(a) the details of the schemes being implemented to promote skill development among farmers in agriculture and allied sectors;
(b) the amount of funds earmarked under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year along with the amount spent thereunder; and
(c) the details of the initiatives proposed to be taken to enhance capacity building of farmers?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 24 DUE FOR REPLY ON 19TH NOVEMBER, 2019.
(a) to (c): The Government has initiated and is implementing the following schemes aimed to promote skill development and capacity building among farmers in the agriculture and allied sectors.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is under implementation since 2005. It is being implemented in 684 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs of the country. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly system in the country with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to revitalize the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers. The extension activities under ATMA include Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc. During the year last three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 and current year 2019-20 56.50 lakh farmers availed training benefits under ATMA.
After the Gazette Notification issued by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in July 2015, the DAC & FW has been operationalising skill training courses for rural youth and farmers as per the approved 172 Qualification Packs developed by Agriculture Skill Council of India, through the National Training Institutes, State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras of ICAR and State Agricultural Universities. During the year 2016-17 to 2019-20 (upto October, 2019) a total of 21,162 participants were trained under various agriculture related Skill Trainings of 200 hours duration under National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
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Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) was launched in 2015 with the objective to impart short term skill training (7 days duration inclusive of 1 day for local travel) to rural youths and farmers in agriculture and allied areas for upgradation of their knowledge and skills and promote wage/self employment in rural areas. The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) is implementing STRY across the country through State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs), ATMA and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. During the last three years and the current year, a total of 14,687 rural youths/farmers were trained under STRY.
The Department of Fisheries is implementing is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme on “Blue Revolution : Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries”. Under this Scheme, there is a component namely, Skill Development and capacity building to fish farmers and other stakeholders in all fisheries and related activities both marine and inland fisheries.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing National Livestock Mission since 21.05.2014 with a Sub-Mission on ‘Skill Development, Technology Transfer & Extension’.
In addition to the above, the Government is providing financial assistance to the States under the Soil Health Card Scheme for organizing training of farmers. Also under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation also a component namely ‘Promotion and Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstration’ has been kept and is aimed for skill development programme in various fields of agriculture mechanisation. 49,033 trainees have been trained on various aspects of agricultural mechanisation which has helped them in improving their skill levels for efficient operations thereby saving in cost of operations. It has also created employment/self-employment opportunities. Training of farmers is also promoted under RKVY-RAFTAAR.
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The funds earmarked under the above ATMA, NSDM and STRY schemes during the last three years and the current year along with the amount spent thereunder are at Annexure-I to Annexure-III. The year-wise training provided to fishermen under the Blue Revolution : Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries scheme during the last three years and current year is at Annexure – IV. The year-wise training provided to farmers and the expenditure thereon under the National Livestock Mission is Annexure–V.