The Krishi Vignan Kendra, Alappuzha, of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, has been adjudged the best in 2016 among more than 50 kendras of the Bengaluru-based zone comprising Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep. The kendra has been selected for the award in recognition of the integrated efforts undertaken by it to improve farming practices.
The kendra, based at Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam, on the premises of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), has contributed in a variety of ways to incorporate innovative farming practices, resulting in expansion of area under farming and better harvest.
Certain areas were given particular focus with a view to converting fallow land into productive fields apart from implementing farmer-friendly technologies, P.Muralidharan, head of the Alappuzha kendra, said.
Technologies under the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) were implemented in selected farm fields in Muttar grama panchayat. Acidity control of the soil and scientific application of fertilizers and pest management using bio-control agents were among the applied technologies which had helped farmers in reducing the cost of cultivation and improving the yield.
Taking up green gram cultivation in fallow land was another successful operation done under the supervision of the kendra.
The farmers adopting the innovative methods got an additional profit of ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 an acre. Innovative methods for poultry farming suited to areas prone to flooding, weed composting and value addition were demonstrated to about 140 farmers at Muttar.
An integrated farming model for paddy, coconut, banana, vegetables, dairy, poultry, duck rearing, fisheries and mushroom was conceptualised with appropriate interventions for the Kuttanad area, according to him.
The award is to be distributed at a function to be held in New Delhi on July 14.
