ODL to deal with next generation farmers: expert

Updated on: Thursday, May 28, 2009

Coimbatore: Open and Distance learning can be used to teach the latest extension technologies to the new generation of farmers in the agricultural sector, suggests a global leader in agricultural research.

'Developed countries like the US are not in a position to teach agriculture through distance learning to developing countries, as they were not equipped to do that', said Dr V Balaji, Global leader, Agricultural Knowledge Initiatives, ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics), said here.

Inaugurating a workshop on 'ODL learning Content Development Methodologies,' at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, he said the new generation of stockholders and farmers are characterised by possession of mobile phones, internet, computers, and hence the programme should match this fast catching development.

'Whereas, India is highly suited to offer ODL education and related services to other developing countries, especially Africa,' he said.

Though ODL education gained late entry into the agricultural sector, it was rapidly progressing and the potential of ODL was so high that in future ODL graduates in agriclture would be considered on par with the regular graduates, Balaji said

Kalvimalar

ODL to deal with next generation farmers: expert

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