(a) whether the Government has launched a new scheme namely “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture” (ARYA) for the rural youths of the country;
(b) if so, the salient features of the scheme;
(c) the benefits likely to accrue to the rural youths under the scheme; and
(d) the funds allocated and the success achieved so far in bringing more rural youths under the scheme?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15/12/2015 REGARDING “ARYA SCHEME”
(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Realizing the importance of rural youth in agricultural development especially from the point of view of food security of the country, Government has initiated a program on “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture” in selected districts of 22 States, through KVKs at the rate of one district for each State.
The objectives of ARYA project are:-
(i) To attract and empower the Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment in selected districts.
(ii) To enable the Farm Youth to establish net work groups to take up resource and capital intensive activities like processing, value addition and marketing, and
(iii) To demonstrate functional linkage with different institutions and stakeholders for convergence of opportunities available under various schemes/ program for sustainable development of youth.
In the project district, rural youths will be identified and provided with skill development in entrepreneurial activities and for establishment of related micro-enterprise units in the area of Apiary, Mushroom, Seed Processing, Soil testing, Poultry, Dairy, Goatry, Carp-hatchery, Vermi-compost etc., KVKs will involve the Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes as Technology Partners. The purpose is to establish economic models for youth in the villages in the area of agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for earning sustainable income through self employment.
(d) During the current financial year (2015-16), a provision of Rs 4.00 crore has been made for implementation of ARYA Scheme. A provision of Rs 100.00 crore has been made in the scheme for XII Plan.
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