The farming of Mud crab (Scylla serrata)is a very good income generating programme for the brackish water area. This species are fast growing than the other species in the genus. In this context KVK has conducted three hands on training programmes on Mud Crab farming with the collaboration of National Fisheries Development board (NFDB), Brackish water Fish Farmers Development, Ernakulam and Agency for Development of Aquaculture Kerala, for the 70 progressive fish farmers from all over the state during the period 2008 to 2012. Hatchery produced seeds of Mud crab (Scylla tranquebarica) were supplied from KVK sourced from Central Institute for Brackish Water Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai. KVK team standardized and administrated the feeding schedule and new feed mixture (trash fish and chicken offal in 1:2 ratio). In addition, the technology of growing crabs in confined environment during moulting stage to protect them from predators was also recommended. Eight farmers initiated Mud crab farming in a total area of 10 acres of brackish water (Mr. Sajeevan, Nayarambalam, Cherai 9388634719), Mrs. Suraja, Chendamangalam, Paravoor(9387724976), Mr. Retheesh, Piravam, Ernakulam (890733112) and Mr.Nizar A.M., Azhivelikkakathu house, Edavanakkadu -682502 (9895670672). Annual average income from the Mud crab culture is INR70,000 per hectare area.
Hands-on training on scientific rabbit breeding was imparted to 343 farmers in KVK rabbit breeding unit. Among the trainees, 21 numbers were selected on the basis of their interest and follow up trainings and consultancies were given. Subsequently 10 number of farmers have developed skill in scientific rabbit breeding covering selection of breeders, feed management, disease management, house keeping, prevention of inbreeding to produce quality purebred kits, maintenance of breeding registers, stock registers, cost economics register, identification of successful breeding, care during breeding,care and management of pregnant animals and kits,identification of rabbit kits for distributing as purebred breeding stock etc.
Among those who developed skill, Mr. Shicin C.J., Chettiveetil (H), Pallurthy, Perumpadappu (Mr. James P.A, Kallupallam Ph.No.9539072493, Mr.Harris, Vazhakkala, Thrikkakkara Ph.No.9447733716, , Mrs Sarasamma, Kakkanad Ph.No. 0484-2422999, Ms Sajitha, Mattanchery Ph.No.9846808752, Mr. Suraj A.R., Athani, Kakkanad Ph.No.9497022043, Mrs Jamuna, Puthuvypu, Vypeen PhNo. 9947420856 and Mr.Joby,Oonjapara Ph.No. 9846426556) has been selected for starting KVKs satellite rabbit breeding unit in public-private partnership mode. 7 no. of small scale rabbit breeding units have been set up in the district by these trainees (pl. give address and contact numbers of all). One of the trainee Mr.B.Ravi, Kerera, Edappally Ph.No 9947223137 is initiating a rabbit breeding unit of 50 breeding stock capacity in his native place at Shoranur.
As part of KVK’s campaign towards safe vegetable production in homesteads to tackle the health hazards of pesticide residues in the commercially available vegetables, skill development in homestead vegetable farming could be achieved in 33 number of households in the district during past 5 years. All the participants got skill on production of compost using locally available materials like coir pith, kitchen waste, biogas slurry, cow dung etc., potting mixture preparation, filling media in planting bags, botanical insecticide making (Tobacco decoction, Neem sedd kernel extract, Kiriyath emulsion etc.,), home-made fungicides (bordo mixture), growth promoters (Panchagavya and fish amino acid), organic fertilizer application (Neem cake-GNC Mixture). Famers were also imparted knowledge on preparation of ‘trellis’ in rooftops for growing trailing vegetables. Some of them are imparting trainings to fellow farmers also. They are Mrs. Bindhu Philip (9847533006), Mary Jacob (9249394356) and Mr. Raja Gopal (9496562696)
