When a former president of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) decided to offer his family’s heritage structure to start a unique educational institution in the State, eyebrows were raised regarding the purpose and viability of the institution.
Not to be deterred, the Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar Education Society inaugurated the Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar School of Agriculture at Madhala-wada in Savoi-Verem (Ponda) this year and this institute is the first educational institute of its kind in the State to offer agriculture studies at the higher secondary level.
The school, which is affiliated to the Goa Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, also hopes to start a Bachelor in Science (BSc) course as well as short term courses in agriculture in the near future.
Located in 1.5 acres of land, the school is located in a heritage structure belonging to the Pai Raiker family, the building (which has a built-up area of about 1,000 sq mtrs) has been refurbished to house four class rooms, a computer lab, canteen and the administrative section.
“Various queries were raised on the purpose of the school. People wanted to know if there would be enough students and if the school can be sustained. Fears were raised mainly because attempts to set up a similar school had failed miserably,” says Manguirish Pai Raiker, chairman of the school management and former GCCI chairman.
Though the school started on a cautious note, Pai Raikar and the school management had to work hard to promote the school.
“Getting students was not that easy as the school principal, Srirang Jambhale, and I had to undertake a campaign. A publicity campaign in schools helped attract a modest number of students. During the first year itself, we have 34 students in Std 11 and we have students from various parts of the State, including Bicholim, Valpoi, Sanquelim, Ponda and even from Canacona,” said Pai Raikar.
“We have planned the course methodically so that students pursuing studies in agriculture do not suffer. After passing HSSC in agriculture, these students have option to join BSc or become an entrepreneur and start their own nursery,” says Pai Raikar.
Pleased with the response, Pai Raikar said plans are now afoot to start part-time courses in agriculture and a BSc course in agriculture.
Asked to comment on funding to the institution, Pai Raikar replied: “At the moment, we are managing with our own finances, but we hope the State government will support us in this venture.”
Pai Raikar stated that the course is designed to include firsthand knowledge as well as inputs from experts from Europe and America.
“The institute has signed a knowledge-sharing partnership with the Netherlands Agricultural Institute and Michigan State University (USA). Teams from both these institutes are expected to visit the agricultural school at Savoi-Verem later this year,” he said.
“There are farms and other cultivable lands in vicinity of the school and this will help students to get firsthand experience in agriculture,” Pai Raikar added.
Apart from this, the institute is also expected to help local farmers in a big way.
“For the first time, agricultural soil will be sent through our institute to laboratories to ascertain its nutrient content. This will help farmers to decide what kind of cultivation to undertake and about 152 farmers will benefit from this exercise. Besides, our institute will also develop and maintain the village garden,” said Pai Raiker.
For Pai Raikar, setting up an institute in his village has been a special mission. “Setting up this institute in my own village is a moment of joy for me and moreover, it is our contribution to promote the environment and to inculcate the love for agriculture among the younger generation,” said Pai Raikar.
