Since 2015, we have been recruiting fresh graduates and training and mentoring these young minds into well-rounded and skilled professionals. Some of these professionals stayed back and continued working with us; while some of them are now well-placed in other startups and large tech companies.
This rich experience led us to some undeniable patterns, which is why we decided to use it to create SetuSchool: School of AgriTech (SoA).
As our first initiative, we are launching today a formal Graduate Development Programme (GDP) under SetuSchool.
Why SetuSchool?
We realised that the Indian education system is woefully inadequate for creating the right talent for building innovative products in the agricultural sector - or any other technology-oriented sector.
Moreover, the system does not help students to develop an “applied orientation” and craftsmanship to solve real-world problems in the agrifood supply chain. Often, we see students enthusiastically solve problems on the blackboard (or the whiteboard!) but struggle to replicate their success “on the field”, i.e., in the real world.
Product development companies thrive and grow in a healthy tech ecosystem
Easy access to top technical talent is a sign of a healthy tech ecosystem. Not having access to this talent is currently a serious constraint for the innovation and growth of the software product industry.
And just how do we build this talent? By inculcating the "think product” mindset in our young graduates.
As this LinkedIn post surmises, the “think product” mindset is a multi-disciplinary amalgamation of curiosity, creativity, craftsman-like detailing, artist-like visualisation, end-user empathy, pattern reading and even first-person research.
(Leonardo da Vinci’s “Flying Machine” illustration from his notebook.)
Much like the celebrated polymath Leonardo da Vinci, we need to inculcate and institutionalise this multi-disciplinary thinking in our young graduates. This is the cornerstone of SetuSchool’s ambition and aspiration.
SetuSchool will provide short, practical (even tactical), vocational training courses to create specific skills needed for FarmSetu Technologies, Vesatogo Innovations, and the broader agri-industry. Whilst this is our first step, our mandate is to develop well-rounded agri-technology professionals ready to take the “inception-to-completion” approach from Day One.
What Will SetuSchool Do?
SetuSchool aims to build talent and capacity in the agritech domain by encouraging young students to apply their skills to solve real-world and fundamental agricultural problems. Most importantly, this programme will create opportunities for such talent to acquire life skills and find a higher purpose in life.
As a first step, we are creating a “Graduate Development Programme (GDP)” under SetuSchool.
The GDP aims to take recent graduates and diploma holders with the “right” mindset to inculcate product development principles in them and create the next generation of “thinkers, creators and builders”.
What is GDP?
GDP is a full-time, 6-week-long programme conducted on-site at our Nashik office. The first 2 weeks of the programme will be dedicated to a common foundation track, the next 3 weeks will be specialised tracks and the last week will feature a hands-on project.
This intense 6-week programme offers a unique opportunity to learn from an experienced team in the agritech sector. The programme has a lot of on-the-field learning opportunities. The focus is not just on theory but also high on applied skills.
The participants will have the opportunity to gain industrial training while simultaneously building technology skills. This will be their opportunity to get out of the classroom and come face-to-face with the real world.
At the end of the programme, we will roll out offers to select candidates to join the FarmSetu and Vesatogo teams on a full-time basis immediately.
About FarmSetu
FarmSetu provides technology solutions to agribusinesses and their farmers in the supply chain to reduce their costs and improve their margins. Our technology enables them to manage and scale their operations efficiently. We help our users and customers make informed decisions thereby evolving resilient, predictable, and sustainable agri-food supply chains. Explore www.farmsetu.co to learn more.