Thandalam, a small non-descript village about three km from Arakkonam, may soon become an important place for sourcing good quality organic inputs and cooking condiments such as ready-to-use masala powder.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, has come forward to lend a helping hand to several SHGs in the village, who are making the inputs and have been meticulously trained by an NGO called Thandalam Yogakshema Trust.
A function was held recently in the village by the Trust, which invited TNAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. Ramasamy to strengthen, guide and help several women and farmers in the village to improve their production.
The trust placed a request for regular guidance on all organic practices that farmers in Thandalam have presently undertaken.
“Though we have a capacity for producing more than 10 tonnes of vermicompost and 15 tonnes of several masala powder varieties, which have been certified as best by many leading buyers in Chennai, we have not been able to maintain consistency in production because of several factors such as lack of storage facilities and absence of proper information. We decided to seek the help of the university to help and guide us and the Vice-Chancellor has promised to take steps to address our requirement,” says Radha Parthasarathy, Managing Trustee.
Addressing over 200 farmers, who assembled in a government school, Dr. Ramasamy requested them to make use of the university extension staff facilities in their region.
“The university is ready to work with any farmer to improve his lifestyle. There are several subsidy schemes introduced by the government’’, he said, asking them to make use of them. “You have the right to seek and make use of our university’s expertise,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor promised that the university’s team of specialists would follow up on their requests and once in a fortnight, the field staff would visit the village.
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