farmers pointed out their concerns regarding the disease management in the plantation. The scientific team assured that the package of practices for the management of diseases will be shared to them in due course. The farmers expressed gratitude to the team and assured their whole-hearted co-operation in the research and development programmes. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Sreekanth GB, Dr. Santhosh Metar, Shri Trivesh Mayekar (Scientist, ICAR-CCARI), Ms. Rimaj Kaji and Mr Kishore Shirke (research scholars).