Krishi Sakhi certificates

Prime Minister awarding Krishi Sakhi certificates to more than 30,000 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Varanasi highlights a significant development in India's agricultural extension system.

Why it’s important:

1. Empowerment of Women: By recognizing and certifying these women-led SHGs, the government is acknowledging their crucial role in agricultural development and rural economic growth. This move aims to boost their confidence, capabilities, and opportunities.
2. Strengthening Agricultural Extension: The Krishi Sakhi initiative is part of a broader strategy to extend agricultural knowledge and resources to rural areas. These trained women can act as intermediaries, disseminating important agricultural practices, technologies, and support to local farmers.
3. Community Development: SHGs often work on various aspects of rural development beyond agriculture, including health, education, and financial literacy. By supporting these groups, the government fosters holistic community development.
4. Recognition and Motivation: Awarding certificates serves as recognition of the hard work and dedication of these women, motivating them to continue their efforts and inspiring others to join similar initiatives.

About Krishi Sakshis

Krishi Sakhis play a crucial role in the agricultural extension system, especially in rural and grassroots settings.

Overview

• Definition: Krishi Sakhis are practicing farmers who have received specialized training to serve as para extension professionals in agriculture. They act as a bridge between scientific research and farmers, ensuring that the latest knowledge and techniques reach the agricultural community.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. On-the-Ground Support:
   • Serve as accessible, local experts who provide personalized guidance to farmers directly at their doorstep.
   • Offer practical advice and solutions based on their own farming experience and additional training.
2. Education and Training:
   • Conduct workshops and training sessions for farmers on various aspects of natural farming, including sustainable practices and soil health management.
   • Share knowledge on new agricultural technologies and methods that can improve productivity and sustainability.
3. Capacity Building:
   • Help farmers build skills in emerging areas of natural farming, such as organic practices, integrated pest management, and crop diversification.
   • Assist in implementing best practices for soil health management, ensuring farmers understand and apply these techniques effectively.
4. Resource Provision:
   • Provide farmers with up-to-date information and resources related to agricultural practices, including access to scientific research and innovations.
   • Help farmers navigate and utilize resources like seeds, fertilizers, and pest control methods in a way that aligns with natural farming principles.
5. Feedback and Reporting:
   • Collect feedback from farmers about the effectiveness of various practices and interventions.
   • Report on farmer needs and challenges to higher-level agricultural extension services to help tailor future support and programs.
6. Community Engagement:
   • Foster a sense of community among farmers by facilitating group discussions and shared learning experiences.
   • Encourage collaboration among farmers to address common challenges and share successful strategies.

Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP)

The Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP) is a collaborative initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoA&FW) and the Ministry of Rural Development. Its primary goal is to empower rural women by training and certifying them as Krishi Sakhis (Para-extension Workers) in natural farming and soil health management.

Objectives

• Empower Rural Women: By transforming them into Krishi Sakhis who can contribute to agricultural extension services.
• Training and Certification: Create 70,000 certified Krishi Sakhis over time, focusing on natural farming and soil health management.
• Part of Lakhpati Didi Program: As a dimension of the broader Lakhpati Didi program, which aims to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, the KSCP focuses specifically on agriculture.

Implementation

• Phase 1 Rollout: The program has been launched in 12 states: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
• Progress: As of now, over 34,000 out of the targeted 70,000 Krishi Sakhis have been certified.

Agricultural Extension System in India

Current System

• Dominance of Public Sector: The agricultural research and extension system in India is primarily led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Technology Integration:
  • ICT and VISTAAR: ICT-led initiatives like VISTAAR involve creating and disseminating videos on farm technologies, technical vetting, and monitoring through state nodal agencies.
  • Drone Technology: Promoting the application of drone technology for agricultural practices.
  • Big Data Management: ICAR collaborates in big data projects (e.g., ICAR-CSISA) to gather feedback on technology adoption and to develop strategies for scaling agricultural innovations.

Key Initiatives

• VISTAAR: Aims to enhance technology dissemination through video-based resources.
• Drone Technology: Focused on incorporating drones for efficient farming practices.
• Big Data Projects: Utilizes data to inform and improve technology adoption strategies.

