Instructional Farm, CoA, Vellayani

The Instructional Farm at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, under Kerala Agricultural University, is a major support system for farmers in southern Kerala. Established in 1955 and renamed in 1975, the farm spans 251.734 hectares, with 78.234 hectares of garden land surrounded by Vellayani lake. Facilities include seed production units, fruit nurseries, a medicinal plant garden, bamboo museum, arboretum, and diverse ornamental plant collections. Organic farming is promoted through vermicompost and coir pith units, along with biofertilizers and mushroom spawn production. A Sales Counter supplies planting materials, ornamental plants, value-added products, and publications. Training programmes are conducted in mushroom cultivation and plant propagation. The farm also serves as an educational and visitor-friendly destination near Vellayani Lake, with “Kochu Kovalam” as a key attraction. It has contributed significantly to the College receiving the Kerala State Biodiversity Board’s award for best biodiversity college and secured first position in Vasantholsavam 2025.