The Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre of Kerala Agricultural University was invited to make a presentation on “Market Intelligence: Strategies and Challenges” in the International Workshop organized jointly by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi and Kerala Agricultural University on 22 November 2010 at Cochin. Plate. 1. Dr. V.Balaji Welcoming the Gathering

The inaugural session commenced with Dr. V.Balaji from ICRISAT, Patencheru welcoming the gathering on behalf of Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver. Workshop was presided over by Dr. N.T.Yaduraju, National Co-ordinator, NAIP Component I. The Workshop was inaugurated by Sri. K.R.Viswambharan, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur.

The inaugural session followed by the Technical sessions on various presentations as detailed below:

Chair: Dr N.T.Yaduraju, National Director, NAIP (Component- I), ICAR

Need for a Paradigm Shift in Agri-Extension: Dr. PV Balachandran, Director

of Extension, KAU

Technical Session 1: Overviews of Challenges and Opportunities:

AMIC-KAU Participates in the International Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges in Tech mediated Convergence of Agricultural Extension

Advancing Beyond the Education Grid: the Vedhyadhara Approach to a Convergence of Education and Extension: Prof. KR Srivathsan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU

Special Remarks: Sir John Daniel, President and CEO, COL

Plate.2. Dr. N.T.Yaduraju delivers the Presidential Address Plate.3. Sri. K.R Viswambharan, Vice Chancellor, KAU inaugurating the Workshop by lightening the traditional lamp.

Agropedia Eco-System: Dr T V Prabhakar, IIT-Kanpur KM4D Experiences: Dr Jon Gregson, University of Sussex Kissan-Kerala Experience: Dr Ajith Kumar, Indian Institute of Information

Technology& Management-Kerala( IIITK), Trivandrum. Market Intelligence – Strategies and Challenges: Dr. Satheesh Babu,

Professor&CCPI, KAU

Panel Discussion: Lead: Dr. KR Srivathsan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU Where do we go from here? Participants’ Feedback

Plate.4. Dr.K.Satheesh Babu, Professor & CCPI, Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre, KAU making the presentation

In his presentation, Dr. Satheesh Babu explained the historical compulsions to

start such a consortium at the National level by ICAR, starting from the prototype by CARDS, TNAU in the form of the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Centre from 2004. The progress and achievements made by the Centre were presented with details. The presentation evoked instantaneous response from the participants, with Dr Ajith Kumar, of IIITK, Trivandrum coming forward to disseminate AMIC forecasts through their platform.

Technical Session 2: Significant Tech Developments Promoting New Convergence:

Concluding session: