Context:
Prime Minister granted certificates to 30,000 Krishi Sakhis under Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP).
Krishi Sakhis are the practicing farmers and trained para extension professionals in agriculture at grass root level.
About Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP):
- An initiative under MoU of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development.
- Aim – To enhance the skills of rural women that aligns with the objectives of the “Lakhpati Didi” Program.
- Trainings include – Agro Ecological Practices, Seed banks, Soil health, soil and moisture conservation practices, Livestock Management, Natural Farming, communication skills etc.
- Covers 12 states in Phase – 1 – Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
Lakhpati Didi Scheme:
- Launched in 2023
- Nodal ministry – Ministry of Rural Development
- Aim – To catalyze economic empowerment and financial independence among women in rural areas.
- Objective – To shift the focus from social and financial inclusion to entrepreneurial success.
- Criteria for identifying potential lakhpati Didi –
- A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group Member.
- A Self Help Group member who has completed a minimum of 2 years and has availed of the Community Investment Fund (CIF).
- A beneficiary of livelihood intervention through DAY-NRLM and practising at least 2 livelihood activities.
- Key features –
- To train 3 crore women to become influencers both at home and in their communities.
- Aimed at training women in self-help groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable income of at least ₹1 lakh per annum per household.
- Subsets –
- Drone Didi: Drones will be provided to approximately 15,000 women SHGs for agricultural activities.
- Skill training: Women under this scheme receive training in diverse skills such as LED bulb making, plumbing, and more.
Women Workforce in Agriculture Sector Status:
- Agriculture employs about 80% of rural women (NITI Aayog).
- Ownership: The percentage of female operational holdings has increased from 12.78 percent during 2010-11 to 13.78 percent during 2015-16.
- Responsible for producing 60-80% of the country’s food.
- The ratio of women to men working in the agricultural sector has increased and made a greater amount of contribution to GDP per capita.
- Women’s leadership in agriculture can tackle gender inequality
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2.Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3.It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 4 are not correct: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is indeed a safe motherhood intervention but it is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission by the Government of India.
