Programme launched to train 'Krishi Sakhis' for promoting natural farming

New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on Friday jointly launched a training programme for 'Krishi Sakhis' to promote natural farming.

The programme was launched under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

The rural development ministry said in a statement that the initiative is aimed at training 50,000 'Krishi Sakhis' to give them certification in a phased manner by the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), a subordinate office of the agriculture ministry, which will be the nodal institution for this.

Training modules have been prepared by the NCONF and sent to the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) for the final review.

Speaking at the event, Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Charanjit Singh highlighted the role of Community Resource Persons in bringing the transformation in the rural areas through social and economic mobilisation.

He said the role of natural farming initiative is of paramount importance for both the ministries to transform the villages as “samrudhhi villages” and to create 'lakhpathi' SHG members.

Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Smriti Sharan stated that the transfer of technology from labs to land is critical and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) play a vital role in this. She added that the CRPs can handhold small and marginal farmers in enhancing their productivity through natural farming.

To improve the financial status of the SHGs, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) have decided to converge their various schemes. To this effect, an MoU was signed between MoA&FW and DAY-NRLM, MoRD on August 30, 2023 to certify 'Krishi Sakhis' as Para-Extension Workers by MANAGE, MoA&FW. PTI AO MNK AO MNK MNK