From October 8th to 11th, 2024, a comprehensive four-day training program for Plant Doctors and Master Trainers is being held at the Communication Centre, Directorate of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Mannuthy. Organized by CAB International (CABI) South Asia in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and KAU, the training is designed to strengthen the skills of agricultural extension workers and plant doctors in diagnosing and managing crop pests and diseases.
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Jacob John, Director of Extension at KAU, who emphasized the importance of this initiative in improving the state’s agricultural resilience. Dr. Manju Thakur, Crop Health Advisor at CABI, South Asia, outlined the objectives of the training, highlighting the role of trained plant doctors in addressing critical agricultural challenges. Dr. Rajkumar, Senior Fellow at MSSRF’s Ecotechnology program, shared MSSRF’s experience in establishing community-based Plant Clinics since 2012, noting that the initiative has expanded across six states.
Dr. Helen, Head and Professor at KAU’s Directorate of Extension, delivered the felicitation address, while Dr. Shakeela V, Director of MSSRF’s Community Agrobiodiversity Center in Kerala, welcomed the participants and underlined the relevance of this training for empowering Kerala’s farming community.
The training brings together KVK professionals, pest scouts, MSSRF staff, and extension workers from Jammu and Assam, to enhance their plant health management capabilities. Expert trainers, including Dr. Manju Thakur (CABI), Dr. Debraj Adhikari (PQPMC, Nepal), Mr. Arun Khajuria (Department of Agriculture, Jammu), and Dr. Rajkumar Ramaswamy (MSSRF), are leading sessions on field diagnosis, plant clinic operations, and providing actionable advice to farmers.
Plant clinics, a key component of CABI’s PlantwisePlus program, offer smallholder farmers guidance on managing pests and diseases that threaten crop yields
Plant clinics are a critical component of CABI’s PlantwisePlus program, offering smallholder farmers guidance on managing pests and diseases that threaten crop yields. At these clinics, farmers can bring samples of affected crops to trained plant doctors for diagnosis and receive sustainable treatment recommendations.
By equipping extension workers with advanced diagnostic tools and knowledge, the training contributes to building local capacity, improving food security, and reducing crop losses. A key focus is on promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which advocates for eco-friendly pest control methods. Participants will also learn to adopt CABI’s digital tools, enabling them to provide timely, data-driven advice to farmers, and monitor pest outbreaks more effectively.
This training program fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among agricultural professionals from different regions, empowering them to address region-specific and cross-regional challenges in crop health management. MSSRF, through its Community Agrobiodiversity Center, continues to work closely with smallholder farmers in Kerala, promoting sustainable agriculture and improving livelihoods. This training aligns with MSSRF’s ongoing efforts to enhance farmer productivity and income through targeted skill development.