The Hindu Business Line : Meenachil offers advisory, training services for rubber farmers

Kottayam, Oct. 26 Meenachil Rubber Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd (MRMPC) is a society that aims to improve the economic status of the rubber growers under its jurisdiction.

Among its various activities for the community is the Meenachil Farm Advisory Service (MFAS), launched recently, implementing various extension and training programmes to help small and marginal rubber farmers who are not still fully aware of the application of advanced technology in their holdings.

Initially, the services are available only in six districts including Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, said Mr K.K. Ramachandran Pillai, Advisor, MFAS.

The MFAS is organising half-day training programmes for executive committee members of cooperative societies and social organisations among others on development and extension works.

For scientific farming

Half day and full day training programmes on scientific rubber cultivation are also conducted for rubber growers. The training imparted for tappers in rubber plantations, on tapping and rubber procession, is also a major activity implemented by MRMPC.

A massive programme to train students at the higher secondary as well as university levels on rubber cultivation is also envisaged. As part of this, awareness programmes have already started at colleges.

Housewives from families who own plantations are also undergoing training — provided free of charge — to help their husbands who are unable to look after the plantations for various reasons. A series of other programmes intended to educate the farmers are also on the anvil, Mr Pillai told Business Line.

Enhancing output

“If growers are more aware of scientific farming techniques, output from rubber plantations would be higher than what they achieve now,” said Mr Joy Nadukkara, former MP and President of the MRMPC who introduced the advisory service.

Mr M.N. Gopalakroishna Panikkar, Managing Director, is monitoring the implementation part of the schemes launched by MRMPC.

More Stories on : Rubber | Co-operatives | Andhra Pradesh

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