Hon’ble Union Minister Of State For Chemicals And Fertilizers, New And Renewable Energy, Shri. Bhagwanth Khuba Visited KVK Kollam on 21.08.2022
The Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, New and Renewable Energy, Shri. Bhagwanth Khuba was received at ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kollam (Sadanandapuram) by Director of Extension, KAU Dr.Jayasree Krishnankutty M. Dr. Bini Sam, Professor and Head KVK Kollam, Dr. Bindhu M R, Professor and Head (i/c) FSRS, Sadanandapuram, Smt.Chandini, Additional Director (i/c), Department of Agriculture and Farmers welfare (GoK), scientists from KVK and FSRS and Deputy Directors from Department of Agriculture were also present.
The Hon’ble Minister had a small discussion on Coffee table book prepared by KVK Kollam and the award document for Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Krishi Vigyan Protshahan Puraskar- 2021 (Period: 2017- 2021) at the chamber of Professor and Head.
The scheduled programme was started by 12 pm at the seminar hall of KVK Kollam with KAU invocation song. Dr. Jayasree Krishnankutty M, Director of Extension, KAU welcomed the Hon’ble Minister, august audience including farmers, FPO representatives, scientists, staffs of KVK and FSRS. In her welcome speech she briefed the programmes to be conducted during the function, including the release of KVK Times and launch of Bouquet from ornamental Banana and invited Hon’ble Minister for his special keynote address.
In his special address Hon’ble Minister mentioned the tremendous growth of agriculture sector in our country. He stressed the role of ICAR institutes SAUs, and KVKs in the growth of agricultural sector and the welfare of farmers. He suggested that KVKs should be strengthened as ‘Innovation Centres’ for the betterment of farming community. Every Research programme by way of student work and research projects of the institutes should aim the benefit of the farmers and able to commercialize the technologies. KVKs should present these outcomes as a business model to farmers.
The Hon’ble Minister mentioned about the importance of spices like pepper and ginger by pointing out the decline in area and production in Kerala. Since these crops are having high export potential, more focus should be given to area expansion through technological interventions by KVKs utilizing the Central and state sector schemes for tackling the current scarcity of these spices which can contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharath. Official release of KVK Times Volume 1 Issue 26 (July 16-31) 2022 compiled and edited by KVK Kollam- an initiative of ICAR ATARI Bengaluru for facilitating the dissemination of valuable wealth of knowledge from the 48 KVKs of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep was done by Hon’ble Minister. The prestigious outcome of one of our OFTs- Ornamental banana cut flower bouquet– a new scope for floriculture was also launched.
Dr. Bini Sam, Professor and Head KVK Kollam briefed the activities of KVK Kollam. Refreshment for the function was arranged with farm fresh Traditional Puzhukku from KVK’s esteemed innovative programme Establishment of Tuber Hub funded by ICAR to support the ODOP programme. Traditional Puzhukku from Tapioca (Sree Pavitra), Elephant foot yam (Gajendra),Yam (Anthamon Kachil) and Taro(Sree Kiran) from the fields of Tuber Hub beneficiaries. An interactive session for the farmers and representatives of FPOs was also arranged with Hon’ble Minister.
With KVKs signature, a token of love was gifted from KVK Kollam – Nettipattam (a handmade work of Shri. Suresh, Labourer FSRS) and a Pencil caricature (Shri. Vishnu, Labourer KVK Kollam). The function was concluded at 1.10 pm with the vote of thanks by Dr. Lekha M, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection) KVK Kollam.
