New Initiatives

Helping farmers during production

The NDA Government under PM Narendra Modi has put unprecedented focus on agriculture.

Numerous initiatives to improve productivity, safeguard farmers and augment their incomes and

improve their overall well-being have been taken.PM Narendra Modi‟s government has set a

goal of doubling farm incomes by 2022 and is working with multi-modal focus towards

achieving the same. From seeds and soil to access to markets, the focus has been on reforms

across the agricultural cycle. There is also a renewed focus on allied activities, to aid incomes of

farmers.

To begin with, there is the record budgetary allocation for agriculture and farmer welfare under

the NDA government. Compared to the previous government tenure of 2009 to 2014 which saw

an allocation of Rs 1,21,082 crore, PM Narendra Modi‟s government has allocated Rs 2,11,694

crore in the period 2014-19. This is almost double.

To ensure that the farmer reaps good yields, focus on strengthening sowing-related activities is

imperative. The government has taken various steps in this regard. Considering that the health of

the soil plays a fundamental role in agriculture, the government has dispatched more than 13

crore soil health cards from 2015 to 2018. Soil Health Cards carry crop-specific

recommendations for nutrients and fertilizers to help farmers improve their productivity.

There are hardly any complaints from the states with regard to fertilizer distribution. The reason

being the significant increase in the Urea production as the government has revived the defunct

fertilizer plants and also set up new plants. Since the government has implemented 100% neem

coating of Urea, it not only resulted in improving the soil quality but also prevented the diversion

of fertilizers to other purposes. There is a special arrangement of Rs 10,000 crore to clear

fertilizer subsidy due.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana is in place to ensure „more crop per drop‟ which will

cover 28.5 lakh hectare area under irrigation. Rs 50,000 crore earmarked for ensuring that every

farm gets water. Rs 5,000 crore fund for micro-irrigation made available while there has been an

encouragement for farmers to install solar pumps for irrigation.

Credit for farmers

The Modi Government has taken important policy initiatives to address the issue of farm

credit and save farmers from being exploited in the hands of informal credit sources such

as moneylenders. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is the biggest risk cover and safety

net provided by the government. Under interest subvention scheme short-term crop loans

up to 3 lakh with the interest rate of 7% per annum up to one year made available.

Government has been steadily increasing the volume of institutional credit for agriculture

sector from year-to-year from Rs.8.5 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs.10 lakh crore in 2017-

18. For the year 2018-19, the target set for agriculture credit is Rs.11 lakh crore.

Presently, lessee cultivators are not able to avail crop loans. Consequently, a significant

proportion of arable land remains fallow and tenant cultivators are forced to secure credit

from usurious money lenders. NITI Aayog, in consultation with State Governments, will

evolve a suitable mechanism to enable access of lessee cultivators to credit without

compromising the rights of the land owners.

Loans to Self Help Groups of women increased to about Rs.42,500 crore in 2016-17,

growing 37% over previous year. The Government has set a target of Rs.75,000 crore by

March, 2019.

Marketing of the farmers produce

The government‟s policy follows the next logical step after supporting the farmer at

sowing time, which is to help farmers to get right price for their produce. In July

2018, government approved the historic MSP hike for Kharif crops to 1.5 times the cost,

which will provide farmers a profit margin of 50% over the cost of production.

National Agriculture Market scheme known as e-NAM has integrated 585 markets across

16 states and 2 Union territories. More than 164.53 lakh tonnes of farm commodities

have been transacted on e-NAM and more than 87 lakh farmers have been registered.

Thus, it is cutting down the middlemen in agriculture trading to facilitate farmer with his

due.22,000 rural haats will turn into Gramin Agriculture Market which will benefit 86%

small farmers. Large investment in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest

crop losses and value addition through food processing also giving the farmers the

essential edge on the market. To address the price volatility of perishable items like

tomato, potato and onion „Operation Greens‟ has been put in place.

Focus on allied sectors

As noted earlier, the focus has been laid on allied agriculture activities to boost farmers

income. Corpus of Rs 10,000 crore set up to create infrastructure in fisheries, aquaculture

and animal husbandry. Integrated Development & Management of Fisheries with an

outlay of Rs 3000 crore, the establishment of 20 Gokul Grams are some of the examples

in this regard.

