KSOU's course for 'sons of soil' waiting in wings

  The course aims to enable ‘sons of the soil’ to study and get a certificate in various issues related to agriculture.

Final touches are being given to the prospectus and the study materials are being readied as well to suit the students, said Dr Harsha, the co-ordinator of the course to Deccan Herald. Interestingly, unlike other certificate courses, those taking up this course will not have any written exams but their performance will be measured through internal assessment and their practical skills, Harsha said. The study materials will be in Kannada since the KSOU want to reach each and every farmer who wish to take up this course and also those interested in farming. “The course does not demand any education qualification but applicants should read and write Kannada,” he added.

Under the course, the classes will be held at respective Krishi Vijanana Kendras (KVK). “There are eleven KVKs that are affiliated to the Agricultural University, Bangalore which will also function as the study centres for the students.

The applicants need not come to the KSOU instead their classes including the practical classes would be held at the KVKs. Experts from the agricultural university and also from Krishi Vijanana Kendras will conduct the class,” he informed. The course emphasises on hands-on training to students rather than focussing on theory classes, he added. The course fee is fixed at Rs 500, he informed.

The KSOU will offer certificate courses in hiring of farm equipment and maintenance, food processing and preservation, seed production, management of agriculture development centres, organic manure, bio-pesticides and bio-agents production. The duration of the course is six months. Perhaps this is the first time that the two universities are coming together to provide certificate course to farmers.

It may be recalled here that the KSOU and Rajiv Gandhi University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore had inked a memorandum of understanding sometime in August this year.

Waiting for new VC

Although the course is almost ready, the KSOU officials are waiting for the new VC to launch the copy.

Dr Harsha said the University is hopeful of having a new VC by this month end.