Directorate of Open and Distance Learning has ventured to impart technical knowledge on agricultural based certificate courses to school dropouts, farming community, self help groups and other unemployed youth with a view to empower them for self employment. The courses viz., Coconut Cultivation Technology, Mushroom Production, Sericulture, Medicinal plants, Bakery and Confectionary Products,  Sugarcane Production Technology, Nursery Technology and propagation of horticultural crops, Organic Farming, Bee Keeping, Landscaping and Ornamental Gardening are being enrolled by more number of learners and are being offered at various centers of TNAU regularly. The eligibility for joining the certificate courses are 10^th standard appeared. There is no age limit for registering the certificate course and medium of instruction is Tamil. Duration of the course in 6 months in which five practically oriented classes will be conducted and practical examination will be held in the sixth class. The contact classes will be held monthly once on Saturdays. The course fee for registering the certificate course in Rs. 2,500/-.

By undergoing the certificate courses, the learners could know about the advance and recent technologies to increase the production. The knowledge and gained will facilitate obtaining bank loans and to start self employment ventures.