Centre of Excellence in Farm Women Knowledge Centre

Introduction

As women contribution in agriculture is immense, to enhance the knowledge of farm women in scientific technologies on key areas of agriculture and horticulture, the “Farm Women Knowledge Centre” is established at AnbilDharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli with the funding of Government of Tamil Nadu under NADP (G.O.MS.No.06 dated 04.01.2016 of Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai – 9). This centre brings in an amalgamation of varied technologies developed in the University for the betterment of farm women by imparting regular trainings/ demonstrations.

Mission of the Centre

• To bestow entrepreneurial skill in Agri-Horti business to farm women for their sustainable livelihood and empowerment.

Main objectives:

• Enriching farm women’s knowledge domain after identifying key areas in agriculture and horticulture
• Facilitating the farm women to venture in farm operations in a larger scale through linking them with rural banks
• Promoting confidence among the trained farm women for setting up retail outlets of the value added food packages.

The Farm Women Knowledge centre has been equipped with training hall and other infrastructure facilities required to organize trainings in the fields of value addition of millets, fruits and vegetables, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation, vermicompost production, backyard poultry, goat rearing and horticultural nursery techniques. Training modules have been worked out for all the above components. The training information is broadcasted through AIR, and newspapers and in addition, the respondents are selected through discussion with state governments’ line department officials. Hands on trainings are provided to the potential and interested farm women on above agro technologies for two to three days depending on the necessity which will improve their confidence, knowledge and skill.

Brief Methodology

The main aim of the centre is to develop entrepreneurial skills among farm women to begin horticultural and agricultural ventures.The Farm Women Knowledge centre has been equipped with training hall and other infrastructure facilities required to organize trainings in the fields of

• Value addition of millets,
• Fruits and vegetables,
• Bee keeping,
• Mushroom cultivation,
• Vermicompost production,
• Backyard poultry,
• Goat rearing
• Horticultural nursery techniques.

Training modules have been worked out for all the above components. The training information is broadcasted through AIR, and newspapers and in addition, the respondents are selected through discussion with state governments’ line department officials. Hands on trainings are provided to the potential and interested farm women on above agro technologies for two to three days depending on the necessity which will improve their confidence, knowledge, and skill.

Financial details

• An amount of Rs. 22,10,350 was spent at HC & RI (W), Trichy for infrastructure development of FWKC and all the infrastructure were transferred to ADAC & RI., Trichy as Proceedings No. R2 / UO / 2016 dated 31.07.2016 of The Vice Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore and R2 / 07805 / 2015 / 2016 dated 27.08.2016 of The Registrar, TNAU, Coimbatore. An amount of Rs. 52,89,650 was spent at ADAC & RI., Trichy for infrastructure development of FWKC.

Skill Empowerment Trainings conducted (2017 to 2022)