Athachi Farms Hosts ATMA Capacity Building Programme for Elappully Farmers
Athachi Farms hosted a block-level ATMA Capacity Building Programme for farmers from Krishi Bhavan Elappully, bringing together agricultural experts, local representatives and members of the farming community for a day of practical learning, scientific knowledge-sharing and field-based exposure.
Organised for Chittur Block, the programme was very well attended by farmers from Elappully Krishi Bhavan, along with Agriculture Officer Shri Vinodkumar B. S. This marked the second ATMA training programme to be conducted at Athachi Farms, reflecting the growing confidence in the farm as a centre for farmer education and capacity building.
The session commenced with an introduction by Athachi CEO Kalyanakrishnan N. Hariharan, who familiarised participants with Athachi Farms and its integrated, regenerative approach to agriculture. Managing Director, Dr. Vishwanath N. Subramanian, presented an overview of the farm’s diverse activities, including crop cultivation, cattle rearing and other interconnected farming practices that together create a balanced, resilient and self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem.
The technical training was led by Dr. P. S. John, retired Professor of Agronomy at Kerala Agricultural University, whose areas of expertise include crop production, soil and water management, and regional agricultural research.
Dr. John conducted a comprehensive session on paddy cultivation, covering the complete production cycle — from land preparation and ploughing to crop establishment, field management, and harvesting. The session also explored natural pest management, integrated crop-management practices, efficient soil and water utilisation, nutrient management, disease prevention and practical strategies for improving productivity and achieving higher yields.
Participants also toured Athachi Farms, where they observed the practical application of many of the techniques discussed during the training, enabling them to connect scientific principles with real-world farming practices.
The programme provided farmers with a valuable platform to discuss field-level challenges, exchange experiences and gain practical insights into adapting scientific agricultural practices to local farming conditions.
Farmer training is a key component of the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) framework, which aims to strengthen agricultural extension services while encouraging the adoption of improved technologies, sustainable practices and innovation at the grassroots level.
By hosting the initiative for a second time, Athachi Farms reaffirmed its commitment to advancing farmer education, promoting collaborative learning and contributing meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the agricultural community.
