Skill Development Programmes for Farmers

The Government is implementing various Schemes with training and capacity building of farmers as one of the components. ‘Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms (ATMA)’ Scheme provides support for organizing trainings to farmers at National, State and District level. The scheme also provides for setting up of Farm Schools where progressive farmers with the help of subject matter experts provide trainings to other farmers at six critical stages of the crop cycle. At least, 50% beneficiaries under ATMA Scheme have to be small and marginal farmers.

Besides this, skill development of farmers (including small and marginal farmers) under Schemes as follows:-

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Trainings of farmers are organized through Farmer Field Schools (FFS).

• National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility: Trainings on balanced use of fertilizers are being provided.

• Watershed Development Programmes: Under National Watershed Development Project for Rain-fed Areas (NWDPRA), Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River Valley Project and Flood Prone Rivers (RVP & FPR) and Water-shed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA), trainings on agricultural production, in-situ moisture conservation, on farm water management, water use efficiency etc. are provided to the farmers.

• Farm Mechanization Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTI): Training is imparted on operation, maintenance and repair of small tools/ equipments.

• Integrated Development of Tree Borne Oilseeds Scheme: Farmers’ training is organized for quality seed collection, nursery raising, plantation and production of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).

• Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilitates for Production and Distribution of Quality Seed: Training programmes are organized for farmers on fields to upgrade the quality of farmer-saved seeds in association with Seed Village Programme.

• National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North Eastern Hills (HMNEs): Need based trainings are provided to small and marginal farmers.

This information was given by Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

SB: CP: skill (1.3.2011)