The idea of boosting farmers’ income gained currency as the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers’ welfare launched Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan from 1st June. It is being implemented in 25 villages in each of the 111 Aspirational Districts till 31st July.
Besides other things, this campaign aims to organize training programmes in each of the selected villages for Bee Keeping, Mushroom cultivation and Kitchen garden. Women participants and farmers are being given preference for the training program.
Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan is being undertaken in villages with more than 1000 population. This has been identified in consultation with the Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog.
An Action Plan involving specifically identified activities under various departments of the ministry namely, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F) and Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE-ICAR) will be implemented in these 25 villages in each district.
The overall coordination and implementation in the 25 villages of a district is being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra of that district. 111 officers have also been made in-charge of one district each for overall coordination and field level monitoring.
Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income are being undertaken under this plan such as distribution of soil health cards to all farmers, 100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village, 100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for eradication of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR ) , Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all, etc.
In addition, demonstration programmes on Micro Irrigation and Integrated Cropping Practice will also take place so as to familiarize farmers with the latest techniques and how these can be incorporated at the grass roots level.