The students of Grades- 8&9 were taken on a field trip to a Palm Oil Farm near Kolimeru as part of their Social Science and General Science lessons on Agriculture and Crop Production. The objective is to provide students with practical exposure to commercial farming methods and help them bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life agricultural practices.
Students had the opportunity to observe and understand the entire process of oil palm cultivation โ from seedling preparation to harvesting and oil extraction. The visit was coordinated with the support of Mr.J. Ayyappa , Senior Officer at Patanjali Foods Ltd., who provided a detailed explanation of the process.
He explained that the farm uses drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques, which help conserve water while ensuring efficient nourishment to the trees. Students learned how seedlings are first grown in nurseries and later transplanted into the main field, where it takes about 3 to 4 years for the trees to begin bearing fruit.
Students were shown harvesting techniques using sickles.One of the most exciting parts of the visit was learning about the economic benefits of oil palm farming. Students were informed that:
A farmer can get up to 10 tonnes of yield per acre.
The income per acre is approximately โน1,80,000.
The expenditure per acre is around โน40,000.
This gives a total profit of โน1,40,000 per acre, making it a highly profitable commercial crop.
The trip reinforced key concepts from their Agriculture and crop production lesson, including:
Types of crops โ particularly commercial crops,Plantation farming,
Ideal conditions for crop growth,
Modern irrigation methods (drip and sprinkler)
Overall, the field visit was a valuable educational experience, helping students understand plantation agriculture and commercial crop production in India through observation and interaction. It not only enhanced their academic understanding but also sparked curiosity about sustainable farming and its role in our countryโs economy.