(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to train the farmers of the country for multi-layer farming with the objective of raising their income;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State and District-wise; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): Yes. ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram is undertaking research (on-station) and technology validation through farmers’ participatory research (on-farm research) on Integrated Farming Systems and Cropping Systems under AICRP-Integrated Farming Systems (AICRP-IFS) in 24 states and 1 Union Territory with the participation of 34 State Agricultural Universities, 6 ICAR institutes and 1 Central University. At selected locations of on-station (Port Blair in A&N Islands, Karamana in Kerala, Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh, Kalyani in West Bengal) and on-farm (Pathinamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram Districts of Kerala), location specific multi-layer farming involving crops of different heights have been experimented. Awareness among farmers and other stakeholders on multi-layer farming and advantages thereof in these states are also being conducted.
In addition to this, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms” popularly known as ATMA Scheme is already under implementation since 2005. Presently, Scheme is being implemented in 691 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country. Under the scheme grants-in-aid is released to the State Governments with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to make available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers including training for multi-layer farming. Training of farmers is one of the eligible activities of ATMA Scheme.
During last one year, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) conducted 4221 training programmes on various themes related to Multi-Layer Farming with participation of 136391 farmers. State-wise training programmes conducted by KVKs on various themes related to Multi-Layer Farming during last one year are given in ANNEXURE-I.
During 2019-20, 1327075 farmers have been trained under ATMA scheme in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied subjects including multi-layer farming (ANNEXURE-II).
(c) Not Applicable