In a response to the 'Subiksha Keralam' call of Government of Kerala, the RARS Pilicode of Kerala Agricultural University initiated an innovative, massive participatory vegetable seed production programme lead by Sri. P.K. Retheesh, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) and Nodal Officer of Planting Material Production in association with the Open Jail and Correction Home at Cheemeni. The target fixed is production of one tonne of high yielding quality vegetable seeds by the inmates of jail under the technical supervision of the RARS on a buy back arrangement. The cost of 80 % of yield would be paid to the jail. The expenditure is met from the revolving of the RARS.
Dr. T. Vanaja, Associate Director of Research, RARS Pilicode received the first lot of the seeds from the jail superintendent Sri. Ashokan Arappayil at the Cheemeni jail on 28th February 2021.
