News & Announcements

What did the Directorate of Entrepreneurship do in 2013?

Bidding farewell for 2013 we thought it would be good to take stock and share the activities.

It was an Year of accomplishments, though the works to be undertaken to fulfill the mandate of Directorate is highly demanding for 2014!

The Entrepreneurship Directorate has been involved in the pluralistic tasks of initiating diverse programmes.
We are happy to have achieved the following in 2013 :
1. The Directorate initiated two novel farmer/entrepreneurial projects: one on “Farmer Scientist interactions” and the other on “Commodity Interest Group training” in different districts of Kerala. Both aims at enhancing productivity from Livestock. The first one shares knowledge, skills and technologies and identifies the problems of farmers. The second one builds the capacity and commits to help the entrepreneurs who focus on a commodity from production to marketing. The nature of the projects are also unique in the sense that they are inclusive and participatory with involvement of scientists from University, veterinarians, dairy officers and local administration.

2. The University launched its Malayalam Farm Portal “KASAVU” (www.kasavu.in). This facilitates appropriate and timely knowledge dissemination among the users across the globe. This Malayalam site has articles and other information, and the farmers could interact with scientists.

3. The Directorate of Entrepreneurship designed and released an innovative exhibition kit under the Mobile Exhibition Unit through the plan fund of the Kerala Government. Organizing exhibitions in different locations of the state, panchayats etc., to meet the requirements of the farming community, was usually a laborious process for the faculty of KVASU who used to involve in this endeavour. The recently designed Mobile Exhibition Unit to a great extent lessens the burden of carrying heavy display boards and other paraphernalia, that too, many in number.

4. The Directorate in collaboration with the Finance Division and NSS introduced the Noon meal programme at the Vythiri Taluk Hospital in Wayanad. In the Project the employees of the University contributes a token amount towards a social cause of the needy in-patients of Vythiri taluk hospital who are mostly from economically weaker section of the society.

5. The Directorate facilitated a mass FMD vaccination programme in Kalpetta , Wayanad with active collaboration of University faculty and students, Animal Husbandry Department, Dairy Development Department, Kalpetta Milk Cooperative Society, local self government. 700 animals in 300 households were vaccinated in Kalpetta municipality and Vengappally Gram Panchayat in the forenoon of 20 Decemmber 2013.

6. Workshop for elected representatives from the Kozhikode District Panchayat under Ksheeragramam organised at KVASU, Pookode. Around hundred representatives of local self governing bodies from Calicut district Various services and fcailties of KVASU wer explained.attended the function. Kozhikode District panchayath president Smt. Kanathil Jameela informed about the Ksheeragramam project of Kozhikode District and requested the cooperation of KVASU in the implementation of project for the successful outcome in the coming years.

7. Orientation Programme for all the first year undergraduate students of KVASU admitted in 2013 was held at Pookode in December for three days in collaboration with the Students’ welfare division. The programme had eminent speakers and a psychologist interacting with students to build in confidence and motivation aimed at the overall personality development. A treat by Kerala Kalamandalam was also arranged in the Kabani Auditorium of KVASU.

8. The First Extension Council meeting of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University was held in Pookode on 29th July 2013, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor KVASU. Representatives from different stakeholder-institutions attended and deliberated in the the meeting. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dr.Anandakuttan Unnithan of IIM, Kozhikkode, Dr.K.P.Sreekumar, Registrar, KVASU , Dr. P. J. Rajkamal, Head, Dept of Extension, Dr. K. Udayavarman, Addl. Director, Dept of Animal Husbandry, Dr.Noushad Ali, MD, KSPDC, Dr.Ranjan S Karippai (KAU), Sri. Prakash(Asst Director, Dairy Development Department),Deans from CVAS Mannuthy and Pookode and Farmer representatives attended the meeting. Director of Entrepreneurship Dr.S.Ramkumar presented the report on the activities of the University. Dr. T. P. Sethumadhavan, Dr.Deepa Ananth and Dr G. Sunil of the Directorate were present. Meeting discussed in detail the strategies and programmes to be adopted for strengthening livestock based extension system in the state.

