ICAR-NRIIPM Conducts Awareness Programme on IPM and Input Distribution in Karur

2 December 2025, Tamil Nadu

ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi, in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Karur, organized an awareness programme on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and distributed agricultural inputs at Kulithalai, Karur district, today. The event was held under the SCSP scheme “Uplifting of Scheduled Caste Farmers” and witnessed participation from farmers and farm women of Parali and Valanthur villages.

Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Hyderabad, delivered the Chief Guest address, urging farmers to transition from producers to entrepreneurs to enhance income. He highlighted opportunities in paddy seed production, value addition in banana and coconut, rejuvenation of mango orchards with elite rootstocks, desi bird rearing, improved packaging and branding, adoption of scientific animal husbandry practices with NABARD support, and entrepreneurship avenues for SHG women.

Dr. R. Thangavelu, Director, ICAR-NRIIPM, emphasized the importance of scientific guidance from KVKs, ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities. He cautioned against unsafe pesticide mixtures and stressed adopting Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) to reduce cultivation costs. He also shared yield-enhancing technologies for paddy and banana and encouraged the use of farm machinery and sewing machines for livelihood improvement.

Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana Tiruchirappalli, assured training support in value addition, while Shri S. Singaram, Joint Director of Agriculture, highlighted the need for Farmer Identification Numbers and PM-Kisan registration.

Shri G. Ajeethan, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Banana Producer Company, encouraged innovation and the development of small, drudgery-reducing tools for banana cultivation. Officials from TNAU, NABARD, ICAR-NRCB, and the Agriculture and Horticulture departments also addressed the gathering.

As part of the programme, major farm implements were distributed, including two VST Shakthi power tillers for farmer groups, two motorized chaff cutters, 100 battery-operated sprayers, 85 spades, 85 crowbars, and 20 sickles. Additionally, 16 power-operated sewing machines were provided to SHG women for income generation.

The technical session featured a lecture on Integrated Disease Management in banana, along with an exhibition displaying soil samples, soil health cards, fruit saplings for nutri-gardens, bio-inputs, organic farming inputs, value-added products, fodder slips, seeds and livestock feed supplements.

The programme benefitted 310 participants, including 186 farmers and 124 farm women, and received coverage from local press and media.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi)