ICAR-IIHR–Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES), Bhubaneswar organized a Training and Input Distribution Program under the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) on 22^nd December 2025 at CHES-Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The programme was conducted in collaboration with Sishuananta FPC, Balipatna, Khurda District. Around 100 farmers participated in the event.

Dr Tusar Kanti Behera (Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru) grace the programme as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr T K Behera encouraged farmers to take up horticulture farming as a profitable business enterprise. He shared how the continuous efforts of ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru have helped to improve horticulture farming in different states and motivated farmers to adopt improved technologies for better income. Dr Gobinda Chandra Acharya (Head, CHES, Bhubaneswar) highlighted the promising technologies of ICAR-IIHR suitable for Odisha conditions. He also shared how CHES-Bhubaneswar has improved the lives of many horticultural farmers through technological innovations and field-level support on Odisha and neighbouring states.

During the technical sessions, Dr Deepa Samant (Senior Scientist, CHES-Bhubaneswar) delivered a lecture on varieties developed by CHES-Bhubaneswar, with special focus on Arka Neelachal Kesri mango variety. Dr A.V.V. Koundinya (Scientist, CHES-Bhubaneswar) spoke on commercial vegetable production in Odisha, guiding farmers on practical approaches for better productivity and returns. Dr Satyapriya Singh (Scientist, CHES-Bhubaneswar) delivered a session on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in major fruits and vegetables in Odisha, emphasizing safe and effective plant protection practices. Sri M.K. Pattanaik (Technical Officer, CHES-Bhubaneswar) demonstrated vegetable grafting technique in Tomato and Brinjal plant. As part of the programme, important inputs were distributed to the farmers, including, ARKA Mango Special and ARKA Vegetable Special. The programme was coordinated by Dr Shantanu Rakshit and Dr Tanushree Sahoo, with active support of Sri M.K. Pattanaik, Mr A. Anil Kumar and Ms Lopamudra Sahoo.