3/29/16 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016) 9:00 AM:
Next, we went to visit the agriculture research and training center. Here, we saw the use of the drip irrigation system, an effective way to grow crops using less water, which was extensively being used for the drumstick project (Sticks to grow project).
It was a spectacular view, the fields and fields of crops and the beautiful lake in the background. It was absolutely breathtaking! There was also a building being made for the farmers to be trained for the latest technology in farming, how to improve their farming techniques, irrigation system, how to improve their yield, introduce organic farming, etc.
Mr. Vijay Kadre explained to us the use of a water filtration system that the village used for the lake, but the unfortunate part was that this filtered water was used not just for drinking, but also for bathing, cleaning clothes, and other daily activities; so the source of clean water was becoming less and less for the growing number of people in the village.
In the vicinity I saw green fields of sorghum, tiny plants of peanuts, and freshly harvested pigeon pea plants.
9:30 AM:
We then again went to visit the project Udaan at a different Z.P. School in Chapdoh. Again, here we were warmly welcomed with flowers. At this school, we had the opportunity to meet with children from different age groups and see how these children benefitted from the use of the Android tablets. We learned that the games made the education fun for the little children and for the older children it helped them learn about the new technology. We also had an interactive session with the students. And I saw how much the students were enjoying the technology, and even though they are not exposed to such technology everyday, they still had a good grasp on how to work the Android efficiently and explore the different uses beyond the games (i.e. the camera). The students well versed on how to read a story in their native language on the tablet, on how to solve math equations, on how to write in Hindi on the tablet, and converse in English on the tablet. This was an innovative step in learning through technology and improving skills in various subject areas.
