Context:
An Ethiopian delegation led by the country’s Agricultural Minister is in Andhra Pradesh (AP) to study the first-of-its kind Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), which have been set up by the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- What are Rythu Bharosa Kendras?
- Have the RBKs proved to be helpful to farmers?
What are Rythu Bharosa Kendras?
- Set up for the first time in the country, the RBKs are unique seeds-to-sales, single-window service centres for farmers that have been set up across the state.
- They are a one-stop solution to all farmers’ needs and grievances.
- RBKs sell pre-tested quality seeds, certified fertilisers and animal feed.
- Farmers can purchase or hire farm equipment, and even sell their produce at the prevailing MSP in the RBKs.
- Touted as role models for the country, agriculture and horticulture officials manning the RBKs also provide services like soil testing and make recommendations — on which crops to sow, and quantity and type of fertiliser to be used.
- The state government also pays crop insurance, procures grains and makes payments to farmers through the RBKs.
Have the RBKs proved to be helpful to farmers?
- RBKs facilitate interaction between farmers, agriculture scientists, and agriculture extension officers right at the village level. Apart from providing services and items for sale, RBK officials demonstrate new farm equipment and provide training to farmers.
- Based on inputs provided by officials after soil testing and weather conditions, many farmers have changed their cropping patterns and benefited immensely, according to the state Agriculture Department.
- The RBKs have been responsible for elimination of spurious seeds and uncertified and dangerous fertilisers, which can cause crop damage and failures.
- Over 10,700 RBKs — multi-functional kiosks with digital Aadhar authentication equipment — have been set up across the state. The RBKs, staffed by agriculture and horticulture graduates, help farmers decide the crops they should cultivate in a scientific manner.
- They also assist in selling their produce at MSPs, through supporting systems of e-cropping, geo-tagging, and the CM App through which payments are made to farmers.
- The Centre has recently nominated the RBK concept for the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s “Champion’’ award.
-Source: Indian Express
