Field day and farmer-scientist interface at Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu

    The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa in association with the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Tamil Nadu organized a field day and farmer-scientist interface at Vedalai village, Mandapam, Ramanathapuram coastal district of Tamil Nadu on 8^th February 2025. A total of 50 farmers belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, including 35 women participated in the programme. The major occupation of the farmers include goat farming, poultry, and fishing. Shri. Jayasingh, Technical officer, Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI welcomed the scientists and farmers and provided an overview of the village and farmer’s profile. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI highlighted the technologies and package of practices developed by ICAR-CCARI for augmenting agriculture, livestock and fisheries in the coastal region. Dr. Anikuttan KK, Senior Scientist (Aquaculture), ICAR-CMFRI, Mandapam Regional Centre explained the farmers about the technologies available with ICAR-CMFRI for the promotion of mariculture such as cage culture, marine ornamental fish culture and seaweed farming. The farmers expressed their kind gratitude to the scientific team and assured their whole hearted co-operation in the research and development activities. They requested scientific and technical guidance and inputs for goat rearing, Japanese quail farming, poultry & dairy farming, kitchen gardening, and ornamental fish culture. The programme was followed by a field visit to the households of the farmers to witness their current homestead farming practices.