Lok Sabha Question No. 3023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-22
Subject: Information of New Technologies
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Rodmal Nagar, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Shankar Lalwani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3023 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND MARCH, 2022

## INFORMATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

3023.  SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL:

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  use  electronic  mediums  to  inform  the farmers about new technologies to increase production etc.; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): The Government has taken several activities to use electronic mediums to  send  the  information  to  the  farmers  about  new  technologies  and  to  increase production such as:

- i. Government  has  developed Kisan Suvidha mobile application to facilitate dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather; Market Prices; Plant Protection; input Dealers (Seed,  Pesticide,  Fertilizer)  Farm  Machinery;  Soil  Health  Card;  Cold Storages & Godowns, Veterinary Centres and Diagnostic Labs.   Thus, they can make informed decisions.
- ii. Sending advisories on various crop related matter /weather advisories to the registered farmers through mobile SMSs.
- iii. Under  the  scheme  'Mass  Media  Support  to  Agriculture  Extension'  of 'Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension'; the agricultural programmes are being  produced  and  telecast  through  DD  Kisan,  18  DD  Regional Kendras and broadcast through 97 FM Stations of All India Radio.  The Focused  Publicity  &  Awareness  Campaign  is  also  being  undertaken through  electronic,  social  and  print  media  for  creating  awareness

among the farmers and other stakeholders on technological aspects of agriculture.

- iv. Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  established  a network of 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country mandated with Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development. KVKs organize demonstrations, training programs and skill development programs for the benefit of farmers and farm  women,  rural  youth  and  in-service  extension  personnel.  During 2020-21, training courses (45,636) on different agricultural technologies and  practices  were  organized  benefiting  13.86  lakh  farmers  and  farm women.
- v. The ICAR institutes and KVKs have developed various mobile apps on different  commodities  for  providing  advisory  to  farmers.  The  Indian Council of Agricultural Research has also created an electronic platform Kisan  Sarathi, for  supporting  agriculture  at  local  niche  with  national perspective.  In  this  platform,  it  is intended  to  provide  a  seamless, multimedia,  multi-ways  connectivity  to the farmers  with  the  latest agricultural technologies, knowledge base and the pool of large number of the subject matter experts.
- vi. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agricultural Technological Management Agency (ATMA)  at district level undertake training, demonstrations, exhibitions and skill development programs etc. provide information to the farmers,  farm  women,  and  rural  youth.  During  2014-2021,  91.43  crores advisories were provided to the farmers by KVK's, a total of 100.05 lakhs farmer  and  9.50  lakhs  extension  personnel's  were  trained  by  KVKs. Besides  2.44  lakhs  on  farm trials  of  new  improved  technologies  were conducted  at  farmer's  field  by  KVKs.  A  total  34.06 lakh  technology demonstrations were also organised by Agricultural Technology Management Agency  (ATMA)  during  the  last  7  years.  State  Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and ICAR Institutes are also involved in the transfer of new technology.
- vii. ICT  based  tools like  Videos,  Mobile  Apps  etc.  are  also  used  to  provide information to farmers on large scale.  Kisan  Call  Centre,  Agri-clinics  and Agribusiness management centers, M-kisan, Farmers portal established by the Government also disseminate the latest information to the farmers.

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