Capacity building programme on ICAR–IIHR technologies and input distribution programme was organized as part of TSP of ICAR–IIHR, Bengaluru in collaboration with Department of Horticulture, Government of Tamil Nadu and ICAR-TNAU-KVK, Salem on 15th November 2023 at Yercaud, Shervaroys hills, Salem District, Tamil Nadu,
Dr. R. Jagathambal, Head, KVK, Salem welcomed the gathering and explained the KVK’s role in serving the tribal farming community through TSP activities of ICAR-IIHR and TNAU. Mrs. Malini, Deputy Director Horticulture, Government of Tamil Nadu, Salem District informed the gathering about various beneficial schemes of Tamil Nadu government for the tribal farmers of Salem district of Tamil Nadu, Dr. V. Sankar, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer (TSP), ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru elucidated the importance of Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) scheme and various tribal farming activities of ICAR- IIHR, Bengaluru. In his address, the Chief guest Prof. Dr. E. Vadivel, Dean (Hort.) and DEE, TNAU, Coimbatore reiterated the importance of horticultural technologies and marketing of various horticultural produce to improve the livelihood and doubling the income of tribal farmers.
The scientists from ICAR–IIHR delivered special talks on ‘ICAR–IIHR fruit crop technologies’ by Dr. R. Senthilkumar, Principal Scientist, ‘ICAR –IIHR vegetable crop technologies’ by Dr. V. Sankar, Principal Scientist and ‘ICAR–IIHR Flower Crop technologies’ by Dr. H. P. Sumangala, Principal Scientist. A training manual on “Horticultural technologies suitable for tribal farmers” was released by the guests and distributed to all the farmers. The inputs such as vegetable seeds and planting material of fruit crops, biofertilizers, biopesticides, harvesters and fertilizers were distributed to all identified beneficiaries.
The programme ended with vote of thanks by Mr Govindrajan, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Yercaud. This programme was attended by 330 ST farmers including officials from Department of Horticulture, Agriculture and KVK-Salem and TNAU-HRS, Yercaud, Salem. A wide publicity was given to this programme through newspapers in English and Tamil Nadu
