Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Agriculture Education at Primary Level under NEP
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 64 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Agriculture Education at Primary Level under NEP

64 Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  integrate  education  with  rural  development  and agriculture  education  in  schools  at  primary  level  in  both  rural  and  urban  areas  under  New Education Policy (NEP);

(b) if so, the details thereof along with steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government observes that the school education should be adopted in such a manner  where  agriculture  and  related  sciences  is  included  in  the  school  curriculum  for introducing agricultural courses as a preferred choice for the students under the NEP, 2020; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ( SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY )

(a) to (e) The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 advocates integrating education with rural development and agriculture education, especially at the primary level. The NEP 2020 emphasizes the need for holistic education and practical knowledge, which also encompasses agricultural skills. This integration is aimed at equipping students with practical knowledge of  agriculture  through  project-based  learning,  both  in  rural  and  urban  areas.  Students  learn about what people do in various vocations in rural and urban areas, thereby promoting local empowerment through education. The NEP, 2020 also recommends offering interdisciplinary  and  multi-disciplinary  courses  in  school  education  including  agriculture,  etc. Students  are  provided  with  flexibility  to  choose  subjects  of  their  interest.  The  National Curriculum  Framework  for  School  Education  (NCFSE),  2023  developed  by  the  National

Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) provides comprehensive guidance for  the  development  of  curricula  to  help  students  make  informed  decisions  about  their educational  and  career  paths.  The  emphasis  is  on  hands-on,  experiential  learning  through activities, such as gardening, farming, and field visits. The curricula and textbooks developed by  the  NCERT  include  local  crafts,  arts,  trades,  and  agriculture,  making  education  more relevant  to  the  local  and  rural  environment  and  culture  at  all  stages  of  school  education. Training of teachers is being done to help them integrate experiential learning and vocational education  into  their  teaching  methods.  By  introducing  agricultural  sciences  early,  the government aims to generate interest and awareness among students about the importance of agriculture,  sustainability,  and  rural  development.  Activities,  like  developing  a  School Kitchen  Garden  and  making  a  Biodiversity  Register  have  been  introduced  from  Grade  6 onwards to provide agriculture education at an early age. Vocational subjects in agriculture have  been  introduced  in  schools  from  Grades  9  to  12.  Schools  are  encouraged  to  include subjects related to agriculture, local crafts, and trades in the curriculum.

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