A programme for health care of women in agriculture has been launched by the Centre for Gender Studies in Agriculture and Farm Entrepreneurship Development (CGSAFED) of Kerala Agricultural University and the Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI).
KAU Vice-Chancellor P. Rajendran inaugurated the programme, named Ayushmathi, at a function held at the College of Horticulture here on Wednesday.
The Vice-Chancellor said the programme was the first of its kind in the State.
P.S. Geethakutty, Head, CGSAFED, and D. Sheela, Chairperson of the Kerala chapter of AMAI, described the initiative as a programme for women, by women and of women.
“Problems of malnutrition and irregular food habits will be addressed. Each worker will be administered individual protocols on the basis of extensive tests. We have conducted classes on issues such as fertility and menstrual problems,” said Sheela Karalam, who was in charge of the medical examination.
Those who attended the function included Pathummal Beevi, Associate Director of Research; C. T. Abraham, Associate Dean, College of Horticulture; Mary Regina, member, KAU General Council; K.M. Abdul Rehman, District President, AMAI, and V. Indira, Head of the Department of Home Science.
Innovative implements
A six-in-one tool for coconut dehusking and grating, extracting juice from citrus fruits and cutting large vegetables was among the devices developed by farmers that were demonstrated at a workshop for identification and mapping of farmer innovations organised by Thrissur Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) on Tuesday.
A tool to punch a hole in a tender coconut, a handy implement to collect nutmeg from orchards, and a simple micro irrigation mechanism were displayed.
Some interesting crop varieties were also presented by farmers. Among them were pepper varieties that could be harvested throughout the year.
A kind of mango that gives big fruits throughout the year and common melon with multiple specialties were exhibited.
“We will refer these varieties to experts in plant breeding. We are also planning a survey to collect details about innovations that might have failed to reach the workshop. The feedback is encouraging,” said Ranjan S. Karippai, Head of KVK.
Inaugurating the workshop, Kerala Agricultural University’s Director of Extension P.V. Balachandran said the recommendations of the workshop would be evaluated at a State-level forum. About 100 farmers attended the workshop.
