Agricultural schemes in India: Jugal Kishore Sharma, a Member of Parliament representing Lok Sabha Jammu, recently embarked on a visit to Jhiri, Panjore, Gajanso, Galwadechak, and Mandal Phallian in the Marh constituency. Accompanied by fellow ministers, he organized public meetings and Kissan Sammellan as part of the Sampark Se Smarthan initiative.
During these engagements, Jugal attentively listened to the challenges faced by the farmers. They expressed their difficulties in crop cultivation due to changing climatic conditions and a scarcity of water in rivers. In response, Jugal assured them that their concerns would be promptly addressed. At the Larbharthi Sammellans held in Panjore and Gajansoo, he addressed the farmers and general public, emphasizing the diligent efforts of the BJP-led Government at the Center, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in improving the lives of farmers..
Jugal highlighted various schemes launched by the government, such as Pradhanmantri Fasal Bhima Yojna, PM Kissan Nidhi, Kissan Suvidha Kendras, and Bharat Khad, which aim to support the agricultural community. He also mentioned the significant increase in the number of cases sanctioned per Panchayats under the Modi Government, compared to the previous administrations where only a few cases were seen per block under IAY.
Additionally, Jugal acknowledged the positive impact of Ayushman Bharat, stating that numerous individuals are benefitting from the program.
Agricultural Schemes in India: 9 Years - 9 Schemes
PM Modi has introduced several schemes for the welfare of farmers after leading Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Here are the highlights of the schemes launched by the Modi government from 2014 to 2023.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) on 18 February 2016 as a means of providing insurance coverage to farmers for their agricultural produce. This initiative was developed to align with the One Nation–One Scheme concept, which involved replacing the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and the Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) with a comprehensive program that incorporated the most beneficial aspects of both previous schemes while addressing their inherent limitations. The primary objectives of PMFBY are to alleviate the financial burden on farmers by reducing premiums and ensuring prompt settlement of crop assurance claims for the entire insured amount.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was introduced in 2015 as an integral part of the Soil Health Management (SHM) initiative within the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). PKVY's primary objective is to provide assistance and encouragement for the practice of organic farming, leading to the enhancement of soil health.
Soil Health Card Scheme
The Soil Health Card Scheme, launched by the Government of India on 19 February 2015, aims to provide farmers with soil cards containing personalized recommendations for nutrients and fertilizers specific to their individual farms. These recommendations are designed to assist farmers in enhancing productivity by utilizing inputs in a judicious manner. The scheme involves testing soil samples in various laboratories throughout the country, where experts analyze the soil's strengths and weaknesses, including micro-nutrient deficiencies, and propose measures to address them. The results and suggestions are then displayed on the soil cards. The scheme's objectives include promoting the balanced and test-based use of fertilizers to help farmers achieve higher yields at reduced costs. It also seeks to educate farmers about the appropriate nutrient quantities required for specific crops based on the soil's quality. The scheme covers 12 parameters.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), also known as the Pradhan Mantri Youth Training Program, is a government initiative in India aimed at skill development, recognition, and standardization. The primary goal of the PMKVY scheme is to foster a desire for employable skills and enhance the productivity of both potential and existing daily wage earners. This is achieved through the provision of quality training and the distribution of monetary awards and rewards. Each individual is eligible to receive an average award amount of nearly Rs 8,000. Additionally, those already possessing a certain level of skill will receive recognition based on the scheme, with an average award amount ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.
Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
The vision of a self-reliant India, known as Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, was conceived by the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On 12 May 2020, the Prime Minister initiated the campaign and unveiled a comprehensive economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crores (equivalent to 10% of India's GDP) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The objective of this campaign is to foster independence and self-sufficiency among the nation and its citizens in all aspects. The Prime Minister outlined five key pillars of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, which include the economy, infrastructure, systems, vibrant demography, and demand. Furthermore, the finance minister announced government reforms and enablers across seven sectors as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. These reforms encompassed areas such as supply chain enhancements in agriculture, rational tax systems, simplified laws, the development of capable human resources, and a robust financial system.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN), which translates to the Prime Minister's Farmer's Tribute Fund, is a government initiative in India designed to provide minimum income support to farmers. Through this program, farmers receive an annual support amount of up to Rs 6,000. The announcement of this initiative was made by Piyush Goyal during the 2019 Interim Union Budget of India on February 1, 2019. The scheme incurs an annual cost of Rs 75,000 crore and was implemented in December 2018.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
The government of India has made a strong commitment to prioritize water conservation and management. In line with this commitment, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been developed with the objective of expanding irrigation coverage ("Har Khet ko pani") and improving water use efficiency ("More crop per drop") in a targeted manner. The PMKSY aims to provide end-to-end solutions encompassing source creation, distribution, management, field application, and extension activities. On July 1, 2015, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by the Prime Minister, granted approval for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme since 2015-16. The PDMC scheme primarily focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at the farm level through the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Starting from 2022-23, the PDMC scheme is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
PM Kisan Sampada Yojana
In 2017, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a Central Sector Scheme known as SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters). This comprehensive scheme has now been rebranded as the "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)" and will be implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
The PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana is designed to establish modern infrastructure and improve supply chain management from the farm gate to retail outlets. Its objective is not only to significantly boost the growth of the food processing sector in the country but also to ensure better returns for farmers. It is a significant step towards doubling farmers' income and creating substantial employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the scheme aims to reduce agricultural produce wastage, increase the level of processing, and enhance the export of processed foods.
e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)
e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is an online platform in India designed for the trading of agricultural commodities. This digital market facilitates online transactions between farmers, traders, and buyers, offering a convenient platform for trading commodities. By promoting better price discovery and providing efficient marketing facilities, e-NAM contributes to the smooth marketing of agricultural produce. As of January 2018, the market recorded transactions worth Rs 36,200 crore, with a majority of trades occurring within the market. Currently, more than 90 commodities, including staple food grains, vegetables, and fruits, are listed on the platform for trading.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, these initiatives aim to enhance the livelihoods of farmers by ensuring financial security, skill development, market access, and sustainable agricultural practices.