9. An International conference on developing and embedding a problem based learning approach in Veterinary education was held at Kochi on 26th and 27th April,2013. It was jointly organised by the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and the University of Edinburgh as part of the project on Knowledge, Economy, Partnership of 2011 of British Council, India. As a part of the project, three workshops on Animal welfare sciences, Production animal health and welfare and Companion animal welfare and clinical education were organised for the faculty of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University during 2012-13. Around 40 delegates from outside the state comprising of Vice Chancellors and Deans of the various Veterinary Universities in the country attended the conference.

10. In the International Collaboration sphere there were three important exchange visits by the faculty and students of KVASU:
a. Six faculty members from COVAS Mannuthy and Pookode undertook an Academic visit to the University of Edinburgh for the period from 16th to 21st of June 2013 month. The team had a fruitful visit analyzing and understanding the teaching methodologies, functioning of the University, animal welfare protocols in farms, functioning of clinics, in addition to meetings with Faculty at Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine in University of Edinburgh.
b. The first batch of MS (Wildlife Studies) students along with Officer-in-Charge of KVASU-CWS, undertook the academic visit to the University of Edinburgh from September 1st to 6th.
c. Two faculty members underwent a training in the University of Western Australia in the area of Climate Change.

11. The Publication division of the Directorate was active in regularly providing farm news to newspapers and television. Various new titles authored by the Faculty are getting to be officially released by this month. Released the book on on Food Security and Livestock Sector (Bhakshya Surakshayum Mrigasamrakshanavum). The division also released the Newsletter of the University “Windows”. In addition, through a collaborative venture with the Doordarshan , the division has released five videos for the farmers and public in general which will be telecasted. The Division has also facilitated the publication of an attractive and useful e-journal “Niravau” in Malayalam under the editorship of Dr Sabin George. In addition the division undertook the publishing of the Annual Report of KVASU and the Diaries and Calendars of the University for 2014.KVASU will be releasing 10 books on 28th January 2014 at Pookode in connection with the Kerala Science Congress inauguration.
12. Launching of the Technology enabled distant mode courses: Distance learning centre of the Directorate has completed the process of admissions to its new courses on one year Technology Enabled PG Diploma on Livestock-Agri Entrepreneurship and Food Security and six months PG Certificate in Farm Journalism. The orientation for these courses is scheduled on January 27, 2014 with participation of NAARM, Hyderabad and IGNOU, New Delhi.
13. The University has established an Exhibition Committee with Dr Senthil Kumar as its convenor. The University ensures its participation to the extent possible in various exhibitions in different districts. This includes various Exhibitions across the State like NIRAVU Animal Husbandry Fair@Kodungalloor, Agri-Food Processing meet held @Kochi, Pavilion @ Edufair, Trivandrum, Vithumaholsavam held at Thodupuzha, Thrissur Flower Show, Edupath @Kochi, Nilambur exhibition, Karshikam, Muttil, Wayanad
14. Training division of the University undertook various trainings for different stakeholders. Developing Resource Pool on Entrepreneurial Advisory Services on Livestock Farming for the State, Orientation Training Programme for Teachers under Jyothis Project, HRD training programme for Diploma/ M.S. students of Dept. of Dairy Science, Training on Hatchery and Breeder Stock Management, Skill Development Training Programme on Dairy Products manufacturing, trainings on improving he capacities of farmers in various choices of enterprises were some of the trainings. These were in addition to the trainings with ATMA, ASCAD trainings undertaken for the Veterinarians and para veterinarians of the Animal Husbandry Department, officers from the training centres of the dairy development department and other institutions related to livestock development .
15. The Directorate has started with two levels of training programmes for farmers. One, the orientation of a one day programme and a two days species specific training.
16. The Directorate has led the KVASU Students’ Union activities including the Inauguration of the new KVASU Union 2013-14 and the University Youth Festival. It also leads the various NSS activities of the University.
17. Teachers training programme under the Socio educational Project- Jyothis held at Koothuparamba, Kannur
18. KVASU associated with the inauguration of Vechur cow farm at Badiadka, Kasargod.

19. Published 170 poplular articles and produced a TV documentary on Productivity enhauncement in Dairying with the help of Doordarsan Kendra, Thrissur

20.participated in 45 State and National Level workshops and Seminars

21. Participated in 5 International Symposiums.

     We thank the Vice Chancellor, all the Officers, Faculty, staff, students, Collaborating Universities, Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Govt of Kerala, ATMA, Dairy Development Department, Farmers, Entrepreneurs and other stakeholders who have helped us in our endeavour!
 

Director of Entrepreneurship