Question : Skilled Manpower of Farmers

(a) whether it is a fact that there is a huge skilled manpower in the form of farmers and their contribution in GDP has been decreasing continuously as compared to other sectors in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such trend;

(c) whether the Government has made any study to find out the number of farmers who leave agriculture sector due to under development of agriculture sector and opportunities in this sector of the country and if so, the details in this regard;

(d) whether the Government proposes any programme, scheme to bring positive change in the lives of this vulnerable sections of the society to enable them to register growth of agriculture sector in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this direction?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

???????????????????????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (e): As per Provisional Estimates of National Income, released by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on 31st May 2022, the share of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country during the last three years at current prices is given below.


( in percent)
Year Percentage Share of GVA of Agriculture and Allied sector to Total Economy
2019-20 18.3
2020-21 20.0
2021-22 18.6
Source: National Statistical Office (NSO), M/o Statistics & PI.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare,under the Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension, implements the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme in 704 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country. The objectives of the Scheme is to support State Government’s efforts and to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, KisanMela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.

The skill training courses on agriculture and allied areas are conducted through KrishiVigyanKendras and Agriculture Technology Management Agency. The objective of skill based training is to upgrade the knowledge and skill of rural youth and farmers on improved technologies in agriculture and allied sectors. The areas of skill training include soil testing, organic farming, bio-fertilizer production, mushroom production, bee-keeping, maintenance and repair of farm equipments, animal husbandry, dairying, poultry, fishery etc. The skill gained by farmers/rural youth in these trainings are useful in gaining self employment.

With a view to make agriculture attractive and more remunerative, Government is implementing a number of schemes which include, inter alia, Pradhan MantriKisanSammanNidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY); Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme; National Agriculture Market Scheme (e-NAM); Pradhan MantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY); Pradhan MatriKisanMaan-DhanYojana scheme; National Food Security Mission (NFSM); Kisan Credit Card (KCC); Pradhan MantriAnnadataAaySanrakshanAbhiyan (PM-AASHA); Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH); RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojana (RKVY); and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund(AIF). Government is also promoting integrated farming with focus on horticulture, floriculture, bee-keeping, fisheries, agro-forestry, etc. to diversify the income base of agricultural households.

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