Lok Sabha Question No. 2570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Schemes to promote Skill Development among Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mani A

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2570

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG FARMERS

## 2570  SHRI MANI A.

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government  to  promote  skill  development,  capacity  building  and  training  among farmers in agriculture and allied sectors;
- (b)  whether these schemes are being effectively implemented in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
- (c) the specific initiatives, training modules, exposure visits, farmer field schools and digital agri-skilling programmes conducted in Dharmapuri district during the last five years;
- (d)  the number of farmers in Dharmapuri who have benefitted from these skill-development programmes, year-wise; and
- (e)  whether the Government proposes additional support or new programmes to enhance skill development for farmers in Dharmapuri, particularly in modern farming techniques, FPO development and allied sector diversification and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms' (ATMA) is being implemented in 734 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs for promoting decentralized  and  farmer-friendly  extension  system  in  the  country. The  objective  of  the Scheme is to support State Government's efforts and to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied  areas to  farmers  through  different  extension  activities  viz;  Farmers  Training,  Skill Training  of  Rural  Youth,  Demonstrations,  Exposure  Visits,  Kisan  Mela,  Mobilization  of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.

Skill  Training  of  Rural  Youth  (STRY)  aims  at  providing  short  duration  skill-based training programs to rural youth including farmers on agri-based vocational areas. STRY is implemented by National Institute of Extension Management (MANAGE) with the support of State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs) and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA). More than 86,000 rural youth including farmers have been trained so far under the scheme since 2015-16.

In  addition  to  STRY,  skill  training  programmes  of  min.  200  hours  duration  has  been operationalized  in  DA&FW  as  per  the  guidelines  of  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and Entrepreneurship from July, 2015.

The Government is implementing Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scheme in different States including Tamil Nadu of the Country with mandate of technology assessment and demonstration for its use and capacity development. As part of its activities, the KVKs impart training to the farmers, farm women and rural youth on different aspects of agriculture and allied sectors for their capacity building.

(b): Yes .  ATMA Scheme is being implemented in all the districts of Tamil Nadu State including Dharmapuri District. Similarly, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Scheme is also under implementation in 31 districts of Tamil Nadu including in Dharmpuri district (Annexure-I) .

STRY is being implemented in Tamil Nadu successfully with the support of SAMETI. The district-wise and year-wise status of the youth trained under the programs in the state is enclosed at Annexure-II .

(c): Details of Training Programmes and Exposure Visits conducted under ATMA and KVKs in Dharmapuri District during last  five  years (2020-21  to  2024-25)  are  given  here under: -

| Sl. No.   | Activity           | Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)   | Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)   | Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)   | Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)   |
|-----------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|           |                    | Number of Programmes                              | Number of Participants                            | Number of Programmes           | Number of Participants         |
| 1.        | Training Programme | 683                                               | 34,336                                            | 564                            | 18,404                         |
| 2.        | Exposure Visit     | 291                                               | 8,730                                             | 92                             | 2,509                          |

(d): A total of 168 rural youth including farmers have availed benefit under the program. The details on number of youth including farmers trained under STRY in Dharmapuri district during last five years are provided below: -

| Districts   | No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)   | No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)   | No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)   | No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)   | No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)   |
|-------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|             | 2020-21                                 | 2021-22                                 | 2022-23                                 | 2023-24                                 | 2024-25                                 |
| Dharmapuri  | 0                                       | 56                                      | 28                                      | 28                                      | 56                                      |

The  number  of  farmers  in  Dharmapuri,  who  have  benefitted  from  skill  Development Programmes is as under: -

| Sl. No.   | Year     |   Number of Skill Training Conducted |   Number of Beneficiaries |
|-----------|----------|--------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 1.        | 2020-21  |                                    1 |                        28 |
| 2.        | 2021-22  |                                    2 |                        39 |
| 3.        | 2022-23  |                                    2 |                        41 |
| 4.        | 2023-24  |                                    2 |                        56 |
| 5.        | 2024-25  |                                    2 |                        56 |
| TOTAL: -  | TOTAL: - |                                    9 |                       220 |

(e): In FPO, The Tamil Nadu Government has provided a Millet Processing Unit to the Pambar Farmers Producer Organization at Kelavalli, Morappur Block of Dharmapuri District through the Department of Agriculture Marketing and Agri- Business. Using this Processing Unit, Farmers of nearby blocks are also getting benefitted by selling the value added Millet products.

