NABARD ASSISTED 6 MONTHS VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN AGRICULTURE UNDER NABSkill “SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME”

Following the non-renewal of financial assistance for 2021 by Bayer Crop Science, the Director approached NABARD for financial assistance for the 6 months of Vocational Training in Agriculture under the NABSkill “Skill Development Programme” for the Kharif batch from July 2021. The proposal was approved, and the chairman of NABARD Dr. Ch. Govindarajulu handed over the sanction letter to Dr. D. N. Rao, President, Vignana Jyothi on the “24 Convocation of Bayer – RVJ School of Agriculture” on 02.08.2021 on the dais.

The NABARD NABSkill Skill Development Programme (SDP) sanctioned 6 Months Vocational Training in Agriculture was run on similar lines as the joint programme conducted earlier with Bayer Crop Science. After the selection of trainees from a rural farming community with an annual income of less than Rs.1,00,000, they are provided with free accommodation & food, certain literature including Vyavasaya Panchangam, notebooks, pens, pencils, a pair of field uniform, a T- shirt & cap and cots, beds, buckets & mugs in the hostel free of cost.

The trainees are provided with excellent theoretical, practical, and hands-on field training in the areas of Crop Production, Seed Production, Integrated Pest and Disease Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension, Computer Skills, Communication Skills etc. They also get exposure to the latest technologies in agriculture through different media like the TV where there are programmes on Agriculture (Annadata & Jaikisan). This is done by providing a dedicated slot in the timetable daily for 30 minutes both in the morning & the evening.

The unique feature of the training is that the trainees get practical hands on field training in all agricultural operations/technologies by providing them 2 to 3 cents of land each such that they get adequate experience of growing crops from seed to seed. To bring competitive spirit among the trainees three medals with certificates were instituted for the trainees, (1) the best trainee in crop production,(2) the best trainee in performance and (3) the best trainee in attendance.

The trainees are provided with hands on participatory skill development techniques with latest agricultural technology as furnished below: Skill Development Initiatives for the Trainees

• Sri cultivation in paddy • Soil testing • Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and balanced fertilizer application • Production techniques of Vermicompost • Identification, symptoms & nature of damage, and integrated pest management (IPM) including stem application in cotton, root feeding technique in coconut • Identification, symptoms of infection, and Integrated Disease Management (IDM) • Production techniques of Trichogramma & Trichoderma viride and field application • Construction & management of poly houses and farming in poly houses & shade nets • Cold storage of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable agricultural produce • Drip irrigation & its maintenance • Farm implements and their maintenance • Study on Fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, botanicals and their need-based application. • Seed production in field & horticultural crops and hybrid seed production in Paddy • Seed drying, processing, and storage • Seed quality testing, legislation, and seed certification • Computer applications - basics • Communication skills in English

With the 4 Batch (August 2024 to Febrauary 2025), a total of 133 trainees were trained successfully and most of the trainees got placements in agro-based industries while some have gone for higher studies and the remaining have taken up own farming which in turn is helping other farmers of their respective villages in adopting latest technologies in Agriculture.

Course Work

Successful Trainees - Case Studies

Successful Trainees - Own Farming