Lok Sabha Question No. 2122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-14
Subject: Utilizing the Services of Agricultural Graduates
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai, Dhanush M Kumar, Ganesan Selvam, Manjulata Mandal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2122

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  MARCH, 2023

## UTILIZING THE SERVICES OF AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES

2122.  SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI: SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL: SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR: SHRI SELVAM G.:

क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is utilizing the services of agricultural graduates under its various schemes and programs to support the farmers, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the amount of funds allocated/sanctioned by the Government for the said purpose in the States of Tamil Nadu and Odisha;
- (c) the details of remuneration and facilities that will be extended to agricultural graduates; and
- (d)  the  other  steps being taken/taken by the Government to improve the livelihood of small and marginal farmers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) As a part of Under Graduate (UG) curricula students are mandatorily assigned with the task to interact with farmers and industries for mutual benefits of farmers and students for a period of 6 months under the program 'Students Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness and Development Yojana (Students READY)' comprising of Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE), Internship and In-Plant Training.
- (b) The amount of funds allocated/sanctioned by the Government for the said purpose during 2021-22 is given below:
- (c) The stipend of Rs. 3,000/- (Rs. 2,500/- as ICAR/DARE Share + Rs 500/- as State Share) is paid to the students pursuing UG Degree in Agriculture and Allied Subjects per

Tamil Nadu: Rs. 1.01 Crore.

Odisha: Rs. 1.02 Crore.

student per month for a maximum duration of six months under Student READY. An amount of Rs. 500/-  per  student/per  month  is  also  provided  by  ICAR/DARE  towards operational  expenses  (meeting  faculty  expenses,  contingency,  POL,  medicines,  etc.) during the programme.

(d): Government of India implements various Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored  Schemes  keeping  in  view  of  present  and  future  requirements  of  the agriculture sector as well as interests of all farmers including small and marginal farmers. These schemes cover entire spectrum of agriculture including infrastructure, technology, mechanization, irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, skill development, income support to farmers, procurement of crops at minimum support prices, credit and crop insurance at subsidized rates,  marketing,  support  for  agri  startups  etc.  through  Pradhan  Mantri    Fasal  Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana, Minimum Support Price, Kisan Credit Card, Institutional Credit for Agriculture, Interest Subvention Scheme, Agriculture Infrastructure fund, Soil Health Card, Formation of FPOs, etc. for improving livelihood of small and marginal farmers.

ICAR-Institutes/KVKs regularly conducts trainings, demonstrations (varieties, production technologies, etc.), exposure visits on farmer-friendly technologies/ drudgery reducing tools & equipments, income generation and nutritional security including farmers working in crop science, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, backyard poultry and occupational safety and health of farm women.

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