Transfer of Technology

Institutional and off campus training programmes

Institutional and off campus training programmes on various aspects of production, protection and processing of coconut, arecanut and cocoa are organized at the HQ, regional stations and research centres of the Institute to benefit farmers and extension personnel. Besides, training programmes are also conducted on selected topics on request from individuals and organizations for which training fee will be charged. (Details under training programmes)

Front Line Demonstration programmes

Front line demonstration programmes on selected technologies relating to farming systems, INM, IPM, IDM and Post Harvest Technologies in coconut, arecanut and cocoa are being organised in farmers field for convincing the farmers about the viability of the technologies and to obtain proper feedback from farmers on the constraints in adoption of the recommended technologies.

Utilization of media and other extension methods for Transfer of Technology in coconut, arecanut and cocoa

The following activities are regularly taken up to effectively utilize various media and methods of extension for effective TOT in coconut, arecanut and cocoa:

1. Publication of extension pamphlets, CD-ROM etc.
2. Organising Kisan Mela
3. Organising campus exhibition
4. Technology dissemination through news papers, farm journals and radio
5. Production video programmes on selected technologies
6. Organising exposure visit –cum-training programmes for different clientele groups including farmers, extension prersonnel and students
7. Farm advisory services
8. Institute visit by farmers and other clients
9. Participation in Agricultural seminars

Cyber Extension Activities

CPCRI has implemented many of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT )initiatives in the lines of Web-based systems, interactive software and cyber extension. To place CPCRI in the arena of Internet to communicate research result to the end users, a website of CPCRI was developed and hosted under the URL . Farmers and extension personnel seek clarifications on queries through online query facility provided at the website.

ATIC also utilizes the advances in ICT in transfer of technology to farmers in single window concept. Kiosks, web based consultancies and e-mail and mobile based queries for technological clarification of farmers are some of the initiatives implemented through ATIC.

Software developed at CPCRI

1. Interactive and auto executable software called “Nalikeram” was developed on coconut cultivation practices for the benefit of coconut farmers and extension workers.
2. Software on Arecanut cultivation: Gives information on arecanut cultivation as well as pest and disease management technologies.
3. Software on Coconut Descriptors Part –II with characteristics of 26 Coconut varieties was developed and released in CocoTech meeting on 17th July, 2000.
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) software: It includes description of pests, Life cycle, Symptoms and Control methods (Chemical, Mechanical, Cultural and biological) of the ten major pests of coconut. A few video clippings were also included.
5. e- Manual on coconut cultivation CD-ROM software was developed and released on October 30th, 2002 in COGENT meeting. The package gives details on technologies for coconut cultivation developed and recommended by the CPCRI.
6. Software on Integrated Disease Management (IDM) in Coconut: It was developed in windows environment and released in 2004. This CD covers distribution, symptoms (with photographs) and management practices of Root(wilt), Leaf rot, Bud rot, Basal stem rot, stem bleeding and tatipaka diseases.
7. e- Manual on Cocoa cultivation - software was developed. It gives complete information on cultivation practices for Cocoa.
8. Video programme “About CPCRI”: Produced in English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. It exhaustively describes different scientific activities and achievements of the institute.
9. A video on package of practices on different farming activities and crop production in Malayalam.
10. Office automation initiated in order to enhance the efficiency and interconnectivity of the employees to increase the productivity of organization.

Research-Extension-Farmer Interface facilitated through video conferencing videoconferencing

CPCRI has launched cyber extension activities utilizing the videoconferencing facility covering Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal as part of strengthening the technology transfer programmes of the Institute in mandate crops viz., coconut, arecanut and cocoa. A group video conferencing system through ISDN was installed at the ATIC, CPCRI, Kasaragod to facilitate interaction between various stakeholders for enhancing technology utilization in coconut, arecanut and cocoa. The video conferencing facility is effectively utilized for scheduling and implementing interface programmes at regular intervals involving various stake holders including researchers, extension personnel, farmers and entrepreneurs. It enables Interaction of farmers at remote villages with the subject matter specialists of the institute and other centres thereby reducing the time, effort and cost in transfer of know-how from lab to field.

Extension Research

Besides organizing extension activities, Extension section of Division of Social Sciences also undertakes studies on various aspects of technology generation, transfer and utilization in coconut, arecanut and cocoa as follows.

1. Studies on knowledge and adoption of recommended technologies and feedback to research system.
2. Action research projects on the performance of CPCRI technologies in farmers’ fields
3. Collection and documentation of indigenous technical knowledge
4. Studies on women empowerment through coconut based micro enterprises
5. Action research projects on group approach for enhancing income from coconut framing through effective technology integration