Now is the time to educate the young generation about the importance of the agriculture and the farmers hard work. Krishi Jagran Group of Publications, bringing out Krishi Jagran in 12 languages and the presence is there in 22 states with 23 editions. Thought of essay competition `Kisan Meri Nazar Main` - How I visualize the Farmer. The competition was planned in all the states of India in all the languages. CBSE also okayed the idea.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is already having the vocational courses in 10-12 streams covering the Horticulture and Agriculture. In few places, there are practical training also about the gardening, farming and related aspects.
Some time back a school in south India had the motto `Learning by Doing` inculcating in the Young Minds a Value Embedded Agriculture of Respect for Biodiversity, Farming, Farmers, Land, Natural Resources, Livestock and all interconnected.
They were having their own Exclusive Unique and Participative Syllabus ‘Naanum Vivasayi’ (I am a Farmer) and flip charts and other Information Education Communication materials on Value Based Agriculture (VBA), by reached to scores of school students in the rural areas of Organic Farming, Food Security and achieving Sustainability. It is a Bi-Weekly Participative Training cum Awareness class sessions coupled with book activity & field practice (Field practice includes developing a model farm). Through these participative sessions, students learn the different methods Organic Farming. The impact was tremendous.
In Pudumavilangai Village Panchayat Middle School the concept of VBA training for 7th graders (Boys: 12, Girls: 9) has been going on for the second year now.
- Pudumavilangai Village Panchayat Middle School has become a Model School for Training on VBA.
- Value Based Agriculture syllabus has become part of the Model School curriculum.
- Students have set up Model Farms adopting Sustainable Agriculture Methods.
- Students have harvested vegetables for their mid-day meals school kitchen. (Tomato, Brinjal, Green Chillies, Greens, Okra, and Bitter Gourd)
- The students are keen to join the Value Based Agriculture Education Program.
- Model farm has impacted the children, the teachers and the school as a whole.
Similarly in Florida, America on the occasion of the second Annual Citrus Youth Day, the Children from across Florida will get a chance to learn about one of the major Florida Agriculture Industries. They might even get so inspired that they attend the University of Florida and pursue a career in agriculture, organizers say.
Some 66 youth are scheduled to attend the June 28 event at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida, part of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“Youth are the future of the agriculture industry,” said Jamie Burrow, Program Manager for UF/IFAS Extension at CREC. “This program is designed for them to learn about the science and research portions of agriculture.”
“Everyone learns differently, whether it be audio or visual, or a combination,” Burrow informed. “The interaction on youth day will allow children to learn something new, whether it is by listening to a speaker or conducting an experiment themselves.”
Participants include members of Florida 4-H, Future Farmers of America and the general public, Burrow further added.
As UF/IFAS Extension faculty teach participants, they hope to convey the potential of careers in agriculture, Burrow said. Such careers include working for food or seed companies, science careers and farm management.
The day will begin with a session that will include a general citrus presentation and a presentation from the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences about enrolling at UF.
Participants will then be divided into four groups and will rotate through each of the stations: plant pathology, entomology, horticulture and food science. Each station will include an interactive activity. Within those stations, students will learn many scientific concepts, such as how water moves through plants, Burrow said.Those teaching at each station are as excited as the youth about the day’s activities, she said.
“For the faculty, it gives them an opportunity to show what they do and get participants excited about science,” Burrow said.Any Industry interested to sponsor the event in Delhi or in India may contact Krishi Jagran.
