Alappuzha – ‘The Venice of the East’ – is blessed with the scenic beauty of its back waters, sea shores, religious, historical and cultural land marks like Krishnapuram palace, Edathua St. George Church, Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha and snake boat race which emphasizes the natural, social and cultural harmony. It is a typical coastal district of Kerala with 82 km long coastal belt. Major part of ‘Kuttanad’ which is popularly known as ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’ and situated below mean sea level, is in this district. Alappuzha is distinct with the presence of agricultural problem areas such as the Kuttanad (Kari, Karappadam, Kayal lands), Onattukara (sandy areas) and a part of pokkali lands with a span of crops ranging from paddy to rubber and a variety of enterprises like coir, marine, brackish water and fresh water fisheries, and processing. This background itself offers wide scope for development through technology transfer for the sustained production.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Alappuzha hosted by Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (Regional Station), Kayamkulam has achieved the status of one of the leading Frontline Extension providers in the district during the last decade. Started functioning from June 2000 under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) of ICAR, it was remandated to the regular KVK status from April 2004. Located along the NH-47 at Krishnapuram, it can be easily accessed by the farmers from different parts of the district.
Functioning on an average annual budget of around one crore, it has a multidisciplinary staff pattern with a Programme Coordinator of Senior Scientist cadre and six Subject Matter Specialists in the disciplines of Agronomy, Entomology, Home Science, Plant Pathology, Animal Science, and Soil Science. Three Programme Assistants (Agrl. Extension, Horticulture and Computer Applications), two administrative staff, one driver and two skilled supporting staff also help in fulfilling the set mandates and work in convergence with the other line departments in the district for the benefit of the farmers.
Since then it has been successfully conducting technology assessment, refinement and demonstration programmes in addition to trainings to farmers, farm women, rural youth, and extension officials. Besides, it acts as a source of seeds, planting materials and inputs for agri- based activities, and technology support center including soil testing facilities to the farmers.
Location:
It is located at Krishnapuram on the side of NH47, between Kayamkulam and Oachira.
