20 students undergoing higher education in Tamilnadu Agriculture University, Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University and University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad will leave for USA on the 21st October for a two week’s exposure at Cornell University in Ithaca as a part of the three module program that exposes Indian students to global issues governing agriculture and rural development. The students have been chosen to participate in the International Agriculture Development course that is delivered by Cornell University in partnership with Indian Agriculture Universities. Sathguru Management Consultants provide the strategic guidance for this initiative.

The students will be visiting farms, food process facilities, community farmer markets and retail chains to get holistic understanding of advanced agriculture and food systems that has transformed the Rural America. The students will also participate in joint lectures delivered by Cornell Professors along with US students.

The program is an innovative experiential learning delivered by Cornell – Sathguru in India over the last five years. This is the first time the Indian students have an opportunity to visit USA as a part of the three-module course. The first module involves a set of lectures which are video streamed, the second module involves the learning module for Indian students at Cornell campus in USA and the third module involves three weeks’ visit to rural India where in 35 American students and 20 Indian students together visit farms, market centers and process centers in India. The industry support for the program is the hallmark of the initiative. Several farmer consortiums perceive the gains as well in interacting with this learning group,  says, Vijayaraghavan, Director of Sathguru Management Consultants, who are responsible for delivering this initiative in India.

As an important pre-requisite for this initiative, the students are exposed to enhancing communication skills and general management skills. The initiative is supported by financial contribution from  Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Cornell-Sathguru foundation for development. The initiative was supported by USAID for three years in exposing US and Indian students to Indian rural development efforts.

Group photo of students