Skip to content Skip to navigation

Stress on scientific agriculture

By CM Paul |

A Non Government Organization in north-eastern India working for the Integral development through empowerment of people by enabling them to build People’s Organizations and enhancing their capacities to utilize their resources optimally believes that systematic agriculture can lead to people’s prosperity.

“Systematic Agriculture can lead to people’s prosperity,” says Director of the NGO Bosco Reach Out (BRO) Fr Jaya Prakash.

The quote was also the theme of the two days training programme he conducted at BRO Agri-Training Centre, Joropara, Meghalaya, 4 to 5 May 2017.  

The ‘Agrarian Prosperity Training Programme’ gave an impetus to some 100 members of Self Help Groups (SHG) from Garo Hills Districts of Meghalaya who attended the training.

Agriculture Expert, Ms. Minku Das gave an overview of the Agro-Composite Training Centre and dwelt on the topics such as all season vegetables, polyhouse farming, kitchen garden, and vermicompost practices.  

While BRO Programme Officer, Mr. Romendro Rabha spoke on SHG Management towards better credit linkage, BRO Associate Director Fr. J. Teron dwelt on indigenous medicinal herbs, bee keeping, and livestock management.  

The training sessions consisted of theory in-puts as well as on-site field demonstration giving the participants hands on training and opportunity to clarify their doubts and draw up lines of action for SHGs in their respective villages.

Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills District Mr. Sibhi Chakravarthy Sadhu, IAS graced the concluding session of the programme and addressed the participants.

Quoting the words of former Prime Minister Pandit Nehru who said “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy,” Mr Sadhu highlighted the importance of agriculture and community organization for building of a progressive nation. 

Before giving away the certificates of participation Mr Sadhu appreciated BRO’s efforts and dedication in community development sector.   

Mr Sadhu also distributed planting material and livestock as an encouragement to a few SHGs selected through the BRO grading process.

Bosco Reach Out established in 1983 is the social outreach wing of the Don Bosco Society Guwahati. The NGO is committed to the integral and holistic development of the human person and rooted in the Salesian charisma within the Church and in the society.

In recognition of their work in uplifting the poor, Meghalaya Government awarded Bosco Reach Out with the ‘Meghalaya Day Award’ in 2008 - the highest civilian award of the state. 

 

Author info

CM Paul's picture

Former HoD, Dept of Mass Communications at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, C.M. Paul was editor of The Herald weekly in Kolkata and director of Don Bosco International News Agency (ANS) based in Rome. He did MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from FORDHAM University, New York.

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Northeast India’s Youth Pasch Concludes with Brahmaputra River Cruise

Seven hundred young participants from across Northeast India concluded their five-day Holy Week retreat with a symbolic Easter morning river pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra river, marking the 18th edition of Youth Pasch. Organized by Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Guwahati, the annual retreat offers young people a space for spiritual renewal, reflection, and fellowship. Youth Pasch immerses participants in the Paschal Mystery—the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus—through engaging liturgies, prayer, dramatic enactments and interactive sessions. This year’s event, held from 16 to 20 April, embraced the Salesian Jubilee Year theme, “Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People,” under...

Youth Pasch 2025 Overcomes Disruption to Celebrate Holy Thursday in Guwahati

Over 600 young people from across Northeast India gathered at the Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Joypur in Kharguli, Guwahati, for the 18th edition of Youth Pasch, a four-day Easter-themed retreat centered on prayer, reflection, and fellowship. The retreat, which began on April 16, offers a vibrant program designed to deepen participants' understanding of the Paschal Mystery. Activities such as labyrinth prayer gardens, Seder meals, faith-sharing groups, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation create an atmosphere of renewal, trust, and community. A highlight of the retreat was the solemn observance of Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples. The ceremony was...

Shillong Hosts Faculty Workshop on AI Integration in Higher Education

Shillong, April 16, 2025: Educators from four prominent colleges convened at Union Christian College (UCC) Shillong for a dynamic two-day workshop focused on incorporating artificial intelligence into a participatory teaching and learning framework. The initiative aimed to equip faculty members with essential strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of higher education. The Faculty Development Workshop, titled “AI-native Education - its Participatory Paradigm in Teaching and Learning,” took place at UCC Shillong on April 15th and 16th, 2025. The program commenced with welcoming remarks from UCC Vice Principal Dr. M.C. Daimary, followed by an address from Jesuit Fr. Dr. Xavier...