Development of agricultural infrastructure for the welfare of the farmers

Radha Mohan Singh

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare,

Government of India

Under the guidance of Hon‟ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, enthusiastic and positive

results of the sustained efforts made for the betterment of agriculture sector and farmers are

visible. The Modi government is committed for the welfare of farmers. As a result of which,

there has been a qualitative improvement in their lives. For the development of the country,

Modi government has set new standards for transparency. Under the guidance of Prime Minister,

the government has transformed the targets meant for the implementation of farmers‟ welfare

schemes in a mission mode and time bound manner. government has laid the foundation of a

modern and future oriented India with new dimensions, innovations and reformist approach to

good governance. Modi government has been successful in bringing about awareness amongst

farmers through new initiatives taken for the development of agriculture sector in the country. In

this tenure, there has been a concerted and strong effort to bring qualitative changes in the life of

farmers and rural areas.

The President of the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) Dr. Swaminathan had advised the

then Government through its recommendations in his report in 2006 that proper attention should

be given on the welfare of farmers along with agro-based thinking. Farmers provide an important

direction to the efforts made in economic reforms. Therefore, to make radical changes in the

system, proper emphasis should be given to post-harvest marketing and related arrangements.

Keeping in view the unabated erosion of natural resources and climate change, the Agriculture

Commission had also called for attention to the management of science-based natural resources

and sustainable production and development.

The government has made the use of neem coated urea mandatory in order to reduce the cost of

agriculture and enhance the nitrogen utility competence. Since it has led to enhancement in the

productivity thereby reducing the cost of agriculture, it has also extended a helping hand in

preventing its misuse in the non-agriculture sector. Organic farming has been linked with

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMKY) for sustained agricultural development and soil

health, including the in-situ management of rice straw. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee

Yojana (PMKSY) is a very important scheme to ensure proper water management in agriculture

practices. After making an extensive study of the previous schemes and reforming them, it has

initiated the world‟s largest farmer friendly Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and Weather

Based Crop Insurance Scheme in 2016. These schemes provide extensive coverage for every sort

of risks involved in the agriculture sector.

The decision to give MSP at 50% and more of production cost is a significant step for the

farmers. The government is also committed to implementing MSP. Since the start of Green

Revolution, procurement was confined only to paddy and wheat. Sometimes procurement of

other commodities was also being made. After the Modi government assumed charge, there has

been tremendous enhancement of procurement of pulses and oilseeds. We are determined to

extend profits to the farmers of pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals etc through the State

Governments. With procurement of these crops at MSP, it will extend benefits to the farmers

who have been deprived since long. These crops are climate-oriented and are tolerant to climate

change in the future. The Hon‟ble Prime Minister has set the target of doubling the income of

farmers on the 75th year of independence in 2022. For determining the minimum support price

and by providing assured returns, including equality and farmers‟ welfare, the government is

providing a new direction. In addition to farming, the government is also emphasizing on

livestock, fisheries and development of water bodies. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission, based on the

conservation and development of indigenous bovine species, is an integral part of the overall

development of agriculture sector. This will benefit a lot of small and marginal farmers including

landless agriculture labourers who possess these indigenous species of bovines. It is a matter of

great pride that 161 indigenous species across the country have been registered and for this

purpose ICAR is actively working.

The development of fish production development, including marine and freshwater fishes, is

improving the lives of the fishermen community. Fish production has achieved more growth rate

than all other areas of agriculture.

For small farmers who cannot earn enough income for their family, allied farming is being

promoted. Agriculture based collaborative schemes of the government includes beekeeping,

mushroom production, agro forestry and bamboo production etc. The production of natural

resources from the farm will help in creating additional employment and income in agriculture.

Keeping in view the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers to increase the

productivity and eliminate malnutrition, a total of 795 improved varieties of crops have been

developed in the last four years by the ICAR out of which 495 varieties are tolerant to climate

change. These have been handed over to farmers so that they can take advantage of these

advanced varieties. For the first time, a historic initiative has been taken by the government in

order to overcome the problem of malnutrition which has long been a part of Indian society.

