The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized a crucial regional conference on November 07, 2024 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to assess the midterm progress of agricultural schemes implemented across Northern States. High-ranking officials from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, as well as the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Delhi, joined the session to evaluate the effectiveness of these schemes and identify strategies for overcoming implementation challenges.
Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the need for states to accelerate their execution of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), urging them to streamline fund allocation and address state contribution issues. He highlighted the importance of operationalizing the Single Nodal Account-SPARSH system, clearing unutilized balances, and submitting Utilization Certificates (UCs) on time. His remarks aimed to reinforce a smooth and efficient management of financial resources critical to scheme success.
The review included a detailed assessment of flagship schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana. States were encouraged to expedite their efforts in meeting the targets for the fiscal year and finalize RKVY’s annual action plan for FY 2025-26 by December. Dr. Chaturvedi stressed that this timeline will facilitate the timely release of the first instalment in April, reducing previous delays in fund utilization.
The conference covered a range of key initiatives, notably the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Mission, designed to improve credit access for farmers; the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides expanded crop insurance for risk mitigation; and the Digital Agriculture Mission, which promotes data-driven agricultural practices. Officials underscored the urgency of aligning state land records with the Agristack database to enhance the efficiency of crop surveys and streamline the PM KISAN scheme.
High-priority topics like the National Edible Oils Mission, NABL accreditation under the Insecticides Act, and the Krishi Nivesh Portal were also discussed, focusing on leveraging the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to support sustainable sector growth. Joint Secretary Ajeet Kumar Sahu led the agenda, welcoming participants from various allied departments including Tribal Affairs, NABARD, and Cooperation. The conference concluded with an Open House session, allowing stakeholders to share insights on overcoming barriers and maximizing the reach of these schemes.
Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, including Additional Secretaries Manindar Kaur, Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Shubha Thakur, and various Joint Secretaries, along with representatives from the Ministry of Cooperation, NABARD, and the Department of Financial Services, attended the conference.