Darjeeling Tea Planter’s Journey From Makaibari to Rimpocha

 "Chai Time - A Darjeeling Tea Planter's Journey from Makaibari to Rimpocha," the latest book from Bose Creative Publishers, was launched at a special event held at Berlin Coffee House in Siliguri, 13th April 2025. Besides a galaxy of eminent citizens, participants from 9 countries joined the event on-line. Authored by Mr. Swaraj Rajah Banerjee, a fourth-generation tea planter in the Darjeeling hills and former doyenne of the renowned Makaibari Tea Estate, the 583-page book spans 40 captivating chapters. It narrates Mr. Banerjee's transformative journey from managing Makaibari Tea Estate to establishing the artisanal tea brand Rimpocha. The book details how Mr. Banerjee, after...

Itanagar College Hosts National Seminar on Rural Development in Northeast India

Itanagar, 9th February 2025: The Department of Economics at Don Bosco College Itanagar recently organized a two-day national seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas of Northeast India." The seminar, held on February 7-8, was supported by ICSSR-NERC and Federal Bank. The seminar aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India. It brought together experts, researchers, and policymakers to share their insights and experiences. In his welcome address, Dr. Fr. Jose George, Principal of Don Bosco College, thanked the dignitaries for their presence. He highlighted the importance of the seminar, stating...

Assamese Entrepreneur heads trillion dollar company

In a rare case of rags to riches story, an Assamese entrepreneur today heads a trillion dollar company in the U.S. employing over 4,000 people. The man in the case is Siddhartha Chowdhary, the founder of Credence, a consulting organization based in Washington DC. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (1988-92 Batch) he was two terms president of PAN IIT activities for over 5,000 members in the U.S. Siddhartha affectionately called as Sid was introduced as an unmatched achiever from northeast India at a felicitation held at Press Club Dispur in his home city Guwahati, on 22nd December 2023. Introducing him was his former principal at Don Bosco School Guwahati Fr V. M. Thomas who said, “Sid...

School Marks 50 Years with Laudato Si’ Musical

Siliguri: A premier Catholic school in North Bengal staged an ambitious musical performance marking its golden jubilee with two-day open air mega event by 1,200 children teaching and learning from animal kingdom. Some 12,000 people including school children and their guardians, as well as students and faculty members from Siliguri participated in both shows staged by Don Bosco School Siliguri. The musical ‘The Lion King’ stage production with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, with additional music and lyrics by Lebo M and others is based on the 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios' film of the same name. In the golden jubilee...

Manipur Elders take moral responsibility, declare indefinite fast and prayer for deeds of immature youth

Imphal, July 29: In a gesture of peace and reconciliation, elders of Vaishnavite Community in Imphal have taken on moral responsibility for the misdeeds of the immature youth of their community, by declaring an indefinite fast and prayer.  In the wake of Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil’s third visit to Manipur (25th to 27th July 2023) coincides with the initiative of the Convener of Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony of Manipur, Mr. Deben Sharma, announcing Indefinite Fast and Prayer in the name of his Vaishnavite Sanamahi community.  Mr. Sharma, one of the initiators of the Interfaith Forum for Peace along with a number of highly placed leaders...

Radio Salesian journalists make first post-Covid outreach progra

In a post-covid outreach effort to connect with the local community, Radio Salesian journalists made their first attempt and reached one of the far-flung tea garden in Mirik Sub-Division, some two hours' drive from Sonada. On Saturday 5 March, the Radio Salesian RJ team including 4 new radio journalists RJs Wang, Garima, Bandana and Pratap went for their first community outreach programme guided by senior RJs Moses, Rejina and Programme Co-ordinator RJ Samir.  Upon reaching Murmah Tea Estate, the Radio Salesian team members were received with traditional khadas (scarf) and welcome greetings from the residents of Murmah. Radio Salesian regular listener and caller Laxmi Pradhan...

Students honour 1971 war veterans

Siliguri: Marking the 50th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh and the 13-day Indo-Pak war of 1971, a group of college students organised a felicitation program for war veterans on 18th December 2021. Leading a group of six veterans, as well as a war widow was 86-year old Hon Cap S.B. Chhetri, who belonged to 5/11 Gorkha Rifles who were part of the decisive battle of Bogra to capture Dhaka, then the capital of East Pakistan. Other eminent veterans present were Hawaldar Duryodhan Tamang (Army Corps of Engineers); Hon Capt Hemant Subba; Subedar Bijai Kumar Subba Sena Medal; Hav M Gautam Tamang; Subedar Tilak Ram Chhetri, and war widow Mrs Ishadevi Thapa, representing late Sub SB...