CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME ON ICAR IIHR TECHNOLOGIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INPUTS FOR TRIBAL FARMERS OF NILGIRI HILLS

Dr. V. Sankar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, explained the importance of the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and its benefits to the tribal farmers of the country. He also highlighted the importance of kitchen gardening in ensuring nutritional food security at the household level. The farmers were provided guidance on raising different kinds of vegetables according to the season, selection of suitable crops and maintaining a diversified kitchen garden for regular availability of nutritious vegetables for their family consumption.

The KVK Scientists interacted with the tribal beneficiaries and covered important aspects of organic farming, with emphasis on the importance of organic farming and preparation of organic inputs at the farm level. The farmers were explained about the effective utilization of locally available resources for preparing organic inputs, which can help to reduces the cost of farm inputs and promote sustainable ecofriendly farming practices.

Mr. Gopalan, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Mr. Santhosh, Assistant Horticulture Officer of Nilgiris hills explained abouts various Tami Nadu Government Horticulture schemes beneficial for tribal farming including water shed and farm level pond establishment.,

As part of the programme, various agricultural inputs and planting materials were distributed to the tribal beneficiaries for promoting the adoption of improved agricultural practices. Inputs such as biofertilizers (AMC), neem soap, micro nutrients and vegetable seed kits were distributed to all the tribal beneficiaries. Fruit planting materials, including mango, guava, lime and jamun saplings were also distributed to the beneficiaries for establishment of nutrition garden and also enhancement of farm-based income and nutritional security. A total of 100 tribal beneficiaries participated and benefited in the programme. This program was widely published in social media.