The production of coarse cereals has increased from 276.5 lakh tonne in 2016-17 to 347.7 lakh tonne in 2021-22 (3^rd Advance Estimates). Government is implementing coarse cereals development programme under National Food Security Mission - Coarse Cereals to promote the cultivation of coarse grains like maize & barley. Maize development programme is being implemented in 237 districts of 26 states, 2 Union Territories, and barley in 39 districts of 4 states. In addition, the states have the flexibility to take up maize development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in the area of 50-100 km around distilleries to use maize as feed stock for production of ethanol. The production of Coarse Cereals (maize & barley) during last 4 years is as under;

2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22*
293.5	304.9	333.1	347.7

* As per 3^rd Advance Estimates 2021-22

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:

1. Establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (AC&ABC)
2. Skill training programmes (minimum 200 hours’ duration) for Rural Youth and Farmers including women farmers
3. Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY)
4. Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
5. Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) to promote Agri-Startups
6. Certified Farm Advisor/Certified Livestock Advisor programme
7. Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agri Business Management) [PGDM (ABM)]

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:

1. Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
2. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA)

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship takes special initiative for skill development among youth who want to pursue a career in the agriculture sector, though apprenticeship programmes, vocational training courses in schools and higher educational institutes. Various initiatives implemented through Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), a subsidiary under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are furnished below:

1. Entrepreneurship training
2. Apprenticeship programme
3. Vocationalization of School Education
4. Vocationalization of Higher Education (UGC affiliated Colleges)

The Banks and Lending Institutions provide loan to farmers including youth for various activities of agriculture & allied sectors like crop loan, infrastructure creation through Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Kisan Credit Card (KCCs), value addition entrepreneurships under Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PM FME), Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs), Self Help Group (SHGs) etc. During 2022-23, the Government has increased the agricultural credit target to Rs. 18.00 lakh crore from Rs. 16.50 lakh crore during 2021-22.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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