Introduction

Sustainable farming practices focus on the importance of local food production and consumption in improving local economic conditions and creating food security for the surrounding community. The activities planned and initiated under the d-SAFUL programme at CMFRI Residential Complex farm at Thevara is listed below.

Maize Cultivation

For the first time in Kerala, maize crop was successfully cultivated at the KVK demonstration farm in an area of 80 Square Meter.  The variety PAC 712 of Rajasthan Agricultural University gave a potential yield of 4 MT/ha, with a crop window of 70 days and high photosynthetic efficiency, maize has very good potential in Kerala. The harvest mela attracted media attention, and subsequently about 160 farmers in the district have registered their interest in experimental cultivation of maize. The Kendra is arranging seeds for intrested farmers. The same variety was replicated in farmers’ fields in Mookkannur and Perumbavoor.  Though the suitability of the crop to the agro climatic situation of the district has been proved, it is recommended only for homestead cultivation.     

High Value Floriculture
Besides their aesthetic value, flowers are important for their economic uses such as for cut blooms and for extracting perfumes and other products. A demonstration unit of high value floriculture has been setup in an area of 12 cents. The ornamentals cultivated in this demonstration unit consist of Tube rose, Heliconia, Torch ginger, Marigold, Cockscomb and Kanakamparam.

High Value Olericulture(Vegetables)
Demonstration of high value vegetables included cultivation of Pumpkin, Snake guard, Bitter guard and Ridge guard in an area of 3 cents of open space and cultivation of Tomato, Capsicum, Bhindi (Ladys finger), Red Amaranthus, Cauliflower, Carrot and other green leafy vegetables in Pots.
Protected Cultivation
Protected cultivation using low cost Rain shelter was demonstrated by cultivating high value crops such as Cabbage and cauliflower in a area of 40 sq.m. Raising of seedlings under the “Low Tunnel Polyhouse System” was demonstrated inside the campus.

Roof top garden
To overcome the Scarcity of arable land in urban homesteads, a demonstration unit of Roof top garden was initiated in the campus by distributing 150 potted vegetable crops among the residents of CMFRI, Residential complex, Thevara. Tomato, Brinjal, Greenleafy vegetables, Ladys finger and chillies were successfuly cultivated in the programme..
High density planting of banana
High Density Planting (HDP) in banana was proven successful in increasing the productivity. Besides higher yield, HDP also helps to reduce labour cost and increase the efficiency of input utilization. The technique increases the yield and results less water consumption. It is one of the most effective measures to increase productivity per unit area,
Backyard Poultry
A demonstration unit on ‘Backyard poultry rearing’ in limited area was set up with ten Gramasree birds released by Kerala Agricultural University. The objective was to promote rearing of birds with more productive efficiency. These birds produced from desi birds and exotic poultry breeds lay around 180-200 eggs/ year.
Tapioca
Sree jaya is an early variety with seven months duration. It has excellent cooking quality with its tuber contains 24-27% starch which is low in cyanogens. This variety was cultivated with a view to overcome the problem of poor yield of local varieties cultivated in this district. The yield potential of this variety is 29 MT/ha.
Coconut
A demonstration unit of high yielding coconut variety ‘Kerasree’, a variety released by the KAU was also initiated in the demonstration farm
Hybrid Napier Grass
Seven varieties of hybrid napier viz., CO 3, CO 4, Suguna, Supriya, Kilikulam-1, IGFRI-3 and IGFRI-7 were cultivated as a demonstration unit with the view to demonstrate their comparative performance and to  promote fodder cultivation.These varieties produce green fodder around 200-250 MT/ha from this unit. Cuttings were supplied to farmers also.
Organic waste management
In-order to demonstrate recycling of the organic wastes generated, a vermi-composting unit was setup.Three species of earthworms viz., the African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae); Red Worm (Eisenia fetida) and the Indian Blue Worm (Perionyx excavatus) were used.
Eco Friendly Pest Management
Pheromone traps were installed for containing the heavy infestation of cucurbit fruit flies on pumpkin, snake guard and ridge guard crops. It also act as demonstration of eco friendly pest management.
Rain water harvesting
A demonstration unit for rain water harvesting was established in the campus. The total amount of the rain water harvested through surface tanks established under this demonstration is about 4,17,000 litres,. The water stored is being utilized for irrigating the crops grown in the campus during the period.

Low cost drip irrigation system
An indigenous low cost drip irrigation system has been deviced which suite for the irrigation needs of a homestead kitchen garden. This system has also been put for demonstration.