The Graduation Day of Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) was conducted at ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gonikoppal, Kodagu on 10th July 2024. Sri. Riaz Ahemed, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Vigilance), Kodagu was the Chief Guest during the function and distributed the Diploma certificates. The final Diploma certificates were issued from the National Institute for Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad. At the start of the programme, Mr. Veerendra Kumar K.V, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection) welcome the gatherings and Akshatha.K. briefed about the programme. Sri. Riaz Ahemed congratulated all the candidates and mentioned that, the responsibility of DAESI trained candidates has increased with this graduation and they should function as positive change agents in the system.

Dr. Rajendiran, Head, CHES, Chettalli in his Chief Guest address emphasised on the importance of technology and the transformation it can bring about in income level of farmers. He told that the DAESI candidates can take a step ahead and become entrepreneurs by implementing new technologies in to his farm and make agriculture is a benefiting farming. Sri. Prabhakara. B, Head, ICAR-KVK, Gonikoppal in his presidential address opined that, this type of programme bridges the gap between farmers and scientists by bringing more extension agents in to the Governments fold. These input dealers can now act as Krishi information centres than merely functioning as agriculture input shops in the rural areas. The one-year Diploma Course programme was coordinated by Mr. Veerendra Kumar K.V, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection) and Miss. Akshatha.K as Facilitator.