Training of Trainers for Skill Development in Agriculture organized

9^th to 11^th December, 2019, Kolkata

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata organized the three-day Orientation-cum-Capacity Development Programme on skill development in agriculture from 9^th to 11^th December, 2019. The programme was organized in collaboration with the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) and West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS).

The Chief Guest, Prof. (Dr.) Purnendu Biswas, Vice-Chancellor, WBUAFS, Kolkata emphasized on the nation-wide demand of skilled manpower in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and allied sectors in the country. He stressed on the appropriateness of the Trainers’ Training Programme in meeting up such demands effectively.

In his welcome address, Prof. (Dr.) A. Goswami, Director of Research Extension and Farms, WBUAFS, Kolkata stated about the timeliness as well as appropriateness of such programmes to bring and retain the school and college dropouts / other rural youth into the mainstream economic growth through agriculture and allied sectors.

Dr. S.S. Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata highlighted the role of skill development in establishing the entrepreneurial ventures among the progressive farmers and rural youth in the country. This would be the backbone for the future economic development. He also outlined the way forward towards achieving the goal of doubling the farmers’ income through such training.

Shri Santosh Kumar Panda, Representative, ASCI stressed upon the industry-driven demand of skilling the workforce engaged in the agricultural activities in Eastern India.

Earlier Dr. S.K. Mondal, Nodal Scientist for the Programme underlined about the sanction of 72 skill development trainings in agriculture on different job roles of 200 hours or more duration to the Krishi Vigyan Kendras, States Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes of West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the current year.

Around 75 scientists / faculty members from KVKs, SAUs, ICAR Institutes of West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Jharkhand participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute Kolkata)