Training and Outreach

Introduction

Training and Outreach Research Group is formed by the amalgamation of erstwhile Training Education and Extension Division, Library and Documentation Division and Water Resource Museum on 24/12/2020.

Training and Outreach Research Group is looking after the training and extension activities of the Centre, apart from undertaking research activities on watershed management, soil and water conservation measures, evaluation of watershed development projects, performance evaluation of irrigation projects, drip irrigation and fertigation, farmer-oriented field studies, action research, adaptive trials and advanced library studies.

From the very inception of CWRDM, education, extension and training activities were given importance, and these assignments were carried out by the Education and Extension  Division, which was later renamed as Training, Education and Extension Division.CWRDM was given the additional responsibility to serve as one of the Water and Land Management Institutes of India (WALMI), catering to Kerala, in the late 1980s.  Thus, the training of the officials of the Irrigation and other user departments/agencies on water resources management became the additional mandate of CWRDM  and the financial assistance was provided by USAID till 1993.  Later, this programme was renamed as Water Resources Management Training Programme (WRMTP).  A Technical Advisory Committee with the representatives of relevant departments of the State, Chief Engineer (CWC) as members and Executive Director (CWRDM) as Chairman decide on the WRMTP training programmes for every year.  Presently, the State Government provides financial assistance to run the training programmes.  National Courses on relevant topics are sponsored by the CWC every year.

The scientists and technical staff of CWRDM, belonging to different disciplines, serve as the core faculty for the training programmes, and resource persons are also invited from other organisations. Both induction courses and in-service courses are conducted for the officials in addition to specialised courses on specific topics. Around 6000 officials, 10000 farmers, Representatives of People, NGOs, SHGs, etc have been trained as a part of this programme. Action research, adaptive trials, seminars, workshops, etc are also conducted as part of WRMTP. The training facilities in the campus include: Air conditioned lecture halls with audio-visual facilities, auditorium, trainees hostel, guest house, library, etc.

The new building of Library and Documentation Division was inaugurated on 10th June 2007. The library Documentation System & Facility has a good collection of publications on water resources and allied areas. It includes around 11500 books, few National and International Journals, 4200 back volumes and 3400 reprints and CWRDM publications and reports. It provides lending, reference, bibliographic news clipping and photocopying services. Reference and photocopying services are extended to outsiders including trainees, researchers and students from other institutions. The Library brings out topical bibliographies, news clipping index etc.

The Water Heritage Museum was established on 15th May 2008 mainly to showcase the water heritage of Kerala, depicting how measures were initiated since time immemorial to conserve this invaluable gift of nature. The museum is expected to educate the general public on the value of water as there has been no awakening among the public on water heritage, and to provide an emotional attachment to the cultural tradition of water. A large number of students and general public are visiting the museum every year.

Vision

Training and Outreach Research Group (TORG) shall serve as an arm of CWRDM catering to the Training, Education and Extension needs in all spheres of water resources management and act as a facilitator in coordinating the various activities / programmes in this sector.

Mission

Mission of Training and Outreach Research Group (TORG) is to enhance the knowledge and skill of different target groups of people / water managers and equip them in scientific water management by imparting necessary training, education and extension inputs and make them aware of the importance of water as a natural resource.

Thrust Area

• Resource conservation through soil-water conservation and watershed management.
• Soil erosion vulnerability assessment.
• Micro irrigation and protected cultivation.
• Performance evaluation of irrigation projects and watershed development projects.
• Field based & farmer-oriented action research in water management
• Training need assessment of Line department staff in water resources
• Empowerment of women in water resource development and management
• Digitization and smartening of services
• Information resources and management in Library