PCT Day celebrations (May 3)
The Parrie Centre for Technology (PCT) celebrates its 16th Anniversary on the 3rd May. More than 3000 youth, mainly women, have been trained through PCT on various vocational trades that are appropriate for the village. A lecture by well-known local trainer on vocational trades guided about 200 participants on selection of vocational trades and establishment of enterprises based on the new skills. Further, participatory discussions led to greater awareness and need to educate the youth.

Workshop on Tools for Impact Monitoring and Evaluation (May 17-22)
Forty representatives from NGOs, community workers, and farmers, participated in a workshop on "Tools for Impact Monitoring and Evaluation" that was held from May 17-22, in IIRD's campus at Bidkin. The topics for learning included the various tools of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Situational Analysis and Goal Establishment (SAGE), and Performance Assessment of Groups (PAG). The PRA exercise was practically conducted in a village in groups and the results were presented in the workshop.

Village historical profile being discussed

Village map being explained by the villagers themselves

Impact Monitoring Discussions in Progress.

Persons with Disabilities get a chance.
As if being poor and born as a dalit is not worse enough, polio at childhood has left Archana with a disability too. Yet, she is on her way to become a gram sevak (village administration officer). She now travels 8 kms/ 5 miles daily to learn tailoring. She hopes the new skill will help her earn from home and pay for her studies. Yes, she learns on an electric sewing machine at IIRD's vocational training centre.

American volunteer joins IIRD (April 6)
Alex Reich, a student of Environment from Minnesota of US, arrived in Bidkin village of Aurangabad district to learn and design water management methods that will benefit the small dry land organic farmers. He will also teach English to the staff of IIRD.

Seed meetings (April 5-7)
A series of meetings are held in the villages of Aurangabad to document the varieties of native seeds of food crops available in Aurangabad. One such meeting identified 110 varieties of native food crops.

Founders Day celebrations (April 13)
The Founders Day will be commemorated on April 13. Many farmers and representatives of NGOs and government departments will participate in this commemoration. Noted social worker and recipient of Magasaysay award, Padmabhushan Dr. Rajnikant Arole, will grace the occassion encouraging support and motivation to the farmers and development workers.
 

Farmers Exchange facilitated by Grassroots NGO in Uttaranchal (March 11-13)
Six farmers from Aurangabad district visited Ranikhet in Uttaranchal to learn about social enterprises and producer companies formed by women. The visit was facilitated by Grassroots NGO. The Mahila Umang Samiti, Umang for short, is a federation of self-help groups in villages in Almora, Nainital and Bageshwar districts. Umang provides a platform for the women to engage in productive activities like knitting and food processing, by bringing about linkages with the market. The farmers from Aurangabad exchanged ideas on organic farming with the farmers of Umang. The discussions led to some documented knowledge on organic pest and disease management for the vegetable farmers of Umang and learnings for the development of a producer company
in Aurangabad.
 

North India Organic Farmers Conference, Indore (Feb 8-10)
Farmers from Marathwada participated in the North India Organic Farmers Conference that was organized by OFAI (Organic Farmers Association of India) in Indore from Feb 8-10. At this conference, the farmers presented on the methods of organic farming in dry land areas. The farmers also had an opportunity to visit some of the organic farms in Madhya Pradesh and interact directly with the farmers to exhange knowledge on organic farming.