SC/ST women started nursery units subsequent to KVK’s 5 days training to 11 selected Scheduled caste tribe women sponsored by the District scheduled caste development agency during March 2012-2013. Out of the selected 11 candidates, 5 were from the tribal area of malayattoor, 3 from Kunnathunadu and 3 from Edakkattuvayal . They were provided hands on training on all aspects of nursery management including propagation of fruits, vegetables and flowers, disease and pest management in nurseries and nutritional management of different crops in nurseries. Special emphasis was given on different types of budding, grafting , layering  and cutting. Techniques of raising vegetable seedlings in protrays were also covered in the training.

Subsequently, SC/ST development corporation has provided each candidate 5 cent land and INR 50,000/- as seed money to start nursery units. They have started their respective nursery units and presently managing the production and sales of garden plants. They are procuring seeds of flower plants and raising it in paper cups /poly bags and selling through their counters @Rs.5/plant. Apart from that they raise garden plants from cuttings with their own effort. At an average, each nursery unit earns a net profit of INR.3500/- per month. KVK team visits their units for monitoring and giving technical guidance.

Mushroom cultivation was not popular in the Ernakulam District till 2000. Due to lack of facilities/expertise with Government agencies, interested farmers attend trainings arranged by private agencies on payment basis. These agencies charge INR 3000 for a training of 1 day duration. The mushroom spawn used to be distributed for trainees at high prices, whereas it was not available elsewhere. Many farmers attended these trainings and started cultivation. Due to after training consultancy and lack of availability of spawn, these units were not sustainable. It is during this time in 2007 KVK started mushroom training of 3 days duration covering culture and spawn production. In addition, leaflets were prepared and distributed, radio programmes were done and news paper coverage ensured. During the last 5 year period, KVK could create considerable awareness in this area. After training consultancies were also done free of cost and marketing on group basis promoted. This boosted the confidence of the farmers.  Now there are 20 number of successful mushroom farmers in the district with KVK intervention. The investment required for a 100 bed mushroom unit is INR 15000 including cost of a shed. Recurring cost of INR 5000 may be required to change the beds once in 3 months. Average monthly production of 18 kg can be expected which gives a net income of INR 3600 per month. Hence 100 bed mushroom unit gives a profit of INR 43200 per annum. 

Mr. Sree kumar A. S, Ambika vilasam, P. C. John lane, Perumbavoor PIN 683 542 (Mobile  8089237005) is a mushroom farmer doing oyster mushroom cultivation. Basically he is an electronic appliances service provider who has struggled a lot to start mushroom cultivation. He attended training on mushroom cultivation at KVK Narakkal during April, 2012 and started mushroom cultivation using Rubber sawdust as a substrate and produced oyster mushroom at the rate of 10 kg per day. Due to non availability of spawn in time he started spawn production also. He earns INR 6 lakhs per annum from mushroom and spawn production.

KVK trained shrimp farmer Mr.Nizar A.M., Azhivelikkakathu house, Edavanakkadu -682502 (Ph No:9895670672) on Fish polyculture towards livelihood security. Mr.Nizar possess nine acre traditional shrimp pond. He was a successful shrimp farmer till the attack of White Spot Syndrome Viral (WSSV) disease till 2006 bearing a profit of INR 5.0 lakhs per year.  WSSV completely washed out his shrimp culture within two years of time putting him into a loss of INR 75,000/- . At this time, he approached KVK for viable alternate aquaculture model suitable in his pond. After visiting his field, KVK team formulated a package of practice and gave support for converting the traditional shrimp farm into finfish poly culture. Subsequently he initiated poly culture of Mullets, Pearl spots, Mud crabs during 2008 following a package recommended by KVK. KVK assisted him in seed sourcing, feeding, disease management and marketing. The polyculture venture was a real success and now he earns INR 4 lakhs annually from the 9 acre area. His farm was selected as one of the best model farm and all the trainees of KVK are getting a exposure field visit to his farm to learn the successful practices. He delivers success stories to all the visiting farmers and trainees.