Major Government Schemes for Agriculture- UPSC Indian Geography Notes

The Indian government has implemented several Government Schemes for Agriculture sector and support the welfare of farmers. Notable among these are the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN), which provides direct income support to small and marginal farmers, and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), an insurance scheme that safeguards farmers against crop yield losses. Additionally, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) aims to enhance food security through increased production and productivity in various crops, while the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) promotes holistic development by providing financial assistance for agriculture and allied sectors. These schemes collectively aim to ensure sustainable agricultural growth, alleviate farmer distress, and foster a more resilient and prosperous agricultural landscape in the country.

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Agricultural Development in India

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
It was established on July 16, 1929, and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
ICAR is the apex body responsible for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences across the country.
The council has played a pioneering role in the Green Revolution and subsequent advancements in Indian Agriculture, leading to increased food grain, horticultural crop, fish, milk, and egg production.
The mandates of ICAR include planning, undertaking, promoting, and coordinating education, research, and its application in various agricultural disciplines.
ICAR acts as a clearinghouse of research and general information related to agriculture and allied sciences, while also promoting technology transfer programs.
The council provides consultancy services in the fields of education, research, training, and information dissemination.
ICAR addresses broader rural development issues related to agriculture, including post-harvest technology, through cooperative programs with other organizations such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and universities.

Government Steps to Enhance Agricultural Inputs:

Seeds

The Indian Government has implemented an Indian Seed Programme to encourage the development of new seed varieties and protect the rights of farmers and plant breeders.
A central-sector Scheme for development and strengthening of infrastructure facilities for production and distribution of quality seeds, with the aim of making quality seeds of various crops available to farmers at affordable price, is under implementation since 2005-06.
The Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material under the National Mission for Agricultural Extension and Technology supports seed-related activities during the Twelfth Five Year Plan.

Mechanization and Technology

The government emphasizes the adoption of appropriate mechanization to increase farm productivity and production by 10-15%.
Steps have been taken to establish custom-hiring centers and high-tech machinery banks to enable small and marginal farmers to access farm mechanization.
The Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization under the Twelfth Five Year Plan focuses on custom hiring and promoting farm mechanization.

Integrated Nutrient Management

The government addresses concerns regarding fertilizer use by implementing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers.
The NBS scheme provides a fixed amount of subsidy to each grade of P&K fertilizer based on its nutrient content, encouraging sustainable fertilizer practices.
The New Investment Policy 2012 (NIP-2012) in the urea sector promotes investments to increase indigenous capacity, reduce import dependence, and save on subsidy expenses.

Irrigation

While India has made progress in irrigation infrastructure, irrigation efficiency remains low.
The central government initiated the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
(AIBP) in 1996-7 for extending assistance for the completion of incomplete irrigation schemes.
The government has initiated the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) to provide assistance for completing incomplete irrigation schemes.
In situ soil and water conservation practices are developed for rainfed farmers to improve rainwater management and productivity.
The Command Area Development Programme is integrated with the AIBP to bridge the gap between irrigation potential and utilization.

Major Schemes/Programmes for the Agricultural Sector

National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET)

During the 11th Plan, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation disseminated agricultural technology through 17 different schemes. In 2010, the Modified Extension Reforms Scheme was introduced to strengthen the extension machinery and promote synergistic interventions under these schemes through the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).
The NMAET represents the next step towards achieving these objectives by amalgamating these schemes. It comprises four sub-missions:

Agricultural Extension (SMAE),
Seed and Planting Material (SMSP),
Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM),
Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP).

While these sub-missions are proposed for administrative convenience, they are inherently interconnected at the field level, and their components must be disseminated among farmers and stakeholders through a robust extension network.
The primary goal of the NMAET is to restructure and strengthen agricultural extension services to provide farmers with appropriate technology and improved agronomic practices.
This objective will be achieved through a combination of extensive physical outreach, interactive information dissemination methods, the use of information and communication technology (ICT), the promotion of modern technologies, capacity building, and institution strengthening.
The mission also aims to facilitate mechanization, ensure the availability of quality seeds, promote plant protection measures, and encourage the formation of Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through farmer aggregation.

