The KVK is reaching out the farmers of Pathanamthitta district through the effective link established with various organizations. As KVK is the primary institution for bridging the gap between the research stations and farmers field a close rapport is developed with line departments such as Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Dairy, sericulture, Social welfare, District Womens Welfare, Social forestry etc., Three tier Panchayat, Development organizations, Research stations, Agricultural Universities and other social and voluntary organization such as IFFCO, ANERT, World Vision of India, CASA, YMCA, YWCA, CSI Day Care Centre, etc. The nature of linkage to these organization are joint implementation of programmes,. Conducting training programmes, seminars, participation in meetings and workshops, arranging awareness programmes, veterinary clinics, vaccination camps, arranging melas and exhibitions, establishment of demonstration units and model farms etc. The collaborative programmes have greatly helped to understand each other's and execute the work united for the all round development of the farming communities. The details about the various collaborating agencies and the nature of linkage are furnished below

FARMER FIELD SCHOOL IN RICE ECOSYSTEM

The CARD- Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pathanamthitta District, Kerala in collaboration with Central Integrated Pest Management Centre, Kochi (CIPMC) and State Department .of Agriculture Pathanamthitta District conducted Farmers Field School at Aranmula in rice ecosystem for integrated pest management among 30 farmers. The primary learning material at a Field School was the rice field of 10 hectares area, where most Field School activities took place. It was a field based learning experience for the full cropping season, with 14 meeting times with an approximate length of four to five hours per meeting so that farmers could observe and analyse the dynamics of the rice field ecology across a full season.

A set of plots which was designated as IPM treatment and another set as designated as non-IPM or Local Treatment. The primary difference between the two was that the non-IPM fields received an imbalanced dosage of nutrient treatment as well as chemical pesticide sprays while in the IPM fields farmers applied a balanced fertiliser treatment (NPK) ,planted at lower densities with wider spacing and need based botanical as well as bio pesticide application.

Activities:
Each meeting of FFS consisted of the following set pattern of activities:

• Agro-ecosystem field observation, analysis and presentations;
• Discussion on special topics
• Group dynamics.

Benefit cost ratio was higher for IPM farmers (2.01) compared to that of non-IPM farmers. Over and above, FFS gave two main results: Farmers regained the competence to make rationally based decisions concerning the management of their crops (in contrast to the instructions which were part and parcel of the Green Revolution packages). Secondly the participants gained social competence and confidence to speak and argue in the public.

"Know a herb today"
"Know a herb today" is the new initiative taken by this KVK to create awareness about importance, cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants. Every day one medicinal plant is displayed in the entrance of KVK office with its importance, uses and propagation details. This creates awareness among the visitors of KVK (about 50 numbers/day) and helps in understanding about medicinal plants
"Master farmers as trainers"
The successful beneficiaries of FLD and OFT programmes are used as trainers in the training programmes. They use to share the merits and practical difficulties in practicing that particular technologies. This is very effective as a farmer to farmer extension.