Event Details

As part of Founder’s Week 2025 celebrations, KIA organized an Awareness Programme on ‘Importance of Women’s Higher Education’ at P. Vellalapalayam village, Gobichettipalayam on March 18, 2025. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. S. Hemalatha, Vice-Principal, KIA, followed by a Presidential Address by Dr. Ravi Kumar Theodore, Principal, KIA, emphasizing the significance of Women’s Higher Education.

Mrs. S. Renuga, Principal, The Optimus Public School, who was the Chief Guest of the programme, delivered an inspiring speech, reinforcing the importance of higher education in empowering women and transforming communities.

As part of the event, tree saplings were distributed to the villagers. The event also featured student speeches on the Founder’s vision and the significance of women’s education, followed by cultural performances by the KIA Drama Troupe and KIA Dance Club, adding a vibrant touch to the evening. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. P. G. Dhamotharan, Associate Professor & Head, DSS, KIA. This initiative reaffirmed our commitment to agriculture, education, research, and community engagement, in alignment with our Founder’s enduring legacy.

Empowering Farmers with Modern Agricultural Practices

As part of Founder’s Week 2025 celebrations, a training programme on Modern Sugarcane Production Technologies was organised at the KIA campus on March 19, 2025. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 70 sugarcane farmers.

The programme began with a Presidential Address by Dr. Ravi Kumar Theodore, Principal, KIA, who highlighted the various extension activities undertaken by the institution to support the farming community.

The Inaugural Address was delivered by Th. V. Thiruvenkagadam, Vice-President, SSL. He emphasized the initiatives taken by SSL to improve sugarcane yield and promote modern farming practices in the region.

The event was also graced by Th. A. Balasubramanian, Executive Officer, KIA, along with Th. K. Devaraj and Th. M. Raju, Deputy General Managers (Cane), Sakthi Sugars Ltd., who shared valuable insights with the farmers.

As a gesture of support, all participating farmers were provided with Vermicompost and the biocontrol agent Bacillus Subtilis.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. S. Hemalatha, Vice-Principal, KIA.

Post-inauguration, technical sessions were conducted by KIA Scientists and SSL staff on the following topics:

Advanced Technologies for Yield Enhancement in Sugarcane

Soil Health Management in Sugarcane

Pest and Disease Management in Sugarcane

Biogas Production from Sugarcane Residues

PDFA International Dairy & Agri Expo 2025

Visit to the 18th PDFA International Dairy & Agri Expo 2025

On the special occasion of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, a 13-member delegation was deputed by the management to attend the 18th edition of the Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA) International Dairy & Agri Expo 2025, held in Ludhiana, Punjab, from February 8 to 10, 2025.

Delegation Members

Dr. Ravi Kumar Theodore, Principal, Kumaraguru Institute of Agriculture (KIA), Erode District
Dr. K. K. Harihara Subramanian, Senior General Manager – Sales and Marketing, ABT Industries, Coimbatore District
Mr. Saravanan Chandrasekar, Assistant Vice President, Kumaraguru Institutions (KI), Coimbatore
Dr. Gopi Hariharan, Project Head – Dairy Entrepreneurship Centre, KIA, Erode District
Dr. C. V. Amarendran, Project Coordinator – Dairy Entrepreneurship Centre, KIA, Erode District
Dr. Sudhakar Balakrishnan, Research Professor – KRiA, KI, Coimbatore District
Dr. P. G. Dhamodharan, Head, DSS; Associate Professor (ARM), KIA, Erode District
Mr. Dinesh Raju, Manager – PMO, ABT Foods, Coimbatore District
Mr. Nethaji Subash, Senior Executive – Climate Smart Dairy, KI, Coimbatore District
Mr. Arunkumar, Executive – Farm, KIA, Erode District
Ms. Shanthra, CEO, Pariyur FED Farmers Producer Company Ltd, KIA, Erode District
Mr. Harikrishnan Kalimuthu, Dairy Farm Manager – CDF, Coimbatore District
Mr. Karthick Jeganathan, Dairy Farmer, Sevur, Tiruppur District

About PDFA

The Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA) was founded in 1972 with technical support from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. PDFA is committed to modernizing dairy farming by hosting monthly seminars, training programs, and publishing the quarterly magazine Dairy Sandesh.

The association facilitates knowledge exchange among farmers, scientists, and industry leaders through its renowned International Dairy Show and Exhibition. Its farmer-support initiatives include:

Import of high-genetic-potential cattle semen
Low-interest loan facilitation through banks
Collaboration with MILKFED Punjab for better milk pricing
Provision of technical books and mobile veterinary services

Since 2003, Mr. Daljeet Singh has served as President, growing the association to encompass over 8,500 large dairy farmers and 30,000 small dairy farmers.