The ‘safe to eat food’ programme is getting a boost with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) all set to launch a training programme for members of the Kudumbashree JEEVA Mission in ‘safe-to-eat’ food production technologies.
The training programme, which KAU describes as ‘exhaustive,’ will empower master trainers of the Kudumbashree JEEVA Mission in ‘'comprehending, adopting and popularising’ technologies for the production of ‘safe-to-eat food’ and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The programme will be launched shortly, KAU officials said. In all, 605 master trainers of the Kudumbashree JEEVA Mission will be trained in four batches at the Vellayani, Vellanikkara and Padannakkad campuses of KAU, university officials said.
The JEEVA (short for Joint Liability Group Evaluation Agent) mission provides scientific support to Kudumbashree collective farming initiatives aimed at attaining food security and self reliance in food. It has been initiated in panchayats where fallow land is available.
Four selected members from each block forms the ‘regiment’ of master trainers. Once KAU equips them with know-how on scientific farming practices,they will in turn train other JEEVA members in 605 panchayats.
HRD skills
The training modules cover HRD skills, ICT skills, basics of organic farming, nutrition garden concept, protected farming, post-harvest care and management of fruits and vegetables as well as production and use of bio inputs, Jiju P. Alex, Director of Extension, KAU, said.
KAU Vice-Chancellor R. Chandra Babu said that the programme would also aid the adoption and practice of post-harvest technologies and value-addition protocols, leading to increased income for farmers and allied workers.
“Kudumbashree being a well-knit workforce with commitment, the carefully drafted training will help to realise the vast potential of rural youth in effective dissemination of technologies, ” Dr. Chandra Babu said in a statement.