Farming activities bring solace to mentally challenged in Kolhapur. The centre began with 8,000-sq ft plot, purchased 15 acres; now grows baby corn.
In an interesting initiative, an NGO working with the mentally challenged in Kolhapur has successfully adopted farming as a rehabilitation and skill enhancement activity for them.
Since 1992, Rahi Rehabilitation Centre has been running Jidnyasa Vikas Mandir, a school for mentally challenged, where 67 students under 18 years of age are taught life skills and education. Speaking to DNA, the school’s head and founder, Smita Dixit said, “They are taught to make artefacts and foodstuff.”
The centre began farming on 8,000-square-foot plot of land at Sane Guruji Vasahat in the city.
Last year, it purchased 15 acres in Salvan village in Gaganbawda taluka to set up an agro-based rehabilitation centre for the mentally challenged. The centre now houses
10 people.
Till last year, sericulture and inter-cropping of vegetables and sunflower were farmed at Sane Guruji Vasahat. Now, baby corn is grown.
“Sericulture was abandoned due to paucity of funds to purchase cocoons for the facility in Kolhapur. The crop fetched Rs4,000, while baby corn generated Rs5,000. Money is not of paramount importance, but the inmate’s skill enhancement, happiness and improvement of physical health,” she said.
Her husband and special trainer, Vishal said, “Farming provides activity to all kinds of mentally challenged persons. For instance, those with severe illness can clean mulberry leaves in sericulture, while others can do ploughing and de-weeding.”
Dinesh Sant (32) likes to shoo the cattle entering the farm. “They eat our crops, so I run after them,” he said.
Removing sticks from coconut leaves for making brooms is another activity for Sant.
Prajakta (26) likes to pluck baby corn and fertilising crop. “We are also growing fenugreek at Sane Guruji,” she said.
The Salvan facility grows paddy, mango, coconut and cashew. Cashew processing, collecting fruits, collecting woods, de-weeding and other activities are also carried out by inmates.
Two local farmers have joined the group to teach farming to these students, and there are plans to establish a permanent rehabilitation centre.
“The energy of mentally challenged can be fully utilised in farming. These students are now more fit and happy. The appreciation and engagement in different activities keep them in good spirits,” Dixit said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}