Lok Sabha Question No. 1628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Awareness about Research Work
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1628

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08/03/2016

## AWARENESS ABOUT RESEARCH WORK

1628.  SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj d`'kd dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering to bring out  immediately  a clear cut mechanism/institutional arrangement for creating awareness about the research work, modern ways  of  using  the  animal  products  and  synergic  use  of  the  modern  and  best  traditional practices on a wide scale to cover beneficiaries at every block/panchayat level; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  manner  in  which  the  mechanism  is  likely  to  be beneficial to the farmers?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

d`f'k vkSj d`'kd dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) & (b): A number of institutional mechanisms are in place to make farmers aware of the researches,  technologies  and  best  practices  generated  by  ICAR  Institutes,  Agricultural Universities  (AUs)  including  KVKs  across  the  country.  Regular  training  programs  (on  and off-campus), demonstrations, goshthis, farmer-scientists interaction, advisories, animal health camps, Livestock Mela etc. through leaflets, pamphlets, folders showing the development of diagnostics  and  clear  clinical  pictures  in  animals  and  its  management  are  distributed. Technologies also demonstrated to various stakeholders for wide scale application to cover the  beneficiaries  under  Mera  Gaon  Mera  Gaurav  program  and  other  regular  extension activities  of  the  institutes. Web  based  information  is  available  for  the  farmers  through institutes' web pages both in Hindi and English (comprising all about livestock, livestock elibrary,  Farmer's  Hindi  corner,  Ask  the  experts  etc.)  at Institutes  website,  Institute  toll  free number  for  solving  the  farmers  queries.  Under  Tribal  Sub  Plan  (TSP),  awareness  camps, regular  health  camps  free  vaccination  camps  are  organized  in  different  Villages  /  Blocks  / Panchayats  all  over  the  country  where  the  farmers  are  benefitted.    Dissemination  of information through Doordarshan & Radio programmes etc,  regular awareness programs on profitable  utilization  of  animal  byproducts  like  pet  food,  meat  and  bone  meal,  biogas  and compost production from livestock dung are also taken up.

Government of India, has launched  a 'National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology (NMAET)' with effect from 01.04.2014. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) is one of the four Sub-missions of the NMAET.   Under SMAE efforts are being made to educate farmers and youths by providing updated knowledge and information related to  agriculture  &  allied  sectors  through  various  initiatives  viz.  Support  to  State  Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA), Mass Media Support for Agriculture Extension (MMSAE), Setting up of Agri-Clinic & Agri-Business Centres (ACABC), Kisan Call Centres & Organization  of  Agricultural  Fairs  and  exhibitions.  New  ICT  initiatives  include  sending SMS/advisories  to  farmer  on  their  mobile  phones.      Massive  awareness  generation  and educating farmers is already on through Fairs, Field Visits, Farm Schools, Demonstrations in agriculture as well as all allied sectors at Block & District level under ATMA Scheme which is operational in 652 districts of the country.  A Doordarshan Channel in the name DD Kisan has  been  rolled  out  recently  which  exclusively  broadcast  information  related  to  agriculture and  allied  activities  including  animal  science  technologies.  Through  mkisan  portal  also mobile based SMS messages are sent on animal science technologies.  In addition to increase the  coverage  of  farmers,  various  extension  activities  like  Field  Days,  Kisan  Gosthies, Exhibitions, Farmers fair/Seminars, Demonstrations, Group Meetings, Awareness Campaigns on different areas of farmers' needs,  Exposure visits, Diagnostic visits, Scientists' visits to farmers' fields etc. involving the farmers of the locality are carried out.

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