Overview
The division is looking after training and extension activities of the institute apart from doing research on popularity of IIHR technologies, conducting demonstrations, communication of technologies through innovative extension methodologies etc. The division had a Trainers Training Center of the Indian Council and Agricultural Research (1976-1997) and an Advanced Training Center of the Directorate of Extension Government of India (1997-2003).
With the formation of the Horticultural Mission there is lot of demand from the state department of various states as well as farmers and private entrepreneurs for acquiring training on various aspects of horticulture. Hence, tailor made training programmes are now being conducted on the various aspects of horticulture for the varied clientele on payment basis.
It is the endeavour of the division to keep in tune with the technological requirements in horticulture and the latest developments in the field of information technology and accordingly various training programmes are being regularly conducted in the division.
Past Heads
Mandate
- To disseminate improved horticultural technologies through use of different extension methodologies.
- To provide training to the farmers and horticultural officials in improved horticultural technologies.
- To undertake research on socio-economic issues of horticultural farmers.
- To conduct studies on gender mainstreaming in horticulture.
Salient Achievements
- Research was conducted to identify technological gaps through PRA for the varieties and technologies developed by the Institute. Based on the feedback new projects have been initiated to bridge the gap.
- The division has undertaken impact analysis of various horticultural technologies like foliar nutrition in banana, production technology of mushroom, IPM in vegetable crops, varieties and hybrids of various fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops, Fruit fly management in mango etc.
- Documentation of innovative horticultural technologies under real farm situations is being undertaken.
- In order to improve the efficacy and impact of training and to cater to the needs of the clientele continuous improvement are being done in training content and methodology though evaluation of training programmes.
- Transfer of technology is being promoted through on farm participatory demonstrations for ensuring faster adoption of technologies.
- The division is constantly in the lookout for application of Innovative Extension, Information and communication methodologies for transfer of Technology in Horticulture.
- Study on gender mainstreaming in horticulture is a thrust area of the division.
Highlights of Economics and Statistics Research
Training of Trainers
The TTC at Hessaraghatta was established by the ICAR for imparting generalised field based skill oriented training programmes on various aspects of horticulture to different levels of extension/development functionaries in horticulture of the State Departments of Agriculture/Horticulture.
Technology Assessment and Refinement through Institute Village Linkage Programme (TAR- IVLP)
Technology Assessment and Refinement through Institute Village Linkage Programme (TAR- IVLP) was used as an effective programme for TOT programme of the institute. Many modules were implemented under rainfed ecosystem for a period of seven years (1997-2004) for achieving the quality production, enhancing the production and productivity and for saving of resources.
Some of the important areas and crops in which technological interventions made by multi disciplinary team of scientists include staple food crops (Ragi, Jowar, maize) pulses (redgram, cowpea, field beans etc.) fruits (Banana, Mango, Papaya) Vegetables (Tomato, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brinjal) and Flower crops (China aster, Tuberose, Gladiolus), forestry, dairying, sheep and goats raring, Poultry, and other animal husbandry activities implemented in selected villages of Doddaballapura Taluk in Bangalore rural district.
Innovative Approaches in Technology Dissemination
1. Farmer Field School
Farmers field schools (FFS) have emerged as effective transfer of technology tools for promoting IPM packages... The concept enforces the “seeing is believing”.
2. Development of Techno agents for promotion of sustainable horticultural technologies
India is a country with one-third of its population involved with agriculture or related activities... The techno agents are from the village/farming community itself, who are sufficiently trained and facilitated to disseminate the technologies among the neighboring farming community also.
3. Use of video conferencing for training
4. Interaction with innovative farmers
5. Mobile voice messaging of horticultural interventions and technologies
Group and Mass Communication Approaches
Publications
Realising the importance of communicating information on new technology through extension literature, the institute has brought out 113 attractively printed and illustrated extension bulletins and folders...
Field Days
Field days provide the forum for getting rich learning experience by large groups of farmers at a time...
Exhibitions
The institute has been organising exhibitions at the institute as well as participating at the exhibitions held locally at Lalbagh, Bangalore...
T.V. and Radio Talks
The scientists of the Institute have given more than 250 talks...
Interaction and Awareness group Meetings
The institute regularly organizes interaction meetings...
Mobilising mass media support
Three media meets were conducted in Hyderabad and Bangalore...
Development of information system
E- Learning module in HTML for carnation and tomato cultivation have been developed...
Thrust Areas
- Identification of technological Gaps through PRA for bridging the gap through appropriate technological interventions.
- Develop different training modules for efficient first line transfer of technology.
- Transfer of the technology through farmer participatory demonstrations and refinement through feedback analysis.
- Documentation of innovative horticultural practices & their validation.
- Development of innovative extension modules for efficient transfer of technology at various stages of adoption.
- Identification of gender issues in horticulture.
- Identification of technologies for different agro-climatic regions for sustainable development at grass root level.
