ICAR-CPCRI-Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP) and FFP-NABARD-Odanadu Farmers Producer Company Ltd. (OFPC) jointly organized a farmer felicitation ceremony along with exhibition and sale of value added products, “Onaniravil Karshika Pathiyoor” on 23rd August 2021 at Pathiyoor panchayath conference hall as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The programme started with ICAR theme song. Shri. P. V. Alex, Director, OFPC welcomed the gathering and the presidential address was given by Smt. L. Usha, president, Pathiyoor Grama panchayath. Adv. Bipin C. Babu Vice president, District panchayath, Alappuzha inaugurated the function. He emphasized the need for better agricultural production systems and alternative ways to improve and ensure agricultural sustainability amidst covid pandemic and verge of climate emergency. He also points out the various activities done as part of FFP and appreciated the spread of technologies and benefits accrued to farm families. Dr. Kalavathi, Acting Head, ICAR-CPCRI RS, Kayamkulam delivered the keynote address and she acknowledged the various activities of FFP during the past two year amidst the covid pandemic and mentioned that the pandemic made us to think about some serious challenges in farming and opportunities to accelerate changes in farming community and agricultural sector.

On the occasion selected farmers from the share holders of OFPC, viz; Mr. Radhakrishnan (Model Coconut Entrepreneur), Mr. Rajeesh Ramanujan (Coconut based mixed cropping), Mr. Simon George (Fruit based coconut system), Mrs. Indhira B. (Model woman IFS farmer) and Mrs. Beena Sarang (Innovative urban IFS model) were honored on their immense efforts and success on various contributions in the fields of farming. The farmers were felicitated with mementos by the members of panchayath. Smt. Mani Viswanath, Muthukulam block panchayath member, felicitated the function and congratulated the farmers on their achievements. She also mentioned the activities and efforts of FFP in making Pathiyoor panchayath as a fallow free land, with active women farmers SHGs.

Shri. Premkumar T. K., DDM, NABARD inaugurated the exhibition cum sale of value added products of FFP farmers like rotary pressed coconut oil, virgin coconut oil , turmeric powder, coconut food products, dried cowdung, vermi compost. Kera Probio-bio input for coconut seedlings & Kalpavardhini- micro nutrient mixture for adult palms, developed by ICAR-CPCRI were also exhibited. Dr. P. Anithakumari PS & PI (FFP), ICAR-CPCRI, RS, Kayamkulam proposed the vote of thanks and the programme was conducted on both online and offline mode under strict covid protocol. The programme came to an end by 1.PM with national anthem.