The KSCP and the agricultural extension system reflect a concerted effort to modernize and strengthen the agricultural sector in India through both technological innovation and grassroots empowerment.

The National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology (NMAET) aims to enhance agricultural productivity and technology adoption through four sub-missions:

1. Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (I): Focuses on improving the dissemination of agricultural knowledge and practices to farmers. This includes training programs, farmer education, and demonstration plots to showcase new technologies and practices.
2. Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP): Aims to ensure the availability of quality seeds and planting materials to farmers. This includes improving seed production, distribution, and the introduction of new varieties.
3. Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM): Promotes the use of modern agricultural machinery and equipment. This includes providing subsidies or support for the purchase of machinery and training farmers on its use.
4. Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP): Focuses on managing plant diseases and pests, as well as ensuring that plant products meet quarantine standards to prevent the spread of harmful organisms.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): These are field research units under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). KVKs are critical for testing and validating new agricultural technologies, seed varieties, and practices in real-world conditions across different agro-climatic zones. They also play a significant role in farmer outreach through demonstrations, training programs, and field visits.

Other Public Sector Players:

• State Agricultural Universities (SAUs): Conduct research and extension activities specific to their regions, often collaborating with KVKs and other entities to enhance agricultural practices.
• ICT-led Extension Interventions: Initiatives like m-Kisan and Kisan Call Centres use information and communication technology to provide farmers with timely information, advice, and support.

Private Sector Extension Services:

• Input dealers, such as those selling seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, also play a role in extending agricultural knowledge. Companies like IFFCO and KRIBHCO conduct various extension activities, including farmer meetings, crop seminars, and soil testing services.

Challenges with India’s Agricultural Extension System

1. Lack of Investment:
   • Issue: India allocates a very small fraction of its agricultural GDP to research, education, and extension. Specifically, only 0.16% of agri-GDP is dedicated to extension and training.
   • Impact: This insufficient investment hampers the development of effective extension services and training programs that could benefit farmers.
2. Regional Variations:
   • Issue: There are significant disparities in extension services across states. Eastern states, which are poorer and have high agricultural dependency, receive minimal investment in agricultural research and extension.
   • Impact: This uneven distribution affects the productivity and income of farmers in these regions, contributing to the perpetuation of agricultural stagnation in poorer areas.
3. Skewed Allocation:
   • Issue: The focus of extension and training is predominantly on crop husbandry (92%), with minimal attention to the livestock sector, which also contributes significantly to agricultural output.
   • Impact: Neglecting the livestock sector limits the potential for growth and productivity in this important area of agriculture.
4. Lacks Outcome Orientation:
   • Issue: The public extension system often functions based on targeted activities rather than outcomes, focusing more on the process rather than the results.
   • Impact: This approach can lead to inefficiencies and a lack of measurable improvements in agricultural practices and productivity.

Way Forward

1. Market-led System:
   • Strategy: Transition the extension system from a traditional focus on food security to a market-led approach.
   • Benefit: This shift can enhance the relevance of extension services by aligning them with market demands and opportunities, ultimately improving farmers' income and market access.
2. Linking Research and Extension:
   • Strategy: Strengthen the connections between research and extension services by fostering collaboration among public, private, and civil society sectors.
   • Benefit: Enhanced collaboration can facilitate the dissemination of new technologies and practices, leading to more effective and innovative extension services.
3. Diversification:
   • Strategy: Expand the scope of agricultural research and extension beyond crops to include animal husbandry and dairy sectors.
   • Benefit: Diversification can help address the needs of different segments of the agricultural sector, improve overall productivity, and increase the economic viability of farming.
4. Innovation Networks:
   • Strategy: Implement digital platforms to create innovation networks that enable the free exchange of ideas and technologies. For example, using the KVK Portal-DARPAN to rank and evaluate KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras).
   • Benefit: These networks can promote the adoption of best practices and innovations, improve the quality of extension services, and encourage collaboration between various stakeholders.
5. Agri-Rural Markets:
   • Strategy: Develop Primary Agri-Rural Markets (PRAMs) as retail and logistics hubs that support aggregating produce, grading, price discovery, and bargaining power.
   • Benefit: PRAMs can enhance market access for farmers, improve their bargaining power, and streamline the marketing process, leading to better income and reduced post-harvest losses.