KVK Ernakulam

Polycultures of brackish water fin fishes

i). Mr.K.V. Krishnan from Pallipuram village of Ernakulam district was earning an income of only Rs.36,000/- from his 0.4 ha pond by the traditional practice of shrimp farming. Soon after completing the ten days KVK training programme on Polyculture of brackish water fin fishes blending with traditional shrimp farming practice in ponds, funded by the National Fisheries Development Board during 2007-08, he switched over to the improved avocation of supplementing the traditional practice with stocking of commercially more important species of fin fishes including Pearlspot, Mullet, Milk fish and Mud Crab along with shrimps. Presently he is earning around Rs. 1, 16,500/- from his pond, working out to Rs.2, 91250/- per hectare with a net profit of Rs.166250/- per ha.

ii). Shri A.M. Nizar, Azhivelikkakath house, Edavanakkad P.O. aged 48 years was a traditional polyculture farmer. He has 4 ha brackish water farm. Due to white spot disease, polyculture farming (Prawns and crab) was in loss. He has attended training in coastal aquaculture sponsored by National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad at CMFRI, Kochi. After the training, he has stocked 10000 numbers of fingerlings of Mugil cephalus (Striped mullet). He was doing water exchange through sluice gate depends upon the tidal difference. Eight months after the stocking, he has started harvesting by using gillnet of 90 mm mesh size. Daily harvesting depending upon the market requirement and periodical stocking was his practice. At present 20000 Mugil cephalus (Striped mullet) is in his farm in different size range. He is also confident that diversification in aquaculture is very good for better fish production. His farm was selected as one of the best model farm and all the trainees of KVK are getting a exposure field visit to his farm and learn more about his practice. He used to deliver success stories to all the visiting farmers and trainees sponsored by different state and central fisheries departments and students from fisheries colleges and schools. He is getting a net return around Rs. 3 lakhs per year.

Jasmine cultivation

1). Jasmine cultivation was in a primitive stage in Ernakulam district till July, 2001. Krishi Vigyan Kendra started training programmes, farmers meet, field visits, consultancy, and technical guidance in various villages viz, Parur, Kuzhipilly, Edavanakad, Narakkal, Elamkunnapuzha, Puthuvype in Vypeen Block and Irapuram, Pallikara, Parakodu, Pattimattram, Mazhuvanoor in Kunnathunad block. Pot cultivation was advocated and initially 20 persons started this venture in Edavanakad. A society was formed with 100 registered Jasmine farmers. The society caters to the need of the farmers by way of supplying fertilizer, pesticide and fungicide. The society also functions as a collection and marketing centre. The society makes and markets bouquet and garlands which gives employment to rural women and also gives more income which is shared among the members. A unit of 300 pots would give an average yield of 20 to 25 kg of flowers per month. This fetches Rs 90 to Rs 180 per Kg depending upon the season and demand which gives an income of Rs 2000 per month. As jasmine cultivation is profitable , societies were formed in Narakkal, Elamkunnapuzha, Mazhuvanoor and Kunnathunad. These societies have a membership of more than 250 farmers. The awareness created by the KVK programmes in Jasmine cultivation made the Krishi Bhavans of Narakkal, Elamkunnapuzha, Edavanakad and Mazhuvanoor to encourage farmers by giving subsidies for buying pots, soil, pesticide, fungicide and rooted cuttings.About 2000 kg of jasmine flower per day has been harvested and sold locally in the district. These flowers are also being exported.

Total area in the district due to KVK intervention : 121 ha
Productivity : 4 ton/ha /yr
Krishibhavans of state Department of Agriculture give subsidies to Jasmine farmers based on KVK project report. A district level Jasmine growers Cooperative society was formed with 1080 members.

2). Shri K.K. Suresh Kannimoolath house, Vengola Aarakkappady village, Perumbavoor aged 52 years undergone a training course on Jasmine cultivation conducted by the KVK in 2004. Subsequently he started cultivating 500 numbers of jasmine plants in 100 cent of land . He got an average production of 60 kg of flower per month. After three years of cultivation, the plants were severely affected by root rot diseases and also die back disease and 75 % of the foliage were dried and drooped. Consequently under the On Farm Testing the KVK has given Trichoderma and pseudomonas. After a month time, the foliage was rejuvenated and now getting around 1 to 5 kg per day depends upon the season. Now He used to deliver success stories to all the visiting farmers and trainees. He is getting an average income of Rs. 9000 to 12000 per month.

Banana cultivation

During 2003, 10 farmers were selected under the FLD programme on tissue culture banana in backyard system with each plot of 0.25 to 0.5 ha of land in Eloor village. Training programmes and farmers meet was organized in the village for the introduction of tissue culture banana. (Robusta). At present 42 farmers have adopted this technology. The planting density of banana was recommended as 2300 nos/ha. Before the introduction of tissue culture banana the average weight of the bunches were 12kg/plant. This was increased to 18.5 kg/plant. The total yield before the introduction of tissue culture banana was 27 tonnes/ ha which was increased to 42 tonnes/ha. The increase in yield was 15 tonnes/ha. The earlier income ws Rs 41,400/ha, where as after the intervention, it became 63,000/ha. The additional income to the farmer was Rs 22,350/ha. The Krishi Bhavan in this village after seeing the cost benefit factor has started distributing tissue culture banana suckers to the farmers.

Vakue Addition

1). Fifteen rural women in Chettikkad, Village formed a self help unit Sneha Kudumbasree and started production of cleaning materials after getting training from the KVK. They make and sell these products successfully for the last three years and getting good income. The same unit also received a training on shrimp cutlet from KVK and started its own unit. They are also making shrimp cutlet on demand. They get order for 300 to 500 numbers of cutlets every week. Each women is earning Rs. 2600 per year from the unit. After obtaining training on value addition of fish fifty-five women from fishermen community of five villages formed ten units and started preparation of different products from fish/shrimp/clam and mussel individually and in group. They sell their products in exhibitions and melas in addition to door to door delivery.

2). Training programmes were conducted in 20 villages on Value addition of fish, shrimp, fruits and vegetables,and also preparation of detergent powder, dish washing powder and preparation of toilet soap. With a view to empower women, KVK involved in the strengthening activities of 23 Kudumbhashree units. Out of this 10 have started small scale units in the preparation and marketing of dish wash powder, 2 units started preparation and marketing of shrimp pickle and another 2 units started value addition to fruits and vegetables ie; preparation of jam, squash and pickles. The shelf life of the value added products prepared and marketed with KVK is more comparing to other similar products in the local market..