An outstanding achievement during the year was the opportunity to involve in the struggles of the people in the Agriculture sector in Wayanad and respond meaningfully through proactive interventions jointly with the Federal Bank Ltd. With the advent of the Globalization serious problems developed in the Agriculture Sector of Wayanad. The slash in prizes of cash crops like pepper, Cardamom, Coffee and other agriculture products hit the people in the entire district who depend only on agriculture. The middle level and the lower level farmers are the worst hit, and the problems have developed into a crisis affecting the lives of thousands of families. Over 1290 farmers have committed suicides in the Wayanad district alone. The more shocking truth regarding Wayanad is the occurrence of family suicides for the past several years….Social scientist sees it as a paradox that India most literate state holds this dubious record in suicides.

If we analyze the problem it is evident that problems in the families and financial crisis arising, out of loss in agriculture contribute lion share to the issue of suicides. It is a fact that most of the farmers are following , traditional agriculture methods in Wayand. They should be equipped for practicing organic farming through training and guidance. Mental heath capacity and confidence of the farmers should also be built up through motivation at different level and mutual sharing of experiences.

The Federal Bank and the YMCA Kerala region has decided to join together for addressing the issues of the agriculture sector in Wayanad by initiating Training and Guidance Centre at Vythiri, Wayanad for the disadvantage farmers. The centre will have Residential Training Facilities for 40 People with 5 Rooms, Dormitories for 30 people and a seminar Hall. An Agriculture library with internet and Multimedia facility shall also be set up at the centre. Service of a Councilor cum training coordinator will be made available at the centre. All the 16 ­YMCAs in the Wayanad district will also be empowered ­to address the issues at their local level by working with them.

Proposed Activities at the Centre

The YMCA South West India Regional committee will be responsible for the implementation of the Project. The Federal bank will sponsor the expense for the construction of the building. The Management Committee of the YMCA, Vythiri Project will directly monitor the activities of programme including the construction of the centre. The YMCA South West India Region meets the salary for the counselor cum programme co-ordinator of the centre .The programme expenditures will be met by the Vythiri Project ­from its funds generated from the Camp centre. The ­facilities of the Training centre will also be given for different training groups and the income from the same will be also utilized for the Training Programmes. The service of the present office staff of the Vythiri project v -ill also utilized for the implementation of the programmes.

The Indian organic Certification Company and the Agriculture department will provide faculty support for the training programmes on organic farming and certification. The service of the Federal bank agriculture department staff will also utilized for tile training programme and curriculum designing. Each local YMCA in Wayanad will be responsible for selection the candidates for training. They will also look after the follow up actions after the completion of the training. They will also promote group and individual entrepreneurships and open modal eco shops in each YMCA.