The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): In a major push to enhance the welfare of farmers, the Government of India has implemented a series of schemes and programs aimed at increasing agricultural production, ensuring remunerative returns, and providing income support to farmers. The initiatives include the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), which focuses on increasing the production of rice, wheat, and pulses, alongside restoring soil fertility and boosting farm-level economy.
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) seeks to make farming a more profitable venture, emphasizing pre and post-harvest infrastructure and risk mitigation. This broad-based scheme encompasses various sub-components like Per Drop More Crop, Agriculture Mechanization, Soil Health, and others. Another significant program is the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), launched to enhance oil palm cultivation, particularly in North-Eastern States and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with a target of expanding plantation area over the next five years.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) scheme provides direct financial assistance to farmer families, transferring Rs. 6000 annually in three installments, benefiting over 11 crore farmers to date. Complementing this, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offers affordable crop insurance against natural risks, covering a vast number of farmers.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) addresses the needs of small and marginal farmers through a pension scheme, with substantial enrollments already achieved. Further, the agricultural sector’s institutional credit has seen a significant increase, with a targeted reach of Rs. 20 lakh crore by 2023-24. Concessional institutional credit has been extended to animal husbandry and fisheries farmers as well.
Agricultural mechanization has received considerable attention, with an allocation of Rs.6405.55 crore since 2014, greatly aiding farmers with subsidized machinery. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) focuses on post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets, while the formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) aims to improve marketing opportunities and sustainable market linkages.
The innovative “Namo Drone Didi” scheme provides drones to Women Self Help Groups for agricultural purposes, and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) furthers agricultural technology and practices among farmers.
Reflecting these efforts, the Gross Value Added (GVA) of Agriculture and Allied Sector has grown at 4.4 percent annually over the past seven years. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) reports a significant increase in the average monthly income of agricultural households, from Rs. 6426 in 2012-13 to Rs. 10218 in 2018-19.
The government’s approach to minimum support prices (MSPs) for crops, guided by the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) and other stakeholders, aligns with the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) recommendations. Since 2018-19, MSPs have been set to ensure at least a 50 percent return over the cost of production.
Increased procurement of food grains has also been a highlight, benefiting a vast number of farmers and reflecting a substantial increase in expenditure. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda, detailed these developments in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.