IfG: Initiatives from Goa (and Goans) ------------------------------------------------------------------- A new agri school takes to the fields of Goa
Manguirish Pai Raikar rsaa...@gmail.com The Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar School of Agriculture was started in June 2013 at Savoi Verem, in Ponda taluka, central Goa, to fulfill the need for an agriculture school in Goa. Initially, eleventh standard classes were started. Due to good response, two batches commenced on 6th June 2013. The school was well supported by various agencies which entered into MOUs for providing teaching faculties as well practical training. ICAR, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, a premier agriculture promoting agency, the Farmer’s training Institute of the State Government, IDEA (Indo-Dutch Education for Agriculture Organization), the B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra and a Professor from the Michigan State University are associated with the school. Dr.S.B. Kadrekar former Vice Chancellor of the B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dr.Karim Maredia of the Michigan State University, Dr.Kees from the Indo-Dutch Education for Agriculture Organization, Dr. Jose Romano Faleiro of the U.N. (F&O), Dr. V.S.Mehrotra of Vocational Education, Govt.of India, visited the school and interacted with the students. The school conducted various farmers' outreach programmes to educate the farmers and at the same time give an opportunity to the students to work with them in the field. The International Year of Family Farming was celebrated at Savoi Verem and a farmers camp was also conducted. When tragedy struck at Dongurli village, Valpoi taluka, the students along with the staff camped at the village and helped in the clearing of the debris and replanting the trees. Various camps for the students were held to enable them to have on-the-job training. We are obliged to the farming community of Goa for their overwhelming support and help in conducting these endeavours. The school has a nursery which is taking shape in a shed with a net provided by GAIN. Two polyhouses one each for Horticulture and floriculture besides open space for undertaking landscape and gardening are available for the students. Seedlings cultivated in the nursery were distributed to the farmers free. A computer lab has also been established to educate the students in this subject. This year, our students also helped in planting various vegetables and watermelons to the Farmers' Co-operative in the village. Students also cultivated rice at two destinations one at Vagurme and the other in Bicholim. This exercise motivated the other farmers to undertake rice cultivation in adjacent fallow land. This year the school has started Standard XII and are awaiting the approval from MCEAR for starting a diploma course with affiliation to the B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. Std XI and XII are recognised by the Goa Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Admissions are ongoing for Std XI. We have already admitted one batch and have the approval for starting another. Interested students may contact the office of the Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar School of Agriculture at Savoi Verem during office hours. * * * World Cup soccer pool, proceeds to benefit Goa Sudharop George Pinto georgejpi...@yahoo.com All for a good cause! Let me know asap if you want to buy a ticket/tickets in the World Cup Soccer pool, net proceeds to benefit [the diaspora Goa-driven charity] Goa Sudharop. Gabe Menezes (London) in managing the pool (thanks Gabe). Here how it works -- 32 tickets will be sold at US $50 each for the 32 teams. The winner gets $150, the runner up gets $100. Gabe will randomly draw the teams for each ticket on June 10. (i.e. you cannot chose your team since everyone will try and select Brazil, Spain, Germany, Portugal, etc.). Half the tickets (16) have already been sold. US $50 a ticket. Recap of the pool: 32 tickets x $50 $1,600 Final winner wins $150 Runner-up wins $100 Net funds to Goa Sudharop $1,350 YOUR ACTION ITEM: You need to let me know asap if you want a ticket or tickets and your name (or someone's name you designate - you can buy a ticket in your mom's/dad's name or child's name, etc.). You will be added to the pool and randomly assigned to a team. You can pay online using PAYPAL at http://www.goasudharop.org/ by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO DONATE" button at the bottom left of the page. Or you can mail a check in US $$ payable to GOA SUDHAROP and mail to: Almeida, Treasurer, PO Box 6144, Moraga, California, USA, 94570. Payment has to be received to be in the pool. Tickets are NOT tax-deductible. Thank you. NOTE: The above is an initiative of Goa Sudharop. Rules applicable in each country apply for the same.