Tag: agriculture education

EduConnect

Blossoming Marigolds: Sharada Higher Secondary School Students Lead Agricultural Initiative in Nagzar

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

In the Nagzar area of Bhendale Vajri Pedne, a remarkable initiative has brought education, agriculture, and community together. With the active cooperation of students from Sharada Higher Secondary School’s Agriculture Department, local villagers, and the support of the Water Resources and Agricultural Departments, a marigold cultivation project was successfully executed. Known for being low-cost, low-maintenance, and reliably productive, marigolds were chosen as the crop for this venture.

The timing of the cultivation was strategic, coinciding with the festive season of Dussehra, Diwali, and Tulsi Vivah, periods when the demand for marigold flowers is at its peak. The planning involved assessing market needs and ensuring that the flowers were harvested and sold at the right time to maximize both yield and profitability. Through this initiative, students not only learned how to grow a crop efficiently but also experienced firsthand the economic aspects of agricultural production and market sales.

Guidance throughout the project was provided by Agriculture Department teachers, including Mrs. Vrunda Naik, Ms. Shreya Bhendalkar, and Mr. Shamba Marathe, who taught students how to cultivate marigolds according to local environmental conditions. This hands-on approach to learning helped students gain practical skills that complement their formal academic education, emphasizing the importance of connecting theory with real-world experience.

The project also highlighted the value of community collaboration. Local villagers, alongside the Water Resources and Agricultural Departments, actively participated and appreciated the efforts of the students. Principal Mr. Gajanan Marathe noted that such experiential learning initiatives help maintain students’ connection with the soil and foster a deeper understanding of agriculture, ensuring that traditional knowledge and modern education work hand in hand.

By combining education, practical skills, and community engagement, this marigold cultivation project stands as a shining example of how schools can empower students to learn, earn, and grow in harmony with their environment.

EduConnect

Agriculture Students Champion Vermicomposting for Greener Goa in Chorão

Tanisha Cardozo

Agriculture students from Goa took a significant step toward promoting sustainable farming practices by organizing a live vermicomposting demonstration for local farmers in Chorão village. The initiative was part of their RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience) programme, a key component of agricultural education that connects classroom learning with practical fieldwork.

The demonstration showcased the process of vermicomposting — the use of earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Farmers were introduced to simple, cost-effective methods of setting up and maintaining composting systems on their farms, highlighting the benefits of improved soil health, reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers, and enhanced crop yields.

The event emphasized the importance of waste-to-resource conversion, not just as an environmental necessity but also as an economically viable solution for rural farming communities. Students took the lead in educating farmers on how agricultural and kitchen waste could be transformed into valuable compost, fostering a circular economy at the grassroots level.

This hands-on initiative reflects a growing awareness among the youth of the need for eco-conscious agricultural practices. By empowering farmers with knowledge and practical skills, the program contributes to Goa’s larger mission of fostering greener, more sustainable farming across the state. The success of the demonstration in Chorão stands as a model for future collaborations between educational institutions and local communities.