Gender Perspective In Agriculture
18.7 Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
an umbrella scheme on horticulture by subsuming other ongoing schemes on horticulture i.e. National Horticulture Mission(NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Bamboo Mission (NBM) now re- named as National Agro Forestry & Bamboo Mission, Central Sector Scheme of National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland, all categories of farmers including women beneficiaries are covered in components like floriculture, beekeeping etc.
18.8 MIDH aims at promoting holistic growth of the horticulture sector through area based regionally differentiated strategies.
Keeping in view the overall objectives and as per directives of Planning Commission, all the implementing agencies viz. State Horticulture Missions and National Level Agencies have been directed to ensure that at least 30% of budget allocation is earmarked for women beneficiaries while giving subsidies as well as for imparting training for skills development to women farmers for growing horticulture crops and post- harvest management. During the current
financial year 2015-16 funds to the tune of Rs. 2000 crores have been earmarked for implementation of schemes MIDH. Women beneficiaries such as women farmers, women Self Help Groups, women entrepreneurs are encouraged to obtain the benefits of the schemes under the Mission.
Agriculture Extension
18.9 The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE) which encompasses both- the Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector extension outreach and ICT initiatives, under its “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms”
(ATMA intervention) supports gender concern to a great extent. This initiative is under implementation in 652 districts of 29 States and 3 UTs. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-driven and farmer- accountable extension system through an institutional arrangement for technology dissemination in the form of an Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at district level. Under the scheme grants- in-aid is released to states governments with an objective to support their efforts of revitalization of the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different thematic areas to increase agricultural production through extension activities viz, Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and Seing up of Farm Schools. Through these activities, latest agriculture technologies are disseminated to farmers of the country.
The funds under this initiative are being released to the states on the basis of State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) formulated
& submied by them. The gender specific interventions under this initiative include:
• At least 30% scheme beneficiaries should be women farmers/farm women.
• Minimum 30% of resources meant for programmes and activities are required to be allocated to women farmers and women extension functionaries with specific documentation of expenditure and performance for women being maintained;
• Farm Women’s Food and Nutritional Security Groups (FIGs) @ at least 3 women FSGs/block to be formed annually for ensuring food and nutritional security providing assistance of Rs. 10,000/- per group.
• Inclusion of one ‘Gender Coordinator’
in every State in the team of commied extension personnel being supported under the Scheme. The role of Gender Coordinator is to ensure flow of support viz. training/ capacity building and extension support as per the specific requirements of women farmers through a strategy suited to their needs
• At least 30% scheme beneficiaries are to be women farmers/farm women;
• Representation of Women farmers in different decision making bodies at State, District and Block level such as State Farmers Advisory Commiee (SFAC) at State Level; Agriculture Technology
Management Agency(ATMA) Governing Board, ATMA Management
Commiee(MC) and District Farmer Advisory Commiee (DFAC) at district level and Block Farmer Advisory Commiee (BFAC) at Block Level
• Preferential involvement of women as
‘Farmer Friends’ under the extension delivery mechanism below the block level (@1Farmer Friend/2 Villages)
18.10 Since inception of the scheme in 2005-06, total 85,26,870 farm women (25.73% of the total benefited farmers) have participated in farmer oriented activities like Exposure Visits, Training, Demonstrations
& Kisan Melas including 2,47,851 women farmers benefited during 2015-16 (up to 31st December, 2015).
18.11 The operational Guidelines for Modified Support to States for Extension Reforms Scheme, 2014 formulated in May, 2014 carry all provisions favouring women as indicated above.
18.12 The Central Sector Scheme
“Establishment of Agri-Clinics & Agri- Business Centres (ACABC)” was implemented since April,2002 with the aim to supplement the efforts of public extension, support agricultural development and create gainful self-employment opportunities to unemployed youths (including women) with qualification in agriculture and allied sectors.
18.13 The scheme promotes involvement of agri-preneurs trained (including women) under the ACABC scheme in providing advisory and extension services to the farmers in agriculture and allied areas. The agri-preneurs trained under ACABC scheme are actively engaged in providing advisory and extension services to the farmers on various technologies.
18.14 MANAGE, Hyderabad is the implementing agency for training component under the scheme through a network of identified Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) in various States. And NABARD is implementing the subsidy component on behalf of Government of India and is monitoring credit support to agri-preneurs through commercial banks.
18.15 There is a provision of credit linked back-ended upfront composite subsidy on the bank loan availed by the trained candidates under the scheme. The subsidy is 44% in respect of women, SC/
ST & all categories of the candidates from North-Eastern and Hill States and 36% in respect of other categories. The subsidy is admissible for loans up to Rs. 20 Lakh in case of individual and Rs. 100 lakh in case of Group Projects (for ventures set up by a group of 5 trained candidates).
18.16 Since Inception of the scheme, a total number of 46,231 candidates have been trained and 19,471 agri-ventures have been established in the country which includes 3339 women candidates trained and 1043 Agri-ventures established by them (up to 31st January, 2016).
Crops
18.17 The scheme ‘National Food Security Mission (NFSM)’ was launched in October 2007-08, targeting three important food grain crops viz. rice, wheat and pulses. Cabinet Commiee of Economic Affairs has cleared the continuation of NFSM programme in the XII Plan with addition of coarse cereals and commercial crops viz. coon, jute and sugarcane. At the stage of Administrative approval, 30% of budgetary allocation is
earmarked for women beneficiaries/farmers.
Concerned Implementing Agencies are responsible for monitoring implementation of these components, i.e., allocation of resources for SC/ST/Women beneficiaries.
