Post on 07-May-2015
description
International Conference on “Knowledge, Tools, and Lessons for Informing the Design and
Implementation of Food Security Strategies in Asia” held at Kathmandu, Nepal during 14th to 17th September, 2011
Paper entitled “ Integrating Education, Farm Extension and Private Sector Efforts from
India”
Presented by
C. Ramasamy and D. Suresh Supported by
USAID’s Agricultural Innovation Partnership
Market for agricultural education in India growing (Supply side)
60 Agricultural universities; 436 Agricultural colleges
Large number of Institutes offering diploma and certificate programs and courses
Recently private investment growing.
Maharashtra - 136 private agricultural colleges Tamilnadu - 4 private agricultural colleges and 10 more private institutes.
SAUs adding more colleges
agriculture, veterinary and animal sciences, dairy , horticulture and agricultural engineering
Demand for agricultural education Agriculture - growing at 3 % Dairy & Horticulture - 5 % Food consumption basket getting more diversified higher consumption of dairy and horti. products
Processed food consumption growing due to growing urban population Organized retailing expanding
Ag graduates are in great demand from the banking and insurance sector The public and private agricultural R&D and extension is growing and so do agricultural education
Inadequate educational Infrastructure
Lack of adequate financial support and autonomy
About 40% of State Agricultural Universities faculty
positions vacant
Only 10% of ICAR budget spent on education
Dilution in quality of human resources engaged in
agricultural education, research and extension
Present status of agricultural education
Contd…
Quality of graduates continually declining (NAARM, 2011)
Unplanned growth of institutions
Poor quality of intake
Lack of practical orientation
Poor industry interaction
Less exposure to recent advances
Lack of support skills IVth Deans Committee Report
Changes that are happening
Growing population and increasing demand for high quality food and non food commodities Indian agriculture becoming more and more globalized Biotechnology applications to agriculture is being commercialized ; huge scope for GM crops as evidenced from unprecedented success of Bt. Cotton and many GM products are in the pipeline GIS is used in crop planning, fishing, drought management, etc.
Need for agricultural curriculum modernization
Foregoing discussion underscores the significance of revamping agricultural curriculum in India.
Ag. education designed mainly for green revolution era has not transformed much to meet the current needs . Though ICAR made efforts to improve the ag. education through funding support and guidance , large number of SAUs and other institutions offering agricultural education have not responded adequately Further efforts are to be made to develop agricultural education in India
Contd…. Besides demand for skilled manpower to work at grass root level keeps rising ; particularly private extension is already showing lot of promise in delivering farm inputs and advising farmers and is in need of trained manpower(para professionals) to work in rural areas Hi-tech horticulture is another area which creates employment for qualified and trained manpower. Trained manpower for animal husbandry ,dairying, poultry, food processing, sericulture and fisheries are also in demand. Agricultural graduates also moving to public administration and own business It is critical that agricultural education has to meet the diversified demand
Needed reforms in ag. curriculum
Market driven agricultural education Emphasis on agricultural related social sciences in agrl. curriculum (to understand the problems in globalization of agriculture) Curriculum to include agrl. marketing policy for national and international markets
Curri. reorientation which is:
Environment sensitive
Attitudinal changes in graduates’ minds
UG Program – Capacity Building
Need for instructional farm development Faculty training: continuous updating knowledge in frontier & emerging areas
Training to focus on pedagogy, computer related skills, knowledge about national & international agrl. curriculum development , communication skill (soft & hard)
Specialized courses in educational technology to upgradee teaching skills
Contd…
Equip new graduates with subject competency, self motivation, positive attitudes, agribusiness skills, computer & IT application skills, communication skills both in English and regional languages
SAUs could have flexible course credit system buttressed by continuous internal evaluation
Training in biotechnology, processing and value addition, GIS, remote sensing, agribusiness management, diagnostics, IPR, quality standards, exports and entrepreneurship development needed; and to be trained in LGUs
Cornell University – Sathguru Consultants perceive the Education as the key driver to the pace of progress and made unique initiatives in this direction
Sathguru Management Consultants
Established in 1985
Leadership in Technology Management in developing regions of Asia and Africa
Innovation strategy and policy advisory in 18 countries
200 professionals with diverse skills Global Mission
Cornell – in – India™ & Sathguru ®
Cornell – in – India and Sathguru engagement dates back to 1995
Initial engagement related to Life Science related research partnership and technology transfer focusing on the urgent Indian need to produce more food and fiber with optimized water use
The results so far
“High tech” and “low tech” innovations transferred
Sathguru complemented Cornell’s dual goals of commercial success and philanthropy
