Report on Farmers’ Training conducted at Mattom on 19-03-2010 Introduction Trichur district is situated in the central part of Kerala, spanning an area of about 3,032 sq km. The district is home to over 10 per cent of Kerala’s population, which is a mix of traditionally rich and the neo-rich. Trichur is known as the cultural capital of Kerala. Plate 1: Map of Trichur district Particulars Details Area 3,032 Sq.Kms Population 29,74,232 Nos. Males 14,22,052 Nos. Females 15,52,180 Nos. Sex ratio : Females/1000 1,092 Density of Population 981 Per Capita Income (in Rs) 21,362 Literacy rate 92.27%; Male 95.11%; Female 89.71% Coastal line in km. 54 Water bodied area in ha. 5,573 Forest area in ha. 103619 Table.1. Demographic and Geographic Particulars of Trichur District The district has a tropical humid climate with an oppressive hot season and plentiful and seasonal rainfall. The hot season from March to May is followed by the South West Monsoon season from June to September. The period from December to February is the North East Monsoon season. However, the rainy season is over by December end and the rest of the period is generally dry and hot. Mattom village belongs to Kandanassery Grama Panchayath of Chowannur Block. It lies 22 kms away from Thrissur. The agrarian economy of Kandanassery Grama Panchayath is characterized by the cultivation of crops like coconut, arecanut and paddy. Among these, coconut is considered as the main crop followed by arecanut and paddy. Paddy is cultivated in all the three seasons (autumn, winter and summer). In addition, a system of cultivation in paddy known as ‘ Kodiyan ’ is reported in the area, in an area about 50 ha, utilising water from Chimmini dam. The training programme was held on 19-3-2010 at the Auditorium of the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society at Mattom in Trichur District. Plate 2: Guests on the Dias Plate 3: Smt. K.K. Siniya, Agricultural Officer, Kandanassery welcoming the gathering The gathering was welcomed by Smt. K.K. Siniya, Agricultural Officer, Kandanassery Krishi Bhavan, Mattom. Sri. E. A. Jose Master, President, Mattom Service Co-operative Society presided over the function. In his presidential address, Sri. E. A. Jose Master explained why such a training programme was planned in association with the Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre and the Kandanasserry Krishi Bhavan in an agriculturally predominant area like Mattom. He hoped that this training would provide a new experience to the farmers in the area who are familiar with trainings on many production related aspects in the past. Plate 4: Presidential Address by Sri.E. A. Jose Master, President, PACS, Mattom The seminar was inaugurated by Sri. P.N. Sukudevan, President, Kandanassery Grama Panchayath. In the inaugural speech, Sri. P.N. Sukudevan, highlighted the neglect meted out to the agricultural sector over the years, and urged that more attention shall be given to agricultural sector in future for its revival. Plate 5: Inauguration of the training by Sri. P.N. Sukudevan, President of Kandanassery Grama Panchayath Plate 6: Smt. Jancy Francis, Ward Member, Kandanassery Grama Panchayath felicitating on the occasion Smt. Jancy Francis, Ward Member of Kandanassery Grama Panchayath felicitated the function by pointing out to the need for marketing intelligence among farmers and also pointed that if the farmers are well in new technologies and ideas prevailing in the market, they will be safe from the exploitation by the traders. Plate 7: Sri. K.V. Jos Master, Director, Mattom Service Co-operative Society felicitating the function Sri. K.V. Jose Master, who is Director of Mattom Service Co-operative Society and a progressive farmer himself, felicitated on the occasion. He expressed happiness over the organization of such seminar on Agricultural Marketing Intelligence which is quite a new area to the farmers in the locality. He was part of the farmers’ team that conducted Bharat Krishi Darshan during November 2009 and narrated the farming situation in the states that were visited. Though at a disadvantage on account of small operational holding size in Kerala, he narrated how the Kerala farmers were miles ahead as compared to the North Indian counterparts in terms of literacy, standard of living, adoption of modern technology and cultivation of cash crops. Dr. K. Satheesh Babu, Professor & CCPI of the Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre, National Agricultural Innovation Project, Kerala Agricultural University handled a class on “Market Led Extension: The Role of Agricultural Market Intelligence”. Plate 8: Dr.K.Satheesh Babu, Professor & CCPI, handling the training session Plate 9: A glance of the audience During the feed back session, most of the farmers clarified their doubts regarding the training session and expressed their gratitude to .Kerala Agricultural University for providing such a useful training programme. Plate 10: Feed back session from the Participants . Plate 11: Feed back session from the Participants The technical session concluded with Dr.K. Jesy Thomas, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University by proposing the vote of thanks. Plate 12: Sri. George. N.L, demonstrating AMIC - IFFCO Voice Message Sri. George. N.L, Head-Sales and Marketing, IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd explained the importance of getting Green Card Mobile connections and demonstrated how to access the recorded voice messages from the Green Card Mobile connection. Plate 13: Dr.K.Jesy Thomas, Co-PI proposing the vote of thanks Intersession tea and refreshments were provided to all participants during the training programme and a lunch at the end of the programme. In all, 58 farmers attended the training programme. .