18.18 Component wise financial provision for promotion of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and marketing support for value chain integration includes marketing support to unregistered farmer groups, SHGs, SHG federation etc. for local marketing of pulses and millets (@Rs.2.00 lakh per group of 15 farmers, for one time support only) . This provision enables unregistered farmer groups, SHGs of women and others who wish to collaborate informally for direct marketing pulses in local haats, townships and region.
Agricultural Marketing
18.19 In order to provide single window approach and user & investment friendly atmosphere, all the ongoing six Plan Schemes implemented during the XI Plan period have been put under one umbrella “Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM). It aims to (i) promote agri-marketing through creation of marketing and agribusiness infrastructure including storage, (ii) incentivize agri-market reforms, (iii) provide market linkages to farmers, (iv) provide access to agri-market information and (v) support quality certification of agriculture commodities. ISAM scheme is having five components, namely: (i) Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), the objective of this component is to create market infrastructure including Storage Infrastructure and Integrated Value Chain Projects (IVC) [the existing schemes of GrameenBhandaranYojana
(GBY) and Development/ Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardization (AMIGS) has been merged as AMI] (ii) Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) (iii) Strengthening of Agmark Grading Facilities (SAGF), (iv) Agri- Business Development (ABD) through Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) and Project Development Facility (PDF) and (v) Training, Research and Consultancy through Choudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agriculture Marketing (NIAM).
18.20 Under Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) component, Women are eligible for subsidy @ 33.33% as against 25% for others.
Mechanization and Technology
18.21 Taking into consideration all the factors and challenges coming in the progress of Farm Mechanization, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture Cooperation&, Farmers Welfare, Mechanization and Technology Division has formulated a Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) under the main Mission i.e. National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET) which is under implementation w.e.f. 2014-15. The SMAM provides a suitable platform for converging all activities for inclusive growth of agricultural mechanization by providing a ‘single window’ approach for implementation with a special focus on women farmers with the following provisions:
• State Governments have been advised to ensure 30% of allocation under the scheme belongs to women beneficiary
and also to furnish reports separately in SMAM guidelines.
• 10% more assistance for women beneficiary to procure Agricultural Machinery, implements and equipment including PHT under component 2 and 3.
• In order to reduce the drudgery and increasing efficiency in farm operations, number of agricultural implements and hand tools suitable for farm women have been developed by Research &
Development organizations under ICAR. The list of gender friendly equipment has been sent to all States/
UTs for popularizing them through various schemes of Government.
18.22 Gender Friendly Equipment for Women: Under the component 1 of SMAM, Agricultural Mechanization through Training, Testing, and Demonstration, a total 1027 women were trained during 2014- 15 till 31st March, 2015. During the current Financial Year 2015-16, (till October. 2015) 947 women farmers have been trained at FMTTIs. A list of about 30 identified gender-friendly tools and equipment developed by the Research and Development Organization for use in different farm operations has already been sent to all states and UTs. for popularizing them. State governments have been directed to earmark 30 per cent of total funds allocated under SMAM for women beneficiaries.
Seeds
18.23 Sub-Mission for Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) under National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET) which is being implemented w.e.f. 01.04.2014 with the view to develop/
strengthen seed sector and to enhance production and multiplication of high
yielding certified/ qualify seeds of all agricultural crops and making it available to the farmers at affordable prices and also place an effective system for protection of plant varieties, rights of farmers and plant breeders to encourage development of new varieties of plants. Scheme is also for Women farmers. States/implementing agencies are requested to allocate adequate funds and ensure participation of women. However, no special budgetary provisions for women have been made in the Sub-Mission.
Cooperation
18.24 NCDC encourages women
cooperatives to avail assistance under its various schemes. A large number of women members are engaged & involved in cooperatives dealing with activities relatedto Foodgrain Processing, Plantation Crops, Oilseed Processing, Fisheries, Dairy
& Livestock, Spinning Mills, Handloom
& Powerloom Weaving, Integrated Cooperative Development Projects etc.
Women Cooperatives are also covered under Weaker Section Programme for the purpose of availing subsidy and concessional funding by NCDC.
18.25 As on 31.03.2015, NCDC has sanctioned and released financial assistance of Rs.
191.50 crore and Rs. 92.86 crore respectively for the development of cooperative societies
exclusively promoted by women. In the 1047 projects/units sanctioned in 2014-15, it is estimated that 5.79 lakh women are enrolled as members, out of which 910 women members are on the Board of Directors.
18.26 Besides the above, stress is given on women development activities with the overall objective of bringing women in the cooperative fold from grass root levels by informal approach and to revitalize and develop women participation in group activities and to improve the socio-economic conditions of women of selected blocks.
The Cooperative Education programme for women is being implemented through the State Cooperative Unions in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, M.P, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, UP and West Bengal. During the year 2014- 15, a total of 1,12,199 women were imparted education under various educational activities. Further, the Cooperative Education programmes for women are being implemented through the State Cooperative Unions in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar etc. NCUI is now running 4 exclusive women development projects located at Shimoga (Karnataka), Behrampur (Odisha), Imphal (Manipur) and Bhopal (MP) under the Special Scheme of Intensification of Cooperative Education in
the cooperatively under-developed states.
Besides, each field project has got a special women development component. Under this, women are organized into self-help groups which help them to develop thrift habits.
Women are also given training to undertake income-generating activities with the help of their own resources or by borrowing from cooperatives. The projects personnel help them in marketing their produce in the local market and by organizing fair/
exhibitions. Under women Cooperative education Field Projects, 270 SHGS were formed with the membership of 2501 by the project personnel. And also 10,098 women were benefited through various income generating activities.
Policy
18.27 The National Policy for Farmers 2007