Extension

Palmyrah Breeders meet

                          Palmyrah Breeder’s Meet was conducted by the Department of Horticulture at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam. The Meeting was conducted to create roadmap for developing breeding strategies for evolving dwarf palmyrah genotypes Dr.M.Therdimani, Dean, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam gave presidential address and Dr.N.Richard Kennady, Professor and  Head, Department of Horticulture, Killikulam highlighted the Research findings in palmyrah at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Dr. Anitha Karun, Acting Director, Dr. Ravi Bhar, Project Co -ordinator (AICRP – Palms), Dr. Niral Principal  Scientist (Plant Breeding) of  Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod attended the  Palmyrah Breeders Meet. Scientists across the country working on Palmyrah also attended the Breeders meet and developed descriptors for improving yield and quality of Neera. Members to be SHG Palmyrah co-operative societies and farmers from different district of Tamil Nadu interacted with the scientist and expressed the objectives tot eh formulated for  crop improvement in Palmyrah. Dr.M.I.Manivannan, Associate Professor (Horticulture) proposed vote of thanks.

Palmyrah Training

                          The Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam organized state level farmers training on “Processing of value addition in Palmyrah”. Farmers from southern districts of Tamil Nadu viz., Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari have attended the training programme. The training programme was organized by Tamil Nadu Government sponsored scheme fund. Dr.N.Richard Kennady, Professor and Head, Department of Horticulture welcomed the gathering with the glimpse of saying Palmyrah as “Karpagatharu” and its medicinal properties in our day to day life. Dr. M. Theradimani, Dean, AC&RI, Killikulam delivered the presidential address and elaborated the significance of processing in Palmyrah and the economic potential of different value added products prepared from Palmyrah. He further narrated the role of AC&RI, Killikulam, and its research activities in standardizing the preparation methods of value added products. Mr. Thirumalkumar, Manager, Canara bank, KTC Nagar, Tirunelveli graced the occasion and in his felicitation address enumerated the different schemes and financial opportunities provided by bank to strengthen and to economically upgrade the Palmyrah growers. Mr. Kumari nambi, Suthesi Palmyrah Research Organization, Chennai delivered a lecture on production of non-edible products in Palmyrah and the marketing strategies for better outreach to the end users. Mrs.K.Thirumalaiselvi, Subject Matter Specialist (Food Science and Nutrition), ICAR-KVK, RVS, Thirunelveli delivered lecture and provided hands on training for preparing different value added products in Plamyrah viz, Palmyrah fruit squash and Palmyrah tuber flour. Farmers then visited the EDII-KABIF and learned the facilities available for incubation in regard to processing and value addition in Palmyrah. An exhibition was also organized with various palmrah products. The farmers and experts have interacted and clarified various technical aspects.Dr. M.I.Manivannan, proposed the vote of thanks.