(a) whether the Government plans to double the production of coarse grains in order to double the income of the farmers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the schemes proposed by the Government for motivating youth towards promotion of agriculture; and
(d) whether any scheme is being formulated or has been formulated to provide affordable loans to youth to engage them in agriculture and to start agriculture related startups and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) & (b) The production of coarse cereals has increased from 276.5lakh tonne in 2016-17 to 347.7 lakh tonne in 2021-22 (3rd Advance Estimates). Government is implementing coarse cereals development programme under National Food Security Mission - Coarse Cereals to promote the cultivation of coarse grains like maize & barley. Maize development programme is being implemented in 237 districts of 26 states, 2 Union Territories, and barley in 39 districts of 4 states. In addition, the states have the flexibility to take up maize development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in the area of 50-100 km around distilleries to use maize as feed stock for production of ethanol. The production of Coarse Cereals (maize & barley) during last 4 years is as under;
2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22*
293.5 304.9 333.1 347.7
* As per 3rd Advance Estimates 2021-22
(c)& (d)Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:
i.) Establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (AC&ABC)
ii.) Skill training programmes (minimum 200 hours’ duration) for Rural Youth and Farmers including women farmers
iii.) Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY)
iv.) Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
v.) Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) to promote Agri-Startups
vi.) Certified Farm Advisor/Certified Livestock Advisor programme
vii.) Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agri Business Management) [PGDM (ABM)]
Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:
i.) Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and CapacityDevelopment through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
ii.) Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA)
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship takes special initiative for skill development among youth who want to pursue a career in theagriculture sector, though apprenticeship programmes, vocational training courses in schools and higher educational institutes. Various initiatives implemented through Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), a subsidiary under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are furnished below:
i.) Entrepreneurship training
ii.) Apprenticeship programme
iii.) Vocationalization of School Education
iv.) Vocationalization of Higher Education (UGC affiliated Colleges)
The Banks and Lending Institutions provideloan to farmers including youth for various activities of agriculture & allied sectorslike crop loan, infrastructure creation through Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Kisan Credit Card (KCCs), value addition entrepreneurships under Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PM FME), Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs), Self Help Group (SHGs) etc. During 2022-23, the Government has increased the agricultural credit target to Rs. 18.00 lakh crore from Rs. 16.50 lakh crore during 2021-22.
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