Students work in the fields of the Goa College of Agriculture at Ela Farm in Old Goa as part of their curriculum.
PANAJI
Youth in the State have begun taking to agriculture in a big way, not just in the field but in the classroom as well.
Such has been the demand to pursue studies in agriculture at the Goa College of Agriculture (GCA), which was set up at Ela Farm in Old Goa barely a year ago, that over 175 students who passed their HSSC in science sought admission to the first-year course for the current academic year. The college could admit only 60 students.
Students not only get the chance to collaborate with foreign universities, they also get entrepreneurship training in commercial horticulture. In addition, they get internship training to reside in villages and help farmers with advanced agricultural technologies and to know more about traditional knowledge from farmers.
COLLABORATION
The Goa College of Agriculture (GCA) at Ela Farm, Old Goa recently signed an MoU with HAS University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, for cooperation in various areas and development of the college.
The MoU was signed by GCA Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar in the presence of representatives of HAS University of Applied Sciences and Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso.
“The cooperation with HAS University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, largely includes joint research projects, exchange of students and staff, skills development programmes, exchange of knowledge, information and research publications etc.,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
The MoU signed by Goa College of Agriculture Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar in the presence of representatives of HAS University of Applied Sciences and Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso.
“Students from Goa will get an opportunity to go to the Netherlands for higher studies. This will provide them international exposure in studies and choosing a career path for self-development.”
“Under this MoU, a student from the Netherlands will shortly join the Goa College of Agriculture for research on the suitability of scientific tomato production and processing in Goa,” he said.
COLLEGE
The GCA offers a four-year professional B. Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture degree and is affiliated to Goa University to provide agriculture education to students from Goa and other states of India.
The college recruits qualified teachers with Ph.D and NET under the guidelines of Goa University and the Directorate of Higher Education.
“The demand for agriculture education is increasing in Goa. In this academic year, over 175 students who passed their HSSC in science had applied for admission to the first year, but the college could take only 60 students as per government guidelines,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
CAMPUS
The college campus, spread over 40 acres, comprises college buildings, laboratories, girls' hostel, poly houses, and experimental fields.
“Students are provided with facilities, which include a library, wi-fi connectivity, common rooms, canteen, study room etc. They also cultivate horticultural crops, vegetables and field crops,” Dr Kunkalikar said.
INTERNSHIP
Final year BSc (Hons.) Agriculture students are placed in different villages for Rural Agricultural Work Experience programme for six months.
“This is an internship programme to reside in villages to help farmers with advanced agricultural technologies and also know more about traditional knowledge from farmers,” informed Dr Kunkalikar.
“This includes information on the management of pests and diseases in crops by using different chemicals, use of farm machinery, drones, agriculture apps on technology, training on mushroom cultivation, grafting, food processing, etc.”
ACTIVITIES
In the last eighth semester, students are also engaged in entrepreneurship training on planning and execution of projects in commercial horticulture, food processing, processing of milk into ice cream, Kulfi, Lassi, Paneer etc, honey bee rearing for honey production, organic farming, and food processing etc. Students sell their products and earn profit.
“This develops skills and confidence in students to establish their small-scale industries for self-employment. Such an approach for the holistic growth of students aligns with expectations in NEP-2020.
Dr Kunkalikar said another joint project on the processing of cashew for value addition is planned with HAS University of Applied Sciences during the cashew season.
“In this project the alumni of the college will get an opportunity to be a part of the project. Besides, many additional projects will be planned depending on the success of planned projects.”
“The college organises the services of experts for seminars on opportunities in overseas education to guide students with TOEFL, GRE, VISA application to seek admission for higher studies in reputed universities across the world. Presently, some alumni are pursuing studies at the universities in UK, Canada, Hungary and USA,” he added.
