The ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thiruvannamalai organized t      hree-day training cum demonstration program focused on value-added fish products from 23rd to 25th January 2025 at Thandarampattu in Thiruvannamalai district. The training cum demonstration aimed to empower tribal families by enhancing their knowledge and value-added fish products thereby improving their livelihoods. Mr. V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Thiruvannamalai, inaugurated the event and emphasized its significance for the welfare of the tribal community. He highlighted the potential of fish farming in improving the economic conditions of tribal families. Shri. Prabhu, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Thandarampattu provided detailed information about various schemes offered by the state fisheries department. He also discussed the scope and opportunities in fish farming and encouraging participants to explore this sector for sustainable income generation. Dr. K. Mayakrishnan, SMS Animal Science, delivered an informative lecture on advanced fish farming techniques. He also shared low-cost, sustainable practices that can be adopted by tribal farmers to enhance productivity and profitability. Mrs. Margaret, SMS Home Science, highlighted the importance of value-added fish products and their nutritional benefits. She conducted live demonstrations on preparing various fish-based products like Fish cutlets, Fish soup powder and Fish fingers. Additionally, she explained the economic viability of producing and marketing these value-added products, providing insights into potential income generation. A total of 26 tribal farmers and farm women actively participated in the program.  This training reflects its commitment to the welfare and economic upliftment of tribal families through agricultural and allied activities.

ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the Department of Agriculture, Krishnagiri, jointly organized the World Soil Day celebration at the KVK Campus in Elumichangiri on December 5, 2024. Dr. T. Sundararaj, Senior Scientist and Head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, presided over the programme and delivered a speech highlighting the importance of World Soil Day and methods to protect soil resources. The programme was also addressed by Mr. C. Pachaiyappan, the Joint Director of Agriculture, Krishnagiri District, who emphasized that farmers can protect soil health and conserve soil resources by using organic fertilizers and green manures in large quantities. He also urged farmers to conduct soil tests before planting crops and apply only the required fertilizers to conserve soil health and reduce fertilizer costs. Furthermore, he informed farmers about crop insurance schemes. Mr. K. Arivalagan, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Quality Control), delivered a special address stressing that following organic farming practices and applying balanced use of bio-fertilizers and organic inputs can help protect soil resources. Mr. V. Suresh Kumar, Assistant Director of Agriculture for the Krishnagiri block, encouraged farmers to make use of mobile soil testing units available in the agricultural Department. Mr. K. Gunasekar, Subject Matter Specialist (Soil Science) also spoke about how farmers can protect soil resources by applying organic fertilizers and green manures in adequate quantities, based on soil tests, and shared technical methods for soil conservation with the farmers. Mr. A. Srikanth, a representative from Coromandel International, provided detailed insights into the use of Nano-DAP fertilizers and Coromandel’s organic products. Soil health cards were distributed to 30 farmers during the programme. A total of 55 farmers from villages like Kammampalli, Elumichangiri, and Melkaradikuripatti attended the program

Celebration of World Soil Day was organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thiruvannamalai at Vilankuppam Village of Jammunamarathur block on 05.12.2024 especially for scheduled tribes. The programme was started with a welcome address by Mr.Ashok, Agronomist of Srinivasa Service Trust, Jammunamarathur. Mr. V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and head delivered a special address on the theme of “Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage”.  He instigated the farmers to do Soil sampling for soil health improvement. He also added KVK role and activities towards improve the farmer economics in the district. Shri. P.Narayanan, SMS Plant Protection had delivered a lecture on use of bio inputs in organic farming for improving soil fertility and also role of green manures and vermi composting in soil health management.  Dr.K. Mayakrishnan, SMS Animal Science explained the importance of livestocks in soil health management. Mr.P.Chowthry had demonstrated the soil sampling techniques and water sampling methods in the event. In this event, the total number of 60 ST farmers, farm women and officials were participated and distributed the soil health cards. And also collect the 100 soil samples from farmers of nearing villages.

Animal Health Camp was organized by ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Krishnagiri at Malayandahalli village in Mathur block on 28.11.2024. The camp was inaugurated by Dr. T. Sundararaj, Senior Scientist and Head of the Kendra, who highlighted the significance of animal health camp. Dr. S. Ramesh, SMS (Animal Science), created awareness among the participants about Deworming of dairy cows, Sheep and goats. He emphasized about deworming and vaccination to Livestock – FMD, Lumpy skin disease in cattle and PPR to small ruminants and Ethnoveterinary practices for Lumpy skin disease and Mastitis in cattle. Dr. Senthamizhan, a veterinary officer from Mathur block, participated and artificial insemination was carried out during the camp and advised about tick management practices to the participate farmers. Treatments and remedies was given to conditions like indigestion, inappetence, Retained placenta etc., During the camp, deworming medicine was administered to 120 dairy cows and 350 goats, and treatment was provided for affected livestock along with necessary medications. Phamplets given to participant farmers on “Ethnoveterinary practices for Lumpy skin disease”. Subject Matter Specialists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mr. T.I. Ramesh Babu (Horticulture) and Mr. S. Senthil Kumar (Agricultural Extension), also participated in the camp. A total of 55 livestock farmers from Malayandahalli village attended and benefited from the program.

The ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kilnelli conducted Animal Health Campaign aimed at raising awareness and improvement of health of livestock in the villages of Kalasthambadi, Kunniyandhal, Kiliyappattu and associated hamlets within the Kilpennathur block from 20th to 26th November, 2024. The campaign was inaugurated by Mr. V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head, also he emphasized the significance of effective livestock management practices. During the campaign, Dr. K. Mayakrishnan, Subject Matter Specialist, Animal Science, provided insights on deworming practices for cattle and small ruminants, addressed issues related to repeat breeding, highlighted the importance of timely vaccinations and discussed feeding management strategies. Deworming was done for cows, sheep and goats. Also dewormer was distributed to the livestock farmers. Mrs. Usha, District Development Officer representing the ICICI Foundation was narrated schemes available for the benefit of farming community for enhancement of income in agriculture and allied activities.  In total, 348 livestock farmers were benefited from the campaign, covering 816 livestock across in six villages.

The KVK hosted the World Food Day celebration at its premises on October 21, 2024, in collaboration with Indo-American Arts and Science College, Cheyyar. Dr. K. Mayakrishnan, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science) commenced the event with a welcome address. In his keynote speech, Shri V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head, discussed the significance of suitable foods in enhancing quality of life. He also encouraged women to initiate small scale enterprises at the village level to secure a sustainable income. Smt. T. Margaret delivered an insightful lecture on the importance of a balanced diet, highlighting the benefits of locally sourced cereals, pulses, and vegetables for improving the health of women and children. She further addressed the roles and responsibilities of farm women in elevating the social and cultural status of women in rural communities. A food competition themed “Millet-Based Ready-to-Eat Products” was held for the students of Indo-American Arts and Science College, Cheyyar and prizes awarded to the winners. A total of 112 farmers, farm women, and college students were participated. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri P. Narayanan, Subject Matter Specialist( Plant Protection).