Lok Sabha Question No. 4595 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-08
Subject: Benefits of Agricultural Technology and Schemes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KRISHN PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4595

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08/01/2019

## BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND SCHEMES

## 4595.  DR. KRISHAN PRATAP:

## Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

(a) whether small and marginal farmers are not able to avail full benefits of modern agricultural technology and various special schemes;

(b) if  so,  the  details thereof along with the name of the States/regions/sectors which are not getting these benefits;

(c) whether  the  Government    has  identified  the  sectors  which  are  using  old  and outdated technology;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Agriculture Institutes/Universities have played any role in revival of agricultural extension schemes for  providing  relevant  information/knowledge  particularly  to  the  small  and  marginal farmers; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

## (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. The Government implements various Centrally Sponsored and Central  Sector  Schemes  which  have  preferential  norms  of  assistance  for  small  & marginal  farmers  and/or  emphasize  earmarking  of  certain  minimum  percentage  of

resources  for  beneficiaries  from  amongst  small  &  marginal  farmers.  The  Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  'Support  to  State  Extension  Programmes  for  Extension  Reforms' (ATMA) propagates economically viable and proven technologies aimed at resource poor families.  ATMA,  Mass  Media  and  Kisan  Call  Centre  (KCC)  Schemes  have  been revamped and strengthened recently to reach all farmers (including small and marginal farmers)  to  disseminate  relevant  information  and  to  spread  adoption  of  appropriate agricultural  technologies.  A  nation-wide  SMS  Portal  for  Farmers  has  enabled  all departments, offices and organizations of the Government of India and State Governments (down to the Block level) to send information, provide services and give advisories  to  farmers  in  their  local  languages,  in  respect  of  their  location  &  for preferences of crops/agricultural practices. Benefits of the schemes and programmes of the Government in agriculture and allied sectors have percolated to all the States/regions/sectors.

(c) & (d): Such  sectors  have  not  been  identified  which  are  using  old  and  outdated technologies.

(e) & (f): In order to assess, refine and demonstrate agricultural technologies/products  in  farmers'  fields,  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR) has established 704 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at district level. The KVKs also provide technological backstopping to the main extension systems operated by State Governments.  Besides, the Directorates of Extension of Agricultural Universities undertake Farm Advisory Services, including publishing useful material for farmers and conducting training of extension personnel. Institutes of ICAR also have their Extension Programmes for reaching out to the farmers.

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