The Agriculture sector recorded significant growth in the past two years, accounting for 18.8 percent (2021-22) in Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country and registering a growth of 3.9 percent in 2021-22. However, the yield level of many crops is less than the global average because of the knowledge deficit amongst farmers about improved agricultural practices.
In order to double farmers income, the government is working on a multi pronged strategy that focuses on increase in crop productivity, livestock productivity, cropping intensity and diversification of crops.
Initiatives by Government
Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme: The government is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients with judicious use of chemical fertilizers. Integrated Nutrient Management is being promoted through implementation of Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme since 2015. Soil health card provides nutrient status of the soil along with prescription about balanced use of fertilizers to maintain good soil health.
SHC scheme also includes demonstrations about balanced use of fertilizers based on soil health card recommendations and training to the farmers on proper and integrated use of fertilizers. Financial assistance is provided to State governments for training of farmers, demonstrations on farmer fields and organizing farmer melas.
Since 2015, around 6.45 lakh demonstrations, 93781 farmer’s trainings and 7425 farmers melas have been organized under the programme.
The government assesses the requirement of fertilizers before each cropping season, issues the supply plan and ensures the availability of fertilizers through domestic production and imports.
Promoting crop diversification: In order to provide remunerative price to the farmers of notified pulses, oilseeds & copra, Government implements an umbrella scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). Central Nodal Agencies such as National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures pulses, oilseeds & copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Abhiyan.
PM-AASHA also provides for direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling price to farmers. The abhiyan was successful in increasing the production of oilseeds from 31.52 million tonnes in 2018-19 to 37.15 million tonnes in 2021-22. Further, Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), is also implemented in Haryana, Punjab & Western Uttar Pradesh since to divert the area of water intensive paddy crop to alternative crops. Under CDP assistance is given for alternative crops demonstration and farm mechanization. The area brought under demonstrations is 6.32 lakh hectare during 2013-14 to 2020-21.
Promoting natural farming: National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management has been entrusted to organise 750 awareness programs for 30 thousand village heads in the country to promote natural farming. A committee has been formed to include courses on natural farming in universities in the states.
Stress on new agricultural technologies: Government made provisions to open Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) in each of the rural districts with the rationale that new agricultural technologies & best practices are assessed and demonstrated at farmers’ fields. KVKs engage in production of quality seeds, planting materials & other technological inputs.
The quality technological products produced by KVKs during the last 3 years are 5.48 lakh quintals seeds, 1150.53 lakh planting materials, 2.74 lakh quintals bio-products, 680.79 lakh Livestock strains and fingerlings.
To promote make in India innovation in farming technology, the government promotes startups in agriculture sector. To nurture agri-entrepreneurs 50 Agri Business Incubators have been established in different ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities.
WhatsApp us
Pingback: best site