National Food Security Mission

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched by the government in 2007-08 with the objective of increasing the production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
The specific targets were to enhance rice production by 10 million tonnes, wheat production by 8 million tonnes, and pulses production by 2 million tonnes.
In 2012-13, a Special Plan was implemented to achieve a pulses production of over 19 million tonnes during the Kharif season.
The mission aimed to expand the cultivated area, improve productivity, restore soil fertility, generate employment opportunities, and enhance the farm-level economy. It aimed to instill confidence among farmers in targeted districts.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched in 2007-08 to incentivize states to increase public investment in agriculture.
It allows states the flexibility to select and implement projects based on national priorities.
The scheme takes into account local requirements, geographical and climatic conditions, available natural resources, technology, and cropping patterns.
The primary goal of RKVY is to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and maximize returns for farmers in agriculture and its allied sectors.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) operates under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to address the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural production and productivity.
NMSA aims to transform Indian agriculture into a climate-resilient system by implementing suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in crop and animal husbandry domains.
The program focuses on promoting location-specific integrated farming systems, resource conservation technologies, comprehensive soil health management, efficient on-farm water management, and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.

NMSA identifies ten key dimensions

seed and culture water, pests, nutrients, farming practices, credit, insurance, market, information, and livelihood diversification.
These dimensions promote suitable agricultural practices that encompass both adaptation and mitigation measures.
The program operates through four functional areas: research and development, technologies, products and practices, infrastructure, and capacity building.
During the Twelfth Five Year Plan, these dimensions were integrated into the missions, programs, and schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture, including NMSA.
This integration involved restructuring various schemes and missions implemented during the Eleventh Five Year Plan and convergence with other related programs of the central and state governments.

Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)

Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) was initiated in 2010-11 to overcome the constraints that limit the productivity of rice-based cropping systems in eastern India.
The program covers seven states, namely Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. BGREI operates as a subscheme of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVYJ).
Several strategies have been implemented to maximize crop productivity and production in the region:

In situ water harvesting and conservation: Cultural practices such as bed furrow in deep black cotton uplands and flat sowing and ridging in red soils are adopted to conserve water.
Soil salinity reclamation: Gypsum application, along with micronutrients like zinc, iron, and sulfur, is used in oilseed crops to address soil salinity issues.
Reclamation of acidic soils: Lime, paper mill sludge, organic manures, and green manures are employed to improve the physical condition of acidic soils.
Integrated Nutrient Management: Balanced use of fertilizers, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers is promoted to ensure effective nutrient management.
Soil and water conservation practices: Techniques such as summer plowing, broad bed furrow, compartmental bunding, pre-monsoon sowing, and rainwater harvesting (farm ponds) are adopted to prevent soil erosion and recycle runoff.
Enhancement of irrigation water use efficiency: Micro-irrigation systems like sprinklers and drip irrigation are utilized to improve water efficiency in irrigation.
Promotion of high-value crops: Apart from hybrid rice, crops like sweet sorghum, maize, pulses, and oilseeds are encouraged in the region to diversify agricultural production.

Outcome: As a result of the program, the eastern region, previously known as a food deficit area, has transformed into a food surplus region. Rice production in the region has increased by 19.8% to an estimated 562.6 lakh tons compared to the previous year, surpassing the national increase of 7%. Food grain production is estimated at 1032 tons, marking an 11.9% increase compared to the national increase of 2.2%.

Integrated Scheme Of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize (ISOPOM):

The Integrated Scheme Of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize (ISOPOM) is aimed at increasing the production of vegetable oils derived from oilseeds, oil palm, and TBOs (Tree Borne Oilseeds).
The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) targets an increase in production from an average of 7.06 million tonnes (2007-08 to 2011-12) to 9.51 million tonnes by the end of the Twelfth Plan (2016-17).
The mission will be executed through three Mini Missions with specific objectives:

MM I on Oilseeds: Achieve a production of 35.51 million tonnes and a productivity of 1328 kg/ha of oilseeds, compared to the average production of 28.93 million tonnes and productivity of 1081 kg/ha during the 11th Plan period.
MM II on Oil Palm: Expand the cultivation of oil palm by an additional 1.25 lakh hectares through area expansion approaches in states, including the utilization of wastelands. The aim is to increase the productivity of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) from 4927 kg per hectare to 15000 kg per hectare.
MM III on TBOs: Enhance the collection of seeds from Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) from 9 lakh tonnes to 14 lakh tonnes, and augment elite planting materials for area expansion on wasteland.

