Technological Empowerment of Farmer Interest Groups(FIGs) in Palakkad district of Kerala

Farmer Interest Groups on rice, vegetable and rubber were formed in Palakkad district of Kerala. Based on the problems expressed by the groups need based interventions were introduced as a process of Technological Empowerment. These interventions were demonstrated in the selected farmers’ field within the group. In the rice mechanization group motorizedconoweeder were tried. The results of the demonstration showed motorized weeder performed better than conventional method in terms of time taken and economy. In the Rubber group introduction of Apiculture fetched an additional income to the farmer. The introduction of cool season vegetables and precision farming in the two groups formed showed better performance in terms of yield and income of vegetables.