Ambedkar Memorial Rural Institute for Development is a charitable organization meant for the educational and employment opportunities of students of Wayanad district, especially of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. This institute started functioning in July 1990 in the old civil station building at Puliyarmala, Kalpetta, in the centenary year of Dr. Ambedkar. AMRID has got a variety of activities aiming at achieving its social and educational objectives.
An extent of 0.20 acre of land in Muttil village by the side of Kalpetta-Sulthan Bathery Road was purchased for the construction of a building to AMRID. The construction of the building could not be completed so far, for want of funds. The Nirmithi Kendra, Wayanad, has already prepared an estimate and started the construction work of the building.
Activities
- Printing Press (training and job works).
- Handicrafts work in coffee stump (training and sales).
- Typewriting Institute.
- Tailoring Institute.
- Training in three wheeler driving.
- Plastic welding unit.
- Wood carving unit.
- Handicraft making in coconut shell.
- Handloom weaving.
The activities are implemented with funds allotted by the Tribal Development Department, District Industries Centre, etc. under various schemes and also with the limited income of various units of the institute.
A total number of 1,403 students had been imparted coaching various courses from 1990-91 to 1995-96.
COFFEE BOARD
Coffee Board operates in this district under three wings.
Research Wing
A Robesta Coffee Research Station is functioning under this, at Chundale.
Extension Wing
There are a Joint Directors office and a Deputy Director’s office functioning at Kalpetta and eight liaisons offices functioning at various centres in Wayanad under this wing.
Marketing wing
Marketing section of Coffee Board functions in Wayanad under an Assistant Marketing Officer at Kalpetta.
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal
A regional Agricultural Research Station functions at Ambalavayal as a part of Kerala Agricultural University. This station caters to the research needs of the agricultural sector of the high ranges.
The station mainly concentrates on the research on spices, tropical and subtropical fruits, vegetables, especially cool season vegetables and paddy.
A Krishi Vijnan Kendra, with the objective of dissemination of latest technologies to the farmers is also attached to this station. Recently, a Plant Bio-technology Centre started functioning here for the large-scale production of tissue culture plants of high value crops.
The nursery of the station has a large collection of roses and other ornamental plants. The station produces and distributes quality seeds and good planting materials to the farmers.
Spices Board
The Spices Board has a field office at Kalpetta. The main functions of the Spices Board are the formulation and implementation of better production and quality improvement programmes, systematic research and development, educating and training growers, processors, packers and exporters, selective registration and licensing. It also acts as a data bank and communication channel for importers and exporters of Indian Spices.
The Board helps exporters in establishing contact with overseas buyers of spices. The Board also forwards trade enquiries received from abroad to competent registered Indian exporters and helps the international buyer procure the right quality spices from India. The Board examines complains received from importers for corrective and preventive action.
Sugandhagiri Cardamom Project
This project is functioning under the South Wayanad Girijan Joint Farming Co-operative society. It has been implemented by the Kerala Government with the sanction of the planning commission as a part of the Western Ghat Development Scheme. Now the administrative control of the project is vested with Scheduled Tribe Development Department.
It is located at the Pozhuthana village of Vythiri taluk. Seven hundred and fifty families were settled in this project area for the co-operative joint farming of cardamom, coffee and pepper. This co-operative institution aims at the socio-economic advancement of the tribal people. The project was started in 1976.Till now 1000ha. Has been brought under cardamom cultivation.
Adivasis are rehabilitated in their own houses built for them by the Government. Seven anganwadies, seven crèches, three primary schools, one primary health centre and one family welfare centre are functioning in this project area, for the benefit of the rehabilitated tribal families.
Quotable Quotes:
“The best way to stop worrying about a problem is to solve it.”