Mon May 19 16:01:53 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

An agricultural expert, Prakash Patel, Project Coordinator at ICAR-AICRPF, IIHR, Bengaluru, suggests that farmers in Tamil Nadu could benefit from cultivating avocado and litchi due to the region’s sub-tropical ecosystem. This suggestion was made at a ‘Research and vision strategic plan meet 2025’ held at the Horticultural College and Research Institute in Periyakulam. He emphasized India’s position as a major fruit producer and the importance of research and new technologies to maintain this. The Horticultural College and Research Institute in Periyakulam has been focusing on fruit crop research and has released varieties and technologies to benefit farmers. The institute has also been working to conserve fruit genotypes. At the meet, initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship in fruit production were launched.

**News Article:**

**Tamil Nadu Farmers Encouraged to Explore Avocado and Litchi Cultivation**

*Theni, May 19, 2025* – Farmers in Tamil Nadu are being encouraged to explore the cultivation of avocado and litchi, given the region’s favorable sub-tropical climate, according to Prakash Patel, Project Coordinator, ICAR – All India Coordinator Research Project on Fruits (AICRP-F), IIHR, Bengaluru.

Speaking at the ‘Research and vision strategic plan meet 2025’ held at the Horticultural College and Research Institute in Periyakulam, Patel highlighted the potential for these fruit crops to thrive in the area.

Patel emphasized India’s significant role in global fruit production, holding the second position in area and production. He stressed the need for continued research and the development of innovative technologies to sustain and improve fruit yields.

The Horticultural College and Research Institute in Periyakulam has been actively contributing to this effort. Dean J. Rajangam noted that the institute has released 27 horticultural crop varieties, including 11 fruit varieties, and disseminated 52 agro technologies to enhance farming practices. The institute also maintains a collection of 750 fruit genotypes for future breeding programs.

The meeting saw participation from scientists, students, farmers, and entrepreneurs. Mr. Patel also launched two initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in the fruit sector, including a hi-tech fruit nursery for quality planting materials production and value addition. These initiatives are expected to bolster fruit production in the state and create new economic opportunities for local communities.

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