District level Agricultural Quiz and Farmers? Meet by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram

As part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the 'Vayalum Veedum' (Farm and Home) broadcast in Kerala, the district level Agricultural Quiz and Farmers' Meet was conducted for Pathanamthitta District on 9th January 2017.The event was organised at Green Valley Convention Center, Adoor, in association with the Rubber Board and Adoor Rubbers. Teams of two farmers each, representing eight Blocks in the district participated in the quiz. The quiz was conducted by Dr. T Sivakumar (Subject Matter Expert, Krishi Vijnan Kendra, Kayamkulam) and Dr. Sisi Philip (Assistant Director, Avian Diseases Laboratory). The First Prize was won by Konni Block, represented by Shri Vivek Thomas Mathew and Shri. P B Sasidharan Nair. Second Place was won by Thiruvalla Block, represented by Shri. C Reghunathan Nair and Shri. Jacob Chacko. Shri. Binoy Jose and Shri. T P Joseph from Ranni Block won the Third Place.

Following the Quiz Competition, a Farmers' Meet with a face-to-face session was also organised. Dr. K G Padmakumar, a renowned expert of Pisciculture, took a class on Pearl-Spot farming for the participants. The face-to-face session, brainstorming on the Farmers' hopes and requirements on a new Agriculture Policy for Kerala, was led by Shri. R Hali, former Director of Agriculture. The valedictory session was inaugurated and prizes were distributed by Shri. V R Raveendranath, Chief General Manager of NABARD, Kerala Region. The prize winner received cash awards sponsored by IFFCO. All the participants were awarded with certificates and memetos from All India Radio and Radio Sets sponsored by Adoor Rubbers and Rubber Board. The function was presided over by Shri. R C Gopal, Station Director, All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. Shri. P M Unnikrishnan Unnithan, Assistant Director (Programme) did the introductory address of Farmers' Meet and Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara, Programme Executive (Farm and Home) delivered the welcome address.

Contributed by :- Shri. Sandeep Suresh, Trex. AIR - Thiruvananthapuram,air.sandeep@hotmail.com