In an effort to create a pool of trained organic growers, the Youth Training Centre (YTC) at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Bhadrachalam is organising a month-long free residential training programme for unemployed youth, to empower them with requisite skills and domain knowledge.
The training programme is a joint initiative of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Gram Tarang – a social enterprise, and Odisha-based Centurion University of Technology and Management, according to the ITDA sources.
The programme is designed to produce well-trained professionals to cater to the rapidly expanding organic sector especially to tap the burgeoning demand for certified organic food products in various parts of the country.
As many as 30 unemployed youth from various parts of Bhadrachalam division and various parts of the district are currently undergoing training at the YTC.
The residential training programme features both theory sessions and field trips.
It is designed to help the trainees gain deeper insight into sustainable organic farming including organic methods of crop cultivation , pest control, and harvesting and post-harvesting practices, said Ravichandar, coordinator of YTC, Bhadrachalam. It would also help them in Marketing jobs while promoting eco-friendly farming.
The scientific methods of preparing neem-based bio-pesticides and organic-fertilisers like vermicompost would be explained to trainees as part of the programme, he said.
“I consider organic farming as the best vocation to earn a decent living, utilising the locally available natural resources in harmony with nature,” remarked G. Yamuna, a trainee at the YTC.
I will explore job opportunities in the companies engaged in production of organic products, the tribal girlhailing from Jagannadhapuram village in Mulakalapalli mandal, told The Hindu.
