Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) – an organization under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) was assisting Pathiyoor Grama Panchayath in Alappuzha District, Kerala to implement a novel project called ‘Farmers First’ to promote coconut based multi-crop farming to empower the farmers and agriculture in the village. Based on this model project, All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram, in association with CPCRI, was broadcasting a weekly series titled, “Prosperity through Coconut, Securing life through Coconut” in Farm and Home programme.
The Conclusion of this series along with celebration of World Environment Day was celebrated at CPCRI Auditorium, Kayamkulam on June 5th. The event as conducted with a Farmers’ Meet, Agricultural Quiz and distribution of tree saplings. The broadcast series was also evaluated and prizes were distributed for best listeners. Shri. R Vimalasenan Nair, Station Director, AIR-Thiruvananthapuram inaugurated the function which was presided over by Dr. P Chowdappa, Director of CPCRI. The introductory lecture was delivered by Shri. R Hali, former Director of Agriculture, Government of Kerala. Environment Day Message was delivered by Shri. P M Unnikrishnan Unnithan, Assistant Director (Programme), AIR Thiruvananthapuram. The function was co-ordinated by Dr. P Anitha Kumari, Principal Scientist, CPCRI and Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara, Programme Executive (Farm & Home), AIR Thiruvananthapuram.
All India Radio - Thiruvananthapuram air.sandeep@hotmail.com