Skill Development in Agriculture Sector

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a Public Private Partnership organization. The NSDC has facilitated creation of Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) that are industry led bodies to ensure addressing skill requirements of various sectors. The scheme promotes skilling of manpower in various sectors including agriculture through the Agriculture Sector Skill Council.

There are basically 3 kind of training routes under the scheme - Short term Training (STT) for fresh skilling of school / college drop outs and unemployed youth, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to recognize the existing skills and Special Projects to address skilling requirements of the vulnerable groups and permit flexibility in conduct of Short Term Training. RPL under PMKVY has been able to undertake up-skilling of farmers via bridge course training through some of the projects.

The scheme is being implemented across the country spanning 37 sectors including agriculture sector. Under PMKVY2016-2020, as on 11 November 2019, over 5 lakh candidates have been trained in Agriculture sector. More than 300 candidates have been trained in Beekeeper Job role. In past three years, 67 training courses in Beekeeping & 60 training courses in Animal husbandry has been done by NSDC Training Provider. The beneficiaries have been oriented in skills such as 'Group Farming Practitioner' which enables farmers to increase productivity and income by establishing market linkages and buy – back arrangements. Beneficiaries are being enrolled pan India including for job roles such as Dairy Farmer, Organic Grower, Floriculturist, Gardener and Pulses Cultivator etc.

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship R.K. Singh gave this information in the Lok Sabha.