Bengaluru, 31 July(HS): ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru Hosts Successful Field Day on Arka Sahan: Showcasing the Future of Annona Cultivation

A Field Day dedicated to ‘Arka Sahan’, a high-performing hybrid of Annona (custard apple), was held on 31st July 2025, in Sulivara village, Bangalore South, attracting enthusiastic participation from farmers, scientists, horticulturists, and agribusiness stakeholders across the region.

The event was organised by the ICAR - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, to demonstrate the field performance, agronomic benefits, and market prospects of Arka Sahan—an improved custard apple variety developed by IIHR.

Dr. Tusar Kanti Behera, Director, IIHR, inaugurated the Field Day and emphasised the role of resilient, climate-smart crop varieties in boosting rural livelihoods.

“Arka Sahan is a transformational variety for marginal and dryland farmers. Its adaptability, excellent fruit quality, and high consumer demand offer real opportunities for sustainable income,” he said.

Key Highlights of the Event:

Live demonstrations of mature Arka Sahan orchard, Experience-sharing sessions with successful farmers, Technical presentations by IIHR scientists, Fresh fruit displays and tasting sessions.

During the event, Dr. M. Sankaran, Head, Division of Fruit Crops, formally welcomed the gathering while Dr. Prakash Patil, Project Coordinator, AICRP (Fruits), also graced the event and addressed the gathering regarding Arka Sahan Annona cultivation.

Attendees had the opportunity to interact with IIHR experts on various aspects of Annona cultivation—including planting techniques, canopy management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.

Farmers from drought-prone areas also shared firsthand accounts of the crop’s resilience and profitability.

Dr. T. Sakthivel, Principal Scientist at IIHR, noted:

“We’re seeing growing interest in Arka Sahan due to its excellent shelf life, larger fruit size, and enhanced sweetness—all of which give it a significant edge over conventional varieties.”

Mahantesh, a progressive Arka Sahan grower from Belagavi and Mahendra, the fruit trader, shared their experiences on profitable production and marketing of Arka Sahan fruits in the local and distant markets.

The Field Day concluded with an engaging Q&A session and a vote of thanks by Dr. B. L. Manjunath, Principal Scientist, IIHR, who acknowledged the contributions of partner organisations, local authorities, and the farming community in making the event a success.

With the positive response and momentum from this event, IIHR aims to accelerate the adoption of Arka Sahan across wider agro-climatic zones—supporting higher farm incomes and improved access to premium-quality custard apples for consumers.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti