Schemes under Ministry of Agriculture

1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Benefits and Eligibility conditions
4. Exclusion Categories
5. Details required from the beneficiary
6. Similar programmes by state governments:
7. Criticism
8. Conclusion

Introduction

The Government with a view to augment the income of the farm families is implementing a Central Sector Scheme, namely,”Pradhan Mantri KIsan SAmman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)“. The Scheme is in effect from 01.12.2018.

Objective

• With a view to provide income support to all land holding eligible farmer families, the Government has launched PM-KISAN.
• The scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of the farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income.

Benefits and Eligibility conditions

• All land holding eligible farmer families (subject to the prevalent exclusion criteria) are to avail of the benefits under this scheme, as per the recent cabinet decision taken during May 2019.
• The revised Scheme is expected to cover around 2 crore more farmers, increasing the coverage of PM-KISAN to around 14.5 crore beneficiaries, with an estimated expenditure by Central Government of Rs. 87,217.50 crores for year 2019-20.
• Earlier, under the scheme, financial benefit has been provided to all Small and Marginal landholder farmer families with total cultivable holding up to 2 hectares with a benefit of Rs.6000 per annum per family payable in three equal installments, every four months.

Exclusion Categories

The following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible for benefit under the scheme:

• All Institutional Landholders.
• Farmer families in which one or more of its members belong to the following categories
• Former and present holders of constitutional posts
• Former and present Ministers/ State Ministers and former/present Members of LokSabha/ RajyaSabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/ State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
• All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries /Offices/Departments and its field units Central or State PSEs and Attached offices /Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff /Class IV/Group D employees)
• All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs.10,000/-or more (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees) of above category
• All Persons who paid Income Tax in last assessment year
• Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking practices.

Details required from the beneficiary 

• The States shall prepare database of eligible beneficiary landholder farmer families in the villages capturing the Name, Age, Gender, Category(SC/ST), Aadhaar Number (in case Aadhaar Number has not been issued then Aadhaar Enrollment Number together with any other prescribed documents for purposes of the identification such as Driving Licence, Voters’ ID Card, NREGA Job Card, or any other identification documents issued by Central/State/UT Governments or their authorities,etc.), Bank Account Number and the Mobile Number of the beneficiaries.
• In case of beneficiaries in States of Assam, Meghalaya, J&K where Aadhaar number has not been issued to most of the citizens, Aadhaar number shall be collected for those beneficiaries where it is available and for others alternate prescribed documents can be collected for identity verification purposes.
• Responsibility of identifying the landholder farmer family eligible for benefit under the scheme shall be of the State/UT Government.

Similar programmes by state governments:

• Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in Madhya Pradesh was sought to provide relief to farmers by providing the differential between MSPs and market prices.
• The Rythu Bandhu scheme of the Telangana government provides ₹4,000 per acre for every season to all the farmers of the state. Similar initiatives have also be framed in Jharkhand and Odisha.
• In December 2018, Odisha launched the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income augmentation (KALIA). KALIA is more complicated in design and implementation. It commits to give Rs 5,000 per SMF, twice a year, that is Rs 10,000 a year.

Criticism

• PM-KISAN is not reaching all farmer households as intended. Most of the farmers in UP, Haryana and Rajasthan own land and should be receiving benefits.
• But only 21 per cent of the cultivators interviewed reported receiving the benefit. The exclusion is greater in UP than in Haryana and Rajasthan.
• this scheme is not pro-poor since recipients of PM-KISAN seemed to be better off than the general rural population even before the lockdown.
• Given this uncertainty over the reach of PM-KISAN and its targeting, the relevance of the scheme needs to be carefully evaluated during this period.
• PM-KISAN is not reaching all farmer households.
• In a survey, the proportion of households that had to borrow to meet their day-to-day consumption needs during the lockdown was relatively low for the farmers (34 per cent) compared to casual wage workers and business households.
• While 7 per cent of farm households suffered from occasional unavailability of food during the lockdown, this figure was much higher for casual workers (24 per cent) and business households (14 per cent).
• On the whole, when compared to non-recipients of PM-KISAN (including both farm and non-farm households), these households exhibited lower signs of economic distress.
• About 35 per cent of rural PM-KISAN recipients suffered income losses to a large extent in comparison to more than half of the non-recipients.
• A little more than a third of PM-KISAN recipients borrowed money during this period as against 48 per cent of non-recipients.
• However, these households were somewhat better off than the general rural population even before receiving PM-KISAN benefits.
• Thus, their relative immunity to the income shock may not be solely due to PM-KISAN.
• Due to the volatile market and price fluctuations in different regions, it is important to index the cash transfers to local inflation.
• Also, the failure of Direct Benefit Transfer in kerosene in Rajasthan is a case in point, where the cash transferred to families has been insufficient to purchase kerosene, as the market price increased substantially.
• The scheme does not provide a clear design of transfers and a framework for effective grievance redress.

Conclusion:

PM-KISAN is an ambitious scheme that has the potential to deliver significant welfare outcomes. However, the current top-down, rushed approach of the government ignores governance constraints and is therefore likely to result in failure. An alternative bottom-up strategy and well- planned implementation mechanism would allow weaknesses to be identified and rectified at the local level. The most effective modalities can then are scaled nationally and ensure success.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Highlights of the scheme
4. Farmers to be covered
5. Risks covered under the scheme
6. Unit of Insurance
7. Criticism

Introduction

1. The new Crop Insurance Scheme is in line with One Nation – One Scheme theme.
2. It incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings/weaknesses have been removed.
3. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will replace the existing two schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme as well as the Modified NAIS.

Objectives

• To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
• To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.
• To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
• To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.

Highlights of the scheme

• There will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities.
• There is no upper limit on Government subsidy. Even if balance premium is 90%, it will be borne by the Government.
• Earlier, there was a provision of capping the premium rate which resulted in low claims being paid to farmers. This capping was done to limit Government outgo on the premium subsidy. This capping has now been removed and farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.
• The use of technology will be encouraged to a great extent. Smart phones will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments.
• PMFBY is a replacement scheme of NAIS / MNAIS, there will be exemption from Service Tax liability of all the services involved in the implementation of the scheme. It is estimated that the new scheme will ensure about 75-80 per cent of subsidy for the farmers in insurance premium.

Farmers to be covered

• All farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season who have insurable interest in the crop are eligible.
• To address the demand of farmers, the scheme has been made voluntary for all farmers from Kharif 2020.
• Earlier to Kharif 2020, the enrollment under the scheme was compulsory for following categories of farmers: Farmers in the notified area who possess a Crop Loan account/KCC account (called as Loanee Farmers) to whom credit limit is sanctioned/renewed for the notified crop during the crop season. and Such other farmers whom the Government may decide to include from time to time.

Voluntary coverage

Voluntary coverage may be obtained by all farmers not covered above, including Crop KCC/Crop Loan Account holders whose credit limit is not renewed.

Risks covered under the scheme

• Yield Losses (standing crops, on notified area basis). Comprehensive risk insurance is provided to cover yield losses due to non-preventable risks, such as Natural Fire and Lightning, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado. Risks due to Flood, Inundation and Landslide, Drought, Dry spells, Pests/ Diseases also will be covered.
• In cases where majority of the insured farmers of a notified area, having intent to sow/plant and incurred expenditure for the purpose, are prevented from sowing/planting the insured crop due to adverse weather conditions, shall be eligible for indemnity claims upto a maximum of 25 per cent of the sum-insured.
• In post-harvest losses, coverage will be available up to a maximum period of 14 days from harvesting for those crops which are kept in “cut & spread” condition to dry in the field.
• For certain localized problems, Loss / damage resulting from occurrence of identified localized risks like hailstorm, landslide, and Inundation affecting isolated farms in the notified area would also be covered.

Unit of Insurance

• The Scheme shall be implemented on an ‘Area Approach basis’ i., Defined Areas for each notified crop for widespread calamities with the assumption that all the insured farmers, in a Unit of Insurance, to be defined as “Notified Area‟ for a crop, face similar risk exposures, incur to a large extent, identical cost of production per hectare, earn comparable farm income per hectare, and experience similar extent of crop loss due to the operation of an insured peril, in the notified area.
• Defined Area (i.e., unit area of insurance) is Village/Village Panchayat level by whatsoever name these areas may be called for major crops and for other crops it may be a unit of size above the level of Village/Village Panchayat. In due course of time, the Unit of Insurance can be a Geo-Fenced/Geo-mapped region having homogenous Risk Profile for the notified crop.
• For Risks of Localised calamities and Post-Harvest losses on account of defined peril, the Unit of Insurance for loss assessment shall be the affected insured field of the individual farmer.

Criticism

• Insufficient reach and the issue of penetration.
• Data constraints: With just around 45% of the claims made by farmers over the last three crop seasons data for the last rabi season is not available paid by the insurance companies.
• Low payout of claims: The reason for the very low payout of claims is that only few state governments are paying their share of the premiums on time and till they do, the central government doesn’t pay its share either. Till they get the premium, insurance companies simply sit on the claims.
• Gaps in assessment of crop loss: There is hardly any use of modern technology in assessing crop damages. There is lack of trained outsourced agencies, scope of corruption during implementation and the non-utilisation of technologies like smart phones and drones to improve reliability of such sampling

Less number of notified crops than can avail insurance, Inadequate and delayed claim payment.

• High actuarial premium rates: Insurance companies charged high actuarial premium rates. If states delay notifications, or payment of premiums, or crop cutting data, companies cannot pay compensation to the farmers in time.
• Poor capacity to deliver: There has been no concerted effort by the state government and insurance companies to build awareness of farmers on PMFBY. Insurance companies have failed to set-up infrastructure for proper Implementation of PMFBY. PMBY is not beneficial for farmers in vulnerable regions as factors like low indemnity levels, low threshold yields, low sum insured and default on loans make it a poor scheme to safeguard against extreme weather events.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Programme implementation
4. Programme Components
5. Related Resources
6. Key components
7. Criticism

Introduction

• Out of about 141 m.Ha of net area sown in the country, about 65 million hectare (or 45%) is presently covered under irrigation.
• Substantial dependency on rainfall makes cultivation in unirrigated areas a high risk, less productive profession.
• Empirical evidences suggest that assured or protective irrigation encourages farmers to invest more in farming technology and inputs leading to productivity enhancement and increased farm income.
• The overreaching vision of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is to ensure access to some means of protective irrigation to all agricultural farms in the country, to produce ‘per drop more crop’, thus bringing much desired rural prosperity.

The broad objectives of PMKSY

• Achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level (preparation of district level and, if required, sub district level water use plans).
• Enhance the physical access of water on the farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani).
• Integration of water source, distribution and its efficient use, to make best use of water through appropriate technologies and practices.
• Improve on – farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage and increase availability both in duration and extent.
• Enhance the adoption of precision – irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop).
• Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices.
• Ensure the integrated development of rainfed areas using the watershed approach towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of ground water, arresting runoff, providing livelihood options and other NRM activities.
• Promote extension activities relating to water harvesting, water management and crop alignment for farmers and grass root level field functionaries.
• Explore the feasibility of reusing treated municipal waste water for peri – urban agriculture.

• Attract greater private investments in irrigation.

Programme implementation

1. Krishi Sinchayee Yojana with an outlay of Rs.50,000 crores for a period of 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20) is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level.
2. PMKSY has been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes viz.
3. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation;
4. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources; and
5. On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.
6. PMKSY is to be implemented in an area development approach, adopting decentralized state level planning and projectised execution, allowing the states to draw their irrigation development plans based on district/blocks plans with a horizon of 5 to 7 years.
7. States can take up projects based on the District/State Irrigation Plan.
8. All the States and Union Territories including North Eastern States are covered under the programme.
9. The National Steering Committee (NSC) of PMKSY under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister, will provide policy direction to programme framework and a National Executive Committee (NEC) under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog will oversee the programme implementation at national level.
10. Provision has been made under PMKSY during 2015-16 for carrying out extension activities in the field with special focus on water harvesting, water management and crop alignment for farmers and grass root level field functionaries.

Programme Components

A) Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

To focus on faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation including National Projects.

B) PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani)

1. Creation of new water sources through Minor Irrigation (both surface and ground water)
2. Repair, restoration and renovation of water bodies; strengthening carrying capacity of traditional water sources, construction rain water harvesting structures (Jal Sanchay);
3. Command area development, strengthening and creation of distribution network from source to the farm.
4. Ground water development in the areas where it is abundant, so that sink is created to store runoff/ flood water during peak rainy season.
5. Improvement in water management and distribution system for water bodies to take advantage of the available source which is not tapped to its fullest capacity (deriving benefits from low hanging fruits)
6. At least 10% of the command area to be covered under micro/precision irrigation
7. Diversion of water from source of different location where it is plenty to nearby water scarce areas, lift irrigation from water bodies/rivers at lower elevation to supplement requirements beyond IWMP and MGNREGS irrespective of irrigation command.
8. Creating and rejuvenating traditional water storage systems like Jal Mandir (Gujarat); Khatri, Kuhl (H.P.); Zabo (Nagaland); Eri, Ooranis (T.N.); Dongs (Assam); Katas, Bandhas (Odisha and M.P.) etc. at feasible locations.

C) PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop)

• Programme management, preparation of State/District Irrigation Plan, approval of annual action plan, Monitoring etc.
• Promoting efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain – guns in the farm (Jal Sinchan);
• Topping up of input cost particularly under civil construction beyond permissible limit (40%), under MGNREGS for activities like lining inlet, outlet, silt traps, distribution system etc.
• Construction of micro irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities including tube wells and dug wells (in areas where ground water is available and not under semi critical /critical /over exploited category of development) which are not supported under AIBP, PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani), PMKSY (Watershed) and MGNREGS a s per block/district irrigation plan.
• Secondary storage structures at tail end of canal system to store water when available in abundance (rainy season) or from perennial sources like streams for use during dry periods through effective on – farm water management; Water lifting devices like diesel/ electric/ solar pumpsets including water carriage pipes, underground piping system.
• Extension activities for promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures including cropping alignment to maximise use of available water including rainfall and minimise irrigation requirement (Jal sarankchan);
• Capacity building, training and awareness campaign including low cost publications, use of pico projectors and low cost films for encouraging potential use water source through technological, agronomic and management practices including community irrigation.
• The extension workers will be empowered to disseminate relevant technologies under PMKSY only after requisite training is provided to them especially in the area of promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures, improved/ innovative distribution system like pipe and box outlet system, etc. Appropriate Domain Experts will act as Master Trainers.
• Information Communication Technology (ICT) interventions through NeGP – A to be made use in the field of water use efficiency, precision irrigation technologies, on farm water management, crop alignment etc. and also to do intensive monitoring of the Scheme.

Key Components of PDMC

• Micro Irrigation (MI): Focusing on water use efficiency enhancement
• Drip Irrigation
• Sprinkler Irrigation
• Other Interventions (OI): Supplementing drought-proofing measures
• Water storage/ harvesting structures
• Secondary Storage Structure
• Ground water development and recharge
• Renovation of existing water bodies
• Water conveyance and water lifting devices

Status of PDMC

1. The coverage of MI during 2015-16 was 5.72 lakh ha against target of 5 lakh ha and in 2016-17 it has been 8.22 lakh ha again exceeding the target of 8 lakh ha
2. Due to cooperation of States and hard work of field level officers, highest ever coverage of MI has been achieved during 2016-17
3. Previous highest was 6.9 lakh ha in 2010-11
4. Under other intervention also 1akh ha protective irrigation potential has been achieved during the last 2 years.

Guidelines Revised for MI (Micro irrigation)

1. District and State Irrigation  Plan of PMKSY has been considered as the basis for developing the MI action plan.
2. More focus has given for convergence and linking with the water sources created under PMKSY and other programmes.
3. Specific emphasis on registration of farmers on basis of Aadhar details.
4. More focus on  transparent and efficient process of empanelment of manufacturers with thrust on quality control and after sales service.
5. Focus on extending coverage for water guzzling crops and field crops like cereals /pulses.
6. Emphasis on water stressed and over exploited ground water areas for adoption of micro irrigation.
7. To encourage higher penetration in the areas of low coverage, higher cost norms have been prescribed for states with low penetration of MI including NE and Himalayan States. as conveyed by Ministry of Finance.
8. Subsidy pattern has been simplified – provision for only 2 categories i.e., for small & marginal categories(55%) and others(45%)
9. The cost norms which were restricted to 5 spacing has been segregated to 14 spacings

Rs. 5000 crore-Micro Irrigation Fund

1. In the Budget Speech 2017-18, dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund of Rs.5000 crore announced.
2. This corpus is to be established with NABARD.
3. States have been requested to provide feedback/suggestions for effective utilization of the fund.
4. Consultation with Ministry of Finance and NABARD are in progress to operationalize the corpus.
5. This issue has been Kept for group discussion with States

Suggestive Activities-Based on feedbacks from states

1. Use as State share
2. As top-up subsidy
3. Command area of irrigation projects in project mode
4. As part of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)
5. Any other mode of implementation

D) PMKSY (Watershed Development)

• Effective management of runoff water and improved soil & moisture conservation activities such as ridge area treatment, drainage line 5 treatment, rain water harvesting, in – situ moisture conservation and other allied activities o n watershed basis.
• Converging with MGNREGS for creation of water source to full potential in identified backward rainfed blocks including renovation of traditional water bodies

Criticism

• Delay in availability of funds to implementing agencies hampering timely execution.
• Cluster approach and convergence with source created under other components of PMKSY and MGNREGS is missing.
• Being flagship scheme, periodically reviewed by PMO, Cab sec, NITI Aayog, MoWR – Some States are not timely updating the progress on MIS.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Activities covered
4. Eligibility
5. Project cost
6. Loan period
7. Rate of interest
8. Security
9. Subsidy
10. Funding pattern
11. Infrastructure creation

Introduction

• AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR, a unique scheme to assist cooperatives play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country has been formulated by the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
• NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs.10,000 Crore in the coming years. There are about 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives. They have cumulative bed strength of more than 5,000. The NCDC fund would give a boost to provision of healthcare services by cooperatives.
• A scheme of NCDC for financial assistance to cooperatives on holistic healthcare infrastructure, education and services
• Accordingly, NCDC has introduced AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR Scheme.

Objectives

1. a) To assist provision of affordable and holistic healthcare through hospitals / healthcare / education facilities by cooperative societies,
2. b) To assist promotion of AYUSH facilities by cooperative societies,
3. c) To assist cooperative societies meet the objectives of National Health Policy,
4. d) To assist cooperative societies participate in the National Digital Health Mission,
5. e) To assist cooperative societies provide comprehensive healthcare including education, services, insurance and activities related thereto.

“National Health Policy marks a historic moment in our endeavour to create a healthy India where everyone has access to quality healthcare” Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble PM

Activities Covered Under Ayushman Sahakar

1) Infrastructure:

For creation, modernization, expansion, repairs, renovation of hospital, healthcare and education infrastructure covering-

a) All types of infrastructure for:

• Hospitals and/ or Medical/ AYUSH/ Dental/ Nursing/ Pharmacy/ Paramedical/ Physiotherapy colleges for running UG and /or PG programmes,
• Yoga Wellness Centre,
• Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy other traditional medicine healthcare centres,
• Health care services for elderly,
• Palliative care services,
• Health care services for Persons with Disabilities,
• Mental healthcare services,
• Emergency Medical Services / Trauma Centre,
• Physiotherapy centre,
• Mobile Clinic Services,
• Health Club and Gym,
• AYUSH pharmaceutical manufacturing,
• Drug testing laboratory,
• Dental care centre,
• Ophthalmic care centre,
• Laboratory services,
• Diagnostics services,
• Blood Bank / Transfusion services,
• Panchkarma/ Thokkanam/ Kshar sutra therapy centre,
• Regimental Therapy of Unani (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer) centre,
• Maternal health and Childcare services,
• Reproductive and Child Health services,
• Any other related centre or services as may be deemed fit by NCDC for

1. b) Telemedicine and remote assisted medical procedures,
2. c) Logistics health, healthcare and education,
3. d) Information and Communication Technology related to digital health,
4. e) Health insurance accredited by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).

 2) Margin money for raising working capital required for day-to-day operations in respect of those mentioned in the para1 above.

3) Working capital for day-to-day operations.

 Eligibility

• Any Cooperative Society registered under any State/ Multi State Cooperative Societies Act in the country, with suitable provision in the bye-laws to undertake services related to hospital/ healthcare/ health education, shall be eligible for the financial assistance subject to fulfilment of guidelines under the scheme.
• NCDC assistance shall be provided either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the cooperatives which fulfil NCDC Direct Funding guidelines.
• Dovetailing with other schemes or programmes of Government of India/ State Government/ Other funding Agency is permitted.

Project Cost

As per actual requirement.

Loan Period

Period of loan will be for 8 years, including 1-2 years moratorium on repayment of principal, depending on the type of project and its ability to generate revenue.

Rate of Interest

1. As per NCDC circular for interest rate as amended from time to time.
2. As an incentive, NCDC will provide 1% less than applicable rate of interest on term loan for the project activities in case of borrower cooperative society where women members are in majority for the entire tenure of the loan only if timely repayments are made.

Security

NCDC assistance is provided either through State Government or under Direct Funding.

In case of direct funding, the cooperative society may offer security for the loan in any one or combination of the following to the satisfaction of NCDC:

1. Mortgage of assets, including assets to be created under the project, to the extent of 1.5 times of NCDC loan;
2. Guarantee by State/ Central Government;
3. Pledge of FDRs of scheduled banks/ nationalized banks, to the extent of 1.2 times of NCDC loan;
4. Guarantee by Central PSUs/ Statutory bodies/ CSR Foundations of Central PSUs;
5. Guarantee from scheduled banks/ Nationalized Banks;
6. Hypothecation and assignment of Government bonds/ securities to the extent of 1.2 times of NCDC loan.

Subsidy

NCDC loan assistance is proposed to be dovetailed with subsidy/ grant/ VGF/ any other mechanism of Government of India or State Government or any other Funding Agency.

Funding Pattern

The projects would be supported with the following funding pattern:

Infrastructure Creation (Project Facilities)

Funding through State Govt.

       1) NCDC to State Govt.

• • • Loan* – 90%
    • Society’s Share – 10%
    • State Govt. to Society
    • Loan* – 50%
    • Share Capital** – 40% Society’s Share – 10%

        2) Direct Funding NCDC to Society

• • • Loan*- 70%
    • Society’s Share – 30%

1.  In case subsidy/ grant under any scheme of Government of India or State Government or any other Funding Agency are dovetailed, the loan amount may be reduced proportionately.
2.  In case share capital is not contributed by State Govt., the same (40%) shall also be passed on as loan to Society.

1. About the Scheme
2. Vision
3. Objectives
4. Scheme Components
5. Pre-requisites for eNAM
6. Beneficiaries & Benefits
7. Administrative Structure of the entire Scheme
8. Stakeholders
9. Monitoring
10. Outcome of the Scheme
11. Role and Responsibilities of APMCs / RMCsDistrict Level
12. Process Flow for Integration of eNAM with APMCs / RMCs
13. Workflow of trading in APMC / RMCs functioning after integration with eNAM
14. Roles and Responsibilities at District Level including Mandies
15. Major govt steps
16. Conclusion

About the Scheme

1. National Agriculture Market (NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal launched on 14th April, 2016 completely funded by Central Government and implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
2.  NAM portal networks the existing APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee) / Regulated Marketing Committee (RMC) market yards, sub-market yards, private markets and other unregulated markets to unify all the nationwide agricultural markets by creating a central online platform for agricultural commodity price discovery.
3. The scheme envisages deployment of a common e-market platform of 585 selected regulated wholesale agriculture market yards by March, 2018.
4. The common electronic trading portal will be called as e-NAM.

VISION

To promote uniformity in agriculture marketing by streamlining of procedures across the integrated markets, removing information asymmetry between buyers and sellers and promoting real time price discovery based on actual demand and supply.

Objectives

1. To integrate markets first at the level of the States and eventually across the country through a common online market platform, to facilitate pan – India trade in agricultural commodities;
2. To streamline marketing / transaction procedures and make them uniform across all markets to promote efficient functioning of the markets;
3. To promote better marketing opportunities for farmers / sellers through online access to more buyers / markets, removal of information asymmetry between farmer and trader, better and real-time price discovery based on actual demand and supply of agri-commodities, transparency in auction process, prices commensurate with quality of produce, online payment etc. that contribute to marketing efficiency;
4. To establish quality assaying systems for quality assurance to promote informed bidding by buyers; and
5. To promote stable prices and availability of quality produce to consumers.

Scheme Components

1. Selection of State’s / UT’s APMCs / RMCs is undertaken after mandatory reforms in their APMC / RMC Acts as prescribed in the Scheme and approval of their Detailed Project Report (DPR) by Project Appraisal Committee (PAC). Details of eligibility to avail assistance under the scheme are outlined in the scheme guidelines.
2. Provision of e-NAM software to States / UTs free of cost.
3. Financial assistance will be provided to State / UT for selected APMCs / RMCs upto a maximum of Rs.30.00 lakh per market, based on their DPR for purchase of hardware,internet connection, assaying equipment and related infrastructure to make the market ready for integration with e-NAM platform. State Government / UT / their agencies would bear balance fund requirement, if any, for making arrangement for electronic trading in proposed markets.
4. Technical Assistance: SFAC, the Lead Implementing Agency (LIA), through Strategic Partner (SP) Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.(NFCL) for implementation of e- NAM, will depute at all APMCs / RMCs free of cost one Mandi Analyst at each market, for a period of one year to provide day to day hand holding support to stakeholders for its successful implementation. eNAM portal access to private markets may be considered by the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) provided they are recommended by the competent authority of the concerned State / UT. However, in such cases they must provide for Mandi Analyst, related hardware, assaying facilities and other support services at their own cost.
5. Capacity building: Orientation of APMC / RMC line staff, awareness to farmers through Market talk, Gram Sabha, Print & Electronic media would be undertaken with support of strategic partner.

Pre-requisites for e-NAM

There are three basic criteria for a state to propose Mandis for “Plug-In” to e-NAM:

1. The state APMC Act must have a specific provision for e-auction / electronic trading as mode of price discovery.
2. There must be one single trading license to be valid across the state / UT
3. A single point levy of market fee across the State / UT.

Beneficiaries& Benefits

e-NAM is designed and implemented to benefit all the stakeholders – Farmers, Mandis, Traders, Buyers, Processers and Exporters.

The benefits to stakeholders include:

• Transparent online trading with enhanced accessibility to the market
• Real time price discovery for better & stable price realization for producer
• Reduced transaction cost for buyers
• Availability of information on e-Nam mobile app about commodity prices.
• The details of price of commodity sold along with quantity are received through SMS
• Quality certification
• More efficient supply chain & warehouse based sales
• Online payment directly to the bank accounts of the farmers.

Administrative Schematic representation

Stakeholders

Monitoring

• Monitoring by combination of periodic desk review, field visits and web-based mechanism are adopted to track the physical progress of integration of existing Mandies to e-NAM portal.
• Overall monitoring of the progress of scheme interventions in all the States and at National level by is undertaken by PAC.
• A coordinated approach for monitoring and evaluation by involving following agencies will be undertaken:

1. 1. National level – lead implementing agency (SFAC) along with DMI/NIC with the support of SP (NFCL)
   2. State level – respective department with supporting agencies (SAMB/DAM/NFCL)

 Outcome of the Scheme

1.  Single license for trading across all markets in a State
2.  Single point of market fee
3.  Electronic auction for transparent price discovery
4.  Easier norms for obtaining trading licenses
5.  Abolition of fragmented markets
6.  Seamless transfer of agricultural commodities
7.  Improved supply-chain and reduced wastage
8.  Increased price share for the farmers
9.  Warehouse based sales
10.  Quality based informed training

Role and Responsibilities of APMCs / RMCs

District Level Structure

Process Flow for Integration of e-NAM with APMCs / RMCs

Following are some of the major steps taken by the Government to strengthen the e-NAM platform to improve farmers’ income:-

• Integration of additional 415 mandis with e-NAM, taking the total number of mandis to 1000 across 18 states and 3 UTs, thus bringing more markets access to farmers to sell their agriculture produce.
• FPO trading module has been launched whereby FPOs can trade their produce from their collection center/ premise without bringing the produce to APMC.
• Warehouse based trading module is provided in e-NAM to facilitate trade from warehouses based on e-NWR.
• Further the e-NAM platform is made inter operable with Rashtriya e Market Services Private Limited (ReMS) platform of Government of Karnataka which will facilitate famers of either platforms were can sell their produce in other platform thereby increasing their market access.

GPS Based e-NAM Mandi Locator:

• Farmers / Sellers can locate their nearby e-NAM mandi using GPS based mandi locator feature through e-NAM mobile app.
• This will helps the farmers to easily locate and reach the selected mandis and sell their agri-produce.

Integration with AGMARKNET platform:

• Farmer can access the prevailing commodity prices & arrival information of e-NAM mandi as well as non e-NAM mandi on e-NAM mobile app. prior to even going to the mandi.
• e-NAM portal is available in English and 11 Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Odiya, Dogri, Malayalam and Kannada) to facilitate farmers to use e-NAM in the language of their choice.

Conclusion:

Eventually, the success of NAM will depend upon whether farmers get a higher price for their produce or not and whether this reduces price volatility—in which case, introducing a system of market-makers needs to be tried at some point in time; bringing in large retail chains will help but with the central government opposing FDI in retail, this looks tough, though it is possible the new FDI window for pure food retail may attract big food retailers. And since most state governments have a history of blocking supplies when local prices go up, it will be critical to ensure the states on the platform don’t resort to their old tricks in times of supply shortage.

1. Introduction
2. Benefits
3. Salient features of the scheme
4. Need for and Significance of the scheme
5. Eligibility

Introduction

Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan DhanYojana (PM-KMY) on 12.9.2019 with a view to provide social security to Small and Marginal Farmers in their old age when they have no means of livelihood and minimal or no savings to take care of their expenses.

Benefits

• Under this scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria, on attaining the age of 60 years. It is a voluntary and contributory pension
• The eligible farmer is required to contribute to a Pension Fund between 55 to Rs.200 per month depending on the entry age.
• The Central Government also contributes in equal amount to the Pension Fund.

Salient features of the scheme:

(Note: The list is comprehensive, but important from exam point of view).

• The scheme is voluntary and contributory for farmers in the entry age group of 18 to 40 years.
• A monthly pension of Rs. 3000/– will be provided to them on attaining the age of 60 years.
• The farmers will have to make a monthly contribution of Rs.55 to Rs.200, depending on their age of entry, in the Pension Fund till they reach the retirement date i.e. the age of 60 years.
• The Central Government will also make an equal contribution of the same amount in the pension fund.
• The spouse is also eligible to get a separate pension of Rs.3000/- upon making separate contributions to the Fund.
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension payout.
• In case of death of the farmer before retirement date, the spouse may continue in the scheme by paying the remaining contributions till the remaining age of the deceased farmer.
• If the spouse does not wish to continue, the total contribution made by the farmer along with interest will be paid to the spouse.
• If there is no spouse, then total contribution along with interest will be paid to the nominee.
• If the farmer dies after the retirement date, the spouse will receive 50% of the pension as Family Pension.
• After the death of both the farmer and the spouse, the accumulated corpus shall be credited back to the Pension Fund.
• The beneficiaries may opt voluntarily to exit the Scheme after a minimum period of 5 years of regular contributions.
• On exit, their entire contribution shall be returned by LIC with an interest equivalent to prevailing saving bank rates.
• The farmers, who are also beneficiaries of PM-Kisan Scheme, will have the option to allow their contribution debited from the benefit of that Scheme directly.
• In case of default in making regular contributions, the beneficiaries are allowed to regularize the contributions by paying the outstanding dues along with prescribed interest.

Need for and Significance of the scheme:

It is expected that at least 10 crore laborers and workers in the unorganized sector will avail the benefit of the scheme within next five years making it one of the largest pension schemes of the world.

Eligibility

1. Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF) – a farmer who owns cultivable land upto 2 hectare as per land records of the concerned State/UT.
2. Age of 18- 40 years

Farmers who are not eligible for the scheme

The following categories of farmers have been brought under the exclusion criteria.

• • SMFs covered under any other statuary social security schemes such as National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation scheme, Employees’ Fund Organization Scheme, etc.
  • Farmers who have opted for Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment
  • Farmers who have opted for Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-LVM) administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment

Further, the following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible for benefits under the scheme:

1. All Institutional Landholders; and
2. Former and present holders of constitutional posts
3. Former and present Ministers/ State Ministers and former/present Members of Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/ State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
4. All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/ State Government Ministries/ Offices/Departments and their field units, Central or State PSEs and Attached offices/ Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees)
5. All Persons who paid Income Tax in last assessment year.
6. Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking the practice.

1. Introduction
2. Aim
3. Implementation
4. Various Activities
5. Status

Introduction

Launched in 2018 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Aim:

to aid, assist and advise farmers to improve their farming techniques and increase their incomes.

Implementation:

• Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan will be undertaken in 25 Villages with more than 1000 population each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog.
• In districts where number of villages (with more than 1000 population) is less than 25, all villages will be covered.
• The overall coordination and implementation in the 25 villages of a district is being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra of that district.

Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income are being undertaken under this plan such as:

1. Distribution of Soil Health Cards to all farmers
2. 100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village
3. 100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for eradication of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) also known as sheep and goat plague
4. Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all
5. Distribution of Horticulture/Agro Forestry/Bamboo plant @ 5 per family(location appropriate)
6. Making 100 NADAP Pits in each village
7. Artificial insemination saturation
8. Demonstration programmes on Micro- irrigation
9. Demonstrations of integrated cropping practice
10. Training programmes in each of the villages by ICAR/KVKs in these areas:

• • • Bee Keeping
    • Mushroom cultivation
    • Kitchen garden (preferably of women)
    • Other relevant income generating activity

Status

• The Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan (KKA) is being implemented in 112 Aspirational districts of the country.
• So far two phases of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan have been completed in which 11.05 lakh farmers were trained by KVKs and over 5000 frontline demonstrations at farmer’s field were conducted.
• In the third phase of KKA training of about 17 lakh farmers on diversified farming practices for doubling farmers’ income is planned.
• ICAR also sensitised and mobilised the farmers for water conservation measures during Jalshakti Abhiyan through 466 melas organised by 243 KVKs in which about 3.14 lakh farmers and school children participated in the two phases of the Abhiyan.
• More than 7.1 lakh tree saplings were planted under tree plantation campaign in which public leadership took active part with the participation of 34  MPs, 50 MLAs and 2000  other VIPs and Officials.

1. About the Scheme
2. What is the Soil Health Card (SHC)?
3. Objectives
4. Significance
5. Status and performance
6. Conclusion

About the Scheme:

• Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on December 5, 2015.
• Under the scheme, village level Soil Testing Labs will be set up by youth having education in agriculture, Women Self Help Groups, FPOs etc.
• The scheme also focuses on enabling employment generation after appropriate skill development.

What is the Soil Health Card (SHC)?

• Soil Health Cards (SHC) Scheme is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings.
• Soil Health Card provides two sets of fertilizer recommendations for six crops including recommendations of organic manures.
• It will contain the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely: pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) of farm holdings.

Objectives of SHC:

• A SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his/her holding.
• Advise him / her on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments that s/he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.

Significance of SHC:

• The scheme provides for the analysis of soil composition by the State Governments once in every two years so that remedial steps can be taken to improve soil nutrients.
• While the Soil Health Management Scheme has turned out to be a blessing for the farmers, it is also creating jobs for the agrarian youth.

Status and performance

• In Phase I of the programme (2015-17), 10.74 crore cards were distributed, with another 11.45 crore being issued in Phase II (2017-19).
• The programme basically advocates judicious use of chemical fertilisers, together with organic manure and bio-fertilisers, in order to improve the health of the soil and its productivity.
• The crucial infrastructure requirement for the programme has been provided through the setting up of 429 new static soil testing labs (STL) and strengthening of 800 existing ones, apart from 102 mobile STLs, 8,752 mini-STLs and 1,562 village-level STLs.
• As a result, the total soil testing capacity has increased from 1.73 crore to 3.01 crore samples per year.
• As a follow-up to the two phases, model villages are now being developed, one in each of the country’s 6,954 blocks.
• Further, testing at individual holding level is being done, as against grid-based analyses so far, along with SHC-based demonstration of application of fertilisers and farmers’ fairs for raising awareness.
• The receptivity of farmers to the programme has led to the emergence of ‘Mitti ke Doctor’ (soil health specialists) and even women’s self-help groups that undertake soil testing at village level.
• Andhra Pradesh currently has ‘Raithu Bharosa Kendras (farmers’ trust centres)’ that offer integrated testing facilities, including of soil.
• The SHC programme has also attracted global attention. India is assisting Nepal in setting up soil-testing facilities and capacity building for integrated nutrient management and certified organic farming.
• These also figure in India’s initiatives in South-South Cooperation focusing on African countries.
• The Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985 has been amended from time to time to register new nutrient products and formulations.
• With growing demand for organic produce, the FCO is now also incorporating bio-fertilisers, organic fertilisers and non-edible de-oiled cakes, in addition to chemical fertilisers.
• The main sources of bio-fertilisers are microorganisms such nitrogen-fixing azotobacter, phosphate-solubilising bacteria and mycorrhizae fungi that promote uptake of nutrients by plants.

Conclusion:

• In a nutshell, the judicious application of fertilisers based on SHC prescription has multifold benefits in terms of improved soil health, safe food and mitigating climate change.
• Balanced use will also reflect in reduced water consumption, while at the same time protecting water bodies from run-off pollution.
• Farmer awareness about balanced fertilisation is being stepped up through the coordinated efforts of the departments of agriculture, cooperation & farmers’ welfare and fertilisers, besides the network of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
• Farmer can, thus, be enabled to fulfill the mantra of ‘Swasth Dhara, Khet Hara’.

1. Background
2. Objectives
3. States/ districts covered
4. Strategy
5. Key elements of National Bamboo Mission

Background

• Bamboo is a versatile group of plants which is capable of providing ecological, economic and livelihood security to the people.
• Till recently, it has remained confined to the forests (8% of forest cover); two third of the growing stock located in the North-Eastern States.
• Importance of the crop as a source of raw material for industrial and domestic use with its growing demand all over the country necessitated its cultivation in farm lands as well.
• With a view to harness the potential of bamboo crop, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme called Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in which National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is being implemented as a sub scheme.
• The Mission envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector by adopting area-based, regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing.
• Under the Mission, steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of existing ones.
• To address forward integration, the Mission is taking steps to strengthen marketing of bamboo products, especially those of handicraft items.

Aim of the Mission:

It aims to inter-alia supplement farm income of farmers with focus on the development of complete value chain of bamboo sector linking growers with industry.

Implementation:

The scheme is being implemented in non-forest Government land, farmers field in States where it has social, commercial and economical advantage, including the bamboo rich States of North Eastern region and Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Objectives

1. To promote the growth of the bamboo sector through as an area based regionally differentiated strategy;
2. To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with improved varieties to enhance yields;
3. To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts;
4. To establish convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the development of bamboo;
5. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge.
6. To generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths.

States/ districts covered

• The Mission will focus on development of bamboo in limited States where it has social, commercial and economical advantage, particularly in the North Eastern region and States including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• The Mission is expected to establish about 4000 treatment/ product development units and bring more than 100000 ha area under plantation during the period 2018-19 & 2019-20.

Strategy

To achieve the above objectives, the Mission would adopt the following strategies:

• Adopt a coordinated approach covering production and marketing to assure appropriate returns to growers/producers.
• Promote Research and Development (R&D) of varieties and technologies for enhanced production.
• Enhance acreage (in forest and non-forest areas) and productivity of bamboo through varietal change and improved agriculture practice.
• Promote partnership, convergence and synergy among R&D and marketing agencies in public as well as private sectors, at all levels.
• Promote where appropriate, cooperatives and self-help groups to ensure support and adequate returns to farmers.
• To generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths.
• Set up National, State and sub-State level structures, to ensure adequate returns for the produce of the farmers and eliminate middlemen, to the extent possible.

Key elements of National Bamboo Mission

1. Research and Development
2. Plantation infrastructure development
3. Production of Planting Material
4. Area expansion under Bamboo
5. Improvement of Existing Stock
6. Technology Transfer & HRD
7. Pest and disease management of bamboo
8. Creation of Water resources
9. Innovative Interventions
10. Post harvest storage and treatment facilities for bamboo
11. Establishment of marketing infrastructure

Financial Assistance:

• Financial Assistance to North Eastern States is provided in the ratio of 90:10 between Central & State Government.
• A number of consultations have been held with State Governments and Industry to invigorate the bamboo sector in the region.

Mission Structure:

The NBM will be a sub-scheme of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) under the umbrella scheme Krishonnati Yojana.

Funding Pattern:

60:40 between Centre and State Govt. for all States (excepting NE & Hilly states),

90:10 for the NE & Hilly States, and

100% for Union Territories/R&D Institutes/Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs) and National Level Agencies.

Status:

88 Bamboo Treatment Units, 464 Product Development/Processing Units, 135 Infrastructure Projects for Promotion and Development of Bamboo Markets, and an area of 15740 ha for plantation has been approved.

1. Overview of Krishonnati Yojana
2. Key objectives of the scheme
3. Schemes / Missions covered

Overview of Krishonnati Yojana

• “Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana” is an the Umbrella Scheme in agriculture sector that has been implemented since 2016-17 by clubbing several schemes/missions under one umbrella scheme.
• The scheme has now been continued for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with the Central Share of Rs. 33,269.976 crore.
• The Umbrella scheme comprises of 11 Schemes/Missions.
• These schemes look to develop the agriculture and allied sector in a holistic and scientific manner to increase the income of farmers by enhancing production, productivity and better returns on produce.
• The Schemes will be continued with an expenditure of Rs.33,269.976 crore for three financial years, i.e., 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Key objectives of the scheme

• Betterment of agricultural base – Only with the extension, implementation and proper monitoring of these 11 schemes, it will be possible to develop the overall agricultural condition of the nation and status of farmers as well.
• Doubling of farmers’ earnings – The central already has the mission of doubling the net income of all agricultural labors by the end of 2022.
• The implementation of these missions under the Krishonnati Yojana will help to make this dream a reality.
• Appropriate agricultural infrastructure – Proper agricultural infrastructure is also necessary for developing the agrarian condition.
• These missions under the umbrella scheme will offer the required foundation.
• Adequate market for sale of produce – Production of crops must be adequately supported by markets, where farmers will be able to sell the produce.
• The development of the umbrella mission makes this possible.

Schemes / Missions covered

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

With a total central share of Rs. 7533.04 crore, MIDH aims to promote holistic growth of horticulture sector; to enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support tofarm Households.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

• NFSM including National Mission on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), with a total central share of Rs.6893.38 crore.
• It aims to increase production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and commercial crops, through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a suitable manner in the identified districts of the country, restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy.
• It further aims to augment the availability of vegetable oils and to reduce the import of edible oils.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• NMSA with a total central share of Rs.3980.82 crore.
• NMSA aims at promoting sustainable agriculture practices best suitable to the specific agro-ecology focusing on integrated farming, appropriate soil health management and synergizing resource conservation technology.

Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)

With a total central share of Rs. 2961.26 crore.
SMAE aims to strengthen the ongoing extension mechanism of State Governments, local bodies etc., achieving food and nutritional security and socio-economic empowerment of farmers, to institutionalize programme planning and implementation mechanism, to forge effective linkages and synergy amongst various stake-holders, to support HRD interventions, to promote pervasive and innovative use of electronic / print media, inter-personal communication and ICT tools, etc.

Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP)

With a total central share of Rs.920.6 crore. SMSP aims to increase production of certified / quality seed, to increase SRR, to upgrade the quality of farm saved seeds, to strengthen the seed multiplication chain, to promote new technologies and methodologies in seed production, processing, testing etc., to strengthen and modernizing infrastructure for seed production, storage, certification and quality etc.

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM)

With a total central share of Rs.3250 crore. SMAM aims to increase the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low, to promote ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership, to create hubs for hi-tech and high value farm equipment, to create awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities, and to ensure performance testing and certification at designated testing centers located all over the country.

Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ)

With a total central share of Rs.1022.67 crore. SMPPQ aims to minimize loss to quality and yield of agricultural crops from the ravages of insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, rodents, etc. and to shield our agricultural bio-security from the incursions and spread of alien species, to facilitate exports of Indian agricultural commodities to global markets, and to promote good agricultural practices, particularly with respect to plant protection strategies and strategies.

Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES)

With a total central share of Rs. 730.58 crore. It aims to undertake the agriculture census, study of the cost of cultivation of principal crops, to undertake research studies on agro-economic problems of the country, to fund conferences/workshops and seminars involving eminent economists, agricultural scientists, experts and to bring out papers to conduct short term studies, to improve agricultural statistics methodology and to create a hierarchical information system on crop condition and crop production from sowing to harvest.

Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)

With a total central share of Rs. 1902.636 crore. It aims to provide financial assistance for improving the economic conditions of cooperatives, remove regional imbalances and to speed up – cooperative development in agricultural marketing, processing, storage, computerization and weaker section programmes; to help cotton growers fetch remunerative price for their produce through value addition besides ensuring supply of quality yarn at reasonable rates to the decentralized weavers.

Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)

With a total centralshare of 3863.93 crore. ISAM aims to develop agricultural marketing infrastructure; to promote innovative and latest technologies and competitive alternatives in agriculture marketing infrastructure; to provide infrastructure facilities for grading, standardization and quality certification of agricultural produce; to establish a nation­wide marketing information network; to integrate markets through a common online market platform to facilitate pan-India trade in agricultural commodities, etc.

National e-Governance Plan (NeGP-A)

• With a total central share of 211.06 crore aims to bring farmer centricity & service orientation to the programmes; to enhance reach & impact of extension services; to improve access of farmers to information &services throughout crop-cycle; to build upon, enhance & integrate the existing ICT initiatives of Centre and States; and to enhance efficiency & effectiveness of programs through making available timely and relevant information to the farmers for increasing their agriculture productivity.
• The Schemes/Missions focus on creating/strengthening of infrastructure of production, reducing production cost and marketing of agriculture and allied produce. These schemes / missions have been under implementation for varying duration during past few years.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Target group
4. Financial assistance
5. Key features
6. Benefits
7. Eligibility

Introduction

• The Yuva Sahakar Scheme is a youth friendly scheme that has been initiated by National Cooperative Development Corporation or NCDC.
• Through this scheme, it is possible to meet the requirements and aspirations of young individuals.
• This innovative scheme has been started in 2018 under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• For helping farmers, a total of rupees 1000 cr has been given.
• To cater to the needs and aspirations of the youth, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has launched a youth-friendly scheme ‘Yuva Sahakar-Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme” for attracting them to cooperative business ventures.

Main objective of scheme

• The Yuva Sahakar Scheme has been started with the motive of encouraging youth to start new venture and promote their business.
• In this, loans will be given to youth at cheap rate that makes it easy to set-up start-ups.

Target group of the scheme

The target group of the scheme is the youth who wish to take up initiative of starting new venture and implement innovative ideas into it.

Financial assistance is given for the scheme

• A total of rupees 1000 crores has been given for cooperative start-ups.
• In addition, the fund has been raised by NCDC for help of common youth.

Key features of the scheme:

1. The scheme would encourage cooperatives to venture into new and innovative areas.
2. NCDC has created a dedicated fund with liberal features enabling youth to avail the scheme.
3. The scheme will be linked to Rs 1000 crore ‘Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund (CSIF)’ created by the NCDC.
4. It would have more incentives for cooperatives of North Eastern region, Aspirational Districts and cooperatives with women or SC or ST or PwD members.
5. The funding for the project will be up to 80% of the project cost for these special categories as against 70% for others.
6. The scheme envisages 2% less than the applicable rate of interest on term loan for the project cost up to Rs 3 crore including 2 years moratorium on payment of principal.
7. All types of cooperatives in operation for at least one year are eligible.

Benefits given under the scheme

1. The scheme will benefit women, scheduled caste, scheduled tribe candidates.
2.  In addition, incentives will be given to cooperatives employed in Northeastern region along with the aspirational districts.
3. Individual enrolling for the above-mentioned scheme can enjoy the following benefits.
4. The scheme will provide fund to young entrepreneurs to achieve success in their business.
5.  However, the funding is secured and individual can get immediate help for their start-ups.
6. Almost 80% of cooperative start-up will be covered by the financial help that youth will receive under the scheme.
7. In this, individual will get 2% less interest as usually given for term loan projects.

Eligibility criteria

• Scheduled castes and tribes – Individuals belonging to scheduled castes and schedule tribes, including women, will be given 80% of the total project cost as per the rules to the scheme.
• Special class categories – For candidates belonging to special or other classes other than the above-mentioned one will be given 70% of the enterprises cost. This shall help them to set-up their start-up smoothly.
• Time of operation – The cooperatives applying for the scheme benefits should be in operation for a minimum period of one year.
• Only then, the individual or cooperative can opt for the financial help.
• Under this scheme, all types of cooperatives are applicable.

Other than this, only project cost up to rupees 3 crores will be covered by the benefits of the above said scheme.

1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Components
4. Analysis

Introduction

• Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
• Giving a major boost to the pro-farmer initiatives of the Government and in keeping with its commitment and dedication for the Annadata, the Union Cabinet has approved a new Umbrella Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA).
• The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018.

Background:

• Increasing MSP is not adequate and it is more important that farmers should get the full benefit of the announced MSP.
• For the same, it is essential that if the price of the agriculture produce market is less than MSP, then in that case state governments and the central government should purchase either at MSP or work in a manner to provide MSP for the farmers through some other mechanism.

Components of PM-AASHA

The new Umbrella Scheme includes the mechanism of ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers and is comprised of

Price Support Scheme (PSS)

1. In Price Support Scheme (PSS), physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and Copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with proactive role of State governments.
2. It is also decided that in addition to NAFED, Food Cooperation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states /districts.

1. The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by Central Government as per norms.

Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)

1. Under Price Deficiency Payment Scheme this scheme (PDPS), it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
2. In this direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/modal price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process.
3. All payment will be done directly into registered bank account of the farmer.
4. This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and Sale/modal price on disposal in notified market.
5. The support of central government for PDPS will be given as per norms.

Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS).

1. It has also been decided that participation of private sector in procurement operation needs to piloted so that on the basis of learnings the ambit of private participation in procurement operations may be increased.
2. Therefore in addition to PDPS, it has been decided that for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on pilot basis in selected district/APMC(s) of district involving the participation of private stockiest.
3. The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of district will cover one or more crop of oilseeds for which MSP is notified. Since this is akin to PSS, in that in involves physical procurement of the notified commodity, it shall substitute PSS/PDPS in the pilot districts.
4. The selected private agency shall procure the commodity at MSP in the notified markets during the notified period from the registered farmers in consonance with the PPSS Guidelines, whenever the prices in the market fall below the notified MSP and whenever authorized by the state/UT government to enter the market and maximum service charges up to 15% of the notified MSP will be payable.

Analysis

• A recent analysis by agricultural experts has revealed that Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan will make no difference to the plight of farmers on the ground this season, and will not improve their chances of getting MSP for their crops.
• Only Madhya Pradesh has opted for the cash payment component.
• No other state has readied the IT infrastructure needed to implement it.
• With regard to the private stockists scheme, guidelines were issued to states last week.
• It will probably take states and private players about six months.
• And there may not be any takers in the current season.

1. Introduction
2. Expected outcomes
3. Programme implementation
4. Components and pattern of assistance

Introduction

• “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) of major project National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
• Under PKVY Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by cluster approach and PGS certification.

Expected outcomes

The Scheme envisages:

1. Promotion of commercial organic production through certified organic farming.
2. The produce will be pesticide residue free and will contribute to improve the health of consumer.
3. It will raise farmer’s income and create potential market for traders.
4. It will motivate the farmers for natural resource mobilization for input production.

