This year, the congress focuses on the topic ‘food and health through agriculture.’ There will be awards for student scientists who come out with outstanding projects on agriculture. The awards carry a cash prize of Rs 11,111 and a citation. Five projects will be selected from each district to consider for the award.

The students’ session of the congress and the exhibition related to thesis presentation will be held on January 2 and 3. There will also be a competition for teachers to choose outstanding project guide. Teachers can present theses in this section. Outstanding projects will be honoured and will be given cash On January 4, agriculture science congress of farmers will be held. There will be competitions for farmers also in which they can exhibit their knowledge based on their farming experience. The best farmer thesis will be honoured with cash award. On January 5, the competition for best city farmer ‘Nagara karshakan’ will be held. The city farmer who could reap the maximum harvest through grow bag farming will be chosen for the award.

The Balakrishisastra Congress is organised as an agriculture festival incorporating farmers, National Service Scheme volunteers and housewives. ‘Kambolam’ (market) set up by Thiruvananthapuram Yuvajana Karshaka Sangham, a gathering of more than 300 farmers based in the district, will be the main attraction of the congress, said organising secretary M P Lokanath and vice-chairman Kollam Panicker.

The congress will also witness the valedictory of the agriculture literacy programme organised jointly by State Youth Welfare Board and Agrifriends Krishi Samskarika Vedi for 25 selected National Service Scheme volunteers of the district. The congress is being organised in association with the departments of agriculture, education, health and environment and climate change and various agriculture and science agencies.