(a) whether the Government has any programme for strengthening the role of women in the
agriculture sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(
(c) whether the Government of Kerala has sent any proposal for financial assistance for
strengthening the role of women in agriculture; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme titled `Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension
Reforms` has been taken up for implementation from 2005-06 to cover 252 districts of the country with
the Xth Plan Outlay of Rs. 226.00 crore. It has been mandated under the scheme that minimum 30%
beneficiary oriented funds be utilized for women farmers. In addition mainstreaming of gender concerns
in agriculture is being promoted through the National Gender Resource Centre in Agriculture (NGRCA)
set up in the Directorate of Extension of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
(c): Yes, Sir. A proposal was received from Government of Kerala during 1999-2000 seeking
external support for a project entitled `Programme for Agro-Based Vocational Training for Women`.
(d): The programme with a cost of Rs.17.62 crores aimed at covering 14 districts with following
major interventions:
# Setting up and strengthening of 14 Agro-based Vocational Training Centres in the State;
# Capacity building and skill up-gradation of farm women through various types of training such as
Village level training, institutional training etc.
# Extension support to farm women through Result Demonstrations, Study Tours, Mahila Goshties
and organization of Churcha Mandals;
# Infrastructural and administrative support through civil works, equipment, staff and mobility;
# Monitoring & Evaluation support; and
# Setting up of Mobile Marketing Units.
The Government of Kerala had forwarded the aforesaid project for availing the Dutch assistance. The Dutch authorities had however expressed their inability to commit themselves to new projects including
the proposed project in Kerala due to drastic cuts in their budget.