A five day training programme on “Smart Mapping for Smart Decisions: A Training in GIS, Remote Sensing & Cloud-Based Analysis” was organised from 12th to 16th January 2026 by the Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand–Thrissur Chapter, Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, in collaboration with the Students' Computer Centre, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara.
The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. S. K. Bal, President, Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand and Project Coordinator, AICRPAM, CRIDA, Hyderabad. Dr. B. Ajithkumar, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Meteorology and IT Nodal Officer, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of geospatial technologies in modern agricultural and environmental research.
The training programme was formally inaugurated by Dr. Mani Chellappan, Dean, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, who emphasized the role of smart mapping and digital tools in evidence-based decision-making for sustainable agriculture. Dr. Manoj Lunagaria, Secretary, Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand and Professor, AAU, Gujarat and Dr. P. Shajeesh Jan, Associate Professor and President, Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand–Thrissur Chapter, offered felicitations and encouraged participants to actively engage in hands-on learning. The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Arjun Vysakh, Secretary, Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand–Thrissur Chapter, who acknowledged the support of the organizers, resource persons, and participants for the successful conduct of the training programme.
The programme witnessed the participation of 48 delegates from various parts of Kerala as well as from outside the state, representing students, researchers, and professionals from allied disciplines.
Programme Highlights
The five-day training programme focused on building practical competencies in Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Google Earth Engine (GEE) for spatial data analysis and environmental monitoring. The sessions covered satellite imagery interpretation, spatial data handling, and cloud-based geospatial analysis, with strong emphasis on hands-on exercises and real-world case studies.
Participants were introduced to the application of these advanced tools in diverse fields such as agriculture, climate studies, urban planning, and natural resource management, enabling them to make informed, data-driven decisions.
The training was widely appreciated for its practical orientation and relevance, reinforcing the importance of smart mapping technologies in addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture and environmental sciences.
The five-day training programme concluded on 16th January 2026 with a valedictory function held at 4.00 p.m. The programme was presided over by Dr. Mani Chellappan, Dean, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara. The valedictory session was inaugurated by Dr. A. Sakeer Husain, Registrar, Kerala Agricultural University, who highlighted the growing importance and application of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS technologies in the present-day agricultural and environmental scenario.
Mr. Arjun Vysakh, Secretary, Association of Agrometeorologists, Anand–Thrissur Chapter, welcomed the gathering. Dr. B. Ajithkumar, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Meteorology and IT Nodal Officer, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, presented a brief report on the training programme, followed by feedback shared by select participants reflecting on the usefulness and hands-on nature of the sessions.
The function was felicitated by Dr. Roy Stephen, Dean of Faculty (Agriculture) i/c. During the valedictory ceremony, certificates were distributed to the participants and resource persons, and letters of appreciation were presented to the staff members of the Department in recognition of their support and contributions. The programme concluded on a note of appreciation and satisfaction, marking the successful completion of the training programme.
