DISTANCE EDUCATION

PROGRAMMES IN
AGRICULTURE AND
ALLIED SECTORS
DR. P. VIJAYAKUMAR
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, IGNOU, NEW DELHI
EMAIL: PVKUMAR@IGNOU.AC.IN
 DISTANCE EDUCATION
o Difference between:
• Correspondence Education
• Distance Education
• Conventional Education (Regular
F2F)
 OPEN AND DISTANCE
LEARNING
o ‘Open Learning’ - Philosophy

o ‘Distance Education’ -
Methodology
 ODL
o EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY: Learner-
centered

o CHARACTERISTICS: Flexibility & Openness

• Flexible entry
• What, when, where and how to study
• Self pacing
• Credit accumulation
• Flexible learner support
 ODL
o Five Generations:
• First - Print based correspondence education
• Second – Print + Radio/Television
• Third – Use of ICT (CD/Web, IRC, TC etc.)
• Fourth – Flexible learning (Online)
• Fifth – Blended learning/Intelligent Flexible
learning
o ODL Institutions in India:
• One National Open University (IGNOU)
• 14 State Open Universities
• 242 dual mode universities/Institutions
 ABOUT IGNOU
Established in 1985:
o To democratise higher education
o To provide cost-effective, quality education
to large sections of our population
o Pioneer in Distance Education
o Recipient of the Centre of Excellence
award in Distance Education conferred by
the Commonwealth of Learning.
 ABOUT IGNOU
o Students on roll: 3.0 million
o Schools of Study: 21
o Academic programmes: 232
o Regional centres: 67
o Study centres: App. 3000
o Tutors/counsellors: 58,000
o Audio/Video programs:
2400/4500
 ABOUT IGNOU
o Gyan Darshan (GD): Broadcast & Interactive
• GD I - Broadcast Channel
• GD II - Interactive Channel (Teleconferencing)
o Gyan Vani: 40 FM Radio stations (Interactive
Radio-counselling)
o EDUSAT: A dedicated satellite for education
o InterUniversity Consortium (IUC) for
technology enabled flexible education and
development
 SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
o Came into Existence during January,2005 to: (SOA)
• Extend the outreach and access of educational
opportunities in the agriculture sector with focus on
rural masses, disadvantaged groups and areas.
• Enhance job potential of agriculture human
resource.
• Strengthen agriculture education system through
ODL interventions.
o Focuses on academic, research & extension activities
in Agriculture and allied Sectors through ODL Mode
 ACTIVITIES
o Development and delivery of Educational
programmes ranging from Awareness to Doctorate
o Organizing training programmes in different
emerging areas of agriculture and allied sectors
o Conducting research related to open and distance
learning
o Providing academic support to different
institutions
o Collaboration with different Government agencies
and Ministries
 COLLOBORATIONS
o Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA)
o Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), GoI
o Ministry of Agriculture, MoA, GoI
o Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, GoI
o Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI
o Food Safety & Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI)
o National Horticulture Mission, MoA, GoI
 CLIENTELE
o Rural youth and Farmers
o Women
o Unemployed Youths/Drop outs
o Technicians/Small entrepreneurs
o Continuing Education
o Working Professionals and In-service
 PEDAGOGY
Instructional Inputs
Designed by the Schools

Multi Media
Package

Counselling/
Audio/Video Tele- INTERNET & Project
SIM Assignment Contact
Materials conferencing CD-ROM Work
Sessions

