In order to reach farmers in faster pace to address their localized problems in Pathanamthitta District. CARD-KVK has made a unique initiative called FFCs. The FFC would be the striving to resolve the localized issue of the farmers. The FFC initiated by KVKs would be voluntarily managed by any institutions /organization identified by VK who will be acting as nodal agency of behalf of KVK. The objectives of FFCs which would be within the frame work of ICAR mandates for KVKs are as follows;

• To organize off campus trains to farmers, farm women, SHGs based on the localized need
• To organize technology demonstrations to counter act the farmers issues
• To organize scientist –farmer interaction, advisory services, exhibition with reference to the localized need and resources, crops etc.
• To promote marketing strategy for the agricultural produces of the farmers and also to link with such institutions for farmers benefit
• To ensure the timely availability of quality seeds /planting materials to farmers
• To organize front Line Demonstrations/On farm trials etc at the farmers filed related to the local problems

• The FFCs would be initiated in different blocks primarily to benefit the farmers of that particular block
• There shall be maximum of 1-2 FFCs established in each block which shall be enhanced based on the review on such need
• KVK shall identify a nodal agency which would volunteer to coordinate the activities of identified FFCs.
• The Nodal Agency (NA) shall suggest a coordinator of FFC who shall be coordinating programme of FFCs and liaison with KVK and NA.

• The proposed location where FFC suggested should have minimum 1 farmers club functioning for at least 2 years.
• Proposed location shall have number of SHGs( minimum 5 groups) actively functioning for the last 2 years
• The Nodal Agency shall have active involvement with farmers community as evidenced by their work record for the last 2 years
• The Nodal Agency shall have minimum facility (Hall, chair etc) for organizing the training and other programmes.
• Only after successful conduct of minimum 3 programmes in a specified centre FFC shall be constituted.
• . An action plan for the conduct of programmes at FFC for 1 year (April- march) shall be submitted to KVK on acceptance of initiation of FFC.
• The Nodal Agency shall maintain the register of farmers participating the FFC activites.such farmers shall be given priority on the FFC programmes.

• Farmers Facilitation Centre, CSI Prasanthi Nilayam Day Care Centre, Mallappally?
• Farmers Facilitation Centre, South Malabar Gramin Bank, Pandalam

Fruit Harvester

CARD-Krishi Vigyan Kendra has designed a fruit harvester which can be most efficiently used in homestead. Fruit harvester is a simple tool designed and developed by CARD-KVK for the harvest of different fruit varieties like mango, papaya, njaval, chamba, carambola, bilumbi etc. Fruit harvester consists of 1” stainless steel pipe of 12 feet length. The height can be increased up to 36 feet by joining additional pipes fitted with nuts and bolts. At the top end of the pipe, there is an angle shaped tool which act as a device for harvest of fruit in net bag attached to the harvester. The weight of the harvester is 3.8 kg. The major advantage of this device is women and elderly persons can use this tool without much effort. The advantages of this fruit harvester over the traditionally used harvesters like bamboo poles and wooden stick are, less weight, durability, the height of the tool can be increased by addition of weightless pipes, and fruits can be harvested without damage.

THANIMA BAZAR

Thanima Bazar is an initiative of CARD-Krishi Vigyan Kendra through the various Farmers Facilitation Centres (FFC) with an objective of facilitating the farmers and women SHG to market agriculture produces and value added products of fruits, vegetables, spices, etc.

Presently Tanima Bazar is functioning at Farmers Facilitation Centre (FFC) Mallappally located at Prasanthi Nilayam, CSI Day Care Centre, Mallappally on first Monday of every month. This FFC is coordinated by Prasanthi Nilayam, CSI Day Care Centre, Mallappally.

For more details: cardkvk@gmail.com