Horticulture students of Nauni University to work with farmers during RAWE programme

98 students of Nauni University leave for Mashobra, Chamba, Jachh and Kullu

With an aim to familiarize students with the socio-economic conditions of farmers and their problems, 98 final year students of B Sc Horticulture at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni are on 10-week Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) programme.

The students, who have been divided into four groups, will be visiting all the four-agro climatic zones of the state. The Regional Research Stations/ Krishi Vigyan Kendras at Mashobra, Kullu, Jachh and Chamba will be hosting each group. After a period of two weeks, the students will shift to a new climatic zone thereby covering all the zones in the stipulated period. This is the first time that the students will be getting exposure to all the agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh.

RAWE is a compulsory part of the degree as per Indian Council of Agricultural Research norms and the students are paid a stipend during the programme.

A group of villages under each zone has been selected and four students will be attached to each village. The objective is to learn about rural, social-cultural settings, rural development, topographical variations, climate change animal husbandry, fruits, vegetables and cooperative working along with understanding the culture. Scientist farmer’s interactions will also be a part of the programme.

Dr KK Raina, coordinator of the programme said that in addition to familiarizing students with socio-economic conditions of the farmers and their problems with reference to horticulture development, RAWE would also help in imparting diagnostic and remedial knowledge relevant to real field situations through practical training. Development of communication skills in students using extension teaching methods in transfer of technology and acquaint them with the ongoing extension and rural development programmes is another important aspect of RAWE. After two weeks, there will be a rotation of groups. In the last week, each group will have to submit a report of the work undertaken.