Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: The government has said that under the schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) at least 30 percent of the expenditure allocated for agricultural schemes is being incurred for women to bring them into mainstream agriculture.

About Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana

The “MKSP” started in 2011 as part of the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana-NRLM (DAY-NRLM).
Its main aim is to uplift women in agriculture and provide them with better opportunities for empowerment.
MKSP acknowledges women as farmers and aims to help them learn sustainable farming practices.
The government provides funding support for MKSP projects, covering up to 60% of the costs (90% for North Eastern States).

Focus and Strategy of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana

MKSP acknowledges and values the role of women in agriculture by empowering them as farmers.
It focuses on enhancing the skills and knowledge of women in sustainable farming practices.
The program targets the most economically vulnerable households, aiming to broaden the range of activities undertaken by women farmers.
MKSP aims to equip small-scale farmers with the tools and knowledge to adopt sustainable farming methods resilient to climate change.
Its goal is to cultivate a cadre of trained community professionals in sustainable agriculture.
MKSP promotes various sustainable farming techniques such as Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture (CMSA), Non Pesticide Management (NPM), and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
It also advocates for the Pashu-Sakhi model, providing doorstep animal care services to farmers.
Additionally, MKSP supports sustainable practices in the harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Produce, ensuring environmental conservation and community livelihoods.

Intervention Strategy

MKSP intervention strategy involves building a structure on the foundation of sustainability. This involves incorporating climate change resilient and ecologically sound practices into the overall structure. Community Resource Persons (CRPs) play a proactive role in scaling up these initiatives. Major interventions promoted under DAY-NRLM which contribute to climate change resilience & risk mitigation among the people with low-income are:

Community managed sustainable agriculture (agro-ecology approaches)
Usage of locally available natural inputs – for pest management and soil fertility management
System of root intensification – SRI, SCI
Promotion of millets and cereal crops
Promotion of multiple crops
Tree based farming practices
Regeneration of forest species
Usage of locally available natural inputs
Integrated farming practice with small ruminants
Convergence with MGNREGA to create agriculture assets for the community
Non Pesticide Management
Natural soil fertility Management
Integrating livestock with agriculture
Integration of livestock – promotion of Pashu sakhi model
Ensuring the scalability of climate change resilient agriculture practices through Community Best Practitioners (CBPs)
In-situ rain water harvesting

Implementation Strategy

The DAY-NRLM program, along with State Rural Livelihood Missions, CBOs, and NGOs as partners, is working hand in hand to bring about positive change in rural communities across the nation. These organizations are not just partners but also allies, walking alongside locals to uplift their livelihoods. Together, they aim to foster sustainable livelihood models in areas targeted by MKSP. Through this collaboration, they aspire to empower individuals within these communities, nurturing a group of grassroots professionals who understand the pulse of their people. With the support of State Rural Livelihood Missions and the wider community, these models will not only thrive but also spread to benefit more lives.