The government of Madhya Pradesh (MP) will hire 3,000 field workers, and set up 'Krishak Pathshalas' (Farmers' Schools) and 6,000 community service centres (CSCs) to educate farmers on the agriculture extension schemes.
Tata Consultancy Services will play an active role in setting up community service centres, which will provide information on farm-related activities liking tilling, pest control, etc. The state government will also enter into the process of recruiting agriculture extension officers (AEOs). The recruitment has been frozen since 1993-94 and the department of agriculture is falling short of skilled staff. The department has a plan to recruit these workers on performance basis with basic qualification criteria of 10+2. Building coalition with private sector, non-government organisations, community and formal education institution are also in the pipeline.
