The Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare have launched a training program for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM)’s Krishi Sakhis to promote Natural Farming. A press release on the training program was issued on November 24, 2023.
The initiative aims to train and certify 50,000 Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner, with the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), a subordinate office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, serving as the Nodal institution.
The 5-day training course has modules prepared by NCONF and reviewed by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE). The Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, emphasized the crucial role of Community Resource Persons in driving social and economic transformation in rural areas. He congratulated both ministries on their convergence efforts, stating that the natural farming initiative plays a paramount role in transforming villages into “Samrudhhi villages” and creating Lakpathi Self Help Group (SHG) members, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision.
The Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, highlighted the significance of transferring technology from labs to land and emphasized the vital role played by Community Resource Persons in supporting small and marginal farmers to enhance productivity through Natural Farming.
Furthermore, she also expressed that coordinated efforts in natural farming by the ministries would contribute to enabling two crore Lakhpati Didis, as outlined in his address from the Red Fort.
The Joint Secretary, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, underscored the contribution of women in nation-building and emphasized how empowering Krishi Sakhis through capacity building would ensure the reach of Natural Farming practices to farmers. Krishi Sakhis will be trained and certified in a phased manner, with their services being utilized under various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The Deputy Director, DAY – NRLM, provided detailed insights into the convergence efforts for promoting Natural Farming, explaining the collaborative process between ministries and resource agencies to strengthen the capacity of Community Resource Persons.
To further strengthen the economic status of Self Help Groups (SHGs), both ministries have decided to converge their various schemes. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and DAY – NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development, on August 30, 2023, to certify Krishi Sakhis as Para-Extension Workers by MANAGE, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering rural women and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the nation.
