Asian Christian Culinary & Agricultural Science Institute (ACCASI) is committed to equipping students with the practical experience and skill development necessary to succeed in the field of culinary and agricultural science. Our goal is to empower students to run successful farms or create sustainable food products, all while making a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
At ACCASI, students learn about the production of various crops, including vegetables and fruits, using organic approaches in open lands. They also gain hands-on experience with high-tech protected farming technologies such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and terrace gardening. In addition, students develop skills in Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) through practical training in maintaining livestock units like poultry, goatery, dairy, and fishery, as well as organic input units like organic manure (vermicompost) production. By integrating animal husbandry and cultivation activities, students learn how to reduce costs and increase farm productivity.
Moreover, students gain practical knowledge of farm designing with multi-cropping systems and cropping calendars to plan, produce, and feed their own cafe with organic crop produce throughout the year. They also learn agricultural economics by understanding how to calculate the cost of production, profit, and cost-benefit ratios through systematic farm diary maintenance, as well as awareness of different agricultural schemes and bank linkages.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
ACCASI aims to attract students with an entrepreneurial mindset and an appetite for calculated business risks with a broader vision of the entire food and farm ecosystem. In this regard, our students develop skills in connecting like-minded delegates, including farmers, by being exposed to national-level agricultural and horticultural institutes, organic farms, and hi-tech protected farms for synergistic effects. This experience equips them to become entrepreneurs in agricultural and agricultural allied industries in connection with culinary.
Holistic Approach
ACCASI’s pedagogy goes beyond traditional farming methods and emphasizes a broader vision of the entire food and farm ecosystem. We want to empower farmers by teaching our students to source locally and add value to farm produce in creative ways. Our program provides technical expertise in areas such as soil health, crop management, animal husbandry, and food processing, and combines it with business skills such as marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. We believe that this holistic approach will produce graduates who can make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural industry and the broader food system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ACCASI students gain invaluable skills and knowledge in agricultural science that prepare them for successful careers as entrepreneurs or professionals in the hospitality or agricultural industry. Our approach helps improve food security and creates economic value for communities. With a focus on practical experience and skill development, our students are equipped to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities they serve.
~ Author Mr. Sridhar K is the Farm Administrator of Asian Christian Academy of India, and a teaching faculty at ACCASI.