Dr Prathap

Dr Puthira Prathap’s  research work has primarily focused on disseminating agricultural technologies, promoting rural development, and enhancing knowledge sharing in remote areas—particularly by influencing the decision-making processes of sugarcane, sheep, and rabbit farmers through innovative extension approaches. His Jawaharlal Nehru award-winning doctoral study examined the role of mass media in promoting rabbit farming among farm women, revealing traditional media’s impact on adoption and the internet’s effectiveness in retention.

Dr Prathap had developed CaneInfo, a nationally recognized, user-friendly website delivering dynamic, research-based information for sugarcane stakeholders. His Farmers’ Participatory Action Research project on water conservation led to the development of the Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI). Through 100 on-field demonstrations, the low-cost device—created using participatory methods—has seen over two lakh units distributed  nationwide. Recognized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and TERI/UNDP, and integrated into government subsidy programmes, the SMI has significantly improved irrigation efficiency. His research on the use of ICT and mass media among rural women and youth supports the e-inclusion goals, while his tribal outreach programmes have empowered communities through training, technology dissemination, and need-based support.