ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra

ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026 at the KVK campus, centered on the global theme “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls”. The programme aimed to recognize the vital role of women in Agriculture and Empower rural women through awareness and knowledge sharing. The event was presided over by Dr. T. Sundarraj, Senior Scientist and Head, who emphasized the importance of Women’s Day and also elaborated on the relevance of the theme in ensuring equal opportunities, justice, and active participation of women in all sectors, especially Agriculture.

Mrs. M. Punithavalli, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Krishnagiri Block, graced the occasion as the chief guest and sensitized participants about various state government schemes and support systems available for women in Agriculture and allied activities, encouraging them to utilize these benefits for improving their livelihood.

Mrs. S. Poomathi, SMS (Home Science), delivered an insightful technical lecture highlighting women on the multifaceted personalities. She discussed their diverse roles, the importance of gender mainstreaming, and strategies for empowering rural women through sustainable livelihood opportunities. The programme also featured the felicitation of three successful women entrepreneurs Mrs. Girija from Mathur, Mrs. Sujatha from Periyakottapalli, and Mrs. K. Ammu from Kalliyur who shared their inspiring journeys. A total of 63 women actively participated, making the event impactful and enriching.

The Department of Agriculture organized a District Level Millet Mela-cum-Exhibition on 18.02.2026 at Shoolagiri village in coordination with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The District Collector presided over the programme and emphasized the importance of promoting millets as climate-resilient crops that ensure nutritional security and sustainable farming practices.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy) given technical talk on climate-resilient agriculture, natural and organic farming techniques, and improved millet cultivation practices to enhance productivity and soil health. The Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) delivered an informative session on post-harvest management of millets and highlighted various value addition techniques to increase farmers’ income through millet-based products.

An exhibition stall showcased major ragi varieties along with a wide range of value-added millet products, attracting significant interest from farmers and visitors. The programme witnessed the active participation of the Joint Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Block Assistant Directors of Agriculture (ADAs), Agricultural Officers (AOs), Assistant Agricultural Officers (AAOs), Block Technology Managers (BTMs), and Assistant Technology Managers (ATMs). In total, 350 farmers and stakeholders participated in the programme, making it a grand success.

ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Krishnagiri, organized an Animal Health Campaign under the DAPSC/SCSP programme at Mittapalli village, Uthangarai block, on 24 December 2025. The campaign aimed at improving livestock health and enhancing the livelihood security of Scheduled Caste farmers through need-based veterinary interventions and awareness creation. The programme focused primarily on deworming of livestock, wherein experts emphasized the significance of regular deworming in improving animal health, growth, reproduction, and overall productivity. In addition, awareness sessions were conducted on mastitis prevention and tick management, addressing major health challenges commonly faced in dairy and small ruminant farming. The campaign benefited 46 farmers, covering 140 cattle and 90 goats. Practical, hands-on deworming demonstrations were carried out, enabling farmers to understand correct deworming practices. Interactive discussions allowed farmers to clarify doubts and gain practical insights into effective livestock management.

The programme was conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Uthangarai, along with the Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK, Krishnagiri, and Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) from the disciplines of Animal Science, Agricultural Extension, and Soil Science.

ICAR-KVK, Krishnagiri celebrated World Soil Day 2025 on December 5, 2025, with the theme "Healthy soils for healthy cities". The event was part of KVK's extension activities, presided over by the Senior Scientist and Head, who highlighted the importance of soil conservation. The program saw participation from 125 attendees, including farmers and school students from Tiruppathur. The Subject Matter Specialist (Soil Science) delivered technical talks on soil testing, health management, organic farming, and the significance of World Soil Day. Other experts shared insights on organic farming practices, panchagavya preparation, and its applications. As part of the event, 10 Soil Health Cards were distributed to farmers, empowering them with soil-specific recommendations. The event aimed to raise awareness about maintaining healthy soils for sustainable agriculture and urban ecosystems.