Study Centres
Telecast/
Post Regional Work Place
Broadcast
Centres

Learner
 PROGRAMMES ON OFFER
Programmes Type Number

Awareness 2
Certificate 5
Diploma 6
PG 1
Certificate
PG Diploma 2
Ph.D. 2
 AWARENESS PROGRAMMES
o Dairy Farming
o Value Added Products from Fruits
and Vegetables
 CERTIFICATE PROGRAMMES
o Organic Farming
o Sericulture
o Poultry Farming
o Beekeeping
o Water Harvesting and Management
PG CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME
o Agriculture Policy
 DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES
o Value Added Products from Fruits
and Vegetables
o Dairy Technology
o Meat Technology
o Production of Value Added Products
from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds
o Fish Products Technology
o Watershed Management
 PG DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES
o Plantation Management
o Food Safety and Quality
Management
DOCTORATE PROGRAMMES
o Agriculture Extension
o Dairy Science and Technology
 AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON DAIRY
FARMING
• Objectives:
 To impart knowledge and technical proficiency in Dairy Farm
Management Practices; and
 To develop the necessary human resource for dairy farming system on
scientific lines and encouraging entrepreneurs among the youth for
self-employment through Dairy Farming.
• Target Group: Marginal/small farmers, Dairy farm women,
Agricultural labourers, Rural Youth, Members of dairy co-operative
societies, Milk Federation, Unions, NGOs, SHGs.
• Package: 14 modules with Box and 7 video films
• Medium of Instruction: Hindi and Telugu
 AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON VALUE
ADDED PRODUCTS FROM FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES
• Objectives:
 To impart knowledge and skills on production of value added
products; and
 To develop entrepreneurship and skill development for self-
employment in food processing and associated activities. 
• Target Group:Farmers, Entrepreneurs, traders, Marginal/small
farmers, agricultural labourers, Farm women, Self Help Groups
and rural youth and food processing workers.  
• Package: 9 modules with Box and video films
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 CERTIFICATE IN ORGANIC
FARMING
• Objectives:
 To impart knowledge and proficiency in Organic production practices,
Certification process and marketing of organically raised agricultural
produces; and
 To promote self-employment and income generation.
• Target Group: Rural Youth, Senior Secondary pass-outs and
Prospective Organic Farmers
• Number of Courses: 4
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
• Job Opportunities : Trained organic farmers, self employment as
input producers, group farming managers, counsellor /trainer, market
facilitator.
 CERTIFICATE IN SERICULTURE
• Objectives:
 To prepare the rural youth/farmers for accepting sericulture as
profit making enterprise;
 To impart knowledge and technical skills in various aspects of
Sericulture; and
 To create awareness about the opportunities and employment
in Sericulture
• Target Group: Rural youth, Skilled/semi-skilled workers
working in sericulture, Personnel working in States Dept. of
sericulture, CSB, NGOs and Farmers/entrepreneurs
• Number of Courses: 4
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 CERTIFICATE IN SERICULTURE
• Job Opportunities:

