Odisha Brings Hands-On Agriculture Training to 26 Govt Schools Under Dual Vocational Education Initiative

Bhubaneswar: Students of 26 PM SHRI Government Secondary Schools across Odisha will get hands-on exposure to farming, animal husbandry, horticulture and food processing under a new vocational education initiative aimed at taking learning beyond the classroom.

The Dual Mode Vocational Education initiative was formally launched on Thursday through a partnership between the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

An orientation programme was held at the OUAT Conference Hall in Bhubaneswar to mark the beginning of the programme. Headmasters, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientists and in-charges, SC/ST Education Coordinators and ADEOs (Scheme) from 20 districts participated virtually.

Under an MoU signed between OSEPA and OUAT for the current academic year, the 26 participating government schools have been linked with OUAT, Bhubaneswar, and identified KVKs for practical and experiential vocational education.

Students of Classes IX and X will receive structured field-based training in six job roles — Mango Grower, Solanaceous Crop Cultivator, Paddy Farmer, Animal Health Worker, Dairy Worker and Citrus Fruit Grower.

The job roles have been selected based on the agricultural strengths, local resources and livelihood opportunities of the respective districts. The programme is designed to help students gain practical skills while developing competencies aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

As part of the collaboration, students will have access to OUAT’s laboratories, farms, food-processing facilities and technical expertise. They will also receive exposure to real-world work environments in agriculture and allied sectors, enabling them to connect the concepts taught in schools with practical applications.

State Project Director, OSEPA, Sangita Behera said Odisha has been making efforts to strengthen vocational education and stressed the need to provide students with meaningful learning experiences beyond conventional classroom teaching.

She said the partnership with OUAT would open up opportunities for experiential learning, skill development and career exploration in agriculture and allied sectors.

Prof. Susanta Kumar Swain, Dean, Extension Education, OUAT, welcomed the initiative and assured support from the university and its network of KVKs for its implementation. He emphasised the importance of linking school education with practical knowledge and real-world work environments.

The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between classroom education and field-based practice while equipping students with skills that could support future employment, entrepreneurship and career choices in agriculture and related sectors.

OSEPA Deputy Director, Vocational Education, Tanmaya Kumar Behera outlined the objectives, implementation process and expected outcomes of the programme. Sarbani Das, Joint Director, Extension Education, OUAT, addressed queries raised by participating officials and proposed the vote of thanks.

The programme is expected to give school students an early understanding of agriculture as a potential career and livelihood avenue while exposing them to modern practices and technical resources available through OUAT and its KVK network.