Lok Sabha Question No. 5425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Agricultural Manpower
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5425 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  APRIL, 2022

## AGRICULTURAL MANPOWER

## 5425.    SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष और कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the farmers of the country do not get any work for most of the time of the year resulting in under-utilisation of manpower in the country;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  or  proposes  to  conduct  any  study  in  this regard;

- (c) if so, the details and the outcomes thereof; and

(d) the action taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष और कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR )

(a): Work opportunities for farmers depend on farming activities. Farming is characterized by busy and lean seasons. During busy season, farmers are employed. Longer is the busy season, more is the employment.

(b)  to  (d)  :  No  study  is  presently  being  conducted  in  this  regard.  However,  some  of  the steps taken by the Government in utilization of agricultural manpower is given below:

(i) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides for the enhancement of livelihood security of the household in rural areas of the country by providing  at least  one  hundred  days of  guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(ii) Under the Centrally Sponsored component of the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) under Green Revolution - Krishionnati Yojana, grants-in-aid is released to states with an objective to make available the thematic areas to increase agricultural production through extension activities viz., Farmers Training, demonstrations, exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilisation of Farmers Groups and setting up of Farm Schools.

The  Farm  Machinery  Training  and  Testing  Institutes  (FMTTIs)  are  imparting  training  to different  categories  of  beneficiaries  like  farmers,  technicians  etc.    To  supplement  the efforts of the FMTTIs outsourcing of the training through the identified Institutions, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutions, Agricultural Technology Management Agency  (ATMA)  Institutions,  National  Innovation  Foundation,  training  programmes  are funded as per the norms prescribed by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.    During  the  year  2021-22  till  December,  2021,  total  11,582  trainees were trained.  During the year 2021, a special drive for Skilling the Migrant Labourers in the  area  of  agricultural  machinery  under  the  'Aatma  Nirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyan'  of  the Government has been initiated.

(iii)  Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Central Institute of Horticulture, Nagaland has provided training to more than 1239 farmers and officials on various  aspects  of  horticulture  such  as  cultivation  of  exotic  vegetables,  production technology of various horticulture crops, post harvest management and value addition and nursery management and accreditation.

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