PGS conducted a Rural Immersion Program for ten Direct Recruit Officers of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), an apex development financial institution in India at PGS Allahabad from November 19, 2018 to December 08, 2018. The three weeks program incorporated a blend of theoretical and field exposures for an applicative approach of learning. This program, amalgamating an understanding for a better comprehension of NABARD’s developmental intervention at the grass root level also catered for a better understanding of rural areas through PGS and its intervention strategies.
The program objectives, comprehensively designed, incorporated the concept of Community based organizations including NGOs, constitution, Bye-laws, administration, sources & uses of funds, record & book keeping, major activities of the organisation at various levels, support from government institutions, participatory rural appraisal and stakeholder analysis followed by development of a Village Development Plan; Farmers Club, JLGs, watershed and wadi with field level exposure, micro-enterprise requirements and development of the microfinance sector, introduction to infrastructural projects financed including schools, health centres, irrigation projects, solid waste management, market yards, photo voltaic power plants etc. The program laid emphasis on Farmers Producer Organisation, understand their constitution, management, major products, credit sources, record keeping, marketing and branding, issues faced etc. in addition to the field visit.
The Rural Immersion Program was inaugurated on November 19 by the Deputy General Manager of NABARD, Mr. R. K. Srivastava and was chaired by Prof. R.C. Tripathi, Former Director at G.B. Pant Social Science Institute Allahabad. Mr. N.S. Murthy, Deputy General Manager at NABARD UP was the chief guest on the concluding day on December 08, 2018. Mr. Amit Lal, DDM NABARD, Dr. Sunit Singh, Professor at GB Pant Social Science Institute Allahabad, Dr. Kavita Agarwal was present throughout the events. The rural immersion program, essentially an element of learning and recognition was constantly aiming at comprehensively designed explorative and innovative application of work and ideas.