Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) Program Report

The Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program is an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum in agriculture as per the 5th Dean Committee Report of ICAR. It is a practical training component designed for final-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture students, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world agricultural practices.

As part of the program, students undergo training in various agro-industrial units to gain exposure to industry operations, technologies, and management practices. The goal is to provide hands-on experience and insight into real-life agricultural, industrial, and extension activities.

Training Overview

A total of 28 students actively participated in the RAWE program, gaining practical exposure at various industrial units such as:

• VERKA, Industrial Area-I, Chandigarh
• FAPRO, Kang Mai, Hoshiarpur
• HPMC FPP, Nigam Vihar, Shimla
• Co-Operative Milk Plant, Sirsa, Haryana

The 4-week training period helped students gain confidence and practical knowledge, while also enhancing their understanding of real-time industrial challenges in agriculture.

Objectives of the Program

• Improved practical skills and industry readiness
• Better understanding of agri-based enterprise operations
• Enhanced communication, observation, and analytical abilities
• Increased awareness of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculture

Training Units & Highlights

1. Dairy Industry

• Understanding milk collection, processing, packaging, and distribution
• Exposure to livestock feeding and health management

2. Fertilizer, Bio-fertilizer & Bio-pesticide Unit

• Learning microbial culture production, formulation, and application
• Understanding of licensing, quality control, and eco-friendly pest management

3. Food & Fruit Processing Unit

• Training in value addition, packaging, preservation, and quality control of agri-produce
• Introduction to hygiene standards and marketing strategies

Acknowledgment

The RAWE industrial training component was successfully implemented with active cooperation from industry partners, faculty members, and students. This field-based experience greatly enriched students’ academic learning and prepared them for future agricultural careers.

Special thanks to Dr. Vikrant Jaryan (HoD, Agriculture), Dr. Vikas (Registrar & Dean, Agriculture), and all faculty members of the Department of Agriculture, UIA, for their time, support, and guidance throughout the program.

Student List