•Self entrepreneurship in egg production, reeling and

weaving units;
•placement at corporate sericulture offices, entrepreneurs
engaged in production of sericulture related products, large
scale farmers, under state and central development projects
and schemes, State Dept. of Sericulture, marketing division
of sericulture products, textile industries etc.;
•laboratory assistant and placements in grainures, sales
counters, reelers, weavers and quality assessment centres.
 CERTIFICATE IN POULTRY
• Objectives: FARMING
 To develop and strengthen Human Resource by infusing/imparting
knowledge and skill in Poultry Farming through Open and Distance Learning
(ODL) Mode;
 To create awareness about the opportunities of employment and livelihood
in poultry sector; and
 To impart basic knowledge and technical proficiency in poultry breeding,
housing, management and nutrition.
• Target Group: Rural youth, Women, Farmers and Entrepreneurs
• Number of Courses: 5
• Medium of Instruction: English, Hindi, Mizo and Telugu
• Job Opportunities: Skilled labour in poultry farms/hatcheries, self
employment.
 CERTIFICATE IN WATER HARVESTING
AND MANAGEMENT
• Objectives:
 To sensitize learners on augmentation and utilization of water resources;
 To impart knowledge, skills and expertise in water harvesting techniques;
 To enable learners to act as trainers and organizers at household and community levels for
efficient water management in terms of its usage and water conservation.
• Target Group: Residents of urban and rural areas particularly youth,
housewives, Social workers, NGO volunteers, Government functionaries
dealing with Water Harvesting projects.
• Number of Courses: 4
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
• Job Opportunities: Government and NGOs dealing with water harvesting projects, Urban
Housing Boards, Private Real Estate Builders, Soil Conservation Departments and Ground
Water Boards as Water Harvesting Assistants.
 CERTIFICATE IN BEEKEEPING
• Objectives:
 To impart education about modern beekeeping.
 To build human resource in the beekeeping sector.
 To diversify apiculture to increase income of the farmers.
 To develop entrepreneurial skills in beekeeping.
• Target Group: Farmers, Women, Youth, SHGs, Entrepreneurs
• Number of Courses: 3
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
• Job Opportunities: Trained beekeepers, Entrepreneurship in
beekeeping and Upgradation of skills in beekeeping
 DIPLOMA IN VALUE ADDED
PRODUCTS FROM FRUITS AND
• Objectives: VEGETABLES
 To develop human resource for post-harvest management and for primary
processing of fruits and vegetables,
 To develop youth as young entrepreneurs for self-employment through food
processing and associated activities,
 To impart knowledge and technical proficiency in procurement, processing,
value addition and marketing of fruits and vegetables
• Target Group: Rural Youth, Skilled workers in food industries, Small and
medium entrepreneurs, Farmers & members of Fruit Growers Cooperatives
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 DIPLOMA IN VALUE ADDED
PRODUCTS FROM FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES
• Job Opportunities:
• Procurement Assistant, Fruits/Vegetables Grader, Post
Harvest technician, plant operator/production
technician/supervisor in fruit and vegetable processing
industry, quality control assistant, packing supervisor,
cold storage supervisor, transport supervisor, retail
supervisor, marketing assistant, store assistant, trainer
and self entrepreneur.
 DIPLOMA IN DAIRY
• Objectives:
TECHNOLOGY
 To develop technician level human resource and to upgrade the technical
proficiency of existing and lower level workers/technicians working in the
dairy sectors.
 To develop young entrepreneurs for self-employment through dairy
technology and associated activities
 To impart knowledge and technical proficiency in clean milk production,
handling and processing of milk
• Target Group: Rural Youth, Skilled workers food industries, Small and
medium entrepreneurs, personnel working in dairy cooperatives, state
dairy departments and dairy science institutions, NGO functionaries/
trainers and dairy farmers
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English, Hindi and Telugu
 DIPLOMA IN DAIRY
TECHNOLOGY
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
• Job opportunities: Secretary of dairy cooperative society, milk
procurement supervisor, milk tester, dairy plant operator/
technician/supervisor, product technician ( ice cream/ cheese/
butter/indigenous dairy products unit), dairy assistant, chilling centre
supervisor, quality control assistant, packaging
assistant, marketing assistant, distribution assistant, retail supervisor,
store assistant, extension assistant, trainer, and
self entrepreneur as milk contractor, transporter, dairy products
manufacture (indigenous and western), owner of milk
parlour/milk booth/ ice cream parlour, wholesale distributor, retailer
and exporter of milk and milk products
 DIPLOMA IN MEAT
• Objectives:
TECHNOLOGY
 To provide knowledge and skills for quality production of meat and
meat products
 To develop human resource for meat industry and associated
activities
 To impart knowledge and technical proficiency in Hygienic
production of meat and meat products and their quality assurance
• Target Group: Rural Youth, Skilled workers in meat and food
industries, Small and medium entrepreneurs in meat and food
processors in unorganized sector, personnel working in meat and
poultry industry, NGO functionaries/ trainers and dairy farmers
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 DIPLOMA IN MEAT
TECHNOLOGY
Job Opportunities:
• Animal procurement supervisor, meat processing
technician, laboratory assistant, by-product plant
technician, poultry processing technician,
technician in egg industry, meat and egg grader,
packaging supervisor, technician in leather
industry, marketing assistant, distribution
assistant, store assistant and entrepreneur.
 DIPLOMA IN PRODUCTION OF VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS
FROM CEREALS, PULSES AND OILSEEDS
• Objectives:
 To provide the knowledge & skills for minimizing the post-harvest losses
and production of value added cereals, pulses and oilseeds products
 To develop human resource for post-harvest management and for
primary/secondary/tertiary processing of Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds at
the production areas/ clusters,
 To impart knowledge and technical proficiency in procurement,
processing, value addition and marketing of cereals, pulses and oilseeds
• Target Group: Youth, skilled workers in food industries, Small and
medium entrepreneurs, food processors, NGO functionaries and farmers.
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 DIPLOMA IN PRODUCTION OF VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS
FROM CEREALS, PULSES AND OILSEEDS

