Agriculture & Allied Services

Agriculture & Allied Services refers to farming and the related activities that support and enhance agricultural production. These services help increase farmers' income, improve rural livelihoods, and ensure food security. Together, agriculture and allied sectors play a vital role in the economy, especially in rural areas, by generating employment and supporting sustainable development.

Agriculture

Includes the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for food, fibre, and other products.

Allied Services

Involve activities that support agriculture, such as dairy farming, poultry, fisheries, beekeeping, sericulture, and horticulture.

Impact

These services help increase farmers' income, improve rural livelihoods, and ensure food security while supporting sustainable development.

Back to Nature Project

Back to Nature (B2N@SMIDS) is an ongoing project that aims to raise awareness among 60,000 rural women farmers, living below poverty line, on sustainable farming and related entrepreneurial schemes.

  • 10,000 women farmers will undergo specialized trainings in environment-friendly farming practices
  • 3,000 landless women farmers will be trained on beekeeping and honey production
  • 3,000 women farmers will undergo training on Moringa Cultivation
  • The project will promote agroecology and encourage polyculture among the farmers
  • Will form at least 500 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and 10 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
  • Implemented across 189 villages in the Districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Virudhunagar

Project Highlights

60,000
Women Farmers to Benefit
10,000
Sustainable Farming Trainings
3,000
Beekeeping Trainings
3,000
Moringa Cultivation Trainings

Allied Services We Offer

Beekeeping & Honey Production

Beekeeping & Honey Production is the practice of raising and managing bees to collect honey and other bee products like wax, pollen, and royal jelly.

  • Also known as apiculture, involves maintaining bee colonies in hives
  • Honey production is a natural outcome of beekeeping
  • Low-investment, eco-friendly activity that supports biodiversity
  • Provides steady source of income for rural and small-scale farmers
  • Bees play crucial role in pollinating crops, boosting agricultural yields

Moringa Cultivation and Value Addition

Moringa, also known as Moringa Oleifera, is seen as a super food of the future, with growing demand for its products both locally and internationally.

  • SMIDS is actively promoting moringa farming among local communities
  • Created many value added products from moringa
  • This work has been well appreciated and has helped many rural families earn a steady income
  • Moringa products are sold under a brand name through pharmaceutical companies
  • SMIDS has become a pioneer in preparing and marketing moringa products

Mushroom Cultivation

Mushroom Cultivation is the process of growing mushrooms for food and commercial use in a controlled environment.

  • Involves preparing suitable growing medium (straw or organic waste)
  • Requires maintaining ideal conditions like temperature, humidity, and cleanliness
  • Low-cost, high-yield activity that requires limited space
  • Can be done indoors or in small areas
  • Offers nutritious food source and profitable livelihood option
  • Common varieties include button, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms

Other Allied Services

Beyond our specialized programs, we offer various other agricultural support services to empower rural communities.

  • Dairy farming support and management
  • Poultry farming initiatives
  • Fisheries development programs
  • Sericulture (silk farming) training
  • Horticulture development
  • Sustainable agricultural practices training
  • Market linkage support for agricultural products