Shreshta-Krishi

Agriculture has changed dramatically during the recent past, especially since the advent of green revolution. Although these changes have had many positive effects, there have also been significant negative effects. Several movements have emerged during the past four decades to question the role of the agricultural establishment in promoting practices which in the long run, will affect the sustainability of the farming system. Sustainable agriculture division of CISSA is spearheading programmes in organic agriculture.

Various programmes are being organised to:

Popularize organic vegetable cultivation in the urban and peri-urban regions of Thiruvananthapuram
Popularization of medicinal plants
Motivate and assist the cultivation of organic vegetables in homesteads and terraces.
Make available all necessary organic inputs for vegetable cultivation in a central location
Need based periodic training on cultivation, pest and disease control, preparation of organic pesticides and manures.
Promotion and revival of traditional and good food culture.
Inculcate love and passion in agriculture among younger generation.
Promote utilization of traditional and underutilized vegetables.
Arrange training programmes to create skilled man power in organic farming and polyhouse farming.
We also initiated a programme to popularise underutilised crops like Jackfruit, winged beans and leafy greens.

7^th Kerala Bala Krishi Sastra Congress

Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) in association with Agri Friends Krishi Samskarika Vedi is organizing the Seventh Kerala Bala Krishi Sastra Congress on 10^th & 11^th January 2017 at Jawahar Bala Bhavan Thiruvananthapuram.The programs are structured to generate an interest in a child’s mind, the love for agriculture and respect for the science. . In Seventh Agri Science Congress we insist on the very doctrines that were forgotten over the years to make the world sustainable for all living beings

Organic Farming Training to Agro Technicians

Cissa started providing organic farming training to Agro Technicians. Around 30 such candidates are getting trained at our facility near Sasthamangalam. This initiative is promptly supported by State Horticulture Mission,Kerala. SHM Director Shri.K.Prathapan inaugurated and addressed the program. Dr.CK.Peethambaran, former director of research KAU, Shri.N.Sreekumar, Asst.Director Agriculture department(Retd). Shri.K.K.Sathyan Asst.Director Agriculture department(Retd) were present during the occasion.

Organic Cultivation in Karakulam Panchayath

A mass organic farming training for 400 beneficiaries from 10 wards of Karakulam panchayath has started on 2nd July. The first phase of training for 300 residents on organic cultivation of vegetables in grow bags is under way. Also training for 25 selected farmers covering a total area 5 acre of land is scheduled. The project is implemented by Karakulam Service Co-operative Society. Beneficiaries are given a term loan which can be repaid by selling the produce back to the
Co-operative Society.
In this unique project CISSA plays the key role of providing all technical support, including training of beneficiaries, sourcing of organic inputs and planting materials. Also regular field visits will be done by a team of officials from CISSA to make this project a huge success.

Prakruthi

CISSA has launched “Prakruthi”- a Campaign to empower employees of the Techno park to adopt a healthy living in tune with nature and promote sustainable coexistence with nature. The objectives of Prakruthi include promoting green food and encourage organic farming, propagate green living, support green ideas, promote recycling and waste management. Natana and Tejas are partners of this campaign

RKVY Projects on Banana and Vegetables

To reduce the use of synthetic pesticides, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supported projects CISSA has joined hands with CTCRI to popularize biopesticides among farmers in Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Kasargod Districts of Kerala state involving more than 150 farmers.

Consultative Workshop on Control Strategies of African Snail

A consultative workshop on Control Strategies of African Snail was organised in association with Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in December 2014 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Govt. of Kerala Shri.K.P.Mohanan was the chief guest. Shri.P.Mara Pandiyan IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Science, Technology, Fisheries, Environment & Climate Change and also the Executive Vice President, KSCSTE was the guest of honour. Dr.K.K.Ramachandran, Member Secretary, KSCSTE presided over the function.

Dr.C.S.Yalaki IFS, Director, Dept. of Environment & Climate Change, Dr.R.V.Varma, Former Chairman, KSBB, Dr.K.Prathapan, Director, State Horticulture Mission- Kerala Dr.C.Sureshkumar, General Secretary, CISSA and Dr.Kamalakshan Kokkal, Joint Director, KSCSTE also participated. The technical sessions were handled by Dr.C.K.Peethambaran, Director (Agriculture), CISSA, Dr.M.Jay Shankar of Indian Institute of Horticulture, Bengaluru, Dr.T.V.Sajeev, Entomologist, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Dr.R.Narayana, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, and Dr.Alex John, CARD KVK, Pathanamthitta.

Organic Terrace Farming

CISSA has organized a training programme for six days attended by a 30-member batch of participants from various residents associations in the city.

Jaiva Vilambara Chantha

CISSA has organised a platform for close interaction between organic farmers of Nanniyode Panchayat and consumers dwelling in various resident’s associations in Thiruvananthapuram City. Famous poet and environmentalist Smt.Sugatha Kumari and Shri. K .Muralidharan MLA participated in the first sales programme.

Network of Organic Farmers

CISSA has taken the initiative to spearhead a unique network of Organic Farmers and Consumers at Nanniyode Grama Panchayat. Inaugural function of the Panchayat level organic club was held on 12^th February 2015 which was followed by a training progamme by CISSA on organic agriculture for the benefit of the farmers. Shri. L. Radhakrishnan IAS, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister was the guest of honor. Residents’ Associations in the Panchayat and also in the adjoining areas are expected to be the consumers of the homestead organic produce of the Panchayat.