Organic Farming

Our pioneering efforts in promoting organic farming have given a new life to the agriculture sector. It has not just confined at theoretical level, but went deep down applying research and technology options. The expertise of PDS in the organic farming is increasingly demanded upon from far and near. Within a short span of time the Society could organize thousands of organic farmers. In the areas of vermiculture and vermicompost the Society has covered a large distance through research oriented experiments as well as propagation/ multiplication mission. The Society’s initiative in organic farming may be also seen as a counter movement against degenerative and unaffordable chemical applications and the neo-colonialisation trait set in by the multinationals in rural agriculture.

Biotechnology

A highly sophisticated Tissue Culture Unit, for mass propagation of plants using biotechnical tools also works in full swing. Tissue culture techniques are used in plants like pepper, vanilla, plantains, bananas and rare and endangered medicinal herbs.

Bio Control Agents

Biological Pest and Disease Management are very important for a complete agriculture system. Peermade Development Society has well equipped laboratories for the research, development and multiplication of important Biological Control Agents. Trichoderma which is a beneficial fungus is being multiplied in a large scale in the laboratory. For the control of root grub in cardamom, Bio Control Agents like Metarhizium and Beauveria are being multiplied in collaboration with Indian Cardamom Research Institute. Research is also being carried out with beneficial fungus like VAM and other important biological extracts for pest control in spice crops.

Sahyadri Farmers' Consortium

It comprises of both tea and spice cultivating farmers of the area. This is a novel initiative of PDS and is widely appreciated by one and all.

Organic Agro-products and Export Division

The Organic Agro-products and Export Division is a new venture of PDS. This department purchases spices from its certified organic farmers, process them and export them. This ensures better income for the farmers.

PDS Organic Tea

A state of the art modern tea factory has been set up incorporating the latest machinery and technical know-how to produce the best tea. The Society has already started exporting tea to various countries.

Technology Resource Centre (TRC)

TRC works for technology development, popularization and dissemination. The Society has all the expertise and infrastructure to carry out experiments in the areas of Organic Agriculture, Indigenous Health, Tissue Culture and Crop Biotechnology. PDS promotes Land to Lab approach for participatory technology development. As a great recognition to the Society, Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) has approved PDS as Technology Resource Centre (TRC). The TRC of PDS gives training to the voluntary organizations, model farmers and local farmers of Kerala on organic farming and indigenous health practices.