During the month, 14 training programmes were conducted with 347 participants which included 5 In-Campus and 9 On-location training programmes. In all, during 2005-06, BIRD conducted 240 training programmes covering 5553 participants as against 250 programmes covering 6392 participants from different sectors during 2004-05.

During the month, 05 In-Campus training programmes were conducted, attended by 100 participants. One of the significant programmes conducted during the month was a special ‘Training programme on Training Techniques’conducted for faculty members of ACSTIs and JLTCs, attended by 25 participants. This programme was designed as per the request and recommendations received from Principals in the conference of Principals of ACSTIs and JLTCs conducted by us in Feb 2006. A Training programme for international participants (NABARD-CICTAB Programme on Linkage of SHGs with RFIs) was also conducted by us during the month in collaboration with CICTAB. It was attended by 3 participants from Nepal, 8 participants from Bhutan and 10 participants from Sri-Lanka.

The average participation per programme in In-Campus programmes works out to 22.1 during 2005-06.  There has been a slight fall in average participation during this year as compared to the previous year mainly attributable to the process of State-wise merger of RRBs initiated by GOI. The State-wise participation data for In - House programmes indicates that the institute received maximum number of participants from the states of Uttar Pradesh (1442) followed by Rajasthan (371) and Madhya Pradesh (355), due to their proximity to the Institute and the presence of a large number of RRBs in these states.

Agency wise participation in In-campus programmes during the current year (2005-06) vis-à-vis preceeding two years and the percentage distribution thereof are indicated in the following table:

It is clear from the above table that though there is a decrease in participation levels in respect of RRBs, Commercial Banks and ‘Others’ sector, there has been a substantial increase in participation levels (by 35%) in respect of Cooperative Banks. This has been the most outstanding feature of this year and this could be mainly attributed to the  special programmes conducted by us for cooperative banks based on their need. One such programme was the programme for banks under section 11(1) of BR Act, 1949 (AACS) which was well attended and widely appreciated. Sponsorship of such programmes by NABARD has also contributed towards this improvement in their participation. In the RRB sector, the participation levels have declined on account of merger/ consolidation of RRBs resulting in the pre-occupation of their officers and last minute cancellations due to poor nominations, etc.

At the request of Canara Bank, 3 customized programmes were conducted by us on ‘Achievement Motivation’, which were very well received by the bank and their participants. In addition, customized programmes were conducted for NABARD UPRO, NIAM, Jaipur and Microsoft and Natural Technologies, New Delhi.

During the year, 4 exposure visits on microfinance were undertaken to different countries viz., the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and South Africa respectively.

During the month, 9 On-location programmes were conducted, out of which 7 were on  ACABC, Rural Godowns and Agri-Marketing Infrastructure and were held in different locations. The programmes on Rural Godowns and Agri-Marketing Infrastructure were conducted on behalf of NIAM, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, who sponsored the programmes for bankers. A training programme on Funds Management was conducted during the month for the officers of Punjab State Cooperative Bank Ltd. at ACSTI Jalandhar. This was the second programme on the same title conducted for the agency.

With these, nine programmes conducted during the month, the total number of on-location programmes conducted during the year stood at 45. These on-location programmes not only focused on Rural Godowns and Agri-Marketing Infrastructure (on behalf of NIAM) and on Financial Management, but also on other areas like Agri-clinics and Agri-Business, Personality Development, Microfinance, etc.

BIRD also provided faculty support to IIBM, Guwahati to conduct two of their training programmes.

The total participation in on-location programmes was 1234 in 45 programmes, with an average participation of 27.4. The higher participation level in on-location programmes, could be attributed to the fact that such programmes result in considerable saving on travel time and costs for the participants.