Pachasaale, once a school in this remote location offering education along with different skills established by the Deccan Development Society (DDS), has evolved over the years and has become community hub for green vision.
This was formally inaugurated on Wednesday. The aim is to impart skills for the local youth so that they need not migrate to other places for a living and instead make decent livelihood here itself.
The youth will be imparted training in agro-ecology, green energies and life skills. Agro-ecology deals with natural resource management, soil fertility management, seed conservation and preservation, bio- diversity, ecological pest management and traditional farming techniques, director of Deccan Development Society (DDS) P.V. Satheesh said.
Hands-on training
The six months course will have classes with weekly intervals and course will be facilitated by farmer scientists.
In the case green energy course spanning over 10 months, students will be imparted training to acquire a strong understanding and hands on experience on alternative energies such as solar and bio-mass units.
Under life skills section, courses were designed for rural unemployed youth to make a living such as tailoring, computer skills, electrical and motor winding, veterinary and production of bio-fertilizers.
Changed needs
“We have started Pachasaale School some 25 years ago when it was found relevant to meet the requirement of local children. Now it was found irrelevant after so many changes with establishment of government schools and hostels and changed circumstances. This is second life for us and we are transforming it into a community hub for green vision and life skills to meet the current needs of the youth at this place,” the DDS director said while addressing the inaugural programme.
Farmer science
“This is a marriage of formal science and farmer science encompassing the relevant education. Agro-ecology is a worldwide concept which is inclusive of all previous concepts,” said Mr. Satheesh.
K.V. Srinath, Director, Rural Self Employment Training Insitute, State Bank of India, said that they were ready to join hands with community hub to extend any service.
Joint Director, Agriculture, Sailaja said one should not forget traditional knowledge and need to use it at optimum level. Farmer scientists Gangwar Anjamma and Bidkanne Chandramma were also present.