ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kilnelli, conducted the Swachhta Hi Sewa Campaign 2024 from September 15th to October 2nd, 2024, aimed at raising awareness among the public, students, extension workers and others regarding cleanliness and promoting healthy living in the surrounding areas. During this initiative, KVK organized a variety of events to instill these values among the community, with active participation from staff, farmers and public. Swachhta banner was displayed in the KVK campus and all staff members took a Swachhata pledge, emphasizing the core messages of behavior, values and responsibility related to cleanliness. Furthermore, KVK initiated a plantation drive, cyclathons and a human chain to encourage widespread community involvement. Additional events focused on hygiene were conducted in collaboration with schools and primary health centers, targeting students and sanitary workers to enhance awareness about cleanliness. Preventive health check-ups and access to health facilities were also provided to ensure an improved quality of life for sanitary workers and their families. KVK identified areas requiring attention and promoted cleanliness by planting trees at various tourist spots. The involvement of religious leaders at temples and spiritual sites was also encouraged to support cleanliness drives. A total of 402 participants took part in the Swachhta Hi Sewa Campaign 2024.

ICAR – KVK, Krishnagiri conducted Kisan Mela and Tree planting Campaign – Plant4Mother at KVK Campus, Krishnagiri on 21-Aug-24. During this programme awareness created on Plantation Drive and Crop Diversification technology and planted 162 Nos tree saplings at KVK premises. Subject Matter Specialists given talk on soil Health Management, Composting technologies, Cultivation technologies for Ragi, Mango and Amla. 1000 Nos Mangoes and 400 Nos Amla seedlings were distributed to 50 farmers (20 mango + 8 Amla seedlings to each farmer) under SCSP. Lead Bank Manager attended the programme and explained about the financial assistance available to the farmers from the banking sector

Krishi Vigyan Kendra organized a weeklong celebration of important technologies to the farmers from 05.08.2024 to 09.08.2024 in the KVK Campus. Silk worm rearing technologies with method demonstration was organized in the day one to 23 rural youth and college students in collaboration with Sericulture Training Institute, Hosur. Bio input formulation methods and procedures were disseminated to the farmers in and around kilnelli during the technology week celebrations. Profitable dairy farming technology was also organized for the benefit of 25 dairy farmers. Soil reclamation technologies in the problematic soil were also dealt during the week. An exhibition was also arranged in the campus to showcase the KVK and farmers cooperatives products and technologies  with the involvement of 72 farmers including farm women and rural youth. Promotion of natural farming, bee keeping, agroforestry, value added products in millets, profitable, integrated organic farming systems, agri and allied ventures were also conducted in the form of training and awareness programme during the entire week. A total of 400 numbers of agro forestry tree saplings and 1200 copies of leaflets and pamphlets on improved technologies distributed to all participants.  A total of 285 farmers participated and benefitted in the technology week celebration conducted by the KVK.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra organized a one-day seminar on fish farming and value addition on July 30, 2024. The event, held in association with the Department of Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare, aimed to create awareness about the scope and opportunities in fish farming. The seminar was presided over by Mr. S. Ramesh, President, Tamil Nadu Board of Rural Development. Mr. V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK, welcomed the participants and delivered a lecture on the various market avenues and potential for employment generation through fish farming. Eminent speakers included Dr. Deboral Vimala, Principal Scientist, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai discussed strategies for profitable and environmentally-sustainable fish farming. Dr. V. Chandrasekhar, Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Cochin gave a presentation on the importance of fish farming and related job opportunities through video conference. Mr. G. Velan, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Tiruvannamalai District addressed farmers’ queries about fish farming and explained relevant government schemes and production technologies. In addition, Mrs. T. Margaret, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science), demonstrated fish chutney powder and scope for value-added fish products. The seminar was attended by 31 pioneering farmers and farm women across Thiruvannamalai district. It concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. P. Narayanan, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection), ICAR KVK, Thiruvannamalai.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra had organized the Hon’ble PM’s event of Kisan Samman Nidhi live webcast programme at the KVK campus on 18th June 2024. Dr L Murugan, Hon’ble Minister for state of parliamentary affairs, Information and Broadcasting participated as chief guest and distributed Paddy drum seeder 10 nos, Sprayers 10 nos, Honey bee boxes 5 nos and certificates to the farmers and Krishi Sakhis. Mr. D.Bhaskarapandian, IAS, District Collector, Thiruvannamalai, Shri. S. Ramesh, Chairman, TNBRD, Mr. Harakumar, Joint Director of Agriculture, Shri Vijay Neehar, District Development Manager, NABARD, Project directors of TNSLRM, Sub collector of Cheyyar, Line department officials were participated as special dignitaries. Mr.V.Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR KVK welcomed all the dignitaries.  KVK had arranged an exhibition in association with FPOs, Entrepreneurs and a Millet Food competition also organized with the participation of female students from Shri Akilandewari Womens College, Vandavasi. A total of 720 farmers, farm women, Krishi Sakhis and department officials participated in the event and it was ended up with a vote of thanks by Dr. K.Mayakrishnan, SMS (Animal Science).

An exposure visit has been arranged by Hand in Hand, Kanchipuram on 28.05.2024 to 30.05.2024 involving 45 farmers and SHG members. Mr. V. Suresh, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK welcomed all the participants and gave special lecture on importance of value added products in milk and its various market avenues for employment generation. Dr.K. Mayakrishnan, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science) handled a lecture on profitable dairy farming and arranged a field visit to instructional livestock farm in KVK.  Mrs. T.Margaret, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) had demonstrated on value added milk products viz., Plain paneer, herbs incorporated paneer, Flavoured milk, packing and marketing. She also had discussed on nutritive value of milk and its importance during the training. Mr. P Chowthry, Programme Assistant (Lab Technician) had arranged a field visit to all the demonstration units established in the KVK instructional farm.

ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kilnelli, Thiruvannamalai had organized a Field day in Brinjal under Frontline Demonstration during Rabi 2023-24 in Amudhur village, Vandavasi block on 22.04.2024 with participation of progressive farmers. The programme was started with a welcome address by Shri.V.Suresh, Senior Scientist & Head i/c and lectured about Brinjal cultivation and yield improvement strategies. Mr.R.Vijayakumar, Subject Matter Specialist-Horticulture had given special lecture on integrated crop management in Brinjal and also discussed about the performance of Brinjal variety VRM (Br)2 in the region and narrated on pest and disease management in Brinjal cultivation. Mr.P.Munusamy, a progressive farmer of the demonstration had shared his experience in cultivating Brinjal variety and its yield potential in the region to other farmers. Mr.S.Bhaskar, Assistant Horticulture Officer also participated in the programme. A total of 18 farmers from Amudhur village were participated in the event.