Latest news with #KrishiSakhis'
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Krishi Sakhis to promote cow-based natural farming in dist
Prayagraj: The state govt has roped in " Krishi Sakhis " to mobilise and enrol willing farmers to practise cow-based natural farming in all 23 blocks of the district. Krishi Sakhis role is envisioned to be as farmers' friend at their doorstep with all necessary information, skills and abilities to guide farmers on various aspects of natural farming, providing capacity building and skilling in emerging areas of natural farming and soil health management .A senior agriculture department official said: "Krishi Sakhis are being given the responsibility of making farmers aware of natural farming. For this, a list of Krishi Sakhis has been sought from NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission). A strategy has been drafted to train Krishi Sakhis at Krishak Vikas Kendras from May 13 at 12 clusters across the district. At least two Krishi Sakhis in every cluster will be trained for the same. " The official said these Krishi Sakhis will be selected from among the self-help groups, whose selection has been done by the monitoring committees at the district level. Krishi Sakhis will get Rs 5,000 per month. Apart from this, the govt has plans to grant Rs 4,000 per year to the farmers who adopt natural farming. If there is no Krishi Sakhi in any agricultural cluster, then a community resource person with knowledge about it will be given the responsibility. There are 12 clusters of natural farming in Prayagraj, out of which 7 are in Jasra block and 5 in 500 hectares of farming is done in one cluster. Currently, more than 1,500 farmers are doing natural farming in claimed that Krishi Sakhis will be trained to enable farmers to boost agricultural production with lower costs through natural ways. They will simultaneously spread the message to other members. Until recently, the farmers, mainly small and marginal ones, did not fully reap the benefits of their productive land. Officials claimed that the reason was the deterioration of soil owing to the overuse of pesticides and 'Krishi Sakhis' are now being trained to find ways to adapt to non-chemical, low-cost, and climate-resilient farming. "Since the women are the main workforce in agriculture across the state and the country, it is always effective if they are trained and the message is spread through them," the official said.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt to launch statewide soil testing drive tomorrow
Lucknow: The state govt is set to launch a largescale soil sample collection drive on May 5 as part of the soil health card scheme . The campaign aims to collect 11.56 lakh soil samples for the upcoming Kharif season. According to agriculture department officials, the scheme aims to saturate 16,520 gram panchayats across the state by 2025. Of these, 70% of soil samples will be collected during Kharif season from 11,564 panchayats, while the remaining 30% will be covered in the Rabi season. Regional extension workers, laboratory officials, and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras will participate in the campaign. For the first time, 7,684 trained 'Krishi Sakhis' from 50 districts have been engaged in the sample collection process. Each Sakhi will receive an honorarium of Rs 15 per sample. So far, 3.6 lakh samples have been collected. Testing revealed deficiencies in organic carbon (0.25–0.5%), nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, sulfur, zinc, and iron in the soil. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Choose the eco-friendly cloud storage solution and get 25GB of free storage. Degree Online | Search Ads Learn More Undo Farmers will be provided with free soil health cards based on 12 key parameters, enabling them to apply fertilisers more scientifically and increase crop yield through balanced nutrient management. All data related to soil samples is available online on the soil health card portal. Under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana , 4,850 gram panchayats were covered in 2023 and 8,260 in 2024. This year, all 16,520 gram panchayats are being targeted. From each panchayat, 100 soil samples will be collected. In the Rabi season alone, 4.96 lakh samples will be taken from 4,956 panchayats.
United News of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
UP govt to give push to natural farming with Rs 2000 cr
Lucknow, Apr 21 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government plans to bring over 2.5 lakh farmers into the fold of natural farming across 282 blocks and 2,144 gram panchayats in the state, official sources said here on Monday. Sources said that the initiative will be implemented through 50-hectare clusters, with an estimated investment of Rs 2,500 crore over the next two years. "After successful implementation in Bundelkhand and along the Ganga's coastal areas, natural farming is now being expanded to both banks of its tributaries," they said. Sources said that to raise awareness and provide grassroots support, 'Krishi Sakhis' will be appointed at a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000. "Experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will train these women farmers in their respective districts. Besides, two Bio-Input Research Centres (BRCs) will be established in every district to support this initiative," they said. Sources said that a unique initiative being run in Bundelkhand's seven districts, including Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakoot, focuses on cow-based natural farming. "Farmers are being trained to produce organic inputs, such as Jeevamrut, Beejamrit and Ghanjeevamrit, using cow dung and urine. These bio-formulations are being used as natural fertilizers and pesticides in the fields," they said. Sources said that so far, 470 clusters have been formed, benefiting 21,934 farmers. "A 50-hectare cluster is being developed in every gram panchayat, with financial assistance provided to farmers cultivating up to two hectares. In total, 2,535 sessions of Farmers' Field Schools have been conducted under this mission. The government has allocated Rs 13.16 crore for its first and second phases," they said. Sources said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's commitment to cow protection is well established. "During his first term, he enforced strict bans on cow smuggling and illegal slaughterhouses, while also spearheading the construction of numerous shelters for stray and abandoned cattle," they said. Sources said that to integrate cow shelters into the natural farming ecosystem, more than 7,700 gaushalas have been set up, housing approximately 12.5 lakh destitute cattle. "Besides, under the CM Sahyog Yojana, 1.62 lakh cows have been distributed to about 1 lakh beneficiaries, each receiving Rs 1,500 per month for their care," they said. Sources said that to make these shelters self-reliant, vermi compost units will be installed in collaboration with the Agriculture Department. "Training programmes will be conducted to teach proper techniques for processing cow dung and urine, producing high-quality fodder and enhancing its nutritional value for long-term storage," they said. Sources said that the UP government consistently encourages cattle rearers to raise Indigenous cows, with a focus on conservation, promotion and boosting milk production from 25 native breeds. "In line with this vision, the government is set to launch the 'Nandani Krishak Samridhi Yojana', under which cattle rearers will receive a 50 percent subsidy on bank loans," they said. Sources said that the Yogi government views natural farming as a holistic solution that delivers sustainable and lasting improvements for soil health, food quality and environmental balance. "In keeping with this commitment, the government is taking comprehensive steps to protect stray cattle and integrate them into the natural farming ecosystem," they said. UNI AB KK
