A training-cum-input distribution programme under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) programme of ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) was orgnised at Enmakaje village of Kasaragod district on 26.5.2023, in collaboration with KVK of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod.
The programme was jointly inaugurated by the Enmakaje Panchayat President, Mr. Somashekara and Mr. Radha Krishna, Member, District Panchayat, in the presence of Dr. Augustin Jerald, Programme Coordinator (Palms), CPCRI, Kasaragod. Dr. R Venkattakumar, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, TSP, ICAR-IIHR while extending warm welcome to the participants of the programme, gave a brief account of products, services extended by Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC), ICAR-IIHR. Both the people’s representatives, who participated in the programme appreciated the efforts of ICAR-IIHR and ICAR-CPCRI and its KVK to train the tribal population and distribute inputs on free of cost. They also urged the tribal beneficiaries to utilize this opportunity to enhance their livelihood option through horticulture. Dr. Jerald in his Presidential address, thanked ICAR-IIHR for choosing the target group from Kasaragod and collaborating with CPCRI KVK, Kasaragod. He suggested that this can be a beginning and such collaboration must go a long way to have a meaningful impact of the TSP programme in this area.
During the technical session, Dr R Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training gave suggestions about the alternate fruit crops, the farmers can cultivate, instead of coconut, arecanut and cocoa. Dr Manjunath Gowda, Scientist, Division of Vegetable Crops spoke about advanced vegetable production technologies. These sessions were followed by farmers-scientists’ interaction meeting, wherein the scientists clarified the doubts raised by the farmers. This training programme ended with input distribution programme, during which the tribal farmers were distributed with mango (Banganepalli, Mallika and Kesar), amla, jack, papaya, dragon fruit, vegetable seed kits, neem soap and vegetable special. This programme was coordinated by Dr. Ranjitha, Division of Post-Hravest Technology and Agricultural Engineering and Dr. Manjunath Gowda, Division of Vegetable Crops. More than 50 tribal farmers and farm women participated in the programme and benefitted.
