Lok Sabha Question No. 2618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-10
Subject: Women in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2618

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH   MAY, 2016

## WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

2618.   DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage of women involved in agricultural activities at present in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to launch agricultural promotional schemes to promote SelfHelp Groups exclusive by/of women in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the allocations made by the Government for this scheme; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to promote productivity levels of women farmers?

## ANSWER

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

## कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (SHRI  MOHANBHAI  KUNDARIYA)

- (a): As  per  Census  2011,  at  All-India  level  the  percentage  share  of  women  as  Cultivators  and  Agricultural labourers is  24.92 and 18.56 percent respectively.
- (b) & (c): No  Madam.  In  line  with  the  National  Policy  on  Farmers  (2007),  the  Department  is  promoting 'Mainstreaming  of  women  in  Agriculture'  with  participation  of  both  men  and  women  in  formation  of  Self  Help Groups/Farmers  Interest  Groups.  However,  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  is  implementing  Mahila  Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna (MKSP),  as  a sub - component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) which focuses  on  meeting  specific  needs  of  women  farmers  to  achieve  socio-economic  and  technical  empowerment through group approach.  The  Ministry  of  Rural Development provides funding support of 75% (90% for North Eastern States) to the projects recommended by the State Governments under MKSP. Balance is contributed by the respective State Government or any other donor agencies (national or international) in the form of grants of the Project Implementation Agency. As of now, Ministry of Rural Development has approved 60 projects under MKSP from 17 States with the total Central Government funding of Rs. 618.034 crores which will benefit about 37 lakhs women farmers during the project period.

Further,  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  established  a  network  of  642  Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country aiming at assessment and demonstration of technologies/products and its dissemination through number of extension programmes including training of farmers to update their knowledge and  skills.  During  the  year  2015-16,  KVKs  have  worked  with  2708  women  SHGs  involving  37,920  women members in different activities.

- (d): The  Government  has  taken  various  pro-women  initiatives  to  promote  their  involvement  in  agriculture sector and to in turn improve their productivity. These include:-
- i. Involvement of at least 30% women as Scheme beneficiaries in all beneficiary oriented Schemes/ Programmes/Missions through appropriate reflection of the same in the Scheme Guidelines.
- ii. Making  special  provisions  for  women  (over  and  above/along  with  men)  under  different  ongoing Schemes/Programmes
- iii. Ensuring  women's  participation  in  various  decisions  making  bodies  involving  farmers  at  Block, District and State Level.

A 'Farm Women Friendly Handbook' carrying provisions for women under various ongoing Schemes has also been recently brought out.

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