Dr. S. Mohan
Rtd. Professor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
IMPACT ON SCHOOL CHILDREN
My traps kindered the scientific temper of school children in Tamil Nadu (This was possible only by extensive popularisation activity done by me)
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Besides being useful to the farmers, households and warehouse managers, my TNAU Insect trap technologies paved way for kindering the scientific temper of school children.
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Seventh standard student of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Trichy, Tamil Nadu Mr. M. Abhilash has WON 2 Gold Medals in the INTEL - IRIS completion and a WIPO Award for young inventor by making TNAU traps using waste materials (Bisleri bottles).
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Students of the Senthil Matriculation School in Dharmapuri, recently Won a Medal at 10th National Children's Science Congress - 2002 by developing their own model of insect trap from the inspiration they got on seeing my probe trap model.
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URC Palaniammal Matric Higher Secondary School, Sengodampalayam, Erode has won a prize and Rs. 1000/- cash award for the model "Protection of Food Grains" in exhibition cum competition "Genesis 2003" organised by P.K.R. Arts College for Women, Gobichettipalayam.
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Mr. R.Vignesh of Padma Sheshadri Balamandir Higher Secondary School, Chennai has won the best project award for making TNAU traps in plastic waste materials during SCHOOL ANNUAL MEET 2009.
Contribution in Administration
Impressed upon by the creative activity by the school students of Tamil Nadu, based on the technologies developed by me, I was appointed as the Chairman of the Committee to revamp and revitalise the Agricultural School Education in Tamil Nadu. I feel this is the greatest achievement in my life as School Education is very important in shaping the future of the student community. The new 11th Standard Agricultural Practices I Book which is currently read by around 25 thousand school students has a chapter on Importance of Post Harvest Technology in which the TNAU probe trap is highlighted.
As "Chairman" I made significant reforms in Agricultural education in Tamil Nadu Schools. The old curriculum structure which was in practice in Tamil Nadu around last 20 years was revamped and a common text book, Agricultural Practices I and Agricultural Practices II (for 11th and 12th standard schools) was introduced in the year 2010-11, 2011-12 respectively. First time in the curriculum Practical Guide was introduced for 11 and 12th standards in Tamil Nadu.
Significant reform
Earlier there were many subjects like Crop Management, Crop Protection, Vegetable Cultivation, Agricultural Chemicals, Poultry, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Marketing. Schools were free to choose any of the books on subject above for 11 and 12th standard. This was in practice for several years.
Disadvantage
Students from the above stipulated curriculum, studied only one subject Eg: A students who completes 11 and 12 standard in "Crop Protection" knows only crop protection without any knowledge of crop science. Similarly for other subjects also. This led to a great problem when they got admitted to Diploma or Degree course after 12th standard in Agriculture. Hence I made a major change in this concept. Further it was not practical oriented earlier. I changed this.
MAJOR REFORM
Students currently undergoing 11 and 12th standard in vocational stream Agriculture, will now have two books :
11th standard Agricultural Practices I. This gives a broad basic knowledge in agriculture including Animal Husbandry, Fisheries Marketing Farm Machinery etc.
12th standard - Agricultural Practices II. This gives a detailed knowledge on Important Crops of Tamil Nadu - Cultivation and Management, Animal Husbandry Management etc.
First time
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Practical guide for 11th standard and
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Practical guide for 12th standard were introduced.
This help in acquiring skills in practicing agriculture by the students so that they can get employment in agro-based industries after their school education.
Eg: Seed industry, Honeybee rearing, Cut flower making, Fish culturing, Animal Husbandry management etc.
They can even be self employed.
Advantage of present Syllabus
The greatest advantage of the present syllabus is that the students pass out from 2012 June have more practical knowledge on :
1. Agriculture
2. Veterinary
3. Horticulture
4. Fishery
5. Forestry
6. Agricultural Engineering
Whereas, old curriculum students do not have these facilities. So there will be good competition, hence our "Rural Students" are expected to perform very well in the Degree / Diploma Programme equal to their counterparts from 11, 12 standard Science students in Agriculture and Allied Subjects.
This is a revolutionary step in Rural Agricultural Education I made as Chairman.