A six-month duration skill development training programme was inaugurated at The ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod on 22.07.2025. This programme comprises of ten different skill oriented activities namely, "Improved Coconut Production Technologies, Production Techniques of Vermicompost, Trichoderma & Other Insect Bio-agents, Quality Planting Material production, Precision Irrigation Techniques & Soil Sample Analysis, Tissue culture & Microbiological techniques, Bio-chemical analysis and Coconut Value-Added Products, etc" for the benefit of SC & ST communities. The programme was formally inaugurated by Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI. In his address, he called upon trainees to actively participate and acquire practical knowledge and skills in scientific coconut production technologies which would ultimately mould them to enhance their livelihood opportunities. This programme is intended particularly for the rural unemployed educated youths for the betterment of their communities.

A total of 26 Scheduled Caste (SC) and 5 Scheduled Tribe (ST) youth are participating in this training programme from 22.07.2025 which is likely to end on 21.01.2026. While welcoming the participants, Dr. K. Ponnusamy, Head, Division of Social Sciences and Nodal Officer (TSP) noted that skill building of SC and ST is going on since last three years and it is very essential to move towards developed nation status by 2047. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rajkumar, Senior Scientist and Nodal Officer (SCSP).