Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kannur

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kannur is a front-line agricultural extension center financed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It opened on 30 March 2004 on the premises of Pepper Research Station, Panniyur under Kerala Agricultural University. KVK primarily works to influence the other extension systems of the district, caters to the training needs of the farmers and extension functionaries, and facilitates the spread of technologies tailored to the diverse environment of farmers.

Thrust areas

The activities of the Kendra are focused to address the prioritized agricultural problems of the district and identified thrust areas.

Integrated and sustainable homestead farming and soil and water management

Location

The station is at the Pepper Research Station Campus at Poovam, which is 8 km from Taliparamba towards Alakkode route in Kannur district.

On farm testing (OFT)

Mite control

KVK has carried out field trials of a compact area group approach (CAGA) for mite control at Vellavu in Pariyaram panchayat. Limits against coconut mite was discussed in the state assembly. Under a Creative Extension programme, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kannur produced a tele-cine-drama titled Thengukalude Nilavili (Screaming coconut palms) as part of a Compact area group approach (CAGA) implemented at Vellavu under Pariyaram grama panchayat limits. The film gained wide acceptance, and the Director of Agriculture in the government of Kerala accorded sanction for the purchase of 1088 CDs of Thengukalude Nilavili by the principal agricultural officers of all districts from the KVK, Kannur for screening in all Grama Panchayaths of the state through Krishi Bhavanas. The telefilm is the first of its kind aimed at bringing about changes in the mindset of farmers.

Phytophthora

Crop loss due to severe incidence of Phytophthora foot rot disease of black pepper and poor adoption of the technological recommendations against the disease — as they are labour- and cost-intensive — is a major problem for the pepper farmers of Kannur district. Hence, an OFT was undertaken to tackle this problem.

Front-line demonstrations (FLDs)

FLD on stem bleeding of coconut

Technologies to control stem bleeding disease of coconut was convincingly demonstrated to the farmers of Sreekandapuram area. Farmers accepted the technology and the Panchayat included the technology in their annual plan. The message spreads through mass media.

Coir pith compost for the management of moisture stress in rain-fed coconut

To demonstrate the benefits of coir pith[1] compost in combating the moisture stress in coconuts, this FLD was implemented at Kudiyanmala. It created a great impact on the local coir industry. In Kannur district, there are 36 cooperative societies and 25 private coir industries. The coir pith waste from these industries creates serious environmental problems. KVK, Kannur recognized the potential of coir pith and implemented this FLD. One of the cooperative societies, Kudiyanmala Coir Vyavasaya Sangham approached KVK for training on coir pith compost making. After the training the society initiated the composting by producing 12 tons of quality compost. The society became rejuvenated and this small intervention brought considerable benefits through waste disposal, soil enrichment, moisture conservation and employment generation.

Training

Nursery techniques

A number of groups and individuals who received vocational training subsequently started horticultural nurseries.

Mushroom production

The KVK conducts vocational training on mushroom cultivation, spawn production and value addition. After completion of the training programme a group of trainees formed a club under the patronage of KVK and registered with the name Malabar Mushrooms.

Trichoderma production

KVK formed a women self-help group (SHG) with 17 ex trainees, who have undergone training on trichoderma, nursery techniques and banana fibre extraction.[2] The group was named Pulari and they are a human resource to KVK production units.

Cashew apple processing

An ex-trainee, Tomochan Syriac, started the first-ever cashew apple processing unit in the district under the brand name TOMCO.

Coconut climbing

To address the paucity of coconut climbers in the district, KVK conducts vocational training for rural youth in coconut climbing and plant protection. The Kendra also conducts training on coconut climbing using climbing machine developed by Dar. M.J. Joseph.

Credit facilities

To facilitate beneficiary farmers and entrepreneurs Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kannur (Kerala) took initiative in collaboration with State Bank of India (SBI) and opened a ‘SBI-KVK Loan Window’ at KVK which offers hassle-free credit facilities. This facility was operational 2 March 2009. With this facility, farmers and entrepreneurs who benefited from KVK on technologies in agriculture and allied fields through vocational training and other income generating activities will be able to get credit facilities to start their vocations. In addition, they would be provided with information regarding subsidies from agencies like District Industries Centre. The main target group of the SBI-KVK Loan Window is KVK farm families. With the introduction of this single window facility, trainees could discuss plans of action on reaping harvest of the technologies advocated by KVK trainers with the bankers on the spot. Initially the Loan Window would be open once a week. State Bank of India has deputed an officer to operate the counter so that farmers’ needs could be well-assessed (financially and technologically) under KVK guidance. In addition, support for project preparation and loan processing would also be given at the loan window.

Plant Health Clinic

There is a Plant Health Clinic[3] functioning at the Kendra. Plant and soil samples are analysed for major and minor nutrients at the clinic.

Other activities

KVK has also been involved with Farmers' Science Congress, Subsurface dyke,[4] and the Paddy Task Force.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu. 9 February 2008.
  2. ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu.
  3. ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu. 27 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "Rain_Water_Harvesting". newsrack.in.
  5. ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu. 3 December 2007.

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