Instructional Farm - Unit 1 (Padannakkad)
This farm was started in 1918 as a research centre for studying the growth aspects of coconut growing in sandy loam soil. The first T x D hybrid coconut in the world (Tall x Dwarf) developed in 1924 was planted in this station. The total area of the farm is 27.03 Ha divided into 10 blocks. With RKVY funding from 2008-09 to 2015-16, a programme on large scale hybrid production in coconut was initiated in farmers field and the nursery for sowing these hybrid nuts is located in Nileshwar farm. Yearly around 20,000 hybrid seedlings (Kera sree, Keraganga and WCT x COD) are distributed to the farmers from this station. A nursery unit and sale centre is also functioning in the farm by engaging a self-help group of women. Seeds and seedlings of various intercrops suited in coconut farms are distributed through this unit. There is also a diary unit functioning in the farm and several palms are utilised for Neera tapping.
Besides encouraging students to involve in practical works in the laboratories, the students are also urged to actively incorporate their theoretical knowledge in the cultivation of crops in the plots allocated to them at the Instructional Farm, wetlands of RARS Pilicode and plots within the college campus. It facilitates teaching, research and extension programmes.
It is at the IF that students are given lessons in grafting techniques, apiculture, seed production, mushroom culture and this instills confidence in the students. The major crops are coconut, mango, banana, vegetables and cashew. The college has a mango orchard of 4 hectares and a progeny orchard of 1 hectare, collection of fruit plants, spices and condiments and medicinal plants. The agro-forestry system consists of above 4000 trees and plants planted along the boundary and in uncropped areas.
No. of Permanent Labourers : 36
ANILKUMAR. T
ANITHA. O
BABURAJ V
BEENA T.
DEVI. P
JAYALAKSHMI V
JISHA. K.
MADHU T.
MANJUSHA. V.M.
MINI. B
NARAYANAN. M.
NARENDRAN. T.V.
PAVITHRAN P.
PRAKASHAN M
PRASANNA. K.V.
RADHA. P
RAJANA. K
RAJEEVAN. K
RAJEEVAN. T.
RAMANI. C.
RANJITH. T.V
REMA. V.K.
SAJITHA P
SARATH KUMAR M
SEEMA. K.
SEEMA. M.
SHALINI. T
SHEEJA. M
SREEJA. V.V.
SUNEETHI. P.P.
THAMBAN. V.V.
USHA. K
USHA.P
VIJAYAKUMAR. K
VIJU K
VINOD. T.
Activities at Instructional Farm are as follows:
1. Planting material production.
2. Compost production.
3. Vermicompost production.
4. Biofertilizer production.
5. Production of bio-control agents.
6. Production of Pheromone traps.
7. SHG for tissue culture plantlet production.
8. Hybrid seed production in coconut.
9. Work experience program for UG students.
10. Experiential learning program for UG students.
11. Field trials for PG students.
12. Research projects of scientists.
13. Production of different farm produces.
14. Supply of pollen for hybridization work of Department of Agriculture.
15. Supply of mango scions for various farms of KAU.
16. Sale of farm produces and planting materials.
17. Imparting training to farmers and VHSE students.
18. Visits for school children and farmers.
19. Training for school children on various agricultural practices during summer vacation.
20. Farmer participatory seed production