Under this, 20 bio fortified varieties were developed and released for cultivation. In order to

increase the income of families of marginal and small farmers, 45 Integrated Farming System

(IFS) models have been developed. This will help increase soil health, water usage effectiveness

and conserve agricultural biodiversity. On economic evaluation, these models have been found to

be beneficial in different states. This model is being set up and displayed in every KVK in order

to help farmers so that they can be motivated to adopt it by looking at its success thereby helping

them earn more income.

In order to implement policy reforms and new schemes in agriculture, adequate budget is

provided. In the past few years, Modi government has taken measures to implement and

strengthen these schemes and a budgetary provision of Rs 2,11,694 crore has been made. Apart

from this, the government has created corpus funds for improving the infrastructure for dairy,

cooperative, fisheries and aquaculture, animal husbandry, agriculture market and micro

irrigation. The government has adopted an income-oriented approach towards sustainable

production keeping in mind the welfare of agriculture, farmers and the consumers.

To improve the economic condition of the farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a

target of doubling the income of farmers by 2022. For the first time in the country, a prime

minister has put forward a target for the overall wellbeing of the farmers.

In pursuance of this vision, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers‟ Welfare will adopt a

concrete strategy, based on the recommendations of the constituted committee to achieve the

goal of doubling the income of farmers till August 2022 when our country will be celebrating

75th Independence Day. The outcomes are also being visible.

Strengthening KVKs

Project on “Awareness for In-situ Paddy Straw Management” has been initiated during

2018-19 involving 60 KVKs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi with focus on

promotion of agricultural machineries, demonstrations, training and other Information,

Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

Focused programmes under Knowledge Systems and Homestead Agriculture

Management in Tribal Areas (KSHAMTA) in 125 districts; and Nutri-sensitive

Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) as well as Value Addition & Technology

Incubation Centres in Agriculture (VATICA) in 100 districts have been initiated by

KVKs.

Since 2016-17, the KVKs are organizing National Skill Qualification Framework aligned

skill development training programmes related to agricultural and allied sectors with

financial support from Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers‟ Welfare.

MoU has been signed with IMD and Bureau of Energy Efficiency for backstopping to

KVKs on climate change aspects.

Automatic Weather Station (AWS): AWS established at 121 KVKs under National

Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project and 100 being established

with support from India Meteorological Department

Establishment of 121 Climate Smart Villages under National Innovations in Climate

Resilient Agriculture

Integrated Farming System models at 100 KVKs for capacity development of farmers

Establishment of Pulses Seed Hubs in 97 KVKs

Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA): 100 KVKs are implementing

this project to attract and empower the youth in rural areas for taking up various

agriculture and allied sector enterprises.

Participatory Technology Development

Farmer FIRST Programme-51 projects being implemented by ICAR Institutes and

SAUs/CAU for enhancing Farmers–Scientist interface

Setting up of Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund

More than 86% of our farmers are small and marginal. They are not always in a position

to directly transact at APMCs and other wholesale markets. Government will develop and

upgrade existing 22,000 rural haats into Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs). In these

GrAMs, physical infrastructure will be strengthened using MGNREGA and other

Government Schemes. These GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM and exempted

from regulations of APMCs, will provide farmers facility to make direct sale to

consumers and bulk purchasers. An Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of

Rs.2000 crore will be set up for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing

infrastructure in the Grameen Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) and 22000 585 APMCs.

Favorable tax treatment to Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs)

Government has announced a favourable taxation treatment to Farmer Producers

Organisations (FPOs) for helping farmers aggregate their needs of inputs, farm services,

processing and sale operations. Presently, hundred per cent deduction is allowed in

respect of profit of co-operative societies which provide assistance to its members

engaged in primary agricultural activities. Over the last few years, a number of Farmer

Producer Companies have been set up along the lines of co-operative societies which also

provide similar assistance to their members. In order to encourage professionalism in

post-harvest value addition in agriculture, GoI has now allowed hundred per cent

deduction to these companies registered as Farmer Producer Companies and having

annual turnover up to Rs.100 crores in respect of their profit derived from such activities

for a period of five years from financial year 2018-19.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural)

Government of India has fixed a target that every poor of this country may have his own

house by 2022. For this purpose Prime Minister Awas Yojana has been launched in rural

and urban areas of the country. Under Prime Minister Awas Scheme (Rural), 51 lakhs

houses in year 2017- 18 and 51 lakh houses during 2018-19 which is more than one crore

houses will be constructed exclusively in rural areas.

