Program launched to train farmers to promote natural farming
The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare jointly launched training of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM)’s Krishi Sakhis for promotion of Natural Farming. The initiative aimed to train and certify 50,000 Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner by National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), a subordinate office of the MoA&FW as the Nodal institution. For the 5-day training course training modules have been prepared by NCONF and sent to National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) for the final review.
Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Shri Charanjit Singh highlighted the role of Community Resource Persons in bringing the transformation in the rural areas through social and economic mobilization congratulated both the ministries on the convergence moving forward. He stated that the role of natural farming initiative is of paramount importance for both the ministries for transforming the villages as “Samrudhhi villages” and to create Lakpathi SHG members and thereby realising the dream of the Prime Minister.
Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Ms. Smriti Sharan stated that the transfer of technology from labs to land is critical and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) play a vital role in transferring technology from lab to land. She added that CRPs can handhold small and marginal farmers in enhancing their productivity through Natural Farming.
Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Ms. Swati Sharma in her remarks stated that the coordinated efforts by the ministries through Natural Farming will play an important role in enabling 2 Crore Lakhpati Didis as guided by Prime Minister in his address from the Red Fort on creating two crore Lakhpati Didis.
Joint Secretary, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), MoA&FW, Ms. Yogita Rana highlighted the contribution of Women towards nation building and how the empowering of Krishi Sakhis with the help of Capacity Building will ensure that Natural Farming reaches the farmers. She informed that Krishi Sakhis will be trained and certified in a phased manner and their services will be used by MoA&FW under various schemes.
Deputy Director, DAY – NRLM, Shri Raman Wadhwa explained in details the steps taken in the convergence efforts for promoting Natural Farming. He explained the process of collaboration between the ministries and resource agencies for strengthening the capacity of Community Resource Persons.
To strengthen the economic status of the SHGs, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development have decided to converge their various Schemes. To this effect, an MoU was signed between MoA&FW and DAY – NRLM, MoRD on 30th August 2023 to certify Krishi Sakhis as Para-Extension Workers by MANAGE, MoA&FW.