Cornell’s faculty involvement and reach extended through new partnerships
Leveraging reputation and competency collectively to demonstrate that economic growth and social responsibility is not a dilemma but a reality
Spin-off activities created educational opportunities consulting Government Relations Newly endowed programs and more
Cornell – Sathguru Foundation (established 2006)
A 501(c)(3) equivalent initiative in India
Supports Dual Graduate program launched by Cornell in partnership with Sathguru and Indian Universities in life sciences
Efforts with Indian planners to explore next generation education needs
The goal is to leverage national funding opportunities with complimentary contribution from Sathguru and Indian development organizations – Invitation grants and competitive
Cornell-Sathguru engaged US LGUs with Indian SAUs- rewarding in many ways for Land Grants
Great relationships
International engagement of students, faculty Administrators& Staff engagement (and trailing spouses)
Faculty consulting
Co-development of research results, technology transfer and licensing
Engagement of University Licensees in USA with that of partner entities in India
However… Global knowledge partnerships are complicated – understanding relevance Distance and culture can be an issue
Relationship development time consuming Constraint of resources (faculty, interns, staff)
Capability alignment – Academic, managerial and delivery competencies Respect for mutual brand and mutual protection
Engagement focus – sustainability driven breadth and depth
Project I
International Agriculture and Rural Development Course (IARD)
Objectives
Provide strategic and operational perspectives one merging challenges and opportunities in agriculture to US and Indian Students
Develop an awareness of the global nature of the international economy and multi-disciplinary nature of issues to them
Institutions Involved
Cornell University, USA
TNAU, Coimbatore
UAS, Dharwad
ANGRAU, Hyderabad
GBPUAT, Pant Nagar
Universities in Thailand
Module 1: INTAG 402
Video compressed lectures (13 nos) to impart knowledge in major issues and challenges in international agriculture and rural development
Module 2: INTAG 602
Joint field visits of US, Indian and Thai students to acquire hands-on-experience in agriculture and rural development in these countries
Modules of INTAG
Interacting with Indian Farmers in Hyderabad
Visit to Biotech Industry (Monsanto)
Bt Cotton…
INTAG Students in Thailand
Wholesale Agriculture Market Orchids Farm
No. Year No. of Students
1 2004-05 13
2 2005-06 8
3 2006-07 7
4 2007-08 7
5 2008-09 13
6 2009-10 13
7 2010-11 6
Participation from TNAU
Sensitized on the emerging challenges and opportunities in agriculture
Understood the complexity of Indian and global agriculture through field trips
Improved communication skills (written & spoken)
Video-conferencing assisted in confidence
building and presentation skills
Multifunctional career options
Impact on Indian Students
CONT…
Acquired International experience in Agriculture
Exposed to frontier areas of science and state of the art laboratories
Experienced with innovative learning processes such as special lectures, field visits, group activities, blackboard interaction, video conferencing etc
Instilled self confidence for higher academic pursuits
Impact on Faculty
Acquired international experience and integrated lessons learned in the curriculum Synthesized new courses encompassing growing concerns of
globalization in agriculture Explored the possibilities of research collaborations and faculty exchanges in cross cutting theme areas
CRIDA, Hyderabad Thailand
Impact on the Institution Developed new courses besides revising the existing curriculum to match with global agriculture State-of-the-art Communication laboratory facility and e-learning modules created as a follow up of students feedback Served as a base to establish dual degree program between TNAU and Cornell
Project 2
Unique Initiatives – Linkage with Agribusiness firms
Unique initiatives - Centre for Executive Education
Created in partnership with Cornell for delivering Executive Education
Trained over 1200 Indian managers – A self sustaining model
Exposure to science administrators, policy planners, industry captains and the academia in getting “future ready”
What we do..
Shaping strategy and building public private linkages. Global growth planning - footprint analysis Strategic repositioning – diversity analysis Allied sector linkages and next generation opportunities
Large food chain integrators, retailers, processors, product developers, donor Institutions and multilateral development bodies gained experience Tata, ITC, Unilever, ConAgra and 12 other large food brands, several
mid-sized companies
Sector trends and enterprise level competitive advantage assessment – Focus on linking technology advancements to market needs
Program Details
Program is conducted in India and in the U.S. and its focus is on: 1. Technology transfer opportunities and issues in agriculture
and food product commercialization
2. Food retailing and supply chain management; and
3. International food marketing standards and World Trade Organization regulations
Project 3
MPS / M Tech Dual Degree Program First ever outcome of Cornell-TNAU-Sathguru-TATA Trust Collaboration
Need
Huge Post Harvest losses / Requirement to procure raw material from open market – as opposed to the practice of complete backward linkage in developed economies Leading Indian food players focus entirely on the processing end while ignoring procurement, quality of raw material and farming practices.