MUDRA

MUDRA Yojana launched in April, 2015 has led to sanction of Rs.4.6 lakh crore in credit

from 10.38 crore MUDRA loans. 76% of loan accounts are of women and more than

50% belong to SCs, STs and OBCs. A target of Rs.3 lakh crore for lending under

MUDRA has been fixed for 2018-19.

Organic Farming

Government has promoted organic farming in a big way. Organic farming by Farmer

Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Village Producers‟ Organizations (VPOs) in large

clusters, preferably of 1000 hectares each, will be encouraged. Women Self Help Groups

(SHGs) will also be encouraged to take up organic agriculture in clusters under National

Rural Livelihood Programme.

Government launches digital platforms for ease of farm export

In line with the Digital India initiative, the government has developed three online portals

to make it easier to export farm products from India and reduce transaction

costs. “Potential for agricultural and food export will get a great boost due to these digital

initiatives,” commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu said while launching the

portals on Tuesday.

The digital platforms, developed by the Export Inspection Council, have integrated the

entire export food chain by linking primary production, chain catch, aquaculture pond,

dairy farms and apiaries. The council is the official export certification body of the

government and it has developed the portals for “credible inspection and certification and

to strengthen the confidence on Indian produce”, as per an official release.

Processing units, testing laboratories, official controls and exports will have complete

traceability. One lab one assessment portal provides unified approach to all stakeholders

like accreditation bodies, regulators and laboratories by bringing them together on a

common platform to aid simplified procedures.

The Export Alert Monitoring portal monitors non compliances raised by importing

countries. The portal will enable monitoring of alerts and action taken by multiple

organizations involved in initial certification in the food safety & biosecurity and

analyzing the trend, understanding the trade barriers to reduce the alerts and enhance the

export trade. To enhance the country‟s analytical capability, the council has provided

accredited Proficiency Testing (PT) providers at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai by

reducing dependency on foreign PT providers and ease of access.

PM-KISAN Scheme: Rs. 6,000 Income Support For Farmers

The government announced an income support scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman

Nidhi (PM-KISAN), for the farmer in the interim Budget 2019. The PM-KISAN scheme, aimed

at supplementing the financial needs of the small and marginal farmer, entails a direct cash

support of Rs. 6,000 for farmers. The PM-KISAN scheme or Kisan Yojna is estimated to cost the

exchequer Rs. 75,000 crore. Under the scheme, small and marginal farmers with less than two

hectares of land will get cash in their accounts in three instalments of Rs. 2,000 each, the

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare mentions in the scheme document.

Here are five things to know about the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme or PM

Kisan Yojna for the farmers:

Under the Kisan Yojna, an income support of Rs. 6,000 per year (in three equal

instalments) will be provided to the families of small and marginal farmers having a

combined land holding/ownership of up to two hectares of land.

The Kisan Yojna will be effective retrospectively from December 1, 2018 for transfer

of benefit to eligible beneficiaries. The government has recognised 12.5 crore such

beneficiaries.

The first instalment - for the four-month period ending March 31, 2019 - under the

scheme will be transferred to the eligible beneficiaries in the current financial year

(2018-19) itself. The first instalment will be transferred immediately on identification

of the beneficiaries, according to the scheme document.

Quoting Aadhaar is mandatory for claiming benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme,

according to the government. The transfer of subsequent instalments will be done only

on basis of Aadhaar-seeded database, and beneficiaries not having an Aadhaar card

will have to be compulsorily enrolled under Aadhaar, according to the scheme

document.

The income of Rs. 2,000 for four months will be directly credited to the bank accounts

of eligible farmers in three instalments.

Source: From various reports of Government of India