Photo: Vasuki showcasing the panchakavya she prepared herself

Vasuki, a homemaker from Puducherry, India, found herself at a crossroads. While she wanted to economically contribute to her family's income, she wasn't sure how. A WhatsApp-based micro-course on the preparation of panchakavya - a traditional organic growth stimulant made from cow-derived ingredients - set her on a journey. The course hosted on the CGIAR Digital Innovation Initiative AgroTutor Academy not only transformed her role within her household but also within her community, where she now teaches others how to prepare panchakavya.

The panchakavya micro-course was developed by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the first launch partner of the AgroTutor Academy, targeting 100 farmers in Puducherry. AgroTutor Academy is part of the ICTforAg Learning Network - a collaborative networking platform developed by CIMMYT under the Digital Innovation. AgroTutor Academy hosts micro-courses for last-mile beneficiaries, allowing partners like MSSRF to develop and deliver courses with ease. The platform provides partners and course creators with a highly customizable Learning Management System (LMS), allowing them to offer courses to their specific groups of learners. The platform requires minimal training and is open to all stakeholders.

The course was designed to be easy to follow and delivered in Tamil, Vasuki's native language, through WhatsApp. The AgroTutor platform is different from others in that it allows students revisit lessons as many times as needed, allowing Vasuki to learn from home at her convenience. This flexibility enabled her to balance learning with her household responsibilities.

Vasuki received her certificate after completing the course, but she didn't stop there. Vasuki took a loan with the support of local women's collective, bought two cows, and began preparing panchakavya for sale as a new source of income for her family. Not only was she supporting her household, but she was also gaining confidence in her new skills. "I'm so glad I took this course. I've started preparing panchakavya, and while it took me some time to master the process, I kept going back to the videos repeatedly," shared Vasuki. "The videos are super easy to understand, and the course is very easy to navigate. My family and extended relatives are thrilled with my achievement, and they now look up to me. I've even taken it a step further by making daskavya and agniasthram, which I now sell along with panchakavya."

D.S. Girija, Development Coordinator at MSSRF and creator of the panchakavya course, remarked, "It's incredible to see women like Vasuki take full advantage of WhatsApp-based courses. These simple, yet powerful, micro-courses are creating a bigger impact on people's lives than we ever imagined. We know many women want to learn but are constrained by circumstances. With WhatsApp-based micro-courses, women can learn essential skills from home and act within their means. Stories like Vasuki's keep us motivated to continue this work."

A report from the Mobile Economy India 2023 by GSMA indicates that mobile technology is playing a crucial role in improving access to education and training in rural areas, where traditional learning methods often fall short. The WhatsApp-based micro-courses on the AgroTutor Academy are designed for ease of completion, requiring no typing. They can be offered in various languages, ensuring accessibility for all. The chapters utilize multimedia formats, enhancing the learning experience. At the end of the course, learners can download their certificate of completion. There's no need to install or learn to navigate a new app, as the course is seamlessly integrated into their .

Vasuki's success extended beyond herself. She began sharing her knowledge of panchakavya preparation with her community, inspiring other women to start making it themselves. Valliammal, a woman from Vasuki's neighborhood, shared her experience: "Vasuki told me about the WhatsApp-based micro-course. I don't have an Android phone, but she taught me how to prepare panchakavya, and now I'm making and selling it too."

Like many rural women in India, Vasuki faced the challenge of wanting to contribute to her family's income but lacking the skills and opportunities. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women constitute nearly 43% of the agricultural labor force in India but often lack access to training and resources. Vasuki also had to balance household responsibilities, making it difficult for her to seek out work.

Courses delivered via widely used platforms such as WhatsApp are highly scalable and provide a crucial channel for people in rural areas to acquire new skills from the comfort of their homes. These programs allow women like Vasuki, who may not otherwise have had the opportunity, to engage in economic activities, thus contributing to both household income and community well-being.

The success of this WhatsApp-based panchakavya course is a clear call for more such initiatives, which harness the power of digital tools to bring about lasting change in rural communities. Supporting women like Vasuki isn't just about providing knowledge, it's about equipping them with the tools to build sustainable, dignified livelihoods that benefit their families and communities.