The ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kasaragod, ICAR-CPCRI and Kerala State Council for Science Technology & Environment (KSCSTE) jointly organized ‘Rural Innovators Meet (RIM)-2022’ at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod from 25th to 27th November 2022. During the event 34 innovations by rural innovators across Kerala were demonstrated. The event was inaugurated by Dr. B. Ashok, Secretary, Kerala State Agriculture Department and was presided over by Dr. K. P. Sudheer, Executive Vice President, KSCSTE and Secretary, Science Technology & Environment Department, Government of Kerala. The exhibition of innovations and agri. expo ‘Krishi Darpan -2022’ was inaugurated Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru. Dr. K. Muralidharan, Head, Social Sciences division, ICAR-CPCRI delivered the special address. Sri Shaji Vargese and Joseph Peechanattu bagged ‘The NABARD Rural Innovation Award’ comprising of Rs. 25,000/- and a certificate for two best inovations. Sri Shaji Vargese got the award for his invention of organic seed tray and the machinery for making it. Sri Joseph Peechanattu invented an easy paper bag machine which can hold 10 kg of materials for easy transport as is an alternative for polyethylene bags.

Four special awards worth Rs. 5,000/- each and certificates were given to four innovations. An invention of three in one table top unit for making noodles, coconut oil and coconut scrapper for home scale use made by Sri. P. P. Shyju and Ramya Shyju won the special award. Sri Joshi Joseph won the special award for his invention of Renov crushing machine for powdering fodder, dried dungs and goat manure. Sri K. Joy Augustine won the award for ‘Kera peeler’, a device for easy de-husking of coconuts. Sri K.B. Anoop, Manju Suresh, Srijith S. Nair and S. Gokul Krishnan won the special award for their invention of Asegurar vida for screening eggs for viability which can be used in hatcheries. The awards were given away by Dr. Gopakumaran Nair, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Kerala Region during the valedictory function. Dr. Anitha Karun, Acting Director, ICAR-CPCRI chaired the function and Dr. K Muralidharan, Head Social Sciences division delivered a special address. A patent clinic was also organized as part of the event for providing assistance to the rural innovators to file patent applications.