Assessment of agricultural assistance for smallholder farmers with their issues and concerns

Abstract

Globally, smallholder farmers only have less than 2 hectares of land but they are crucial to food security. The problem is, they always remain poor. Using focus group discussion (FGD), the study investigated issues and concerns. Results showed that the farmers have received a number of various kinds of assistance from the government which provided them with benefits however they also have sentiments about some matters. The study found out that they are highly incapable in addressing many issues surrounding them. Improving their agricultural productivity and household-level income are the main factors to reducing poverty.

Training need Assessment and Knowledge of Village Agricultural Assistants of NTR District of Andhra Pradesh

“…Earlier this year the government has recruited 5,700 Agriculture Assistants, 4,500 Horticulture Assistants and about 1000 Veterinary and Sericulture Assistants having qualification of diploma and above in the respective areas. All the assistants working under RBKs must report to Agriculture Officer at Mandal level and Panchayat secretary at village level [6,7]. RBKs have partnered with Andhra Pradesh State Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited for supply and management of inputs and farm machinery to RBKs [8,9].…”