500 ‘Kathiru’ farming clubs to be opened in Keralam schools in Phase I

The ‘Kathiru’ clubs, aimed at bringing the younger generation closer to farming, will be launched in 500 schools in Keralam in the first phase. The Agriculture department has invited entries from schoolchildren for designing the logo of the clubs. The department is also planning to open the clubs in all schools by the next academic year. ‘Kathiru’ is short for ‘Kerala Agriculture Technology Heritage and Innovation for Rural Understanding.’

The activities of the clubs will be designed to make farming practices a part of students’ life experience, and make them aware of the close links among soil, farming, food, nature and the farmer. The modalities were discussed at a meeting convened by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and General Education Minister N. Shamsudeen on Friday.

A statement issued by the Agriculture department said that the General Education department has picked the first 500 schools where the clubs will be opened. The government will provide ₹10,000 each for the initial activities of the clubs. Since the clubs are being constituted jointly by two departments, a State-level task force will be created to coordinate the activities. The government has also announced training sessions for selected teachers on October 8 and 9 at the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Congress-led UDF government had announced plans to form the ‘Kathiru’ clubs in June for spreading awareness about agriculture and scientific farming practices among the younger generation. Initiatives such as horticulture therapy, mini online marketing platforms for vegetables grown by children, and mushroom farming programmes for children will be part of the ‘Kathiru’ farming clubs. All ‘Kathiru’’ clubs will be registered in the Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS) portal.