The district level agricultural quiz and Farmers' Meet for Kottayam as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Vayalum Veedum (Farm and Home) broadcast of All India Radio in Kerala was conducted at Kizhathadiyoor Service Co-operative Bank Auditorium, Pala, Kottayam. Eleven teams, each comprising of two farmers nominated by the Department of Agriculture, representing 11 blocks in the district participated in the quiz. It was followed by an interactive session on "Indigenous Cow breeds – For virtue of men and soil", led by Dr. S Suddodhanan, Rtd Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry. The function was organised in association with Pala Kizhathadiyoor Service Co-operative Bank, one of the foremost Co-operative banks in Kerala. The quiz competition was inaugurated by the Bank President Adv. George C Kappen.
In the Farmers' Meet organised afternoon, Shri. R Heli, Retd. Director of Agriculture was the moderator. Shri. P M Unnikrishnan Unnithan, Assistant Director (Programmes) AIR Thiruvananthapuram did the introductory speech. The valedictory session and the Farmers' Meet were presided over by Shri. R C Gopal, Station Director, AIR Thiruvananthapuram. The sessions were inaugurated by Shri. A Ajithkumar IAS, Chairman of Rubber Board, who also did the distribution of prizes to farmers. Kaduthuruthi Block won the First Prize in the Agricultural Quiz.
All the 22 farmers who had participated in the competition received a radio set sponsored by the Kizhathadiyoor Service Co-operative Bank as well as merit certificate and memento from All India Radio. The First Prize was won by Kaduthuruthy Block. The Second place was secured by Erattupetta Block and Uzhavoor Block came in Third place. The winners also received cash awards instituted by IFFCO.Contributed by:- Sandeep Suresh Transmission Executive AIR - Thiruvananthapuram air.sandeep@hotmail.com