Lok Sabha Question No. 108 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Krishi Sakhis Convergence Programme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 108

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  JULY, 2024

## KRISHI SAKHIS CONVERGENCE PROGRAMME

*108. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has released the latest (17th) installment of Kisan Samman Nidhi to the farmers in the country and if so, the details thereof including the total number of farmers likely to be benefitted by this;

(b) whether the Government proposes to give certificate to more than 30,000 self-help groups under Krishi Sakhis Convergence Programme (KSCP) and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to impart different kinds of training to women under KSCP programme to transform rural India through the empowerment of rural women as Krishi Sakhi;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the number of Krishi Sakhis given such certificate so far; and

(e) the details of other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to fulfill the financial needs of farmers and create awareness among them regarding various schemes of the Government?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT MADE IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 108 REGARDING KRISHI SAKHIS CONVERGENCE PROGRAMME RAISED BY SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE, MP DUE FOR REPLY ON 30 TH  JULY, 2024.

(a): The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  to  supplement  the  financial  needs  of  land-holding farmers. Under this scheme, the financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year in three equal installments  is  transferred  into  the  bank  accounts  of  farmers'  families  across  the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The PM-KISAN scheme is one of the largest DBT Schemes of the World.

A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach all the farmers across the country without any involvement of the middlemen. Maintaining  absolute  transparency  in  registering  and  verifying  beneficiaries,  the Government of India has disbursed over Rs 3.24 lakh Cr to more than 11 Cr farmers in 17 instalments, so far.  The 17th installment of PM-Kisan Scheme was released in June, 2024 to over 9.26 Cr farmers families amounting to more than ₹ 20,000/- Cr.

(b)  to (d): To leverage the strength and realizing the significant role & contribution of  Krishi Sakhis  in agriculture and to further enhance the skills of Krishi Sakhis , the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development signed  a  MoU  on  30.08.2023  to  train    Krishi  Sakhis  in   Natural  Farming  and  Soil Health and  to give para-agriculture extension workers certificate to 70,000 Krishi Sakhis under the Krishi  Sakhi  Convergence  Program (KSCP)  after completing  the training.

Krishi Sakhi certification program has been rolled out in 12 states in Phase - 1 viz. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya.

Krishi  Sakhis  are  trusted  community  resource  persons  and  experienced farmers. To equip them with the skills needed to effectively support and guide fellow farmers, they have undergone extensive 56-day training by the State Rural Livelihood Mission.  This  training  ensures  that  Krishi  Sakhis  are  well  prepared  to  assist  and mentor  other  farmers  in  their  communities.  The  training  covers  following  range  of agricultural practices:

-  Agro-ecological practices from land preparation to harvest
-  Organizing Farmer Field Schools
-  Soil health and plant nutrient management
-  Pest and disease management
-  Establishment and maintenance of Agri Nutri gardens
-  Seed systems
-  Soil and moisture conservation practices
-  Integrated farming systems
-  Basics of livestock management
-  Preparation and use of bio-inputs, and establishment of bio-input shops
-  Basic communication skills

After completion of training, Krishi Sakhis have to pass a written test, as on date 24 th  July 2024, 51,849 Krishi Sakhis out of 70,000 have been trained on Natural Farming and Soil Health. Out of total 51,849 trained, a total of 34,973 Krishi Sakhis have been given Agriculture Para-extension Worker Certificate .  Which will enable them to take up various MoA&FW schemes activities on the fixed resource fees.

- (e): The Government of India has launched several initiatives to support farmers financially and raise awareness of available schemes. These include:
1. Insurance Schemes :  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured  Weather  Based  Crop  Insurance  Scheme  (RWBCIS)  provide insurance coverage against natural calamities and weather-related risks.
2. Kisan  Credit  Card  (KCC)  Scheme :  Offers  low-interest  loans  for  various farming activities, enhancing access to credit.
3. Minimum Support Price (MSP) and e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) : The  MSP  system  guarantees  a  fair  price  for  crops,  while  e-NAM  connects farmers with markets nationwide, improving price realization.
4. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) : With a budget of Rs. 1 lakh crore, this scheme aims to provide medium- to long-term debt financing for post-harvest management  infrastructure  and  community  farming  assets.  The  fund  offers interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
5. Formation and Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) : The government  has  launched  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  to  form  and  promote 10,000 new FPOs with a budget outlay of Rs. 6,865 crore.
6. Namo Drone Didi Initiative : This initiative provides drones to 15,000 selected women  self-help  groups  for  rental  services  to  farmers,  aiding  agricultural activities.
7. SubMission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM):  A gricultural machinery and equipment are provided to farmers at subsidized rates.
8.  Subsidies  on  inputs  like  fertilizers,  seeds,  and  machinery,  along  with  the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), help reduce costs and boost agricultural infrastructure.

Crucial  information  and  training  awareness  programs  are  provided  through Kisan Call Centers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) so that farmers can utilize the information  for  better  agricultural  yield.  Digital  platforms  and  mobile  apps  further disseminate knowledge on market prices, weather and best practices to help farmers in optimizing their profit.

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