Much larger number of intermediaries in the system than one would see in food chains elsewhere. To modernize system well trained man power in biotechnology, food science and agricultural marketing is needed
The degrees offered are:
MPS-Food Science at Cornell University & M. Tech (Food Processing and Marketing) at TNAU
MPS-Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University & M. Tech (Biotechnology and Business Management) at TNAU
Funding Support by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Cornell Sathguru Foundation for Development
CORNELL CREDITS
Food Science
23
6
1
5
34
Food Science
Seminar
IARD
TNAU
Plant Breeding & Genetics
20
6
1
6
3
34
Plant Breeding
Research
Internship
TNAU
Seminar
IARD
Research
Credits Composition
COMBINED CREDITS
Purpose of Faculty Deputation at Cornell
Designed flexible course and curriculum development for MPS
and M. Tech programs
Laboratory Methods standardization were incorporated
New Experiential learning modules and case studies were developed
Provide mentoring support to MPS Research topics identification students
Modern teaching aids and methods would be used to enhance greater learning among the individuals
From left: KM. Shivakumar, Assistant professor (Agrl.Econ), P. Prema, Asst. Librarian G. Hemalatha, Associate Professor (Food Science) and K. Thangavel, Professor (Food Process Eng.)
Progress….
32 students enrolled – 26 qualified with Cornell and TNAU degree
12 Faculty from TNAU and 8 faculty from Cornell participated in faculty exchange for the program success
ICAR Supports extending this initiative to Ph.D to two more SAUs forthcoming from this year
Greatest Challenges
To develop a program that provides a well rounded experience
Time difference between the USA and India
Adjusting to cultural differences
Use of video-conferencing involving multiple partners
Follow-up and feedback
Project 4
Agricultural Innovation Partnership Supported by USAID
India: Banaras Hindu University, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and
Technology and Rajendra Agricultural University USA:
Cornell University, Tuskegee University, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, Ohio State University, University of California, Davis Private Sector:
Tata Chemicals, John Deere and Sathguru
Agricultural Innovation Partnership Lead Implementing Agency - Cornell University, Ithaca
Goal: Improve food availability, nutrition and health in eastern India and Africa while providing opportunities for diversification of income and consequent economic and social advancement of the rural poor and women in particular by modernizing agricultural sciences curriculum and extension programs
To be implemented in Agricultural Universities located in Indo-Gangetic plains
Comprise of two major components - duration of 5 years. 1- Improve agricultural education at targeted institutions 2- Improve agricultural extension programs
Target Beneficiaries
Component 1 : Agricultural Education Component 2 : Agricultural Extension
Banaras Hindu University, Agricultural Universities in Eastern
India and African countries like Liberia, Kenya and Malawi
Agriculture Graduates Teaching faculty
Non teaching faculty
Farmers Rural Community
Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)
State Department of Extension (India & Africa)
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK)
Agriculture Extension Specialists- Public /Private
Activities so far
A Curriculum Development and Planning workshop organized at BHU and work plan developed. 3 faculties from SVPUA&T & 4 faculties from BHU were trained in curriculum development at US partner universities. The new curriculum has been designed in SVPUA&T and is in the process of approval. A workshop planned jointly with ICAR to discuss about the curriculum development and sensitize the policy makers and administrators in the area of agricultural education and extension.
Revamping agricultural extension system
Public system unable to meet the demands of the farmers in terms effective delivery of knowledge and skills for modern farming
Increasing presence of private extension by the participation of input companies and NGOs
Introduce public private partnership (PPP) in transmitting knowledge and products of the agricultural universities;
Tata chemicals and John Deere will work with AIP project universities in delivery of knowledge and technologies in Indo-Gangetic plains
Project 5 - Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program
Globally led by University of California, Davis
Lead in Bangladesh Cornell University & BARI in partnership with UC, Davis, and Sathguru, India
Project on “Horticulture, Food Safety and Adoption of GAP”
Initially awarded an Exploratory Project of one year for ground level food safety position analysis though stakeholder consultation and developing action plan for the subsequent Pilot Project for three years.
Objectives
Map base line levels of food contaminants that emanate from the farm and thereafter until consumption, and implement Good Agriculture Practices that will help to provide resource poor communities an access to nutritious fruits and vegetables that are contamination free and safe to consume
Adopt and implement the Good Agriculture Practices in the Khulna region as a pilot effort
Capacity Building and Awareness
Development of low cost detection systems
Thank you