Overview of Key Schemes under Ministry of Agriculture

Major Government schemes and Institutions under Ministry of Agriculture are as follows:

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY)

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was launched from 1.04.2016 after rolling back the earlier insurance schemes National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), Weather-based Crop Insurance scheme and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS). The government under this system has migrated from claim-based insurance scheme to an upfront subsidy for premium based system. It is a demand driven scheme, therefore no targets are fixed. However, it was decided to increase the coverage up to 50% of total cropped area. In Budget 2017-18, the scheme was allocated Rs. 9000 Crore and the expenditure is being funded wholly from Krishi Kalyan Kosh.

Interest Subsidy for Short Term Credit to Farmers

The scheme was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare from the Department of Financial Services from BE 2016-17. Under the scheme, interest subvention is provided to NABARD, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks, Public Sector Banks and scheduled Private Sector Banks for providing Short Term Credit to farmers at subsidized rate of interest. The expenditure is being partly funded from Krishi Kalyan Kosh.

Market Intervention Scheme and Price Support Scheme (MIS-PSS)

Under this scheme NAFED, Central Warehousing Corporation, National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India and Small Farmers’ Agro Business Consortium have been designated as Central agencies to undertake procurement of Oil seed and Pulses under price support scheme and also work to provide remunerative prices to farmers for their produce.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

From 2016-17, this scheme has been shifted to Water Resource Ministry, however, one component viz. Per Drop More Crop is still under :..This scheme will provide end to end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level application. The programme will mainly focus on increased agricultural production and productivity by increasing availability and efficient use of water.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna

This is a programme for achieving high growth in agricultural sector, higher returns to the farmers and for integrated development by focusing on food security, sustainable agriculture, production of oil seeds, oil palm and agricultural extension.

National Food Security Mission

National Food Security Mission is being implemented to enhance the production of Rice, Wheat, Pulses, coarse cereals and commercial crops to make the country self-sufficient in food grains. Out of the total allocation under this scheme, Pulses take 70% currently.

National Project on Organic Farming

This project is to encourage production and use of organic and biological sources of nutrients like bio-fertilizers, organic manure and compost for sustained soil health and fertility and use bio-pesticides, bio-control agents etc. as alternative inputs in organic farming. Currently, its being implemented under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana umbrella.

National Project on Soil Health and Fertility

This scheme is for setting up Soil Testing Laboratories (STL) / mobile STLs/Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories (FQCLs) and their strengthening for paving the way for judicious use of chemical fertilizers. Soil Health Management is aimed at promoting location as well as crop specific sustainable soil health management including residue management, organic farming practices by way of creating and linking soil fertility maps with macro-micro nutrient management, appropriate land use based on land type. This scheme also includes the Soil Health Cards scheme which provides information to farmers on soil nutrient status and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrient to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (Traditional Framing Improvemnet Programme)

The scheme was launched since 1.04.2015 as an elaborated component of soil Health Management. Under the scheme, organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System of certification. Till 2017-18, 10000 clusters of 50 acre land are to be formed. Each cluster will cover 5 lakh acre area to promote organic farming. It includes different components such as mobilization, training of farmers and exposure visits by the farmers.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been launched for conservation and development of indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner. The mission also envisages establishment of integrated cattle development centres “Gokul Grams” to develop indigenous breeds including upto 40% nondescript breeds. The mission is a focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.

Objectives

• Development and conservation of indigenous breeds
• To undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds with an objective to improve genetic makeup and increase the stock
• To enhance milk production and productivity
• To upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi
• To distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.

E-pashuhaat portal

The e-Pashuhaat portal will provide detailed information to farmers about bovine animals. Farmers by accessing this portal can get to know information about certified animals, its parents’ information, breeding, the volume of milk given by bovine animal etc. In addition, animal fodder varieties, its volume and price information will also be made available at this portal. The portal will also enable farmers to buy advanced breeds of bovine animals, cattle frozen semen and embryo at a reasonable price as per their requirements. The portal can be accessed through the website ‘www.epashuhaat.gov.in’.

The portal is expected to propagate high genetic merit germplasm, which is highly needed at this juncture with continuous decline in milk productivity. The portal minimises the involvement of middlemen and facilitates direct links between ‘farmer to farmer’ and ‘farmer to institutes’.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme was launched in the year 2016 to promote agricultural education. Under this scheme, 100 centres are being opened with a fund of Rs.5.35 crore.

Interest Subsidy for Short Term Credit to Farmers

The scheme was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare from the Department of Financial Services from BE 2016-17. Under the scheme, interest subvention is provided to NABARD, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks, Public Sector Banks and scheduled Private Sector Banks for providing Short Term Credit to farmers at subsidized rate of interest. The expenditure is being partly funded from Krishi Kalyan Kosh.

National Project on Agro- Forestry

National Project on Agro- Forestry is being implemented under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to give specific focus on Development of Agro-Forestry. National Agro-Forestry Policy was brought out in 2014 to bring about coordination, convergence and synergy among various elements of Agro-Forestry.

Agriculture Marketing Schemes

The agriculture marketing schemes of the government is as follows:

• Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) for creation of Scientific Storage Capacity. Under this scheme 50 MT of storage capacity & 900 other marketing Infrastructure projects were sanctioned(Demand driven scheme)
• Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) to establish nationwide information network of market data to the producers, traders and consumers
• Strengthening of Agmark Grading Facilities (SAGF)
• National Agriculture Market (NAM) for setting up a common e-market platform for wholesale markets in States/ UTs desirous of joining the e-platform. Funded from Krishi Kalyan Kosh.

National Mission on Horticulture

NHM was launched to promote holistic growth of Horticulture sector duly ensuring backward and forward linkages. It includes increased availability of quality planting material, demonstration of latest technology and upgradation of skills of farmers, mitigation from drought, life saving irrigation, reduction in post harvest losses and access of markets to the farmers for better price realization. The Mission includes various activities such as Coconut Development Board, Horticulture Development Board, Development of Commercial Horticulture through production and post-harvest management, Capital Investment Subsidy for construction, expansion, modernization of cold storages and storages for horticulture produce, technology development and transfer for horticulture produce, etc.