Programme implementation

1. Groups of farmers would be motivated to take up organic farming under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
2. Fifty or more farmers will form a cluster having 50 acre land to take up the organic farming under the scheme.
3. In this way during three years 10,000 clusters will be formed covering 5.0 lakh acre area under organic farming.
4. There will be no liability on the farmers for expenditure on certification.
5. Every farmer will be provided Rs. 20,000 per acre in three years for seed to harvesting of crops and to transport produce to the market.
6. Organic farming will be promoted by using traditional resources and the organic products will be linked with the market.
7. It will increase domestic production and certification of organic produce by involving farmers

Components and pattern of assistance

Adoption of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification through cluster approach

Mobilization of farmers / local people to form cluster in 50 acre for PGS certification

1. Conducting of meetings and discussions of farmers in targeted areas to form organic farming cluster @ Rs. 200 / farmer
2. Exposure visit to member of cluster to organic farming fields @ Rs. 200 / farmer
3. Formation of cluster, farmer pledge to PGS and Identification of Lead Resourceful Person (LRP) from cluster
4. Training of cluster members on organic farming (3 trainings @ Rs. 20000 per training)

PGS Certification and Quality control

1. Training on PGS Certification in 2 days @ Rs. 200 per LRP
2. Training of Trainers (20) Lead Resource Persons@ Rs. 250 /day/ cluster for 3 days.
3. Online Registration of farmer @ Rs.100 per member cluster x 50
4. Soil sample collection and testing (21 samples/year/cluster) @ Rs. 190 per sample for three years
5. Process documentation of conversion into organic methods, inputs used, cropping pattern followed, organic manures and fertilizer used etc., for PGS certification @ Rs.100 per member x 50
6. Inspection of fields of cluster member @ Rs. 400 /inspection x 3 (3 inspections will be done per cluster per year)
7. Residue analysis of samples in NABL (8 samples per year per cluster) @ Rs. 10, 000/ sample
8. Certification Charges
9. Administrative expenses for certification

Adoption of organic village for manure management and biological nitrogen harvesting through cluster approach

Action plan for Organic Farming for one cluster

1. Conversion of land to organic @ Rs.1000/acre x 50
2. Introduction of cropping system; Organic seed procurement or raising organic nursery @ Rs.500/acre/year x 50 acres
3. Traditional organic Input Production units like Panchagavya, Beejamruth and Jeevamruth etc. @ Rs.1500 /unit / acre x 50 acre
4. Biological Nitrogen Harvest planting (Gliricidia, Sesbania, etc) @ Rs. 2000/acre x 50 acre
5. Botanical extracts production units (Neem cake, Neem oil) @ Rs.1000/unit/ acre x 50 acre

Integrated Manure Management

1. Liquid Biofertilizer consortia (Nitrogen fixing / Phosphate Solubilizing/ potassium mobilizing biofertilizer) @ Rs. 500/acre x 50
2. Liquid Biopesticides (Trichoderma viridae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Metarhizium , Beaviourie bassiana, Pacelomyces,verticilliu m) @ Rs. 500 /acre x 50
3. Neem Cake/ Neem Oil @ Rs.500/acre x 50
4. Phosphate Rich Organic Manure / Zyme Granules @ Rs. 1000/acre x 50
5. Vermicompost (size 7’x3’x1’) @ Rs.5000/ unit x 50

Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) charges

1. Agricultural implements (As per SMAM guidelines) – Power tiller, Cono weeder, Paddy thresher, Furrow opener,Sprayer, Rose can, Top Pan balance
2. Walk-in tunnels for horticulture (As per guidelines of MIDH)
3. Cattle shed / poultry / piggery for animal compost (As per Guidelines of Gokhul Scheme )

Packing, Labeling and Branding of organic products of cluster

1. Packing material with PGS logo + Hologram printing @ Rs. 2500 / acre x 50
2. Transportation of organic produce (Four wheeler, 1.5 tone load capacity) @Rs. 120000 max. assistance for 1 cluster
3. Organic Fairs (maximum assistance will be given @ 36330 per cluster )

 

What is Food Security?

• Food security refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation
• The need for Food Security are:
  • Population growth – this varies considerably across countries. Because of increasing urbanisation, the pressure on food resources also increase
  • Changing tastes – not only is the population growing, but its diet is changing too. As people become more affluent they start eating food that is richer in processed foods, meat and dairy. But to produce more meat means growing more grain
  • Climate change – currently, 40% of the world’s landmass is arid, and rising temperatures will turn yet more of it into desert. At current rates, the amount of food we’re growing today will feed only half of the population by 2050

Basic understanding of Food Security

The Mission

• In view of the stagnating food grain production and an increasing consumption need of the growing population, Government of India launched this Centrally Sponsored Scheme, ‘National Food Security Mission’ in 2007

• • The scheme was launched based on the recommendation of the agriculture sub-committee of National Development Council(NDC)

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 to increase the production of rice, wheat and pulses through
  • area expansion and productivity enhancement
  • restoring soil fertility and productivity
  • Creating employment opportunities and
  • enhancing farm level economy
• Targets under the Mission
  • The Mission continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of food grains of 25 million tonnes of food grains, comprising of 10 million tonnes rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, 4 million tonnes of pulses and 3 million tonnes of coarse cereals by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.
  • Based on past experience and performance of 12th Plan, the programme continued up to 2019-20, which is co-terminus with Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) period
    • The targets to achieve are 13 million tonnes of additional food grains production comprising of Rice –5 million tonnes, Wheat- 3 million tonnes, Pulses- 3 million tonnes and Coarse Cereals- 2 million tonnes
• Funding pattern for the mission
  • From the year 2015-16, the mission is being implemented on 60:40 sharing pattern between Centre and State Governments and on 90:10 sharing pattern between Centre and North-eastern & 3 Hill states

• Components under the Mission
  • NFSM presently comprises of the sub-components viz.,
    • NFSM-Rice
    • NFSM-Wheat
    • NFSM-Pulses
    • NFSM-Coarse Cereals
    • NFSM-Nutri-Cereals and
    • NFSM-Commercial Crops

Institutional Mechanism created under the Mission and its functioning

• NFSM Structure at the National level
  • A General Council [GC] at the National level has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Union Agriculture Minister
    • The GC is the policy making body providing suitable directives and guidance to the Mission and reviewing the overall progress and development of the scheme.
  • A National Food Security Mission Executive Committee [NFSMEC] has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary; Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, to oversee the activities of the Mission and to approve the State Action Plans
• NFSM Structure at the State Level
  • The State Food Security Mission Executive Committees [SFSMEC] have since been constituted under the chairmanship of the respective Chief Secretaries, in all the participating States
• NFSM Structure at the District Level
  • The Agricultural Technology Management Agency [ATMA], the autonomous body established under the Societies Registration Act, has been created at the district level for implementing Mission’s programme
  • District Food Security Mission Executive Committee [DFSMEC] at the District level, have been duly constituted by all the sampled districts of the implementing States for project formulation, implementation and monitoring of the scheme components

 

 Mission Interventions

• Various interventions proposed in the NFSM are as follows:
  • Farmers’ Field School [FFS]
    • Farmers’ Field Schools are organized on farmers’ fields to provide practical knowledge about the incidence of various pests and diseases on the crops and their management practices
  • Integrated Pest Management [IPM]
    • A number of pests and diseases affect the productivity of pulse crops
    • Hence, an integrated approach to manage their incidence and minimize the loss to the crop productivity
  • Plant Protection Chemicals
    • If biological control measures do not result in effective control of various pests and diseases, then use of chemical pesticides and fungicides becomes necessary
    • For timely control of these pests, Plant Protection chemicals are provided to pulse growing farmers with financial assistance
  • Weedicides
    • Weeds compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, sunshine etc.
    • Therefore, infestation with weeds affects the water and nutrients’ uptake efficiency of the crop plants.
    • In order to promote timely and better management of weeds, weedicides are provided to pulse growing farmers
  • Demonstrations
    • Demonstrations of improved package of practices in wheat and pulses are organized with financial assistance
    • In these demonstrations inputs like seed, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals are provided to farmers
  • Seed minikits
    • Seed minikits of new and promising varieties of wheat are distributed among the farmers free of cost, to assess the performance of these varieties in our State in comparison to the existing varieties
  • Micronutrients
    • Deficiency of micronutrients affects the productivity of crops. Therefore, financial assistance on micronutrients per hectare are provided to farmers
  • Gypsum
    • Gypsum is the cheapest source of Sulphur which is an essential element for plants
    • Widespread Sulphur deficiency is being reported from various parts of the State.
    • Therefore, financial assistance on gypsum is provided to farmers
  • Farm Machinery
    • To improve the efficiency of farming operations and to reduce the cost of cultivation, assistance on farm machinery is provided to farmers

 

