Lok Sabha Question No. 1822 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: ARYA Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH, NINONG ERING, PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1822

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08/03/2016

## ARYA SCHEME

## 1822.  KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

SHRI NINONG ERING:

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  ICAR  has  launched  a  training  programme  to  involve  rural  youths  in  bee keeping,  dairying,  fisheries  through  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  under  the  ARYA scheme (Attracting and Retaining youth in Agriculture) in the country;
- (b) if so, salient features of the scheme;
- (c) the number of rural youths trained during each of the last three years in each State/UT along with funds earmarked for the purpose;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  also  promoting  awareness  amongst  students  regarding agricultural practices and crops and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  involve  more  youths  from  NorthEastern States of the country in agriculture profession?

## 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) to (c): Realizing the importance of rural youth in agricultural development, Government has initiated a programme on 'Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture'. The objectives of ARYA project are (i) to attract and empower the Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment in selected districts; (ii) to enable the Farm Youth to establish network groups to take up resource and capital intensive activities like processing, value addition and marketing;  and  (iii)  to  demonstrate  functional  linkage  with  different  institutions  and

stakeholders for convergence of opportunities available under various schemes/program for sustainable development of youth. ARYA project will be implemented in 22 States through KVKs, one district from each State. In one district, 200-300 rural youths will be identified for their skill development in entrepreneurial activities and establishment of related microenterprise units. The trained youth groups will function as role model for other youths and will demonstrate the potentiality of the agri-based enterprises and also give training to other farmers. In the project district, rural youths will be identified for their skill development in entrepreneurial activities  and  establishment  of  related  micro-enterprise  units  in  the  area  of Apiary,  Mushroom,  Seed  Processing,  Soil  testing,  Poultry,  Dairy,  Goatry,  Carp-hatchery, Vermi-compost, etc.  KVKs will involve the Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes as Technology Partners. The purpose is to establish economic models for youth in the villages in  the  area  of  agriculture,  allied  and  service  sector  enterprises  for  generating  sustainable income through self-employment.

(d) Under the sub-component Student READY of the Plan Scheme; 'Strengthening and Development  of  Higher  Agricultural  Education  in  India',  the  Rural  Agricultural  Work Experience (RAWE) provides an opportunity to the students to understand the rural setting in relation to agriculture and allied activities and make them familiar with socio-economic conditions  of  the  farmers  and  their  problems  with  reference  to  agricultural  development. The programme imparts diagnostic and remedial knowledge to the students relevant to real field situations through practical training, leading to building of confidence and competence among  the  students  to  solve  agricultural  problems  and  also  acquaint  them  with  ongoing extension and rural development programmes.

(e) To  involve  more  youths  from  North-Eastern  States  of  the  country  in  agricultural profession  under  ARYA  scheme,  KVK-Senapati  in  Manipur,  KVK-Wokha  in  Nagaland, KVK-Karbi  Anglong  in  Assam,  and  KVK-Lunglei  in  Mizoram  are  enabling  youths  in establishing entrepreneurial units.

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