Knowledge Kits

1. LCD Multipurpose Display System

This equipment can be used just like a Television with remote. It gives a crystal clear picture and can be operated with battery also. It is easy to carry and any concept can be introduced. Subject presented as slides and their transition promotes suspense among learners. Multimedia presentation of each slide with background music sustains the interest of the group. The cost of production of this equipment is Rs 36,000/-.

2. Collapsible Banner

This teaching aid is attractive and visible to a large group. It is effective in campaign promotion. This banner is collapsible and hence easy to carry. Any single topic can be introduced in detail and can also be used for group discussion. The total size of this banner is 72 inches long and 36 inches wide and the cost of production is Rs 7500/-.

3. Quiz Board for farmers

It consisted of a series of questions pasted on board with indicators with green and red lights, when the user presses the correct choice button, it will indicate by flashing green light. Both positive and negative points are given in the quiz board.

1. Cross bred cows have more immunity than other variety cows
2. 60% of the total cost on rearing cows is spent on feeding
3. Germs are found in the udder of milch animals
4. The diseased cow should be given rice / waste podridge
5. The body of the cow should be buried
6. There is no vaccination for the cow in which abortion took place
7. All the wastages of the dead calf should be buried
8. Both the cow and calf can be fed with the same feed
9. After artificial insemination the cow should be send for breeding with local breed
10. The infected or diseased cow’s milk can be mixed with the other collected milk

The viewers have to press the button to know the answer, if the green light glows the answer is correct and if the red light glows the answer is wrong. This induces curiosity among the viewers to test their knowledge relating to cattle rearing by reading the questions and selecting the correct choice

4. COMBACCS

Components:   a. Mobile phone and microphone  b. Cordless microphone and assembly  c. VCD/DVD player
d. Speakers  e. Rechargeable battery  f. Control panel  g. Remote control  h. Box

It is a cell phone /mobile phone based audio interaction mechanism. The farmers / group members shall have direct interaction through mobile phone with an expert anywhere and at any time. This method is just as the mobile phone dialogue between two individuals, in which on one side it can be heard through a loudspeaker to a larger number of audience group and the whole group can interact at the same time. It needs a mobile connection, and an active sim card between the expert and the group. The cell phone usage is more common and widely spread in Kerala, which can be effectively utilized for technology transfer for self help groups. The system is a combination of mobile phone connected to a loud speaker. The phone will be dialed to the destination number. The responses and reply will be heard through the loud speaker in the COMBACCS. The caller has to speak through the cordless mike which will be transmitted using mobile phone to the receiver connected at other end. His reply will be amplified and heard through the external speakers. All can interact at one time through this system.

5. ROVAKTRA

Components:  a. Self returning roller spring  b. Hook for hanging  c. Vinyl flex sheet printed on both sides.

This is a teaching aid designed to assist the master trainers to explain a particular topic divided into subtopics. Each sub topic is represented using pictures and illustrations. On one side the subtopics are depicted and the other side has a clear cut message relevant to the sub topics. Upon finishing the last sub topic other /opposite side of the same role will have a poster designed for describing the benefits of adopting the scientific practices on discussion. This works on the principle that the springed rolling sheet on pulling reveals the sub topics which will end in a poster on reverse side.

6. SARANA

Components:  Acrylic sheet 2 nos, marked and loaded with information (Cut in circle connected with centre rotating button)

It is a Ready Reckoner type visual aid containing information on Animal Husbandry practices. Pointing the arrow to the required information in the outer circle will lead to unveiling of further related, essential and extra information in the inner circle in different columns. This can be used in relating common symptoms of diseases to the cause, etiology, first aid and other necessary information for seeking veterinary assistance. This is a Self learning system which arouses enthusiasm and creates suspense among the viewers.

7. KIOSK

“Information kiosk” designed for cattle health knowledge dissemination was considered an important Animal health knowledge kit. The information kiosk has two major parts in its synthesis:

1. The hardware part (computer) and the interactive screen.
2. The software (touch screen programme which had text and pictures with sound back-up)

The computer installed is a 17 inch CRT Touch screen monitor with P III I CH2 128 MB SD RAM, Intel, 52X CD ROM Drive with multimedia kit, windows XP operating system, rust free aluminium cabinet with wheels and locking arrangement for two wheels. The cattle owners bring their animals for treatment and AI register the cases. After that they will wait till their turn is to come for service delivery. That waiting time is utilized for getting information from the kiosk. Some cattle owners who have to get medicine without bringing their animals also make use of their time effectively by looking at the kiosk. Once the kiosk facilitator guides them to use the kiosk, they use the touch screen machine voluntarily without hesitation.

8. FLIP BOOKS

Unlike posters, flip books give a detailed explanation about a particular topic. It has a set of cards (say 10 to 12) spirally bound with thick cards on both the sides. Separate books were prepared on topics like scientific feeding of cattle, scientific breeding of cattle, scientific calf management, clean milk production and cattle health management with good pictures and text. The sequential arrangements of the cards help the trainer to cover a topic methodically without confusion or missing any point. It can cover a group of upto 20 members. It is easy to carry and can be kept on a table or on the floor depending upon the situation while training the farmers. It needs no training to handle.

9. FLASH CARDS

Digital flash cards are interesting, visible and durable graphic aid. No special skills are required and it is easy to carry. The continuity can be maintained and any concept can be introduced. The size of the cards is 18x12 inches and the cost of production is Rs 120/sq ft.

10. POSTERS

Posters on various concepts of cattle management were developed by the research partner in Karnataka. They can be used to teach a large group are easy to carry. The pictorial representation will attract the learners and facilitate better understanding. Enrichment of paddy straw with urea and molasses, Azola cultivation as a supplement to feed, different criteria to be noticed during the purchase of a cow and the economics involved in the cattle rearing are few of the concepts which were displayed in the form of posters.

20 charts have been developed with the inputs from the veterinary practitioners. These charts help the livestock rearer to evolve scientific measures in controlling diseases and to increase milk productivity (immunization, frequency and nature of feed, maintenance of hygiene, variety of breeds).

11. AUDIO DRAMA

An audio kit called "Varsha kondu caru" was developed and distributed among the WSHGs in order to encourage its adoption at field level in Karnataka state. This kit narrates the recommended scientific rearing practices to be followed to get a healthy calf every year.

12. VIDEO COMPACT DISK

The video kit developed by the Banglore University contains guidelines on scientific rearing of cattle, methods of cultivation of green fodder like azola, artificial insemination, immunization, hygienic maintenance of cattle shed, disease control measures and breeds of cattle.