Lok Sabha Question No. 2050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: Training and Skill Development of Youth in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Bholanath (B.P. Saroj)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK   SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2050

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  AUGUST, 2023

'Training and Skill Development of Youth in Agriculture'

2050. SHRI BHOLANATH (B.P. SAROJ)

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

- (a) whether considering the immense possibility of employment in agriculture sector, the Government proposes to impart agricultural training to generate interest among youth in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) whether training is being imparted to the youth to enable them to get employment in horticulture, housekeeping and animal husbandry;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  measures  taken/proposed  to be taken by the Government  for  skill development in agriculture sectors, State/UT-wise, particularly in Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a  to  e)  Government  is  already  implementing  the  following  schemes  for  training Farmers/rural youths in the country;

- i. A Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme on 'Support to State Extension Programme for Extension  Reforms'  popularly  known  as  Agriculture  Technology  Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is under implementation since 2005. Presently scheme is  being  implemented  in  704  districts  of  28  States  &  5  UTs  in  the  country including all  the  districts  of  Uttar  Pradesh. The  scheme  promotes  decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country. Under the scheme Grants-in-Aid is released to the State Government  with  an  objective  to support State Government's efforts  to   make the available the  latest  agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied sector  to  farmers  including  training  to  rural  youth  through  different  extension activities  viz;    Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.
- ii. From  2016  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  has  been operationalizing skill training courses (minimum 200 hours)  as per the guidelines of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for rural youth and
3. farmers as per the approved Qualification Packs developed by Agriculture Skill Council  of  India  (ASCI),  through  the  National  Training  Institutes  (NTIs),  State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs) and Krishi Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  across  the  country  including  Uttar  Pradesh.  There  is no state-wise  budget  allocation  and  targets  for  skill  training.  The  funds are released to the identified training institutes on the basis of proposals received in the  Department.  The  knowledge  and  skills  acquired  by  the  trained  candidates is utilized for gainful self-employment in agriculture sector.
- iii.  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  has  been  operationalizing  Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) from 2015 with the objective to impart short term skill training (7 days duration) to rural youths and farmers in agriculture and allied areas including Horticulture, Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry for upgradation of  their  knowledge  and  skills  and  promote  self  employment  in  rural  areas.  The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad is implementing STRY across the country including Uttar Pradesh through State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs), ATMA and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).  The knowledge and skills acquired by the trained candidates is utilized for gainful self-employment in agriculture sector.
- iv.  Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme (AC&ABC) : The Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) is an entrepreneurship development scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,  implemented by the National Institute  of  Agricultural  Extension  Management  (MANAGE),  Hyderabad  and National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD)  since  April 2002. It is aimed at training candidates with educational qualification in agriculture and allied subjects to start their own Agri-ventures and offer extension services  to  farmers.  MANAGE,  Hyderabad  is  the  nodal  agency  for  providing training to eligible candidates, through its Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) spread across the country including Uttar Pradesh.
- v.  The Government has set up 731Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in different States of the Country including 89 KVKs in Uttar Pradesh to spread awareness among the farmers to integrate the modern agricultural technology in farming. As part of its  activities,  the  KVKs impart  training  in agriculture  and  allied  sectors  including horticulture, beekeeping and animal husbandry to the rural youth.

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