Parliament Question: Technical Training for Small and Marginal Farmers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 2697 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4th AUGUST, 2026 TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS 2697 SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष और (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) Whether the Government is aware that small and marginal farmers are facing difficulties in improving crop productivity due to lack of technical training and exposure to modern agricultural practices, if so, the details thereof; (b) Whether the Government has conducted any nationwide assessment on the impact of limited technical knowledge on crop yields of small landholders, if so, details and key findings thereof; (c) Whether the existing agricultural extension services are adequately reaching small farmers with updated scientific practices, if so, the details and gaps identified; (d) Whether the Government proposes to strengthen farmer training programs through Krishi Vigyan Kendras under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, if so, the details thereof and coverage achieved; and (e) Whether the lack of exposure to agro-industrial practices is affecting income potential of small farmers, if so, the details thereof and steps taken to bridge this gap? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (c): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India continuously undertakes nationwide campaigns and awareness programmes in collaboration with the State Governments and with active involvement of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to educate farmers on modern agricultural practices and enhance crop productivity, production and farmers income.Under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms” (Agricultural Technology Management Agency-ATMA) is being implemented by the Government of India in 734 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs for promoting decentralized and farmer- friendly extension system in the country since 2005-06. The Scheme supports State Government’s efforts and to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas (Including improving crop productivity and exposure to modern agricultural practices) to farmers to modernize agriculture through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc. Under this Scheme, it has been provisioned that at least 50% beneficiaries must be selected from Small & Marginal farmer category. During the financial year 2025-26, 50.92 lakh farmers have been benefitted through different extension activities under the ATMA Scheme. The Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension Scheme creates awareness among farming communities and other stakeholders through the dissemination of information on DA&FW schemes, crop advisories, weather and market information, and region-specific modern agricultural technologies. The scheme leverages Doordarshan, All India Radio and digital and social media platforms to ensure wider outreach, timely access to knowledge and effective dissemination of farmer-centric information. To educate farmers, the Ministry supports and organizes national/regional-level exhibitions/fairs to create awareness about various schemes, missions and new initiatives, while promoting appropriate technologies, improved agronomic practices and best practices among farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture and allied sectors. In addition, the Department operates Kisan Helpline Centres to provide a single- window platform for farmers’ on agricultural advisories, information on Government schemes/programmes and grievance redressal.Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) is a multilingual AI-powered Digital Public Infrastructure platform designed to provide farmers with reliable, real-time and location-specific agricultural advisories and access to various farmer support services. The platform integrates information on Government schemes, benefit status tracking, grievance redressal, weather updates, mandi prices, ICAR advisories and other agricultural services to enable informed decision-making and better crop management. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing various flagship Schemes/Missions on crop diversification, organic farming and value addition, including Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Mission on Atmanirbharta in Pulses, National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Mission for Cotton Productivity (KAPAS KANTI), Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs), Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) and National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM). Creation of awareness amongst farmers about the above Schemes and Missions are being implemented by the Department and is undertaken in collaboration with State Governments. In addition, awareness is created amongst farmers on modern agricultural practices and technical trainings are conducted across the country through the extensive network of 113 ICAR Institutes, 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) across 734 districts of the country. The impact and effectiveness of the Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension has been evaluated by NITI Aayog. The study indicates that agricultural extension services have significantly contributed in enhancing farmers’ awareness, adoption of new agricultural practices and improved farming decisions.The study revealed that 92.33% of respondents reported that the training enabled them to adopt new agricultural interventions and practices. More than 70% of the beneficiaries rated the quality of training positively. Further, the assessment indicated that Mass Media interventions through television, radio and mobile applications were effective in disseminating agricultural information, with 90.5% of respondents stating that these information sources improved their farming decisions, particularly in the areas of crop planning, pest and disease management and market timing. (d): Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are using innovative training methodologies, modern tools, and experiential learning approaches to make capacity-building programmes more practical, participatory and outcome-oriented. Hands-on training is being emphasized in frontier areas such as precision agriculture, agri-drones, digital agriculture, and other climate-smart technologies to enhance farmers' practical skills. In addition, KVKs are using the concept of ‘Model Demonstration Farms’ to build farmers' confidence, facilitate peer learning, and develop Communities of Practice. Innovative farmers are being nurtured as Professors of Practice and engaged as Master Trainers to strengthen farmer-to-farmer knowledge dissemination and local capacity building. KVKs also organise training of the farmers who have been trained earlier for re-skilling and upskilling to reinforce knowledge, introduce emerging technologies, and obtain real-time feedback for continuous improvement. During 2025-26, the KVKs trained 22.22 lakh farmers for their knowledge and skill upgradation on latest agricultural technologies. (e): Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme facilitates medium- to long-term debt financing for creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and viable farming assets. The Scheme provides 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support on loans up to ₹2 crore for eligible borrowers, subject to a maximum lending rate of 9% per annum. The implementation of the scheme is reviewed through the monitoring mechanism prescribed in the Scheme Guidelines at the National, State and District levels by the National Level Monitoring Committee (NLMC), State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs) and District Level Monitoring Committees (DLMCs). The progress of the Scheme is also monitored through the digital AIF Portal. As on 15.07.2026, a total of 2,08,828 projects has been sanctioned under the AIF, involving loans amounting to ₹93,374.36 crore. *****