Job Opportunities:
• Self entrepreneurship, laboratory assistant,
packaging supervisor, production line supervisor,
distribution assistant, food processor, plant
operator in cereals, pulses and oilseeds industries,
procurer and retailer of food grain industry, plant
operator, quality control supervisor and plant
manager in food industry.
 DIPLOMA IN FISH PRODUCTS
• Objectives:
TECHNOLOGY
 To develop and strengthen human resource by infusing and imparting knowledge
and skill in Value Added Fish Products;
 To training of personnel for self-employment and creating awareness and
competency in the fish processing as well as fish products preparation; and
 To impart basic knowledge and technical proficiency in Post-Harvest Management,
primary processing of fish, value addition, quality control and marketing
• Target Group: Rural Youth, Workers in fish and fish processing
industry, fishermen, Small and medium entrepreneurs, Fish processors
in an unorganized sector, and Personnel working in processing plants,
NGO functionaries/ trainers and farmers
• Number of Courses: 7
• Medium of Instruction: English
 DIPLOMA IN FISH PRODUCTS
TECHNOLOGY
Job Opportunities:
 Supervisory positions in sea food processing
industries, Fish product development units,
and in any post-harvest processing
technology units related to fishes and shell
fishes.
 DIPLOMA IN WATERSHED
• Objectives: MANAGEMENT
 To introduce the principles of the watershed management approach and the value
of working at a watershed;
 To delineate different techniques for accessing and predicting physical, chemical
and socio-economic conditions within a watershed including water quality;
 To mobilize and capacity building of rural youth, women and landless;
 To develop skills for development of small scale irrigation and water supply
structures for human being and livestock through water and soil conservation
strategies; and
 To develop human resource in watershed development and management.

