Published Paper Details:

Andhra Pradesh being the second largest sericulture producer in the country. it is fostering towards obtaining first place in case of mulberry extension and cocoon production by implementing various necessary steps in sericulture farming sector. The Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), or Farmer Assurance Centres, are established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to serve as comprehensive resource hubs for farmers at the Panchayat level. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and improve the quality of services available to the farming community, thereby facilitating smoother agricultural practices, reducing production costs, increasing yields, and ultimately boosting farmers' incomes. These centres provide a variety of services, including e-crop booking for crop insurance, timely delivery of agricultural inputs within 24-48 hours via kiosks, custom hiring of machinery, establishment of Agri-Input shops, Farmer Knowledge Centres, technical advisory teams, the YSR Rythu Bharosa program, Polambadi (Farmer Field Schools), CCRC cards, and D-krishi (seed distribution). This decentralization of agricultural services aims to bring support closer to farmers throughout Andhra Pradesh. It also helps the sericulture farmers to avail all the services offered sequentially with other crops. It provides scope for wider extension in sericulture sector. While it's still early to evaluate the quality of services offered for sericulture extension by RBKs and their impact on the farming community, this paper outlines potential opportunities, concerns, and recommendations to enhance the initiative's effectiveness in the future.