the importance of soil testing, the selection of pesticides/fertilisers and the development of soil maps for villages or specific areas within an individual village. These soil maps were then handed to the panchayat (local authority) to prompt any necessary action. To guide farmers on how to use the results of soil tests in decision-making regarding fertilisers, pesticides and crop selection, workshops were also conducted in collaboration with relevant government departments. Accessibility: In 2022, a project conducted in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry and Young Indians Goa engaged in an accessibility audit of automatic teller machine (ATM) spaces in Goa to check their level of inclusivity against guidelines given by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The guidelines state that at least a third of all ATMs in a locality should be accessible to people with a disability through the provision of proper signboards, ramps of suitable gradient, doorways wide enough for wheelchair access, space allowance, height of switches, height of doorknob handles, braille on all touchpoints and non-slip flooring. Students first underwent training to understand accessibility issues and challenges in relation to the provision of financial services. They then engaged in a background study to understand the RBI guidelines on ATM accessibility in the context of the Goa state population. Students also experienced sitting in wheelchairs to experience the space, access and mobility associated with different ATMs first-hand. Across 100 ATMs in the ensuing audit, the project group found that approximately 90 per cent lacked accessible ramps that met the required gradient criteria for wheelchair ramps. In addition, the majority did not have accessibility features, such as braille buttons and audio instructions that would support their use by persons with a disability. The project group’s visits and interactions with members of the community highlighted that most ATMs either had stairs or were built on elevated platforms, while those on levelled grounds often had their entrances blocked by a parking area. The students also learned there is a general perception that a disabled person will always be accompanied by someone trustworthy who will use the ATM on their behalf. This assumption fuels negligence of small infrastructural details that are required for accessibility. Their research also highlighted a lack
the community systematically to further their understanding of its members and the problems they are seeking to address. Here, it is important to use appropriate research methods and all students are expected to draw on data collection when identifying and developing solutions to a community’s challenges. Learning outcomes are evaluated through reflection reports and rubrics that measure students’ clarity in regards to the problems they are seeking to address and their projects’ conclusions and proposed solutions, as well as their understanding of the lives and circumstances of the intended beneficiaries. In the past 12 years, 527 student projects have been completed, making a tangible difference to the lives of less privileged communities. Here are a few examples of work undertaken in four different areas. Agriculture and livelihood: One horticulture-focused project sought to inspire the cultivation of vegetables through micro-farming. Students worked with the state-level Agriculture Technology Management Agency to interact with community members on a number of issues. These included linking producers to reputable hotels with guaranteed markets, mobilising female farmers into self-help groups and supporting people to learn new farming techniques. Additionally, students organised training sessions for village farmers to learn organic mushroom cultivation. Households began growing their own produce as a result of the project, showcasing its impact. A further GiveGoa project in this arena focused on improving agricultural productivity. Initiatives undertaken included educating farmers about
20 Business Impact • ISSUE 1 • 2024
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