**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding schemes to promote skill development among farmers, particularly in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. It outlines various centrally sponsored schemes, their implementation status, and the number of farmers and rural youth who have benefited. The response includes information up to December 16, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Schemes for Skill Development:**
* **ATMA (Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms):** Implemented in 734 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs to promote decentralized and farmer-friendly extension systems.
* **STRY (Skill Training of Rural Youth):** Provides short-duration skill-based training programs for rural youth, including farmers, and is implemented by MANAGE. Over 86,000 rural youth have been trained since 2015-16.
* **DA&FW Skill Training Programs:** Skill training programs of minimum 200 hours duration operationalized as per Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship guidelines since July 2015.
* **KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) Scheme:** Implemented in various states, including Tamil Nadu, to provide technology assessment, demonstration, and capacity development.
* **Implementation in Tamil Nadu:**
* ATMA and KVK schemes are being implemented in all districts of Tamil Nadu, including Dharmapuri.
* STRY is successfully implemented in Tamil Nadu with SAMETI support.
* **Activities in Dharmapuri (2020-21 to 2024-25):**
* **ATMA:** 683 training programs (34,336 participants), 291 exposure visits (8,730 participants).
* **KVK:** 564 training programs (18,404 participants), 92 exposure visits (2,509 participants).
* **Beneficiaries in Dharmapuri:**
* 168 rural youth have benefited under STRY during the last five years.
* 220 farmers in Dharmapuri have benefited from skill development programs.
* **Additional Support:**
* The Tamil Nadu Government provided a Millet Processing Unit to the Pambar Farmers Producer Organization in Dharmapuri, benefiting farmers in nearby blocks.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers in Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to agricultural technologies and good practices, skill development opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors, improved capacity building.
* **Action Required:** Participate in available training programs, exposure visits, and utilize resources provided by ATMA, STRY, and KVK schemes.
**Stakeholder: Rural Youth in Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for skill-based training programs in agri-based vocational areas, improved employment prospects in the agricultural sector.
* **Action Required:** Enroll in STRY programs and utilize available training resources to enhance skills.
**Stakeholder: Pambar Farmers Producer Organization (Dharmapuri)**
* **Impact:** Access to a Millet Processing Unit, enabling the production of value-added millet products and expanding market opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Efficiently operate and utilize the Millet Processing Unit to benefit farmers in the region.
**Stakeholder: State Government (Tamil Nadu)**
* **Impact:** Support in implementing agricultural extension programs and promoting skill development among farmers.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate the effective implementation of ATMA, STRY, and KVK schemes across the state, ensuring adequate resources and support for farmers and rural youth.
Key Entities Referenced
Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms (ATMA): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented to promote decentralized and farmer-friendly extension systems.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Scheme implemented to facilitate technology assessment, demonstration, and capacity development for farmers.
Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY): Aims at providing short duration skill-based training programs to rural youth including farmers on agri-based vocational areas.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The central ministry responsible for implementing schemes related to skill development among farmers.
Tamil Nadu: State where the implementation of the mentioned schemes is being reviewed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2570
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025
SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG FARMERS
2570 SHRI MANI A.
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष और िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes and programmes being implemented by the
Government to promote skill development, capacity building and training among
farmers in agriculture and allied sectors;
(b) whether these schemes are being effectively implemented in Tamil Nadu and if so, the
details thereof, district-wise;
(c) the specific initiatives, training modules, exposure visits, farmer field schools and digital
agri-skilling programmes conducted in Dharmapuri district during the last five years;
(d) the number of farmers in Dharmapuri who have benefitted from these skill-development
programmes, year-wise; and
(e) whether the Government proposes additional support or new programmes to enhance
skill development for farmers in Dharmapuri, particularly in modern farming techniques,
FPO development and allied sector diversification and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programs for Extension
Reforms” (ATMA) is being implemented in 734 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs for promoting
decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system in the country. The objective of the
Scheme is to support State Government’s efforts and to make available latest agricultural
technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and
allied areas to farmers through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Skill
Training of Rural Youth, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of
Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.
Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) aims at providing short duration skill-based
training programs to rural youth including farmers on agri-based vocational areas. STRY is
implemented by National Institute of Extension Management (MANAGE) with the support of
State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs) and Agriculture
Technology Management Agency (ATMA). More than 86,000 rural youth including farmers
have been trained so far under the scheme since 2015-16.
In addition to STRY, skill training programmes of min. 200 hours duration has been
operationalized in DA&FW as per the guidelines of Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship from July, 2015.
The Government is implementing Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scheme in different
States including Tamil Nadu of the Country with mandate of technology assessment and
demonstration for its use and capacity development. As part of its activities, the KVKs impart
training to the farmers, farm women and rural youth on different aspects of agriculture and
allied sectors for their capacity building.(b): Yes. ATMA Scheme is being implemented in all the districts of Tamil Nadu State
including Dharmapuri District. Similarly, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Scheme is also under
implementation in 31 districts of Tamil Nadu including in Dharmpuri district (Annexure-I).
STRY is being implemented in Tamil Nadu successfully with the support of SAMETI.
The district-wise and year-wise status of the youth trained under the programs in the state
is enclosed at Annexure-II.
(c): Details of Training Programmes and Exposure Visits conducted under ATMA and
KVKs in Dharmapuri District during last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) are given here
under: -
Sl. Activity Agriculture Technology Krishi Vigyan Kendras
No. Management Agency (KVKs)
(ATMA)
Number of Number of Number of Number of
Programmes Participants Programmes Participants
1. Training 683 34,336 564 18,404
Programme
2. Exposure Visit 291 8,730 92 2,509
(d): A total of 168 rural youth including farmers have availed benefit under the program.
The details on number of youth including farmers trained under STRY in Dharmapuri district
during last five years are provided below: -
Districts No. of youth trained under STRY (No.)
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Dharmapuri 0 56 28 28 56
The number of farmers in Dharmapuri, who have benefitted from skill Development
Programmes is as under: -
Sl. No. Year Number of Skill Number of
Training Conducted Beneficiaries
1. 2020-21 1 28
2. 2021-22 2 39
3. 2022-23 2 41
4. 2023-24 2 56
5. 2024-25 2 56
TOTAL: - 9 220
(e): In FPO, The Tamil Nadu Government has provided a Millet Processing Unit to the
Pambar Farmers Producer Organization at Kelavalli, Morappur Block of Dharmapuri District
through the Department of Agriculture Marketing and Agri- Business. Using this Processing
Unit, Farmers of nearby blocks are also getting benefitted by selling the value added Millet
products.Annexure-I
District wise details of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functional in Tamil Nadu
Sl. No District/KVK Type of Host Organization Year of Establishment
1 Ariyalur NGO 2009
2 Chengalpattu SAU (TANUVAS) 1985
3 Coimbatore NGO 1979
4 Cuddalore SAU (TNAU) 1985
5 Dharmapuri SAU (TNAU) 2006
6 Dindigul DU (GRI) 1989
7 Erode NGO 1992
8 Kallakurichi SAU (TANUVAS) 2018
9 Kanyakumari SAU (TNAU) 2004
10 Karur NGO 2005
11 Krishnagiri NGO 1978
12 Madurai SAU (TNAU) 2004
13 Nagapattinam SAU (TNJFU) 2004
14 Namakkal SAU (TANUVAS) 2004
15 Perambalur NGO 2002
16 Pudukkottai SAU (TNAU) 2004
17 Ramanathapuram SAU (TNAU) 2004
18 Salem SAU (TNAU) 1994
19 Sivagangai SAU (TANUVAS) 1996
20 The Nilgiris SAU (TNAU) 2022
21 Theni NGO 1994
22 Thenkasi NGO 1994
23 Thoothukudi NGO 1996
24 Tiruchirappalli SAU (TNAU) 1977
25 Tirupur SAU (TNAU) 2019
26 Tiruvallur SAU (TNAU) 2004
27 Tiruvannamalai NGO 1991
28 Tiruvarur SAU (TNAU) 2004
29 Vellore SAU (TNAU) 2004
30 Villupuram SAU (TNAU) 2004
31 Virudhunagar SAU (TNAU) 2006Annexure-II
Sl. Districts Number of Youth trained under Skill Training of Rural Youth
No (STRY)
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
1 Ariyalur 15 15 15 30 0
2 Coimbatore 28 28 28 56 28
3 Cuddalore 28 28 28 56 28
4 Dharmapuri 0 56 28 28 56
5 Dindigul 28 28 28 28 28
6 Erode 56 28 28 56 56
7 Kanchipuram 28 28 28 56 28
8 Kanyakumari 28 56 28 56 28
9 Karur 0 56 28 56 56
10 Krishnagiri 28 28 28 56 56
11 Madurai 0 56 28 56 56
12 Nagapattinam 0 56 28 56 84
13 Namakkal 0 56 28 28 0
14 Perambalur 15 43 15 56 28
15 Pudukkottai 0 56 28 84 28
16 Ramanathapuram 0 56 28 56 56
17 Salem 28 28 28 56 28
18 Sivaganga 15 15 15 30 28
19 Thanjavur 15 15 28 56 56
20 Theni 28 112 28 56 28
21 Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) 15 15 15 15 28
22 Tirunelveli 0 56 28 84 28
23 Tiruppur 28 28 28 56 0
24 Tiruvallur 28 28 28 56 28
25 Tiruvannamalai 28 56 28 71 58
26 Tiruvarur 15 28 28 84 56
27 Trichy 28 28 28 84 84
28 Vellore 28 56 28 56 56
29 Viluppuram 28 28 28 56 28
30 Virudhunagar 28 140 56 56 56
31 The Nilgiries 0 15 28 43 28
32 Tenkasi 15 15 15 30 43
33 Ranipet 28 28 0 56 0
34 Thirupattur 0 28 28 56 0
35 Chengalpat 0 28 28 56 56
36 Kallkurichi 28 28 28 56 0
37 Mayiladurai 0 0 28 56 28
Total: - 637 1449 971 1983 1333
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