The programme, which would enable the farmers to start micro units locally based on local resources, would start from the drought-hit areas of Maharashtra. The programme will be conducted by experienced and qualified technical faculty of the KVIC.
In a statement, KVIC said the main objective of the initiative, taken up by its chairman VK Saxena, was “to equip farmers to take recourse to alternative sources of income and reduce their dependency on agriculture activities, considering natural calamities, imbalances and drought situation”.
Training will be carried out at the KVIC’s departmental training centres in Nasik and Dahanu from April 15 and will be linked up for special training package to farmers and their family members, the commission said, adding the farmers would have the liberty to select from a menu of training programmes.
“Experienced faculty of the KVIC will conduct the programme. There will be lodging and boarding facilities for farmers,” Mr Saxena said, adding a nominal fee of Rs 10 would be charged from them but would be refunded on successful completion of the training programme. The programmes will run for 15-30 days, during which psychiatrists and counsellors will hold motivation and counselling sessions to help depressed farmers recover.
“Bankers will participate on the last day of the training programme and with assistance of the state directors concerned, financial support from MUDRA Bank and PMEGP Scheme of KVIC will be worked out for each farmer,” the release said. Training will be provided on food and vegetable processing, incense sticks making, candle making, edible oil extraction, paper conversion courses, welding, carpentry and black smithy training, palm leaf cup/plate making, fibre article making and lac production and value-added products.

Source : The Hindu