Every year a special sale-cum demonstration programme is organized during Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala in order to propagate the value of organic farming.
The Agricultural Development Commission has a very important role in fulfilling the dream of creation of a just society based on human values. The primary needs of man such as food, air and water are related with nature. Hence any development activity that ignores these factors is not suitable for the creation of a just society. Under these circumstances, sustainable agriculture becomes essential for the existence of this universe. The activities conducted by the Agricultural Development Commission, with the motto of Sustainable Agriculture for Consistent Development are listed below.
Several one day and half day seminars are conducted on different subjects like preparation of field, manuring and plant protection to increase agriculture production through organic farming. Participatory learning sections are also arranged. These enable the farmers to clarify their doubts and gather technical knowledge on land development, water management, preparation of vermi compost. More than 2000 farmers and 500 students are engaged in regular farming.
With the co-operation of the farmers clubs, 25 adjacent households in a village are selected. They cultivates various products in their own land required for their family through organic farming. The animal husbandry activities which generates organic manure for cultivation and income to the family are also encouraged. 25 organic villages in 7 regions are functioning successfully.
The farmers' clubs and students framers clubs are the basic units of the organic farming fields. Regional farmers forums monitor all the activities of the Commission for Agriculture development.
NIDS has been organizing various programmes to facilitate the development of proper water conservation and management skills and habits among the rural people. A number of study sessions were organized in connection with this. Importance is given to rain water harvesting and re-charging of wells through construction of 'Rain Water Harvesting systems' and rain water pits. Ten Ferro cement tanks and 200000 rain water pits were constructed. Assistance was given for the construction of 4500 mts of Contour Bund, for improving irrigation facilities to the cultivation fields.
Majority of the farmers in the target area take up Animal husbandry as a supplementary income generation programme. NIDS is supporting them by imparting training and all kinds of assistance. The training programmes are conducted in collaboration with Livestock Management Training Center Kudappanakunnu under the Kerala Government Animal Husbandry Department. The participants are given certificates by the department.
The best farmers and students farmers in the regional level and best banana cultivator, best home-stead cultivator, best terrace vegetable cultivator and a best farmer at central levels are honoured with trophies and cash awards every year in order to encourage the organic farmers.
Vermi Compost
Vermi composting is a process by which organic waste is converted to bio-fertilizer using earthworms. Vermi compost contains major nutrients in plant available form enzymes, antibiotics, vitamins and plant growth hormones.
Quiz Competitions
Quiz competitions are conducted for students to generate awareness on sustainable agriculture practices. The winners are awarded with agricultural equipments and cash awards.
Azolla Cultivation
Azolla is a nutritive, low cost cattle feed and organic manure. NIDS promote azolla cultiavtion through various programmes. Several farmers do Azolla Cultivation in their home steads.
Visiting of students from Kerala Agricultural University
Students who study in agricultural universities visit the field of our organic village and study the method of organic farming. They stay with the farmers for several days to study the farmers' field experience. They always leave with much satisfaction in achieving the objective of their visit.
Recognition to the efforts
NIDS' efforts to promote organic method of farming and Livestock Management are appreciated by many Government Institutions like College of Agriculture, farm Information Bureau, Kerala Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala Agricultural Department, etc. and both, visual and print medias.