Why is it in the news?
- The Prime Minister approved certificates for 30,000 Krishi Sakhis under the Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP).
About KSCP
- KSCP is an endeavor established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development.
- It aims to enrich the skills of rural women in agriculture through certified training programs.
- The certification program is designed to align with the goals of the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative, which strives to promote economic autonomy and financial self-reliance among rural women.
| Women’s Role in Agriculture Sector
· According to NITI Aayog, approximately 80% of rural women are engaged in the agricultural sector. · Female operational holdings have increased from 12.78% in 2010-11 to 13.78% in 2015-16. · Women in agriculture significantly contribute to producing 60-80% of the country’s food supply. · The rising participation of women in agriculture has led to a notable increase in the sector’s contribution to the GDP per capita. · However, challenges faced by women in agriculture include limited credit and market access, issues related to land inheritance, and a lack of essential information. Government Schemes for Women Farmers · Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: A scheme aimed at empowering women in agriculture by making strategic investments to boost their involvement and productivity. · Namo Drone Didi: An initiative providing training on drone technology to women belonging to selected Women Self-Help Groups for offering agricultural drone rental services. · Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): A scheme focused on extending financial support to landholding farmer families, including women farmers. |
