- The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was one of the eight missions initiated by the Prime Minister under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC).
- Alterations in agricultural practices significantly contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
- The objective of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is to enhance agricultural productivity, especially in rainfed areas, by prioritizing integrated farming, optimizing water utilization, enhancing soil health management, and coordinating conservation efforts.
NMSA – OBJECTIVES
- Promoting location-specific Integrated/Composite Farming Systems to enhance agriculture’s productivity, sustainability, profitability, and resilience to climate change.
- Implementing measures to conserve natural resources, particularly soil and moisture, to safeguard agricultural ecosystems.
- Adopting comprehensive soil health management strategies, including soil fertility mapping, precise application of macro and micronutrients based on soil testing, and judicious use of fertilizers.
- Scaling up initiatives to achieve “more crop per drop” by maximizing water resource utilization.
- Enhancing the capacity of farmers and stakeholders in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, aligning with existing initiatives such as the National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology, National Food Security Mission, and National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).
- Facilitating effective inter- and intra-departmental/ministerial coordination to achieve key objectives of the National Mission for Rainfed Agriculture.
- Piloting models in selected blocks to improve rainfed farming productivity by mainstreaming NICRA-developed rainfed technologies and leveraging resources from schemes/missions like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), RKVY, etc. (NAPCC).
COMPONENTS OF NMSA
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) comprises four primary program components or activities:
Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
- RAD adopts an area-based approach to promote natural resource conservation and enhance agricultural practices.
- It utilizes a “watershed plus framework” to leverage the natural resource base and assets generated or available from watershed development and soil conservation activities under schemes like MGNREGS, NWDPRA, RVP&FPR, RKVY, IWMP, etc.
- This component integrates various agricultural aspects such as horticulture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, crops, and agro-based income-generating activities, emphasizing appropriate farming systems.
- It encourages crop selection suitable for local agro-climatic conditions, farmland development, resource conservation, and nutrient management based on soil test/health cards.
On-Farm Water Management (OFWM)
- OFWM promotes the adoption of effective on-farm water management technologies and practices to enhance water use efficiency.
- It focuses on improving application efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and management, in conjunction with the RAD component.
- Activities include the adoption of water-saving technologies, efficient supply and distribution systems, and effective management of common resources through water users associations and other organizations.
Soil Health Management (SHM)
- SHM aims to promote sustainable soil health management through the development and integration of soil fertility maps, macro-micro nutrient management, appropriate land use planning, judicious fertilizer application, and soil erosion/degradation mitigation.
- It supports the adoption of best practice packages tailored to soil and land use characteristics, identified through comprehensive field-level surveys and GIS.
- This component also facilitates the reclamation of problematic soils such as acid, alkaline, and saline soils through collaborative efforts involving State Governments, the National Center of Organic Farming (NCOF), the Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Training Institute (CFQC&TI), and the Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI).
Capacity Building and Technology Transfer (CBTT)
- CBTT focuses on enhancing the capacity of farmers and stakeholders in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices and technologies.
- It facilitates the transfer of relevant knowledge, skills, and technologies through training programs, demonstrations, workshops, and extension services.
- Additionally, CBTT promotes the dissemination of climate-smart agricultural practices and innovations to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture.
NMSA – Regulations for Successful Implementation
To streamline the regulatory framework for effective implementation, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has established guidelines pertaining to:
- Harvesting
- Transit of Agroforestry Species
Implementation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014, aimed at promoting state-level agroforestry practices
- Furthermore, the financial allocation and utilization for the program will adhere to the regulatory framework outlined by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
NMSA – Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Scheme
- Under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) program has been operational since 2016–17.
- This initiative was prompted by the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy of 2014, which advocates for increased plantation on agricultural lands.
Aim: The Sub-Mission on Agroforestry within SMAF aims to augment tree cover in agricultural fields to complement traditional crop cultivation. Key objectives of SMAF include:
- Achieving measurable benefits such as enhanced forest cover leading to greater carbon sequestration
- Enhancing organic matter content in soil
- Facilitating access to high-quality planting materials
- Improving livelihoods
- Enhancing crop and cropping system productivity
- Establishing an effective information system to support agroforestry initiatives.
FAQs – National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
1. What is the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
A: The NMSA is a significant initiative launched by the Prime Minister as part of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC). It aims to enhance agricultural productivity, especially in rainfed regions, by adopting sustainable farming practices.
2. What are the main objectives of the NMSA?
A: The primary objectives of the NMSA include promoting integrated farming systems, conserving natural resources, adopting soil health management strategies, maximizing water use efficiency, capacity building for climate resilience, and inter-departmental coordination for rainfed agriculture.
3. What are the key components of the NMSA?
A: The NMSA comprises four major program components: Rainfed Area Development (RAD), On-Farm Water Management (OFWM), Soil Health Management (SHM), and Capacity Building and Technology Transfer (CBTT).
4. How does the NMSA facilitate the adoption of sustainable farming practices?
A: The NMSA encourages the adoption of location-specific integrated farming systems, promotes efficient water management, implements soil health management strategies, and facilitates technology transfer and capacity building among farmers and stakeholders.
5. What regulatory measures are in place for the successful implementation of the NMSA?
A: The Ministry of Environment and Forests has established guidelines for harvesting, transit of agroforestry species, and the implementation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014. Additionally, financial allocation and utilization adhere to the regulatory framework outlined by CAMPA.
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