Performance of the Mission

• After implementation of the programme in the country and concerted efforts made by the state governments as well as Government of India:
  • The total food grains production has increased from 252.02 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 296.65 million tonnes during 2019-20, which is a 17.71% increase
  • The productivity of food grains which was 2028 kg/ha in 2014-15, has increased to 2325 kg/ha during 2019-20 (14.64% increase).
  • Especially noteworthy is the production of pulses which has increased from 17.15 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 23.15 million tonnes in 2019-20 which is about 35% increase.
• The Mission has been able to achieve around 110 lakh ha area to be treated with Micronutrients, Bio-fertilizers, soil ameliorants/ (Gypsum/Lime/others) from 2014-15 to 2019-2020
• Around 120 lakh ha area under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were achieved during from 2014-15 to 2019-20
• To strengthen mechanization at farmer’s field about 15 lakh improved farm implements were distributed under NFSM from 2014-15 to 2019-2020
• To support to achieve objective of “harkhetkopani” & “Per Drop More Crop” , 274600 pump sets, 126967 sprinklers and around 764 lakh metres of water carrying pipes were distributed amongst the farmers under NFSM from 2014-15 to 2019-2020
• To educate the farmers about the newer improved crop production and protection technologies at real time, 60677 cropping system based trainings for capacity building of farmers were conducted from 2014-15 to 2019-2020 and this benefitted around 18 lakh of farmers

Impact Evaluation Study on NFSM in 2017

Findings that have led to shortcomings in the mission

• The District Consultants and Technical Assistants engaged under the mission at district level were mostly utilised for office work of routine nature and not for intended technical service and monitoring of NFSM intervention.
  • Impact evaluation report further mentioned that convening of meetings of DFSMEC was poor and in majority of cases DFSMEC meeting was combined with other review meetings of the Agriculture Department which resulted in lack of focus and in-depth deliberation
• Also, initially Targets for production of food grains were not fixed for NFSM districts in the State
  • As a result their progress in achieving scheme objective of additional production could not be ascertained.
  • Despite an expenditure of ` 945.18 crore under NFSM in the State during 2012-16, only two per cent of the total farmers in the State had benefitted.

Recommendations in this perspective include:

• • The Government should make a firm plan and adequate internal control mechanism to utilise the available loan in time to avoid the payment of commitment charges
  • Adopting concrete criteria for selection of schemes and distribution of funds throughout the project to avoid slippage in scheme coverage and delays in their execution.
  • The Government should strengthen internal control system for strict adherence with contract management for ensuring recovery of extra cost/ excess payments, penalty for delay, deduction of additional security deposit and insurance coverage of works from the defaulting contractors in order to safeguard its interest
  • The Government should consider making suitable arrangements for third party supervision of works and strengthening quality control mechanism for conducting the quality tests to ensure execution of works according to the laid down specifications

Other Challenges/Issues and Way forward associated with the Mission

• Need for Scaling up the role of women
  • The study revealed that the role of women in agriculture under the scheme is limited (15 percent)
  • Nearly 70% of Indian rural women are employed in agriculture and they are responsible for 60-80% of food production
  • But, it is noticed that they are always involved in labour and tolerance intensive works like transplantations and weeding operations. While, most of the rural women should be considered as farmers but they are ignored
    • Thus, in order to empower and improve the women farmer’s productivity special provision of training and capacity building of women should be made
    • Provision of special reservation or subsidized benefits should be created for the women farmer’s in the scheme
  • Formation of SHG’s
    • The participation of marginal farmers in the mission is very less
      • And, they suffer from adoption of innovative technologies, inadequate access to physical inputs and credit, disguised unemployment, food and nutritional security, price risk and low income
      • Bankers feel that these two categories of needy farmers are not credit worthy and due to small size of holdings the credit risk is high
    • Hence there is a need to create the provision of SHG’s in the scheme, through which the marginal farmers’ could gain benefit under the scheme
  • Farmer’s field school and Demonstration
    • The study shows that the less than fifty percent farmers participated in the farmer’s field school and demonstration.
    • In order to increase the participation in the farmer’s farm school and demonstration, provision of compulsory attendance should be made under the scheme.
    • Provision of monetary incentive can also be built under this component
  • Soil amelioration program
    • Though about 72% farmers got their soil tested, but more than half of the farmers did not get the report in time. Without soil testing report, they never knew about requirement of micro-nutrients and/or gypsum and lime.
  • Hence, more focus should be given on timely soil testing and soil health cards to each farmer beneficiary
  • Mobile soil testing laboratory is a good concept could be implemented in the field
  • Other recommendations
    • Management information system need to be strengthened for timely data entry and report generation which could lead to better planning and implementation of mission in succeeding years
    • Frequency of advertisements should be increased in both media as well as local level awareness building program should be launched with help of reputed NGOs of respective districts
    • Literature – Climatic zone/ sub-zone wise customized literature for package of practices of both crops should be distributed to farmers in enough quantity at regional/ district level

 

 

 

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Activities
4. Conditions for centre
5. Significance of cow based economy

Introduction

• Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojana (PDDUUKSY) scheme was launched in 2016 to develop human resource in organic farming, natural farming and cow based economy for environmental sustenance and soil health.
• Implemented by the Education wing of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Objectives:

• It was started with establishment of 100 centres.
• Under this scheme, 108 training programmes were organized for the awareness of the farmers during the period of operation.
• To build skilled Human Resource at village level who are relevant for development organic farming and sustainable agriculture.
• Provide rural India with technical support in the field of Organic Farming or Natural Farming or Rural Economy or Sustainable Agriculture.
• To extend other activities of this Yojana at village level through there established centres.

Activities

• Training programmes were organized for the farmers under PDDUUKSY in the field of organic farming, natural farming and other related latest technologies.
• This has brought awareness about organic and natural farming.
• As organic and naturally raised commodities/ produce fetch more price, therefore, it is a step towards doubling their earnings.
• Agricultural Education Division, under its three year action plan provided need based support in critical areas to Agricultural Universities for strengthening and quality assurance of higher agricultural education in the country.
• As a part of the undergraduate curriculum in agricultural university, each undergraduate student in agriculture has to opt for the Student READY (Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana) programme, which aims to provide rural entrepreneurship awareness to them during final year of their study.
• The undergraduate students provide support for the livelihood improvement of small and marginal farmers in terms of providing information about facilities extended by the government, scientific and technical knowhow, selection of crops, marketing of their produce etc.

The designated Centers conditions

1. The farmers must be assessed in terms of their interest in organic farming, natural farming and cow-based economy prior to their selection.
2. Priority must be attached to the farmers who are currently practising organic farming, natural farming or cow-based economy.
3. Farmers of all communities must be given a fair representation.
4. The selection shouldn’t involve any gender discrimination.

Significance of the Cow-Based Economy

1. India’s traditions and practices, at least some of them, holds greater value than what was thought in the dawn of its modern state; and so is the case with the way the nationTraining programmes were organized for the farmers under PDDUUKSY in the field of organic farming, natural farming and other related latest technologies.
2. This has brought awareness about organic and natural farming.
3. As organic and naturally raised commodities/ produce fetch more price, therefore, it is a step towards doubling their earnings.
4. Agricultural Education Division, under its three year action plan provided need based support in critical areas to Agricultural Universities for strengthening and quality assurance of higher agricultural education in the country.
5. The undergraduate students provide support for the livelihood improvement of small and marginal farmers in terms of providing information about facilities extended by the government, scientific and technical knowhow, selection of crops, marketing of their produce etc. has always treated its cows.
6. This domestic animal has been an integral part of rural India since the days of yore.
7. With respect to agriculture, Indian cow breeds are proven to possess genetic capacity that produces better quality milk.
8. The milk so produced contains a higher level of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) which is anti-carcinogenic.
9. Apart from that, cow urine can be used as a bio-fertilizer and post repellant which helps in increasing crop production with reduced costs.

Given these facets, the government considers cow farms among its major focal areas.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Implementation
4. Gokul grams
5. Gokul gram location
6. Roles and Responsibilities

Introduction

To conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds, government launched ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ in 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBD).

Objectives

1. To developmentt and conservation of indigenous breeds.
2. To undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock.
3. To enhance milk production and productivity.
4. To upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi.
5. To distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.

Implementation

1. Implemented through the “State Implementing Agency (SIA viz Livestock Development Boards).
2. State Gauseva Ayogs will be given the mandate to sponsor proposals to the SIA’s (LDB’s) and monitor implementation of the sponsored proposal.
3. All Agencies having a role in indigenous cattle development will be the “Participating Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGO’s, Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best germplasm.

Gokul Grams

Funds under the scheme will be allocated for the establishment of Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centres viz “Gokul Gram”.

 Gokul Grams location

1. the native breeding tracts and
2. near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle.

Roles and responsibilities of Gokul Grams

• Act as Centres for development of Indigenous Breeds and a dependable source for supply of high genetic breeding stock to the farmers in the breeding tract.
• They will be self sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of A2 milk (A2 cow’s milk that mostly lacks a form of β-casein proteins called A1 and instead has mostly the A2 form), organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity from bio gas for in house consumption and sale of animal products.
• They will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers, Breeders and MAITRI’s.
• The Gokul Gram will maintain milch and unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40 and will have the capacity to maintain about 1000 animals.
• Nutritional requirements of the animals will be provided in the Gokul Gram through in house fodder production.
• Metropolitan Gokul Gram will focus on genetic upgradation of urban cattle.