| Annexure-I                                                                     | Annexure-I                                                                     | Annexure-I                                                                     | Annexure-I                                                                     |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| District wise details of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functional in Tamil Nadu | District wise details of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functional in Tamil Nadu | District wise details of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functional in Tamil Nadu | District wise details of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functional in Tamil Nadu |
| Sl. No                                                                         | District/KVK                                                                   | Type of Host Organization                                                      | Year of Establishment                                                          |
| 1                                                                              | Ariyalur                                                                       | NGO                                                                            | 2009                                                                           |
| 2                                                                              | Chengalpattu                                                                   | SAU (TANUVAS)                                                                  | 1985                                                                           |
| 3                                                                              | Coimbatore                                                                     | NGO                                                                            | 1979                                                                           |
| 4                                                                              | Cuddalore                                                                      | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 1985                                                                           |
| 5                                                                              | Dharmapuri                                                                     | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2006                                                                           |
| 6                                                                              | Dindigul                                                                       | DU (GRI)                                                                       | 1989                                                                           |
| 7                                                                              | Erode                                                                          | NGO                                                                            | 1992                                                                           |
| 8                                                                              | Kallakurichi                                                                   | SAU (TANUVAS)                                                                  | 2018                                                                           |
| 9                                                                              | Kanyakumari                                                                    | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 10                                                                             | Karur                                                                          | NGO                                                                            | 2005                                                                           |
| 11                                                                             | Krishnagiri                                                                    | NGO                                                                            | 1978                                                                           |
| 12                                                                             | Madurai                                                                        | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 13                                                                             | Nagapattinam                                                                   | SAU (TNJFU)                                                                    | 2004                                                                           |
| 14                                                                             | Namakkal                                                                       | SAU (TANUVAS)                                                                  | 2004                                                                           |
| 15                                                                             | Perambalur                                                                     | NGO                                                                            | 2002                                                                           |
| 16                                                                             | Pudukkottai                                                                    | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 17                                                                             | Ramanathapuram                                                                 | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 18                                                                             | Salem                                                                          | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 1994                                                                           |
| 19                                                                             | Sivagangai                                                                     | SAU (TANUVAS)                                                                  | 1996                                                                           |
| 20                                                                             | The Nilgiris                                                                   | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2022                                                                           |
| 21                                                                             | Theni                                                                          | NGO                                                                            | 1994                                                                           |
| 22                                                                             | Thenkasi                                                                       | NGO                                                                            | 1994                                                                           |
| 23                                                                             | Thoothukudi                                                                    | NGO                                                                            | 1996                                                                           |
| 24                                                                             | Tiruchirappalli                                                                | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 1977                                                                           |
| 25                                                                             | Tirupur                                                                        | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2019                                                                           |
| 26                                                                             | Tiruvallur                                                                     | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 27                                                                             | Tiruvannamalai                                                                 | NGO                                                                            | 1991                                                                           |
| 28                                                                             | Tiruvarur                                                                      | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 29                                                                             | Vellore                                                                        | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 30                                                                             | Villupuram                                                                     | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2004                                                                           |
| 31                                                                             | Virudhunagar                                                                   | SAU (TNAU)                                                                     | 2006                                                                           |

| Sl. No   | Districts               | Number of Youth trained under Skill Training of   | Number of Youth trained under Skill Training of   | Number of Youth trained under Skill Training of   | Number of Youth trained under Skill Training of   | Annexure-II Rural Youth   |
|----------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| Sl. No   | Districts               | 2020-21                                           | 2021-22                                           | (STRY) 2022-23                                    | 2023-24                                           | 2024-25                   |
| 1        | Ariyalur                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 30                                                | 0                         |
| 2        | Coimbatore              | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 3        | Cuddalore               | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 4        | Dharmapuri              | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                        |
| 5        | Dindigul                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                        |
| 6        | Erode                   | 56                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 7        | Kanchipuram             | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 8        | Kanyakumari             | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 9        | Karur                   | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 10       | Krishnagiri             | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 11       | Madurai                 | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 12       | Nagapattinam            | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 84                        |
| 13       | Namakkal                | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 0                         |
| 14       | Perambalur              | 15                                                | 43                                                | 15                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 15       | Pudukkottai             | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 84                                                | 28                        |
| 16       | Ramanathapuram          | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 17       | Salem                   | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 18       | Sivaganga               | 15                                                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 30                                                | 28                        |
| 19       | Thanjavur               | 15                                                | 15                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 20       | Theni                   | 28                                                | 112                                               | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 21       | Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) | 15                                                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 28                        |
| 22       | Tirunelveli             | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 28                                                | 84                                                | 28                        |
| 23       | Tiruppur                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 0                         |
| 24       | Tiruvallur              | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 25       | Tiruvannamalai          | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                                                | 71                                                | 58                        |
| 26       | Tiruvarur               | 15                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 84                                                | 56                        |
| 27       | Trichy                  | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 84                                                | 84                        |
| 28       | Vellore                 | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 29       | Viluppuram              | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| 30       | Virudhunagar            | 28                                                | 140                                               | 56                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 31       | The Nilgiries           | 0                                                 | 15                                                | 28                                                | 43                                                | 28                        |
| 32       | Tenkasi                 | 15                                                | 15                                                | 15                                                | 30                                                | 43                        |
| 33       | Ranipet                 | 28                                                | 28                                                | 0                                                 | 56                                                | 0                         |
| 34       | Thirupattur             | 0                                                 | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 0                         |
| 35       | Chengalpat              | 0                                                 | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 56                        |
| 36       | Kallkurichi             | 28                                                | 28                                                | 28                                                | 56                                                | 0                         |
| 37       | Mayiladurai             | 0                                                 | 0                                                 | 28                                                | 56                                                | 28                        |
| Total: - | Total: -                | 637                                               | 1449                                              | 971                                               | 1983                                              | 1333                      |

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