(a) the details of farmers Agro Service Centres which have been established in
the country so far particularly in Orissa, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and West
Bengal, State-wise;
(b) the functions of these Centres; and
(c) the details of assessment of their performance so far in Physical and
Financial Terms?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 489 DUE FOR REPLY ON 29TH APRIL, 2002.
(a) to (c): At present, the Central Government do not have any scheme relating
to establishment of Farmers Agro Service Centres. However, some of the State
Governments have established such centres. The details of Farmers Agro Service
Centres established by the State Governments of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Andhra
Pradesh and West Bengal are given in the Annexure.
Some of the important functions of the Farmers Agro Service Centres relate
to distribution of agricultural implements, machinery, seeds, fertilizers and
pesticides, providing technical information/services to the farmers, installation and
distribution of drip and sprinkler irrigation equipment, providing custom hiring, repair
and maintenance services for agricultural equipment for the benefit of the farmers.
State Government of Orissa has informed that a study has been
commissioned for assessing the impact of various agricultural enterprises, including
Farmers Agro Service Centres, which have been promoted by them. The study
Report is awaited.
As regards Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, no study has been carried out
since there is no Farmers Agro Service Centre in these States. State Government
of Andhra Pradesh have not carried out any formal study to assess the performance
of the Farmers Agro Service Centres. However, their turn over has been reported
at about Rs.192.00 lakh against a target of Rs.205.92 lakh during the period
between April and October 2001. Since the Farmers Agro Service Centres are
being assisted by the State Governments, the primary responsibility for making an
assessment of their performance in physical and financial terms vests with the
respective State Governments.
Annexure
Number of Farmers Agro Service Centres
S.No. Name of State No. of Agro Service Centres
1 Orissa 243 2 Chhattisgarh Nil 3 Andhra Pradesh 21 4 West Bengal Nil