The visit to CIKS project site by NABARD officials was part of their annualrefresher training programme for District Development Managers from various districts of Tamil Nadu. 30 officials were in the team. Mr. Veera Swamy, DGM, NABARD Chennai Office also accompanied the team.

The NABARD team was received by Subhashini, Manikandan, Vijay and they visited  the Community Vermicompost Unit at Adhamangalam village, where the staff and the women members of the three SHGs explained their activities.

At Agani village the team were shown the collection of traditional paddy varieties maintained by CIKS. An meeting was organised here, where Mr. K. Jayapal,Chairperson, Valanadu Sustainable Agriculture Producer Company Limited (VSAPCL), formally welcomed the NABARD officials. Mr. Jayapal, Subhashini and Manikandan shared the activities undertaken by CIKS and the support provided for the farmers.

The team were also taken around Mr. Manikandan’sfarm where the 101 traditional paddy varieties were cultivated for seed conservation. CIKS role in conserving traditional paddy varities and in promoting organic agriculture was also explained along with the package of practices and technologies used.

Later the team was taken to KSO Mill, Manganallur, where the team visited the organic paddy storage godown, processing unit. A presentation on the VSAPCL was made by Subhashini. This was followed by presentations and sharing of activities by the Board members of the Producer Companies. This was followed by the interactions with the Board Members.