Agriculture Minister S. Damodaran launched a farm school on All India Radio, which will start broadcasting a course from November 1. The farm school on “Nutritious Millets” will be broadcast every Thursday from 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for 13 weeks. The course is being offered by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
It is to provide awareness to farmers on cultivating millets. The course has been designed by TNAU and in addition to the programme on radio, course material will also be offered to the candidates who register for the course.
At the inauguration at TNAU on Thursday, Mr. Damodaran said the role of media was a critical one in reaching farm technologies to farmers.
“More than 90 per cent farmers in Tamil Nadu have only small and marginal holdings. But it is essential for these farmers also to learn about cultivating alternative crops other than rice and sugarcane. The course on millets will benefit farmers in developing confidence and also cultivating millets using limited water,” the Minister said.
The Government was looking at setting up 28 community radio stations at a cost of Rs. 14 crore.
Also, the Chief Minister has sanctioned filling up of 504 agricultural officer posts, and 417 assistant agricultural officer posts, he added.
K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said farming would turn remunerative only if farmers worked in a united manner. Now they were not an organised lot and that is why the profits were less.
“Farmers should focus more on increasing the production of millets as there is going to be a high demand for millet-based food production in the future. India is slated to become the Diabetes Capital in some decades and hence millet-based food products will take the place of rice-based products. Also, it is essential for farmers to diversify into millets for farm security,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Officials from TNAU and All India Radio spoke about the advantages of the farm school. It was mentioned that earlier farm schools of the university on radio had been successful.
After a break, the school on millets would begin from November.
Those interested could contact TNAU for registration and course material. After 13 radio classes and a contact class at TNAU, candidates would be issued course completion certificates.
