MSDE - Ministry of Agriculture inks MoU for skill development training programs

New Delhi, Mar 21 (KNN) In a bid to facilitate skill development among the rural population of the country, The Ministry of Agriculture signed an MoU with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship recently.

Under the newly signed MoU, skill development training programmes for agriculture and allied sectors will be conducted on a regular basis through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) in the country.

MSDE will facilitate the MoA & FW through Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) for identification of new job roles and aligning the ongoing courses with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). 

MSDE will also identify the State-wise, Sector and Sub-Sector wise skill gap analysis to find out the exact skill requirements of the State/Region and will introduce new job roles related to Agriculture and allied sectors in rural areas through the ITIs network, an official release informed.

Expressing optimism during the signing event, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh said the pact will help achieve the target of skilling the country under Skill India.

Singh further said that his office is working towards brining PM’s dream of Kaushal Bharat - Kushal Bharat a reality.

Informing of the initiatives, he said that the government is focussing on four layered approach including helping Increase productivity,  Post-harvest management and fair-prices to the farmers for their produce, Lower risk in agriculture and Strengthen and develop other aspects of farmers' income such as horticulture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, dairying, fisheries etc.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that India being an agrarian, the recent union budget emphasized on the importance of growth of farm sector by empowering youth in rural India.

This will not be possible without scalable skilling. MSDE will partner with Ministry of Agriculture to support the 690 Krishi Vikas Kendras and ensure that the market relevant skills are imparted.

“Agriculture involves multiple skills and there is an urgent need to upgrade skills of Wage workers, Farmers & Entrepreneurs. Skilling would not only ensure that agriculture becomes technologically and entrepreneurially attractive to youth but also meet the emerging demand of Para Professionals in Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries,” he added. (KNN/DA)