In a significant move to enhance sustainable farming practices among Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers, a series of training sessions were recently held in Thiruvananthapuram district, under the All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers SC Sub Plan. These sessions, focused on the popularization of microbial inoculants, took place in Kilmanoor, Pulimath, and Veganoor, witnessing the participation of seventy-five farmers.
In 2023, at the Annual General Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Projects on Honey Bees and Pollinators (AICRP on HB&P) held in Bengaluru from September 4th to 6th, the AICRP on Honey Bees and Pollinators, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Southern Zone, Vellayani, was honored for its exceptional research contributions during the 2022-23 period. This prestigious recognition highlights the significant advancements and achievements made by the Vellayani team in the field of apiculture and pollinator studies.
On December 14, 2023, the AICRP on Honey Bees and Pollinators at RARS (SZ), Vellayani, hosted a one-day intensive training program on bee breeding. This specialized workshop was designed for postgraduate and doctoral students, along with faculty members from the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Dr. Anith K. N., the Associate Director of Research at RARS (SZ), Vellayani, inaugurated the event with an insightful presidential address.
A national conference was organised by MSI in collaboration with ICAR-DMR, Solan and AICRP on Mushrooms, RARS (SZ), Vellayani during 18-19 August 2023. The main purpose of the conference is to provide a platform for exchange of knowledge and ideas on mushroom science, to document the opportunities and challenges and accelerate the growth of Indian mushroom industry.
A farmer scientist interface was conducted by RARS(SZ), Vellayani at Munroethuruthu on 04-08-2023
A seminar on "Publishing in Peer Reviewed and OPen Access Journals" was held at the Extension Seminar Hall, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, on 03-08-2023 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The introductory remarks were made by Dr. Roy Stephen, Dean of faculty, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Tips for writing research articles was given by Dr.
On 17-08-2023, the Associate Director of Research at RARS(SZ), Vellayani, coordinated an interactive workshop about journal publications for the College of Agriculture, Vellayani's scientists. Emphasizing the significance of the ORCiD account, he urged all scientists to join the ORCID platform. Additionally, insights into the use of the Journal Finder and KNimbus platforms were shared. This engaging session offered invaluable guidance for emerging scientists eager to disseminate their research.
AICRP on Forage crops and utilization has organized the TSP activities in Wayanad district with distribution of layer hen and fodder planting materials to Tribal women in Noolppuzha and Ambalavayal panchayath respectively. The official inauguration of the programme was done on 7.11.2022 at Malappura Kurumar tribal colony in Noolpuzha panchayath with supply of layer hen. The programme was inaugurated by Grama Panchayath Vice President Sri. Usman. Beneficiaries were identified by KVK,Wyanad and distributed 120-layer hen to 40 Tribal families.
A talk was given by Dr. Amritha V.S., Professor & PI AICRP on HoneyBees and Pollinators. regarding products from beehive in a session organized by the Farm Information Bureau, Kerala, on 27-10-2022. A recording of the session may be viewed using the link provided below.
Session Link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=510076117633214
Biocontrol agents were distributed under tribal sub-plan of AICRP on Nematodes, Vellayani, funded by ICAR, for the management of slow wilt disease in Pepper in Kannampady and Kizhakkanam tribal settlements at Upputhara panchayat in Idukki district on 22.10.2022 .
