Re-accredited by NAAC
with A Grade
College with Potential for Excellence- UGC
Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University

TERESIAN RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME(TROP)-DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

 The department of Economics selected Pizhala Island as the target area for the TROP activity. This venture of the department focused on three main areas 1) soft skill development  2) Health Issues 3) Environmental issues 

The TROP activity of the Department is classified into two thrust areas

I) TROP- PIZHALA GREEN INITIATIVE

II) TROP- PIZHALA SKILL ENHANCEMENT

I) TROP- PIZHALA GREEN INITIATIVE

In the year 2011-2012, the Department expanded its outreach horizon by stepping into a new venture –‘Pizhala Green Initiative’ for popularizing organic farming in Pizhala. The project marked its beginning in April 2011 in collaboration with St.Francis Xavier’s Church, Pizhala.

Objectives of TROP- Pizhala Green Initiative

1. To encourage citizens of Pizhala to strive for self sufficiency in food production

 2. To tackle the problem of Anaemia which is a major issue faced by women and children in all states of India, (National Family Health Survey III). 

3. To promote environmental sustainability by encouraging organic farming methods

The project was implemented in three phases

Phase I - Training

Dept. of Economics initially conducted a training programme on ‘organic vegetable cultivation’ at Pizhala on April 4th. For the purpose the project was connected to the government agency- Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala (VFPCK). The session was lead by Mrs.Deepa P K, Deputy Manager, VFPCK. Other dignitaries like Ms.Sunitha, Agriculture Officer Pizhala, Ms. Sheeba, President – Kadamakkudy Panchayath were also part of the function.                       

Phase II- Mobilising women and initiating cultivation  

In the session 115 participants were divided into 14 groups and each of these groups was supplied with seeds of spinach, lentil, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. This session was hosted in the Parish Hall of St.Francis Xavier’s Church, Pizhala.

The project was inaugurated on April 5th by sowing seeds. The teachers and students of St Teresa’s College, officials from the Agriculture Office, Pizhala ,  Fr.Denny  PalakkamParambil (priest , St Francis Xavier’s church , Pizhala) were part of this auspicious beginning.

 Phase III- Evaluation                         

After the inaugural ceremony the staff and students made periodic visits and judged the varied stages of cultivation. Families which lacked adequate land for a backyard vegetable garden were encouraged to do terrace harvesting which later proved to be a successful experiment. Output of the participants was judged on the basis of periodic visits and checks.

Finally in the month of June 2011, when the whole world observed world environment day, mainly by planting new saplings, the women in Pizhala harvested their produce. On that day, the judging panel distributed cash prizes to four families for bringing out the best output.                                                                                                                                                 

The second phase of Pizhala Green Initiative was started on 20th July2011.  A training programme on vegetable cultivation was organized on that day at the Parish hall of St. Francis Xavier Church Pizhala. It was led by Mrs. Sunitha Joseph, Agriculture officer, Pizhala. In this session she explained various methods of preparing organic manures and pest control measures.  After the class, the entire group was divided into 14 groups, leaders selected and the seeds of brinjal, bitter gourd  and snake gourd  supplied as per their demand.                         

 Impact

1.      Generated awareness among the people about the issue of Anaemia and the strategies to address the issue.

2.      Resulted in greater inclusion of  green leafy vegetables  in their daily diet

Outcome of Pizhala Green Initiative

1.     1. Continuation of the cultivation habit even after the duration of the project.

     2. The islanders were able to establish an association with the state govt. agency, VFPCK which resulted in them continuing to source their seeds from the latter even after the project period

 II)  TROP- PIZHALA SKILL ENHANCEMENT                

Pizhala skill enhancement is an extension activity of the Department of Economics, St. Teresa’s College, to help the rural students of Pizhala in their studies.  TROP – Pizhala skill enhancement is a three year continuous programme which was inaugurated on 23rd   June 2010.  For the Soft Skill development, the Department focuses on imparting regular training to the students of standard VI and VII std in St. Francis U.P School Pizhala.

Objectives of TROP – Pizhala Skill Enhancement

 ·          Education for core competency

 ·          Capacity building for students at Pizhala.                                            

 In TROP each class teacher of department of Economics train ten students as resource persons and these students give training to school students at Pizhala.

 The TROP activity for the academic year 2011-2012 started with meeting of staff and student representative of the department of Economics and Head Master and other Teachers of St. Francis U.P School Pizhala for planning the activities of the year. On the basis of this an activity calendar for the year 2011-2012 was prepared.    TROP classes are conducted         every alternative Wednesday. 

                                       Activity Calendar 2011 – 2012