The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sikkal, Nagapattinam District, with financial support from the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad, has organized five-day skill development training programmes under SCSP on Natural Farming, Scientific Poultry Farming, and Biofloc Technology in Fish Farming for Scheduled Caste farmers from 07.09.2026 to 11.09.2026.
The inaugural function of the training programme was held on 07.09.2026 at Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University. The programme was presided over by Dr. N. Felix, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, who delivered the Presidential Address. In his address, Dr. N. Felix stated that these skill development training programmes are being organized to enhance the practical skills and knowledge of farmers. He encouraged the participating farmers to make effective use of the training programmes and apply the knowledge and skills gained through the training in their farming activities. He further stated that a Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into between the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) and Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University for taking skill development training programmes and various projects to farmers. He also informed that, from 2018 to the current year, KVK, Nagapattinam has received a total financial assistance of Rs. 1,05,93,000 under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), through which various programmes have been implemented benefiting 5,520 beneficiaries.
Dr. Raman Meenakshi Sundaram, Director, ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), participated and inaugurated the training programme and delivered the special address. He stated that NAARM has been continuously providing training programmes on agriculture and allied technologies to agricultural scientists, agricultural officials and farmers. He highlighted that it is particularly significant that three important training programmes-Natural Farming, Scientific Poultry Farming and Biofloc Technology for Fish Farming-are being conducted in an integrated manner considering the present-day agricultural situation. He encouraged farmers to avoid continuous dependence on a single crop and instead adopt an integrated farming approach, combining agriculture and allied activities in harmony with nature. He further encouraged the farmers to effectively implement the technologies and practices learned during the training and develop themselves as successful agri-entrepreneurs.
Dr. M. Balakrishnan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, explained the objectives and importance of the training programmes. He stated that farmers who successfully transform themselves into entrepreneurs after completing the training and effectively implement the technologies would be considered for selection as Best Farmers and honoured with awards.
Earlier, Dr. A. Gopalakannan, Director, Directorate of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, delivered the welcome address.
The technical manuals for the training programme were released by Dr. Raman Meenakshi Sundaram, Director, NAARM, and distributed to the participating farmers. As part of the training programme, the participating farmers were also provided with inputs for natural farming, microbial inputs, containers and poultry chicks to facilitate practical learning and adoption of the technologies. A total of 120 Scheduled Caste farmers from Nagapattinam District participated in the training programme and benefited from the programme.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. V. Senthilkumar, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagapattinam.
