Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s concept for the poor, neglected, exploited and downtrodden section of the society, Ramkrishna Ashram Rural Development Wing (RARDW) came into being in 1989. The objective is to reach this section of society with all possible help-material and financial. The problem is more acute in the Sundarbans where poverty rules and people had lost faith in their ability to stand on their own feet.
The Rural Development Wing, through its various activities have been pushing forward the effort to instill sense of faith amongst this section of people particularly, which gives the opportunity of developing necessary skill, they earn the basic capability to sustain themselves and also become able to help other fellow villagers. The Wing, through implementation of various projects and schemes has been able to demonstrate how adopting modern improved technologies in various fields of activity concerning the livelihood which can change the economic condition. It has been possible to create sense of consciousness about the necessity of developing healthy atmosphere for safe living, co-operation amongst the villagers and various other fields of activity for betterment of economic condition. The wing serves as a conduit for self-improvement measures for the poverty stricken people. Among other social improvement activities demonstrations are held to show how the agriculture production can be improved by adopting various modern technologies.
To improve livelihood opportunity and develop entrepreneurship and employment of rural youths of the Sundarbans, SRAN has established Green College with the generous help of GIZ through WHH, Germany.
In continuation of the Green College has started a project entitled Skill Up! Strengthening Skills Development. Creative Future Perspectives for the upliftment of rural youth in Sundarbans with the generous help of WHH, Germany SRAN-RDW, The project will support of Green College run by SRAN in West Bengal. Since its inception, Rural Development Wing in Collaboration with Government line departments, Donors, other funding agencies and techno-economic support including commendable foreign aid from WHH, Germany have been rendering the work of service.
To improve livelihood and poverty reduction of the most vulnerable section of the society in India by stimulating rural economy developing entrepreneurship and employment in the green sector, WHH, Germany, the part of the special initiative “One World-No Hunger” of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Co-Operation and Dev. (BMZ), has kindly sanctioned project entitled “Green College” to SRAN for the Sundarban people.
Following activities were carried out with the HPRYs during the year 2023-24.
• Special care of HPRYs trainees through monitoring to lead them to achieve their goal.
• A few HPRYs took part in the ongoing training courses of Skill up! Projects and shared their views with the participants on their respective trades.
• Conducted field visit of the trainees to the successful HPRYs fields in order to inspire them on their respective trades.
The Skill Up! Initiative in India aims to promote “Green College” for skill development of rural youth on green trades such as sustainable farming, animal husbandry and veterinary para professionals, Integrated fishery, sustainable harvesting and processing of forest produce, agro food processing, solar lighting etc.
Duration: January, 2020 to April, 2023 and extended up to February, 2024.
Strategy:
• The training courses combine the traditional wisdom of these community with modern scientific knowledge to help the small producers grow into ‘ecopreneurs’ by having better access to business development skills, technology, finance and market, thus ensuring significantly higher income and bringing back pride and dignity to these rural professions.
• The training course offered by green college shall be short term (15 days) or medium term (1-2 months) or long term of 03 months.
• The training course which are both theoretical and with hands on practice sessions in student’s own village/field.
Target Group:
• The target group of trainees shall be more focused towards beneficiaries belonging to the tribal population, scheduled castes and other marginalized group.
• Youth of age group 18 to 345 years, with preference to marginalized groups and women Community college tries to bring in 50% women candidates.
• No one will be discriminated on the basis of sex, caste, political affiliation, religion or HIV status.
Achievement:
During this period the following activities were carried out.
• Three nos. of skill training Programme on Goat Farming, SIF and Composite Fish Culture trades with 90 trainees were done.
• Conducted medium training programme on agriculture and allied subjects with 884 trainees on 9 different trades throughout the project period.
• 95 HPRYs in total have received Business Skill Training in nine different trades during the entire project period.
• Seven sharing experiences on 4 different trades (SIFS, Goat Farming, Fish Farming and Food Processing and Preservation) were conducted at five different villages of Kultali, Kakdwip and Patharpratima Block of South 24-Parganas District.
• Four meetings on formation of Farmers Producer Company on Goat Farming have been conducted with the assistance of BLDO, Kultali Block.
• Life Skill Training on adolescent girls, nutrition garden, mushroom cultivation has been conducted during the skill development training on different trades.
