ICAR-CIFT, Kochi inaugurated a Solar Dryer Facility at the Rehabilitation Platform for Differently Abled (RPD) @ Wayanad

ICAR-CIFT, Kochi inaugurated a Solar Dryer Facility at the Rehabilitation Platform for Differently Abled (RPD), ALP School, Cherukara, Mananthavady, Wayanad, on 24 October 2025. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT.

The facility creation cum training programme was organized for hearing and speech impaired people of the SC category in Wayanad district. This facility creation was funded under Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP). The objective of this programme is to support especially abled hearing and speech impaired SC community people of Wayanad District of Kerala by providing the multipurpose/fish drying and processing facility as startup rehabilitation venture. Dr. K.V. Jeyachandran., Honorary Professor, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram,  detailed about the initiations taken by RPD, Kerala to uphold the livelihood activities of especially abled children of Kerala. Dr. Suresh A, Principal Scientist-ICAR-CIFT,  & Nodal officer SCSP explained about the project details and SCSP activities of ICAR-CIFT, Kochi. Fifty-five candidates from Wayanad district of Kerala participated in this programme. A range of dried products developed by the RPD, Wayanad was showcased during the inauguration session, highlighting the unit’s innovative processing techniques. The programme arrangements were coordinated by Dr. Aniesrani Delfiya D.S., Scientist, ICAR-CIFT, Kochi and Mr. Akbar Ali, RPD, Wayanad.