Students, faculty from Iowa State University visit local farm

A 20-acre farm on the St Xavier’s College campus at Thumba run by State Award-winning farmer S.V. Sujith had visitors from the Iowa State University, U.S., on Tuesday.

The students and faculuty from the Horticulture Department of the university held discussions with Mr. Sujith on the vegetable farming methods practised at the farm, and aspects related to pest control, mechanisation and fertigation.

Mr. Sujith runs his Naaden Agro Farm on 20 acres taken on lease from the college. He is the winner of the Haritha Mithra Award for Best Vegetable Farmer given as part of the State Farm Awards for the year 2022.

At the farm, he grows over 30 types of vegetables under the the ‘Safe to Eat’ system with the help of scientists from the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Mr. Sujith also explained to the visitors the tracebility system for vegetables that is being put into practice at the farm with the aid of the KAU, Krishi Vigyan kendra Mitra Niketan, Vellanad, and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology..

The 14-member Iowa State University team was led by faculty members Catherine Swoboda and Ajay Nair. The visit was locally coordinated by Gayathri G., Assistant Professor at the KAU College of Agriculture, Vellayani.

During the last Onam season, the sunflower blooms at the farm had drawn numerous visitors.