• One network meet for the Business Skill Training Progamme held at SRAN Campus on and from 19th and 20th December, 2023. 22HPRYs attended the programme to prepare themselves to interact with the stake holder to facilitate market, financial and technical linkages for them.
• A complaint Response Mechanism has been developed. 1 box each set up in every training venue and RDW office for receiving comments/suggestions for the trainees if any, for improvement in the training processes. One committee has been set up for the same.
• SRAN organized a 5-day long Business Skill training programme at Ashram premises on and from 3rd to 7th October, 2023 for identifying trades and building business as per vision and also developing action plan for next year etc. The project staff as mentor and 22 HPRYs representing 3 trades attended the training programme.
• SRAN in collaboration Skill Green Global (SGG), New Delhi also organized 3 days workshop on Media and Communication held at Ashram Premises on and from 7th to 9th November, 2023 with 22 HPRYs of 3 trades representing their capability related to their respective business to the financial organization and media for extending their business.
• One Network meet for the business skill training programme held at the SRAN campus on and from 19th and 20th December, 2023. 22 HPRYs attended the programme to prepare themselves to interact with the stakeholders to facilitate market, financial and technical linkages for them. Government Officials, Bankers and Successful entrepreneurs and traders attended the programme. The project staff engaged them as mentors during the business skill training to teach them the concept and business of the HPRYs.
• A two-day Multi-Stakeholders Meet Cum Sharing Experiences has been organized, representatives from the WHH, state-level government line departments, banks, partner organizations and engaged with 264 farmers and High Potential Rural Youth (HPRY) participants. The event features 10 stalls showcasing ideal models in various trades.
On the first day, successful HPRY individuals were chosen to share their inspiring journeys, while government officials enlightened farmers with information on diverse schemes related to different trades.
The second day of the event involved a field visit for partners and WHH representatives, providing them with a firsthand look at the practical aspects of the initiatives discussed during the meetings. This comprehensive approach aimed to foster collaboration, share success stories, and facilitate a direct exchange of knowledge between stakeholders for the benefit of the participating farmers and HPRY individuals.
• Four trainees of Kultali Block had participated in Entrepreneur Development on different schemes of PraniPalonkari under NLM programme conducted by Animal Resource Department, Govt. of West Bengal held at Rabindra Bhaban, Baruipur, South 24-Parganas.
• An Animal Health Camp of the FPC (Farmers Producer Company) Goat Cluster in collaboration with the Block Livestock Department of Govt. of West Bengal in Kultali Block has been done benefiting 35 individuals. The camp aimed to enhance the overall health and well-being of the animal population in the region, ensuring the productivity of the goat farming cluster, BLDO Kultali Block, Dr. Basudev Dutta provided free vaccination, medicine distribution and also discussed crucial insights on disease prevention, nutrition, and general care practices. The collaborative effort between the SRAN-Skill Up! &the Block Livestock Department has promoted animal welfare and supported the individuals of the FPC Cluster.
• Like every year this year, SRAN has organized a 3-day long agriculture exhibition and technology weed on agro-technology and bio-technology held at the SRAN campus on and from 19th to 21st January, 2024. The theme of this year was “Climate Smart Agriculture”. Different sections on agriculture and allied sectors were the main features of the programme. 121trainees from different trades participated in the seminar. Graduates of Food Processing and Preservation displayed their products like jam, jelly, sauce, bari, etc. in the Rural Development Wing Stall and sold them at a nominal rate.
• The project staff attended 4 days 55th Sri Ramakrishna Mela and Exhibition at RKM, Narendrapur.
• Arranged various machineries and infrastructural support for farmers’ clubs through Government Department linkages.
• Life Skill training on adolescent girls, nutrition garden and mushroom cultivation has been conducted during the skill development training on different trades.
• A Skill Up! Project Report Magazine has been designed to highlight the achievement so far.
• Post assessment, training completion certificates have been awarded to successful trainees from the SRAN-GC.
Exchange and capacity Building.
Webinar and virtual meetings with Skill Up! Partners and WHH units. The Webinar and virtual meeting attended by our staff during the year:
1. Skill Up! Exchange- Theory of Change.
2. Skill Up! Exchange- Final Evaluation in nutshell.
3. Skill Up! Inclusion Training.
• One project staff had participated in Skill Up! Review workshop held in Kenya, on and from 24th to 28th April, 2023.
Completed external audit works arranged by Funding Agency for the period during the period from January, 2023 to February, 2024.