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Social Sciences

About

The social section deals with research pertaining to economics, extension and statistics. It also manages the services of Agricultural Technology Information Centre; a single window delivery system of technology inputs and products of the institute. ATIC connects farmers and other stakeholders with institution by providing a single point of access for new technologies, seeds, farm advisory services and other inputs. The thrust areas of research undertaken by the section include impact studies of institute services and technologies, policy design and development targeting sustainable growth of spice sector, developing insights on technology adoption and dissemination, development studies, computer and statistical applications in spices research etc.

Team

Name Designation Specialization
Scientific Staff
Dr. Lijo Thomas Principal Scientist Agricultural Economics
Dr. Sajesh.V.K Senior Scientist Agricultural Extension
Dr. Gayathri G N Scientist Agricultural Extension
Technical Staff
Mr. Rakesh M Raghavan Technical Officer  

Projects

  1. Capacity building and front-line intervention programmes for spice sector development in NE states and tribal empowerment (2014–2025) [Dr. P. Rajeev, Dr. Lijo Thomas & Dr. Sajesh V.K.]

  2. Developing models for enhancing technology and policy impact in spices sector (2020–2025) [Dr. Lijo Thomas, Dr. P. Rajeev & Dr. Sajesh V.K.]

  3. Pan India action research project on the improvement of spice value chains (2023–2026) [Dr. R. Dinesh, Dr. Lijo Thomas, Dr. D. Prasath, Dr. Sharon Aravind, Dr. Maneesha S. R., Mr. Muhammed Nissar V. A., Dr. Shivakumar M. S., Dr. V. Srinivasan, Dr. Anees K., Ms. Sivaranjani R., Dr. Biju C. N., Dr. C. Sellaperumal, Dr. Mohammed Faisal Peeran, Dr. M. Balaji Rajkumar, Dr. P. Rajeev, Dr. Sajesh V.K., Dr. Vinu V]

  4. Entrepreneurship development in agriculture: A multi-dimensional study with special reference to spices (2023–2027) [Dr. Sajesh V.K., Dr. P. Rajeev, Dr. Lijo Thomas, Dr. Maneesha S. R. & Dr. Sheeja T. E.]

Achievements:

  1. Fakhrudin Ali Ahammed Award for Outstanding Research in Tribal Farming System

  2. Developed and validated entrepreneur-led extension model

  3. Agro-forestry based spice cultivation model

  4. Developed impact assessment methodology for micronutrient technology

  5. Assessment of impact of high curcumin varieties in turmeric

  6. Implemented collaborative extension approaches for reaching remote and distant areas as well as marginalized communities, leading to better spread of spice varieties and technologies

  7. Three policy briefs on selected aspects of the spices sector

Technologies

  1. Model on value chain development in turmeric for livelihood improvement of tribal communities.

  2. Policy Brief 1: Towards self-sufficiency in spices: Status, vision and strategies

  3. Policy Brief 2: The pesticide dilemma in spice sector: Espousing an enabling policy environment

  4. Policy Brief 3: Nurturing India’s asafoetida economy: Status, prospects and the path forward

Major Facilities

  1. Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC)

  2. Farmers training hall (Capacity: 40 pax)

  3. Spice technology exhibition hall and visitor facilitation centre

  4. Art and photography facility