The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Krishnagiri conducted a 210-hour skill training program on Organic Input Producer and Cultivator under the Vetri Nichayam initiative, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), starting from October 27, 2025. The program, inaugurated by the Senior Scientist and Head, emphasized the importance of organic farming practices, highlighting their role in promoting eco-friendly agriculture and improving soil health. The training covered technical aspects of organic input production, including panchakavya, jeevamirthan, vemicompost, and kanageevamirthan, and their use for self-consumption and sales. A total of 25 participants gained skills to produce organic inputs and cultivate crops sustainably, enhancing their livelihoods through self-entrepreneurship.

The program empowered farmers to adopt environmentally friendly methods, improving soil health and contributing to the growth of the organic farming sector. Upon completion, participants received certification, recognizing their expertise in organic input production and cultivation. This initiative promoted a healthier environment and improved quality of life for farming communities, underscoring the significance of sustainable agricultural practices in modern farming. The training program was a significant step towards sustainable agriculture development.

ICAR-KVK, Krishnagiri, organized a Farmers Scientist Interaction meeting at KVK Campus on October 15, 2025, bringing together experts from various departments to address farmers' queries and concerns. The event featured esteemed guests, including Dr. Senthil Vinayagam, Head of Education System Management from NAARM, Hyderabad, Dr. M.S. Annesha Rani, Nodal Officer from HC and RI, Paiyur, Mr. K. Kalimuthu, Joint Director of Agriculture, Krishnagiri, Mr. S. Sivanathi, Deputy Director and PA to Collector (Agriculture), and Mrs. Punithavalli, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Krishnagiri. The meeting provided a platform for farmers to interact with scientists and officials, seeking solutions to their problems.

Subject Matter Specialists from KVK also participated, offering expert advice and guidance. To support farmers in adopting improved agricultural practices, frontline demonstration materials were distributed, including Horsegram seeds, Paddy seeds, Horsegram wonder, and TANUVAS-PAM21. A total of 60 farmers benefited from the program, gaining valuable insights and resources to enhance their agricultural productivity. The event underscored the importance of farmer-scientist interaction in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development. By addressing farmers' concerns and providing them with necessary resources, the meeting contributed to the overall growth of the agricultural sector in the region.

ICAR-KVK Krishnagiri organized an Input Distribution Programme under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) at Mittapalli village on September 19, 2025. The event was presided over by the Senior Scientist and Head, who highlighted the mandate of KVK and its role in promoting science-led agricultural development in the district. He also emphasized the importance of adopting improved practices for enhancing productivity, sustainability, and farmers’ livelihoods.

As part of the programme, quality planting materials and seeds were distributed to the beneficiaries. A total of 20 farmers received 1,000 mango seedlings, while 100 farmers were provided with 500 kg of horse gram seeds. This initiative was designed to support diversification of farming systems, improve nutritional security, and ensure sustainable income generation for small and marginal farmers. The technical sessions were delivered by Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) from Agricultural Extension, Animal Science, and Agronomy, ensuring a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
The SMS elaborated on:

Improved agronomic practices in horse gram cultivation for higher yields, better soil health, and suitability as a climate-resilient crop.

Scientific mango cultivation techniques including planting methods, spacing, integrated nutrient management, and plant protection measures to enhance orchard productivity.

Livestock-based interventions and integrated farming approaches that complement crop-based income.

In addition to the technical inputs, awareness on ‘Swachh Hi Seva’ campaign was also created among participants, linking clean farming environments with improved productivity and health outcomes.

The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 120 farmers, who benefitted not only from the quality inputs but also from the technical guidance that will help them adopt modern agricultural practices. The convergence of input support with capacity building ensured that the interventions go beyond short-term assistance, aiming at long-term livelihood improvement and sustainable agriculture.

Overall, the event marked a significant step in KVK’s ongoing efforts to empower rural communities, especially resource-poor farmers, by strengthening their knowledge, providing critical resources, and fostering self-reliance in agriculture.