Ranchi, September 3: A state-level stakeholder consultation programme on the proposed Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana was organised at Hotel Radisson Blu on Thursday. The programme was attended by Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey as the chief guest, along with women farmers, agriculture-sector stakeholders, representatives of various institutions and officials from across Jharkhand.
Addressing the programme, Shilpi Neha Tirkey said the objective of the Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana is to provide recognition to women farmers and empower them economically and socially. She said suggestions and feedback from women farmers and stakeholders working in the agriculture sector are being sought to make the scheme practical, inclusive and beneficial for its intended beneficiaries.
She stressed that the stakeholder consultation should not be treated merely as a formality. “The focus should be on the outcome of this consultation,” she said, adding that suggestions received from stakeholders and women farmers would be incorporated into the final framework of the scheme.
Scheme to Help Change Traditional Farming Practices
The Agriculture Minister said most farmers in Jharkhand continue to depend on traditional farming practices. The Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana, she said, could prove to be a milestone in changing the traditional approach towards farming in the state.
She said the scheme would not be limited to increasing agricultural production but would also focus on improving the income and livelihood of women farmers by providing them better market access and opportunities for value addition.
Women’s Participation Important for State’s Economy
Shilpi Neha Tirkey said women’s empowerment remains a priority of the state government. Several government schemes are being implemented with an emphasis on ensuring greater participation of women.
She said the Agriculture Department’s new initiative would directly involve women in agricultural activities and help make them self-reliant and economically stronger. Greater participation of women in economic activities, she added, would also contribute to determining and strengthening the economic direction of the state.
Capacity Building and Better Market Access
Agriculture Department Special Secretary Gopal Tiwari said the main objectives of the Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana include developing the capacity of women farmers, ensuring their participation in decision-making processes, providing better market access and increasing their income through value-added agricultural products.
He said the views of stakeholders working in the agriculture sector are important in deciding the final structure of the scheme. The consultation programme, he said, would help the department incorporate practical suggestions from stakeholders and women farmers and make the scheme more effective and inclusive.
New Initiative for the Economic Empowerment of Women Farmers
Agriculture Director Vidyanand Sharma Pankaj said the initiative has been taken to advance the vision of women’s empowerment and promote the economic development of women farmers.
He said the scheme would be designed to be comprehensive, practical and focused on providing economic benefits to beneficiaries. The stakeholder consultation workshop was organised to obtain suggestions on the draft, structure and proposed benefits of the scheme.
32 Lakh Women Associated with SHGs
JSLPS CEO Ananya Mittal said the Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana would certainly contribute to women’s empowerment. He said around 3.2 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs), comprising nearly 32 lakh women, are associated with JSLPS and are engaged in various livelihood and business activities.
He said women are taking loans and running different businesses to strengthen their livelihoods and improve their economic conditions.
Women Benefiting from Livestock Schemes
Director Animal Husbandry Robin Toppo said the state government is implementing several schemes for the upliftment of women. Women are also being connected with the livestock sector through the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana.
He said women are improving their livelihoods through activities such as poultry, piggery and duck farming. Women from districts including Chatra and Simdega, as well as other parts of the state, are benefiting from government-supported livestock programmes.
Stakeholders and Women Farmers Share Suggestions
During the programme, a presentation was made on the concept and draft of the Mahila Kisan Khushhali Yojana. Detailed information was provided on the objectives, scope and various Integrated Farming System (IFS) models proposed under the scheme.
An open-house discussion was subsequently held in which stakeholders and women farmers shared their views and suggestions on different aspects of the scheme. The department emphasised that the suggestions received during the consultation would help improve the final framework and implementation of the scheme.
Agriculture Director Vidyanand Sharma Pankaj, Horticulture Director Praveen Kerketta, Soil Conservation Director Vikas Kumar, women farmers from across Jharkhand, stakeholders, departmental officials and employees were present at the programme. Representatives of NABARD, Lead Banks, ICAR, Birsa Agricultural University, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) also participated.
