Lok Sabha Question No. 3978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Welfare of Agricultural Workforce
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3978

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2025

## WELFARE OF AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE

3978.  SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) The  details  of  methods  used  by  Government  to  provide  latest  innovations  and technologies  for  the  welfare  and  knowledge  of  our  rural  workforce  and  ordinary  Kisan  to improve their work culture;
- (b) Whether the Gram Sevak network is present in all the villages to help our Kisan about the crop or/gram Panchayat in sufficient numbers, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) Whether in order to develop Kutir Udyog or cottage Industry in the village itself to create jobs opportunities in village itself sufficient financial assistance or bank loans are ensured by the Government for the welfare of our Kisan?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is under implementation across the country since 2005 aimed at creating awareness among large number of farmers about new  technologies and innovations in agriculture. Presently,  Scheme  is being implemented  in  740  districts  of  28  states  &  5  UTs.  The  scheme  promotes  decentralized, demand-driven and farmer-friendly extension system in the country. Under the scheme Grantsin-Aid  is  released  to  the  State  Governments  with  an  objective  to  support  States  to  make available  the  latest  agricultural  technologies  and  good  agricultural  practices  in  different thematic areas of  agriculture  and  allied  sectors.  These  activities  include  Farmers  Training, Demonstrations,  Exposure  Visits,  Kisan  Mela,  Mobilization  of  Farmers  Groups,  organizing Farm Schools and Farmer-Scientist Interaction etc.

The Government has set up 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in different States of the Country  for  dissemination  of  latest  innovations  and  technologies  of  agriculture  and  allied sectors  among  the  farmers.  The  activities  of  KVKs  include  on-farm  testing  to  identify  the location specificity  of  technology  under various farming  systems; frontline demonstration  to establish the production potential of improved agricultural technologies on the farmers' fields;

capacity development of farmers for knowledge and skill up gradation; and production of quality seeds, planting materials and other technology inputs for availability to the farmers. In order to develop awareness of improved agricultural technology among the farmers, a large number of extension activities are taken up by the KVKs.

(b): Gram Panchayat has a major role in terms of dissemination of information and effective implementation  of  schemes  and  programs  for  the  welfare  of  farmers.  Besides,  the  ATMA Scheme provides for identification of Farmer Friend @ 1 Farmer Friend for two census villages. The Farmer Friend serve as a vital link between extension system and farmers at village level.

(c): Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  &  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME),  through  Khadi  and  Village Industries  Commission  (KVIC),  is  implementing  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation Programme (PMEGP) to assist entrepreneurs in setting up of new enterprises in the non-farm sector.  It  aims  to  provide  employment  opportunities  to  traditional  artisans/  rural  and  urban unemployed youth at their doorstep.

Under PMEGP Scheme, General Category beneficiaries can avail Margin Money (MM) subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging  to  Special  Categories  such  as  Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes,  OBCs, Minorities,  Women,  Ex-servicemen,  Physically  Handicapped,  Transgenders,  beneficiaries belonging to Northeastern Region, Hill and Border areas, and Aspirational Districts, the Margin Money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The maximum cost of project is Rs.  50  lakhs  in  the  manufacturing  sector  and  Rs.  20  lakhs  in  the  service  sector.  Own contribution  of  beneficiaries  under  Special  Category  is  5%  and  10%  for  General  Category beneficiaries.

Since 2018-19, existing PMEGP/MUDRA enterprises are also supported based on past good performances with second loan for upgradation and  expansion. Under second  Loan, maximum project cost admissible for Margin Money (MM) subsidy under Manufacturing sector is  Rs.1.00 crore and for Service sector is Rs. 25 Lakhs. Eligible subsidy on 2 nd  loan for all categories is 15% of project cost (20% for NER & Hill States).

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