Demand-oriented
training : Keeping in view the National Policy for training, Central Training
Institute is oriented itself to provide more demand-oriented training as against
supply-oriented training. Thus, it had expanded the scope of its training
programmes by catering to the training needs of the State Departments of Agriculture.
Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries and Rural Development, Development
Departments of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. Input Agencies such as
Nationalised Banks, Fertilizer and other Agricultural Chemical Agencies, Commodity
Boards. Later, as a part of discharging its social responsibilities, the University
decided to extend its technological support to the less privileged sections
of the Society and started vocational training programmes for the unemployed
youth, rural housewives etc. on a no-profit-no-loss basis. Still recently,
with the introduction of Democratic Decentralisation and people's planning
in the State the need for training has increased manifold and the Central
Training Institute has been catering to this requirement as well. Stipendiary
training programmes varying durations on job-oriented topics for candidates
with basic qualifications are also being offered by the University. Systems
Approach
to Training : Central Training Institute has from its experience developed
the capability of being dynamic in its programming, it follows a system approach
to training that is based on training needs assessment. Evaluation of needs
is undertaken even during the course of a training activity and possible modifications
brought into the programme. Terminal evaluation of the participants is always
done and this feed back helps to improve future training activity. Target
Group : Central Training Institute caters primarily to senior and middle level
functionaries involved in executing extension programmes. However, Central
Training Institute also undertakes training programmes for progressive farmers,
farm youth and farm women on innovative subjects. Central Training Institute
has been conducting specialised training for pre-release defence personnel
also. Central Training Institute also conducts National Level Seminar-cum-Workshops.
Training
Emphasis : Wherever be the training typology, stress is given for planned
and systematic improvement in knowledge, skills and attitudes. Knowledge would
include subject matter knowledge of clients' problems and their solutions
and knowledge f extension methods. Skills selected for improvement could vary
between Communication Skills, Technological Skills, Demonstration Skills,
Organisational Skills, Training Skills and Diagnostic skills. Attention is
also given for attitudinal development. The participant's predisposition towards
his job, his superiors and his clients are worked upon for positive reinforcement.
Faculty & Methodology : Experts from within Kerala Agricultural University
form the primary resource base. However, resource persons are also pooled
from Central Government Institutions and other esteemed agencies. Optimum
theoretical and field mix is followed in Training Programmes to relate them
to the needs and problems of the participants. Maximum stress is laid on field
visits, case studies, group discussions and audio-visual teaching so as to
make the programmes participatory, interactive and experiential. Modus operandi
: Every year, proposals for training based on the felt needs of various extension
services are invited. These proposals are discussed and approved by the Joint
Training Committee (JTC) which meets once in an year under the Chairmanship
of Vice-Chancellor and a Training Calender for the year is prepared. A Course
Director is nominated for each training programme and he/she will be responsible
for its successful conduct. Training fee is charged from the Department/Agency
sponsoring the candidates.
Special
Programmes 
-
Horticulture : Special programmes in horticulture such as vegetable production
technology, cultivation practices of fruits, production technology of medicinal
plants and cultivation practices of spices are undertaken through the Krishi
Vigyan Kendras at Ambalavayal, Sadanandapuram, Pattambi and Manjeswaram.
-
Animal
Production Programmes on broiler farming, backyard poultry, goat farming
and clean milk production are implemented through the thre2e KVKs at Ambalavayal,
Pattambi and Sadanandapuram.
-
Home
Science : The important areas of technology transfer programmes in Home
Science implemented through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras are skill development
in handi-crafts making, low cost technique of energy conservation, Boquet
making and flower arrangement, preservation of locally available fruits
and vegetables, low cost balanced diet and weaning of food for children
and integrated nutrition education.
-
Special
component plan programme : Rural youth belonging to SC/ST are offered training
under the special component plan programme in nursery technique and vegetable
production at the KVK, Sadanandapuram and Agricultural Research Station,
Mannuthy. Agro-Forestry Models for Extension and Training at Mankada, Malappuram
District. Agro-Forestry Models for Extension and Training, Manjeswar, Kasaragod
District Agroforestry models for extension and training is at KVK, Manjeswar
is yet another project for the development of 'conservation farms' implemented
by the University with the assistance of the Department of Wasteland Development,
Government of India. This Project with its area of operation at Manjeswar
Block in Kasaragod District taken up various extension and training programmes
for the promotion of agro-forestry models in the farming fields and transfer
of wasteland development technologies to the farmers. Production-oriented
short terms courses in forestry, agro-forestry and allied fields and inservice
training programmes in agro-forestry for the extension personnel officers
of the development departments of Government and quasi-government bodies
of Kerala are also organised under the Project. A three year project for
developing agro-forestry models and wasteland development techniques for
the high rainfall laterite soils of Mankada Block in Malappuram District
is functioning at the Cashew Research Station, Anakkayam. The Project is
fully financed by the Department of Wasteland Development, Government of
India. The major programmes at present being undertaken by the Project are
the development of agro-forestry models with cashew as main crop, raising
of demonstration plots in farmers fields, intercropping pineapple in cashew
plantations, development of wastelands associated with public lands and
raising nurseries for the production of high yield cashew clones, stumps
of teak and three seedlings. Wasteland Development Committees, formed by
the beneficiary farmers of the programme are supervising the implementation
of the project. Training programmes for farmers and extension officers in
soil and water conservation, cultivation practices in sloppy areas, energy
plantations and agro-forestry for hill areas are also conducted.
Training
of extension personnel is an important statutory function of the Kerala Agricultural
University (KAU). Although the University was conducting training programmes
ever since its inception in 1972, the training activities were brought under
one umbrella with the establishment of the Central Training Institute (CTI)
in 1986. Started with financial assistance of the World Bank as a sub-project
of the National Agricultural Extension Project, Central Training Institute has
now become the nodal point of KAU's training activity. Availability of highly
competent and trained manpower in any field of expertise related to Agriculture
and allied fields enables the University to offer training programmes of quality
and excellence to its clientele. Central Training Institute has two sub-units
- the Training Service Scheme, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the Training
Unit, Pilicode, Kasargode District.