To implement the mission effectively, the following strategies will be adopted:

Increasing the Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR) with a focus on Varietal Replacement.
Expanding irrigation coverage for oilseeds from 26% to 36%.
Diversifying areas by shifting from low-yielding cereal crops to oilseed crops and encouraging intercropping of oilseeds with cereals, pulses, and sugarcane.
Utilizing fallow land after paddy or potato cultivation.
Expanding the cultivation of oil palm and tree-borne oilseeds in watersheds and wastelands.
Enhancing the availability of quality planting material and improving the procurement of oilseeds.
Facilitating the processing of tree-borne oilseeds.
Inter-cropping during the gestation period of oil palm and tree-borne oilseeds will provide economic returns to farmers when there is no primary crop production.
The scheme will be implemented in a mission mode with active involvement from all stakeholders. The costs will be shared between the central government and the states in a ratio of 75:25.

Others schemes

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY):

Launched Year: 2015
Aims to increase farm output and ensure efficient use of water resources in the agricultural sector.
Focuses on providing assured irrigation to every farm field and promoting micro-irrigation techniques for higher water-use efficiency.
Emphasizes the convergence of resources and departments for holistic water management and irrigation infrastructure development.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):

Launched Year: 2015
Encourages organic agricultural practices by promoting the use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers, and traditional seeds.
Implements a cluster-based approach for better implementation, monitoring, and resource management of organic farming.
Provides financial assistance for adopting organic agricultural practices and supports farmers in obtaining organic certification.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Launched Year: 2016
A crop insurance-related scheme that provides financial assistance and risk reduction to farmers in case of crop loss or damage.
Covers a wide range of risks, including natural disasters, pests, and diseases, throughout the crop cycle.
Utilizes technology for data collection, premium computation, enrollment, and claim settlement to ensure efficient implementation.

Gramin Bhandaran Yojana

Launched Year: 2001
Provides financial assistance for the construction of storage infrastructure such as godowns (warehouses) and cold storage.
Aims to reduce post-harvest losses and distress selling of agricultural produce by addressing the shortage of storage facilities in rural areas.
Helps farmers store crops safely and prevent spoilage, leading to better post-harvest management.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)

Launched Year: 2019
A pension scheme that provides social security to small and marginal farmers between the ages of 18-40.
Ensures a continuous source of income for farmers even after they retire from agricultural work.
Offers a minimum monthly income of INR 3,000 to eligible farmers after the age of 60.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

Launched Year: 2019
Provides income support to small and marginal farmers by transferring INR 6000 annually to their bank accounts.
Enables farmers to take care of their farming expenses, reduce dependency on informal credits, and alleviate poverty.
Ensures financial stability and constant income support to farmers.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Launched Year: 1998
Provides credit facilities to farmers for their agriculture-related expenses such as seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
Offers lower interest rates compared to other forms of credit available to farmers.
Simplifies the process and documentation required for obtaining credit and provides customized funding options.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

launched year : 2014-15
Promotes sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture, precision farming, and agroforestry.
Emphasizes soil health management, organic farming, and balanced nutrient management.
Supports the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties and encourages water conservation and efficient irrigation practices.

FAQS

Q. What are some of the government schemes available for poultry farming in India?

Ans. Some notable government schemes for poultry farming in India include the National Livestock Mission (NLM), the Poultry Venture Capital Fund (PVCF), and the Integrated Sample Survey Scheme (ISSS) for monitoring the performance of the poultry sector.

Q. Where can one find information about government schemes for poultry farming?

Ans. Information about government schemes for poultry farming can be accessed through the official website of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries, as well as through various state-level agricultural department websites.

Q. What are the key government schemes promoting organic farming in India?

Ans. Some significant government schemes promoting organic farming in India include the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Q. How can farmers avail themselves of the benefits of government schemes for organic farming?

Ans. Farmers can avail themselves of the benefits of government schemes for organic farming by contacting their respective state agricultural departments, which often provide information and assistance related to scheme application and implementation.

Q. What are some central government subsidy schemes available for agriculture machinery in India?

Ans. Notable central government subsidy schemes for agriculture machinery include the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), the Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Plan (AMPP), and the Custom Hiring Centres (CHC) Scheme.

Q. How can farmers apply for subsidies on agriculture machinery provided by the central government?

Ans. Farmers can apply for subsidies on agriculture machinery by visiting the official website of the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare and accessing the relevant information and application procedures provided for specific subsidy schemes.

Q. What are some government schemes available to support agricultural startups in India?

Ans. Noteworthy government schemes for agricultural startups in India include the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), and the NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) support for agricultural startups.

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