Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences Promotes PanchaKrishi for Tribal livelihood boost

The Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences at Arasampalayam in Coimbatore organised a DST-SEED-PVTG sponsored Farmers Adoption Seminar on PanchaKrishi, a multidimensional polyculture model aimed at ensuring food and nutritional security, climate resilience and livelihood improvement for tribal farmers, at the Sadivayal Community Hall.
Welcoming the gathering, Sudheesh Manalil, Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, emphasised the significance of PanchaKrishi in advancing sustainable agriculture and enhancing the livelihoods of tribal communities.
The seminar featured expert sessions by Gopakumar S, Dean (Forestry), Kerala Agricultural University, Govindaraj P, Director, ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, and Suchet R Balkal, IFS, Assistant Conservator of Forest. They elaborated on agroforestry practices, institutional support mechanisms and subsistence farming approaches for tribal development.
Iniyakumar M presented a progress report of the DST project, outlining its impact on improving food security and livelihoods among tribal farmers. Lead farmers were honoured during the programme.
Around 100 farmers participated in the seminar and engaged in interactive sessions with scientists. The event concluded that PanchaKrishi offers a climate-resilient and nutritionally sustainable farming model, providing a viable pathway for tribal development.
Photo: Suchet R Balkal addressing farmers at the seminar held at Sadivayal.