• Target Group: Rural Youth, Social workers/Volunteers working

with NGOs/Government functionaries, Extension and Panchayati Raj
Functionaries
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi
 DIPLOMA IN WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT
Job Opportunities:
 Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) dealing with watershed projects, Urban
Housing Boards, Private Real Estate Builders, Soil
Conservation Departments and Ground Water Boards
as Soil Conservation and Agriculture/Horticulture
Inspectors, Agro-forestry Surveyors, Water
Harvesting Technicians/Supervisors, Livestock
Assistants. There is a ample scope for setting up
Self-entrepreneurship Units
 POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
AGRICULTURE POLICY
• Objectives:
 To create understanding of the salient features of the agriculture policy
framework among policy makers, implementers and other stakeholders.
 To develop human resource for identification of strategic issues with
reference to national policies in agriculture and analysis of policy aspects
and its operationalization; and
 To develop an implementation framework for agriculture and rural
development policies
• Number of Courses: 4
• Target Group: Persons/organizations involved in policy making
and implementation at the state/regional and central levels having
stake in agriculture and rural development
• Medium of Instruction: English
 POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN
AGRICULTURE POLICY
Job Opportunities:
• Agriculture Officers/Planning Officers in Ministries
and Central and State Agriculture Departments,
Project Managers/Programme Officers/Project
Coordinators in Government and Non-
Governmental Organizations, Research Officers in
Ministries/Development Departments, and
Extension/Information Officers in Agriculture
Universities and Departments Marketing Officers in
Marketing Boards and Departments.
 POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PLANTATION
• Objectives: MANAGEMENT
 To develop competent professionals in plantation industry;
 To impart knowledge and skills in production, processing,
marketing and finance management in the plantation sector, and
 To upgrade the technical proficiency of professional working in the
plantation Industry.
• Target Group: Supervisor/managers presently employed
in various plantations such as tea, coffee, spices, rubber
etc.; Graduates desirous of pursuing a challenge career in
the Plantation sector
• Number of Courses: 5
• Medium of Instruction: English
 POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PLANTATION
MANAGEMENT
Job Opportunities:
• Manager/Supervisor/Technician in production,
post-harvest management and marketing of
plantation products, Self-entrepreneur in
plantation sector, Researchers and extension
functionaries, Market functionaries, and
Trainer/Counsellor in plantation industry.
 PG DIPLOMA IN FOOD SAFETY
AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT
• Objectives:
Comprehend the issues of safety and quality in food production, handling,
processing and trade;
Build technical proficiency in undertaking food safety and quality assurance in
food processing chain i.e., from farm to fork i.e. development, implementation
and auditing of the Food Safety and Quality Management System;
Impart training on emerging aspects of Food Safety, Hygiene and Quality
Management like HACCP, GHP, GMP, ISO:9001 and ISO:22000.
• Target Group: Graduates in Science/ Agriculture/ Food Science or allied disciplines
contemplating a career in Food Safety and Quality Management, professionals in food
processing and quality control, entrepreneurs who intend to diversify in food safety
and quality aspects.
• Number of Courses: 8
• Medium of Instruction: English
 PG DIPLOMA IN FOOD SAFETY
AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Job Opportunities:
•Quality Control Officer or Quality Assurance/ Management
professionals in food/hospitality/retail industry and
laboratories. Food Safety Officer in the regulatory bodies,
Food Auditor in Certification and Inspection bodies.
Trainer/Counsellors in Food Safety & Quality Management
Systems, and Self-employment as food certifying/ auditing
professionals for the Food Safety and Quality Management
Systems
 PG DIPLOMA IN FOOD SCIENCE AND
• Objectives: TECHNOLOGY
 To develop human resource for the fast growing food processing sector.
 To provide knowledge & technical competencies to address the emerging issues
of processing, product development, food safety, marketing, export & sustainable
use of resources.
 To strengthen the knowledge & technical proficiencies of existing technicians,
managers, food industry professionals & technologists, and to provide vertical
career mobility to them.
 To train the professionals for entrepreneurship in the various specialized areas of
food processing viz. fruits & vegetables, dairy, poultry, meat, fish, cereals and
pulses.
• Target Group: Science graduates, Technicians/Managers/ food industry
professionals and technologists, professionals in food processing industry
• Number of Courses: 6 (Core), 4 (Specialized) and 1 (Industrial Training)
• Medium of Instruction: English
 PG DIPLOMA IN FOOD SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
Job Opportunities:
• Food Technologist in food processing industries, educational &
research institutes;
• Food Science &Technology professionals in R&D units/Quality
Control/ Quality Assurance Management departments in food/
hospitality/ retail industry and laboratories;
• Production and Marketing Executives in food production
industries;
• Food Safety Officers in Government regulatory bodies;
• Self employment as entrepreneurs in Dairy; Meat, Fish and
Poultry; Fruits and Vegetables; Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds
processing.
 PH.D. IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
• Objectives:
 to promote the open and distance learning in agriculture
through postgraduate programmes in Agricultural Extension;
 to develop the human resource capabilities of research and
extension personnel of national agricultural research and
development systems;
 to popularize the application of ICTs in agricultural extension
management system; and
 to develop model of open distance education in offering post
graduate and research programmes in agriculture education.
• Number of Courses: 5
• Medium of Instruction: English
 PH.D. IN DAIRY SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
• Objectives:
 to provide research opportunities to the
academician/researcher/industry professional in the area of dairy
science and technology;
 to facilitate research and development activities in Indian Dairy
Industry;
 to strengthen the research activities in the area of dairy science and
technology; and
 to develop the human resource capabilities of research & teaching
personnel of agriculture universities & ICAR institutes
• Number of Courses: 4 (Compulsory) and 8 (Optional)
• Medium of Instruction: English
 PROGRAMME COMPONENTS
o Printed Study materials
(SLMs)
o Audio programmes
o Video programmes
o Teleconferencing
o Radio counselling
o Online
 COUNSELLING
o Programme Study Centre
• Theory Counselling
• Practical Counselling
• Hands-on training
• Project
• Assignment
 EVALUATION SCHEME
Modalities for Examination

Theory: Term-End Exams: June and

December
Continuous Assessment: Assignments
Practical: Guided Experiments: 70%
Unguided Experiments: 30%
 75% Attendance is compulsory for
scheduled practical counselling
 COUNSELLING
No. of counselling sessions: Certificate
Diploma
• Theory (2 hours each) 12
25
• Practical (4 hours each) 40
80

• Academic Counselling has three functions:

• Information
 DELIVERY OF THE
PROGRAMMES
Through Study Centres established in:
o ICAR institutions
o State Agriculture/Veterinary Universities
o Regional Research Stations
o KVKs
o Agri./Veterinary/Dairy/Food Science
Colleges
o Training Centres
o
 DIGITAL INITIATIVES
o EGYANKOSH – Digital Learning Resource
Repository
o SWAYAM – “Study Webs of Active Learning for
Young Aspiring Minds” programme of Ministry of
Human Resource Development, Government of
India
o SWAYAM PRABHA - Group of 32 DTH channels
devoted to telecasting high-quality educational
programmes on 24X7 basis. Every day, there will
be new content for at least 4 hours which would be
repeated 6 times in a day, allowing the student to