Kozhikode: The prisoners of Kozhikode district jail, who have created an agricultural revolution by harvesting the largest quantity of organic vegetables in the district, were trained to use the latest farm equipment during a training programme on Friday. It was organised by the jail officials in association with the all-India co-ordinate research project on farm implements and machinery, Kelappaji college of agricultural engineering and technology, Thavanur, and agricultural engineering wing of the agricultural department.
Some of the machinery introduced to the inmates, who still use age-old techniques, were trailed sprayer, harvester, farm truck, conveyor belt, sprinkler system and transplanter. “The latest technologies will help the prisoners to increase their output,” opined jail superintendent P. Ajaykumar. During every harvesting season, the inmates were able to produce a good quantity of vegetables cultivated on the jail premises, he added.
Mr N. Jayakumar, assistant executive engineer (agricultural engineering), appealed to the inmates to utilise the latest agro- machinery and implements to solve problems of labour scarcity and wage increases. He also called for judicious use of water while ensuring better yield. The officials of AICR trained the prisoners in the use of the machinery and implements for various purposes, including sowing and harvesting the crop.
