on-campus training programme was organized at EEI, Rajendranagar Hyderabad from 3 rd to 7 th October, 2023

The training program on Innovative Extension Approaches for Effective Training of Trainers (ToT) in Agri and Allied Sectors, conducted by the Extension Education Institute, Hyderabad, is crucial for enhancing the skills and knowledge of development officers in the southern region of India. It empowers them with innovative tools and methods to disseminate modern agricultural practices, fostering sustainable growth and productivity in the agri and allied sectors, ultimately benefiting the entire agricultural community and contributing to the region's economic development.The on-campus training programme was organized at EEI, Rajendranagar Hyderabad from 3rd to 7th October, 2023. Ice breaking exercising conducted are "Passing the ball with spelling out Names" exercise to get the trainees acclimatize with each others names. A Management Game by the name "Number Line" was conducted to make trainers warm up for the programme. The game further contributed towards development of coordination, alertness, vigilant nature, quick response among trainee participants. Field visits organized to Organic fields of Sri. Yellaiah at Pedashapur Village and farm land of Sri. Ahmed at Peddashapur to witness the innovative entrepreneurship models practiced my farmers and also to understand the novel methods of taking up organic farming. The Hands on training was given through simulated exercises and exposure visits. During inauguration, Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director, EEI spoke about different innovative extension approaches, spanning from global to local and discussed on the viability and suitability of them in India. During valediction, Dr. P. Gidda Reddy, Former Director of Extension, ANGRAU graced the valediction of the programme on 7th October 2023 and spoke about the need to understand latest methods of delivery mechanisms so that messages percolate with higher efficiency among farming community. He reiterated the essence of novel treatments to be given to technical content so that farmers interest in farming is retained. The participants felt that innovations in Extension Approaches like new entrepreneurship models, Nutrisensitive Agriculture, Climate Resilient Extension, PLAR model, Digital Extension, Validated ITKs, Extension through FPOs and Genetic Engineering approaches were new and informative. They further felt that such training programmes should be offered in spells to the same set of participants so that a capsule of knowledge can be developed among them. The no of trainings attended the programme are 23 representing Dept. of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The programme was coordinated by Dr. M. Preethi, Professor, EEI, Hyderabad.