Question : SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE

(a) the details of the schemes/ programmes being implemented by the Government for skill development and training in agriculture and allied sectors for the farmers in various States including Jammu and Kashmir during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) the number of farmers trained through the said schemes and the extent to which they have been benefitted during the above period, State/Scheme-wise;

(c) whether the Government has earmarked any amount for this purpose under various schemes; and

(d) if so, the details of the amount allocated and spent for this purpose during the above period, State/Scheme-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (d) The Government has been implementing various Skill Development Initiatives to provide training to people to develop skilled manpower in various sectors including agriculture, food processing, apiculture, animal husbandry etc. Under the Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme, as many as 34.65 lakh persons have been trained/ tested across the country while 33,973 persons from Jammu & Kashmir have been trained since 2011-12. Training is provided through a network of 10,073 Vocational Training providers (VTPs) in 565 course modules in 69 sectors across the and at the end of training, candidates are assessed by the 116 Assessing Bodies empanelled by DGE&T. Successful candidates are awarded NCVT Certificate. Skills of candidates acquired through informal means are also assessed on pre-determined parameters & successful candidates are awarded NCVT certificate. No fee is charged for training and assessment. The payment towards all reimbursement claims is done by the respective State/UT Govt. Apart from the above skill development programmes, approximately 41.93 lakhs persons have been benefitted under various Agriculture Extension and Training Programmes being run by the Ministry of Agriculture.