Bodoland University in Assam Launches Innovative Course for Uneducated Farmers

Bodoland University in Assam Launches Innovative Course for Uneducated Farmers

GUWAHATI: Farmers in western Assam who never attended school now have the opportunity to enhance their skills at Bodoland University. The Technology Incubation Centre at the State-run Bodoland University, located near Kokrajhar, approximately 220 km west of Guwahati, has developed several short-term courses aimed at unlettered farmers, school dropouts, and rural entrepreneurs to boost the rural economy.

This initiative, a Central project under the Department of Biotechnology of the Ministry of Science and Technology, begins in August. Among these courses is a three-month certificate program in rural technology and advanced mushroom farming, specifically designed for farmers who cannot read or write.

"Many of our farmers possess practical knowledge and wisdom, despite not having formal education. We designed this course to ensure that the lack of formal education does not hinder their ability to acquire new knowledge," said Sandeep Das, principal investigator at the incubation centre.

The certificate course covers a wide range of topics, including pearl cultivation, vermicomposting, biogas production, areca nut plate-making, bio-floc fish culture, basic and advanced mushroom farming, value-added food production, plant tissue culture, and beekeeping. The first batch will accommodate 30 farmers.

To make these courses accessible, the university has set a nominal fee structure. Additionally, their corporate social responsibility partner may cover the fees for the first batch of farmers, returning students, rural youth, and entrepreneurs who choose the six-month diploma or the 12-month postgraduate diploma courses. The deadline for admissions is July 5.

"The assessment for these courses will differ from traditional methods," Prof. Das noted.

Vice-Chancellor of Bodoland University, Babu Lal Ahuja, expressed hope that their efforts will inspire other higher education institutions across the country to support the growth of farmers, particularly in tribal areas.

Since its establishment in 2012, the Technology Innovation Centre has been transferring knowledge to farmers throughout the Bodoland Territorial Region and beyond, gradually extending its reach to other parts of Assam and neighboring countries like Bhutan. Initially focusing on cultivating 21 species of mushrooms, including the high-value Cordyceps, the center has expanded its expertise to pearl cultivation, bio-floc fish culture, tissue culture, hydroponics, fog water harvesting, counseling, prebiotics, and more.

Bodoland University’s new initiative stands as a testament to the power of practical knowledge and skill development, ensuring that even those without formal education can contribute significantly to the rural economy.

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 News Courtesy