The visit is part of the one-week tour to India from October 9-15, under the ‘India-Ethiopia Knowledge Exchange on Pluralistic Agriculture Extension Systems as part of the Lighthouse India Initiative of the World Bank.’
Coimbatore: A high-level delegation from Ethiopia, Africa visited the city's Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) on October 9, 10 and 11. This is part of the one-week visit of the delegation to India from October 9-15, under the ‘India-Ethiopia Knowledge Exchange on Pluralistic Agriculture Extension Systems as part of the Lighthouse India Initiative of the World Bank’ (Funded by World Bank).
The Ethiopian delegation is headed by Dr. Meles Mekonnen Yimer, State Minister of Agriculture, Government of Ethiopia and comprises eight other senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Ethiopia and World Bank, Ethiopia. The purpose of the Ethiopian delegation tour to India is to study the pluralistic extension system functioning in India and to adopt successful extension practices in Ethiopia.
The delegation was received at Coimbatore by Dr. P P Murugan, Director of Extension Education, TNAU, Coimbatore. On October 10, the delegation visited the Integrated Agricultural Extension Centre (IAEC), Nambiyur, Erode District of the State Department of Agriculture. C Chinnusamy, Joint Director of Agriculture, Erode received the delegation and appraised the activities of IAEC. The Ethiopian officials then interacted with the local farmers and were able to understand the services they received from IAEC and the impact created on the farming community.
The delegation then visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of MYRADA at Gobichettipalayam, Erode District. Dr. P Alagesan, Senior Scientist and Head of the KVK received the delegation and explained the activities of the KVK. The delegation interacted with the local farmers, entrepreneurs and representatives of Kazhani Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) to understand the services offered by the KVK. A group belonging to the Soligar tribe, Thalavadi Hills, Sathyamangalam, Erode District also participated in the programme.
The delegation also had a meeting with Dr. V Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU to explore possible areas of collaboration with the TNAU, in areas related to agricultural education, research, extension and agri-business.
On October 11, the Ethiopian delegation visited different facilities at TNAU such as Kisan Call Centre (KCC), Pilot Water Soluble Fertilizer Unit, Department of Nano Science & Technology, Insect Museum and others.
The delegation also had discussions with TNAU scientists on activities of KVKs, TNAU Agritech Portal, Pest and Disease Advisories, Bio-Control Agents, Weather Advisories, and Remote Sensing applications, and extension services of private firms.
The delegation while appreciating the research and extension efforts of TNAU, indicated that they are interested to associate with TNAU to transfer specific technologies and practices at Ethiopia.
The delegation is also visiting Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and New Delhi during the remaining days of their tour. The entire trip is coordinated by Himmat Patel, Consultant, World Bank, New Delhi. The arrangements for the visit by the Ethiopian Delegation to Coimbatore was made by the Directorate of Extension Education and the Directorate of Planning and Monitoring, TNAU, Coimbatore.
The Ethiopian delegation is headed by Dr. Meles Mekonnen Yimer, State Minister of Agriculture, Government of Ethiopia and comprises eight other senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Ethiopia and World Bank, Ethiopia. The purpose of the Ethiopian delegation tour to India is to study the pluralistic extension system functioning in India and to adopt successful extension practices in Ethiopia.
The delegation was received at Coimbatore by Dr. P P Murugan, Director of Extension Education, TNAU, Coimbatore. On October 10, the delegation visited the Integrated Agricultural Extension Centre (IAEC), Nambiyur, Erode District of the State Department of Agriculture. C Chinnusamy, Joint Director of Agriculture, Erode received the delegation and appraised the activities of IAEC. The Ethiopian officials then interacted with the local farmers and were able to understand the services they received from IAEC and the impact created on the farming community.
The delegation then visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of MYRADA at Gobichettipalayam, Erode District. Dr. P Alagesan, Senior Scientist and Head of the KVK received the delegation and explained the activities of the KVK. The delegation interacted with the local farmers, entrepreneurs and representatives of Kazhani Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) to understand the services offered by the KVK. A group belonging to the Soligar tribe, Thalavadi Hills, Sathyamangalam, Erode District also participated in the programme.
The delegation also had a meeting with Dr. V Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU to explore possible areas of collaboration with the TNAU, in areas related to agricultural education, research, extension and agri-business.
On October 11, the Ethiopian delegation visited different facilities at TNAU such as Kisan Call Centre (KCC), Pilot Water Soluble Fertilizer Unit, Department of Nano Science & Technology, Insect Museum and others.
The delegation also had discussions with TNAU scientists on activities of KVKs, TNAU Agritech Portal, Pest and Disease Advisories, Bio-Control Agents, Weather Advisories, and Remote Sensing applications, and extension services of private firms.
The delegation while appreciating the research and extension efforts of TNAU, indicated that they are interested to associate with TNAU to transfer specific technologies and practices at Ethiopia.
The delegation is also visiting Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and New Delhi during the remaining days of their tour. The entire trip is coordinated by Himmat Patel, Consultant, World Bank, New Delhi. The arrangements for the visit by the Ethiopian Delegation to Coimbatore was made by the Directorate of Extension Education and the Directorate of Planning and Monitoring, TNAU, Coimbatore.