Of fertilizers and Mushrooms

Krishik Vigyan Kendra in kattupakkam , is a government agri-based training centre. Here the doctors and professors train people on the new techniques that are prevalent in agriculture. They organize a number of training programs throughout the year for farmers on various topics ranging from animal rearing to fisheries to farming techniques. 

A training in KVK was organized through Mrs. Savitha for some people from Mullikulathur who were interested in starting some agri-based activities in their village.

The one day training consisted of two sessions - the morning session was on creating organic manure and the post-lunch session dealt with mushroom farming.

The trainer was a professor from KVK who demonstrated each process and explained in detail what needs to be done for each activity.

The trainings were so designed that it could be easily implemented in the villages. Everything was explained in tamil in such a way that a common man could easily understand.

All details such as where the raw materials will be available, where the produce  can be sold were provided. In order to help anyone start with the activity a number of references of people who are successfully implementing the techniques were also given.

Impact

We are trying to get at least a few members from the self help group to implement the training. Hand-in-hand micro-finance is active in the village. Among the first few steps would be a visit to those farms where mushrooms are currently cultivated. If successful, this could lead to increased finances for the households and a definite increase in self efficacy.