Empowering India’s Women Farmers with Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
• What are the Objectives of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)?
• What are the Key Benefits of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)?
• Eligibility Criteria for Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
• Documents Required for Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
• Role of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana in Empowering Women Farmers

Introduction to Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

Mahila Kisan Sashakti Karan Pariyojana (MKSP) was launched in 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development for improving the status of women involved in agricultural activities and facilitating opportunities for their empowerment. Being a sub-component of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), this scheme targets women belonging to the agriculture and allied sectors. Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) was included in 2012 to improve the income of tribal NTFP collectors.

MKSP allowed the formation of Producers’ Groups (PGs) to carry out primary-level aggregation and value addition activities in villages. PGs can be considered small-sized unregistered entities involved in localized marketing activities as per the local supply and demand conditions. The key themes of MKSP are sustainable agriculture, livestock, and NTFP. At the launch, this scheme was allocated a budget of Rs. 100 crores. MKSP is a demand-driven programme, so there is no state-wise budget allocation for each year.

What are the Objectives of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)?

The main objective of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana is to make systematic investments to increase the productivity and role of women in agriculture. Under this scheme, agriculture-based livelihoods are created and sustained for rural women. It aims for women to have more control over the inputs and services offered by the government and related agencies.

• Increase the productive participation of Indian women involved in agricultural activities.
• Improving their skills and capabilities for supporting farm and non-farm-based activities.
• Creation of sustainable agricultural livelihood opportunities for them.
• Ensuring food and nutrition security at both household and community levels.
• Improved access to production resources offered by the government and other institutions.
• Manage bio-diversity better by enhancing their managerial capacities.
• Use a convergence framework to allow easy access to the resources of other schemes and institutions.

What are the Key Benefits of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)?

The main benefits of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) include financial assistance, training & capacity building, and access to credit.

• MKSP offers financial support to women in agriculture to carry out a variety of farm activities, like procuring equipment, seeds, and other inputs. It not only improves their productivity but also their income.
• It helps women in agriculture to improve their knowledge and skills with regard to modern agriculture through different training and capacity-building programs.
• With the help of different financial institutions, the scheme ensures easy access to credit to promote financial inclusion and reduce reliance on moneylenders.

Eligibility Criteria for Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

The eligibility criteria for MKSP can differ in various states, as it is a central scheme implemented through different agencies at the state level. Some common criteria for MKSP are:

• The scheme can only be availed by women who hold ownership or operate agricultural land. The landholding size is not considered for MKSP.
• Generally, there is no age restriction for this scheme, and all age groups are eligible for application.
• Also, there is no income criterion for MKSP, and the focus is on women farmers who are economically weak.
• Women farmers can be required to get registered with the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation before applying for the scheme.
• Women farmers can collectively apply for MKSP by forming groups.

Government employees cannot apply for MKSP in Gujarat. If a student is availing benefits under MKSP, they cannot receive benefits from other schemes with similar purposes.

Documents Required for Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

The following is the list of required documents to avail of the benefits of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP):

• Proof of identity & residency: Aadhaar Card
• Proof of ownership & lease: Relevant land documents
• Bank account details
• Cast certificate: If applicable, for women farmers belonging to marginalized groups, like SC, ST, and Other Backward Classes.
• Income certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-sized photograph
• Registration certificate from the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

Role of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana in Empowering Women Farmers

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) plays an important role in empowering women farmers by offering easy access to resources, credit, and skill and capacity building. One of the success stories of Smt. Antiparthy Yerramma, belonging to Kantepuram, Andhra Pradesh. She works on an MKSP-NTFP project based in Visakhapatnam along with 2500+ Mahila Kisans. She adopted Paddy cultivation in System of Root Intensification promoted by a PIA under the MKSP, due to which her harvests increased from 20 quintals of paddy to 36 quintals. Another initiative is PRADAN- TASAR working with the Central Silk Board (CSB) of Chhattisgarh for Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP). It has collaborated with 4505 mahila kisans with a total project cost allocation of Rs. 8.02 crores.

MKSP has increased the contribution of women farmers and collective interest groups in Indian agriculture. It has boosted women-led enterprises to increase their income and support the overall economy. This scheme has resulted in adopting sustainable practices that ensure improved soil health, lower input costs, and higher yields. MKSP also ensures food and nutrition security within households and communities. Along with financial inclusion, land rights, and continued investment, MKSP has huge potential to improve the livelihoods of women in agriculture.