Report on Farmers Training conducted at Aryankavu on 22-08-2011 Introduction

Kollam Revenue District is divided into 5 Taluks and 104 Villages. , , Kunnathur, Karunagapally and are these five taluks. is situated on the South west coast of . The District is bound on the north by Alappuzha and north east by Pathanamthitta Districts on the east by Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, on the South by the Thiruvananthapuram District and on the west by Arabian Sea. Two rivers and flow through this District. The Sasthamcotta Lake, the only major fresh water lake in the state is in Kollam District. Kollam is an agriculturally predominant district. The cropping pattern and socio-economic profile of Kollam district are furnished in table 1 and 2. Aryankavu lies in Pathanapuam taluk, which consists of 23 villages. The major crops cultivated in Aryankavu are pepper, rubber, coconut, clove, tea, banana, ginger, turmeric and other vegetable crops. Aryankavu is therefore known as the “Spice bowl” of Kollam.

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Table 1. Background information about Kollam

Background information about Kollam

District Kollam

Area (in sq.km.) 4,480

Population 26,17,482

Males 12,66,985 Females 13,50,497 Sex ratio : Females/1000 1,066 Density of Population 584 Per Capita Income (in Rs) 18,031 84.35% Literacy rate Male 89.52% Female 79.56% Coastal line in km. Nil Water bodied area in ha. 10,920 Forest area in ha. 136257 Source : Agricultural Census: 2002 - 03

The details on the cropping pattern of the district are given in Table 2. The main crops cultivated are coconut, rubber, pepper, tapioca, paddy, cashew nut, areca nut, tea, etc. Coconut, rubber and pepper occupy the predominant place among the major crops. It was against this background, that a Farmers’ Training programme was jointly organized by the Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre, Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur and the Krishi Bhavan, Aryankavu at the Palackkal Auditorium, Aryankavu, on 22 nd August 2011. This was the third farmers’ training programme organized by the Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre during the project year 2011- 12.

The gathering was welcomed by Smt. Sindhu K. S., Agricultural Officer, Aryankavu Krishi Bhavan. The inaugural session was presided over by Sri. Sunny Joseph, Ward Member, Aryankavu Grama Panchayath. The training programme was inaugurated by Sri. M. Saleem, Vice President, Aryankavu Grama Panchayath. The programme was felicitated by Sri. P. O. Yohannan, President, Aryankavu Service Co-operative Bank and Sri. Biju Abraham, Ward Member, Aryankavu Grama

2 Panchayath. The inaugural session came to a conclusion with Sri. M. M. Varghese, a Senior Farmer, proposing the vote of thanks.

Plate 1. Farmers Registering for the Training Programmme

Table 2. Cropping Pattern and Agricultural Production in Kollam

Major Agricultural Products Area under Products Production in tonne cultivation (ha.) Rice 3538 7988 Pepper 8988 2018 Areca nut 2297 1382 Cashew nut 3274 1669 Tapioca 21281 650489 Coconut 58575 378 Rubber 35760 56655 Tea 1258 154 Total Cultivated Area 1,70,901 (Source: Farm Guide 2010)

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Plate 2. Welcome Address by Smt. Sindhu K. S. Agricultural Officer, Aryankavu Krishi Bhavan

Plate 3. Sri. Mambazhathara Saleem, Vice President, Aryankavu Grama Panchayath inaugurating the Training Programme 4

Plate 4. Sri. M. M. Varghese proposing Vote of Thanks

Plate 4. Dr. K. Satheesh Babu, handling the Technical Sessions

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This was followed by the technical sessions. In the first technical session, Dr. Satheesh Babu handled the topic on “Changing Market Environment: Issues and Strategies”. He explained the changing marketing scenario in in general, and in Kerala in particular after the globalization and liberalization era. The need for price competitive production for survival in such a changed situation was emphasized. In view of fragmentation of holdings, group based approaches for product development, diversification and farmer friendly supply chain systems were highlighted with success stories.

In the second technical session, “The Role of Agricultural Market Intelligence in Knowledge Intensive Agriculture” was presented by Dr. Satheesh Babu. The session started with difference between market information and intelligence was explained with examples. This was followed by the history of agricultural market intelligence abroad and in India. The latest price forecast made by the Centre and its validation was narrated with changes in the market dynamics. The various dissemination strategies undertaken by the centre for its outreach activities were also elaborated. The IFFCO Voice Messages were aired for the sake of the participants, and the procedure for getting green mobile connection was explained. The activities of the NAIP attached to Kerala Agricultural University were explained and the latest price intelligence reports on pepper and coconut along with the paper clippings and publicity materials were distributed to the participants.

Plate 5. A view of the participants 6

Plate 6. The Feedback Session in progress

This was followed by the feedback session. During the feedback, the participants were encouraged to clarify their doubts. The farmers were eager to form similar group initiatives to solve their marketing problems. They were willing to form farmers clubs and clusters at the Panchayath level, and wanted the support of the Panchayath and the Krishi Bhavan in this regard. The Agriculture Officer wholeheartedly offered her support provided farmers come forward with their initiative. She promised the cooperation of her office in the timely availability of market intelligence to the farmers of the area.

In all, 63 farmers attended the training programme. The list and address are furnished as appendix. Refreshments, intersession tea and lunch were provided to all participants during the session.

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