JAMMU: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has been at the forefront of making higher education accessible to the hitherto unreached through its open, distance learning, and online modes. The Institute of Cost Accountants of India is second largest Cost & Management Accounting body in the world and the largest in Asia.
Presently, the Institute has about 85000 qualified CMAs both in employment & practice and more than 5 Lakh students pursuing the CMA Course. IGNOU's School of Agriculture has launched a new educational programme “Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management (DACM)” in collaboration with the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).
IGNOU and ICMAI have jointly developed an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme “Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management''. The programme covers farm accounting and costing, agri supply chain management, prudent utilization of land, water management and other associated farming activities. The purpose of "Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management" is to educate and train learners to efficiently manage farm costs and enhance agricultural productivity and provide insight into various activities including strategic decision-making related to different aspects of agricultural production, crop cultivation, livestock rearing, financial planning, resource allocation, marketing, and risk mitigation.
The DACM programme's major objectives include optimal resource utilisation, proficiency in knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial capabilities towards farm cost management, value chain, and supply chain management. The course targets urban and rural youth, small and medium entrepreneurs, farmers' organizations, NGO functionaries and trainers and progressive farmers, with a minimum eligibility requirement of passing 10+2 in any discipline. The course duration ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years.
"Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management program offers a comprehensive range of courses in agriculture, catering to the diverse needs of students and professionals in the field. The “Cost Concepts and Techniques" in the programme will equip learners with essential knowledge and techniques related to cost management in agriculture. The “Farm Cost Management" part focuses specifically on managing costs within farm operations to enhance efficiency and profitability. The courses together form a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare individuals for various roles and responsibilities in the agricultural sector, ranging from farm management to entrepreneurship and organizational leadership.
“Admission to the programme for the July 2024 session is already open. For admission, online forms are invited at https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/. More information about the programme is available on the national website of IGNOU www.ignou.ac.in”, said Dr. Jai Prakash Verma Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu.