Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said in Rajya Sabha that govt is using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube to educate farmers across the country.
“The central govt has compiled more than 100 mobile apps developed by ICAR, State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the areas of crops, horticulture, veterinary, dairy, poultry, fisheries, natural resources management and integrated subjects for the benefits of farmers”, informed Union Agriculture Minister in Rajya Sabha.
The govt is educating farmers through the use of electronic media including Kisan Suvidha mobile app which facilitates dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather; Market Prices; Plant Protection; Input Dealers (Seed, Pesticide, Fertilizer) Farm Machinery; Soil Health Card; Cold Storages & Godowns, Veterinary Centres and Diagnostic Labs.
Crop related advisories are regularly sent to the registered farmers through SMSs on mKisan Portal (www.mkisan.gov.in), claimed the Minister in a written reply. Awareness is being created through mediums like DD Kisan, Doordarshan, All India Radio etc, he added.
The Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme. It is under implementation in 691 districts of 28 States & 5 UTs of the country, Tomar said.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with its network of 717 KVKs has mandate of technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development of farmers. KVKs are imparting training to farmers for getting higher agricultural production and income. During the year 2018-19, 13.51 lakh farmers were trained by KVKs in various thematic areas, he asserted.
“Four Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) located at Budni (MP), Hissar (Haryana), Ananthapur (AP) and Biswanath Chariali (Assam) are engaged in imparting training to various categories of trainees including farmers, in the field of Farm Mechanization. During the year 2018-19, these Institutes have trained 9905 candidates”, “claimed the Minister.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is being implemented in identified districts of 28 States and 2 UTs viz. Ladakh and J&K of the country to increase the production and productivity of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and nutri- cereals (millets) through area expansion and productivity enhancement. During the year 2018-19, 3,42,188 number of farmers were trained, he said.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented for holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. All States and UTs are covered under MIDH. During 2018-19, 1,91,086 number of farmers were trained, Tomar stated.
“In addition to the above, training of farmers is an inbuilt component under Sub-Mission on Plan Protection & Plant Quarantine. Farmer Field Schools are conducted for promoting Integrated Pest Management among farmers. During the year 2018-19, 712 FFSs were organized under the scheme”, Tomar underlined.