Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will grant certificates to more than 30,000 self-help groups as Krishi Sakhis at Varanasi on June 18, 2024. Realizing the significant role & contribution of women in agriculture and to further enahncing the skills of rural women, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development signed a MoU on 30.08.2023. Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP) is the ambitious initiative under this MoU. Lets get to know more about Krishi Sakhis :-

1. What is Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP)?

Under the 'Lakhpati Didi' program, the aim is to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, one dimension of which is Krishi Sakhi. Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP) aims to transform rural India through the empowerment of rural Women as Krishi Sakhi, by imparting training and certification of Krishi Sakhis as Para-extension Workers. This certification course aligns with the objectives of the “Lakhpati Didi” Program.

2. Why Krishi Sakhis are being chosen as agriculture para-extension workers?

Krishi Sakhis are chosen as agriculture para-extension workers because they are trusted community resource persons and experienced farmers themselves. Their deep roots in farming communities ensure they are welcomed and respected.

3. What kind of training is being provided to Krishi Sakhis?

Krishi Sakhis have already been trained on various extension service for 56 days on the following modules:

1. Agro Ecological Practices from land preparation to harvest

2. Organising Farmer Field schools

3. Seed banks + Establishment and Management

4. Soil health, soil and moisture conservation practices

5. Integrated Farming Systems

6. Basics of Livestock Management

7. Preparation and use of Bio inputs and establishment of Bio inputs shops

8. Basic communication skills

Now these Krishi Sakhis are undergoing refresher training with a special focus on Natural Farming and Soil Health Card through DAY-NRLM agencies in coordination with MANAGE.

4. What kind of employment options will be available to Krishi Sakhis after training?

Following the training, Krishi Sakhis will take a proficiency test. Those who qualify will be certified as Para-extension Workers, enabling them to undertake below mentioned MoA&FW schemes activities on the fixed resource fees.

Average Krishi Sakhis can earn in a year: - INR 60K to 80K.

5. How many Krishi Sakhis have been certified so far?

As on date 34,000 Krishi Sakhis out of 70,000 have been certified as Para-extension Workers.

6. At present, in which states has the Krishi Sakhi training program been started?

Krishi Sakhi Training Program has been rolled out in 12 states in Phase – 1: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya.

7. How are Krishi Sakhis earning livelihood by providing help to farmers under MOVCDNER scheme?

Currently under the scheme of MOVCDNER(Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region) 30 Krishi Sakhis are working as Local resource person (LRP) visiting each farm once in every month to monitor farm activities and understand challenges faced by the farmers. They also conduct Farmer Interest Group (FIG) level meetings every week to train farmers, interact and understand challenges faced by farmers, FPO functioning and marketing activities and maintain farmer diary. The resource fee they are getting INR 4500 per month for the mentioned activities.

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