Prime Minister Narendra Modi has awarded certificates to over 30,000 women self-help groups such as 'Krishi Sakhis' in Varanasi as part of a government program to empower rural women and create 'Lakhpati Didis'. The Krishi Sakhi plan aims to transform rural India by training and certifying women as para-extension workers in agriculture. Women trained in natural farming and soil health management are part of this program that aims to create 3 crores of 'Lakhpati Didis', with potential earnings between Rs 60,000 and Rs 80,000 per year.
The Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme (KSCP) is a joint effort led by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development who signed an MoU on 30 August 2023. Krishi Sakhis are experienced farmers who are selected as agriculture para-extension workers due to their trustworthiness. They have been trained in 56 days on various extension services, including ecological practices, seed banks, soil health, livestock management, bio inputs, communication skills, and more. In addition to this, Krishi Sakhis has been trained on natural farming and soil health cards through DAY-NRLM agencies in collaboration with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management. After their training, these women undergo a test and upon qualifying, they can undertake MoA&FW schemes on fixed fees.
Out of the 70,000 Krishi Sakhis, 34,000 have been certified as para-extension workers in 12 states, including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Meghalaya. 30 Krishi Sakhis are serving as local resource persons under MOVCDNER, visiting farms monthly to monitor activities and understand farmer challenges, conducting weekly FIG meetings, and maintaining farmer diary, receiving a monthly fee of Rs 4,500.
