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Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation - UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector
What is Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation in UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector?
Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation is a key topic under Agriculture Allied Sector for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare implements diverse schemes for holistic agricultural development.. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provides easy credit access, now expanded to animal husbandry and fisheries.. PMFBY and RWBCIS offer crucial crop insurance against various risks, showing increased farmer participation.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation important for UPSC exam?
Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation for UPSC?
To prepare Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Agriculture Allied Sector. (5) Write practice answers linking Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation for UPSC
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare implements diverse schemes for holistic agricultural development.
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provides easy credit access, now expanded to animal husbandry and fisheries.
- PMFBY and RWBCIS offer crucial crop insurance against various risks, showing increased farmer participation.
- Agricultural mechanization is promoted through SMAM and FMTTIs for skill training.
- RKVY allows states flexibility in choosing agricultural development activities.
- FPOs empower farmers for better input sourcing, credit access, and marketing.
- Digital initiatives like Project VISTAAR and mobile apps are transforming agricultural extension.
- PMKMY provides social security with a minimum pension for farmers.
- AIF focuses on post-harvest infrastructure with interest subvention for loans.
- Skill development programs like KVK and STRY enhance rural employability and entrepreneurship.
Agricultural Initiatives and Their Implementation
Medium⏱️ 10 min read
agriculture allied sector
📖 Introduction
Overview of Agricultural Initiatives
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is actively involved in initiating and implementing numerous programs aimed at promoting agriculture and ensuring farmer welfare across India.
These initiatives span various aspects, including credit access, risk management, mechanization, digital integration, organic farming, farmer income support, and skill development.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme
The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was significantly expanded in 2019 to include allied sectors such as animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries. This expansion broadened its scope and benefits for a wider range of agricultural activities.
Operational KCC Accounts (March 2024): 7.75 crore
Loan Outstanding: Rs 9.81 lakh crore
Primary Benefit: Provides farmers with easy and timely access to credit for their diverse agricultural needs.
Loan Outstanding: Rs 9.81 lakh crore
Primary Benefit: Provides farmers with easy and timely access to credit for their diverse agricultural needs.
Crop Insurance Schemes
India implements crucial crop insurance schemes to protect farmers from agricultural losses. These schemes have seen significant growth in farmer participation.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Covers risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest losses, providing comprehensive protection against yield reductions.
- Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS): Specifically addresses weather-related risks, offering compensation for losses due to adverse weather conditions.
Growth in Applications (2022-23 to 2023-24):
PMFBY: 32% year-on-year increase
RWBCIS: 27.50% year-on-year increase
PMFBY: 32% year-on-year increase
RWBCIS: 27.50% year-on-year increase
Agricultural Mechanization
Promoting the use of modern farm machinery is crucial for increasing efficiency and productivity in agriculture. The government supports this through targeted initiatives.
Under the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) play a vital role in skill development.
These institutes provide essential training on various aspects of farm equipment, including selection, operation, maintenance, and energy management, empowering farmers with practical skills.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is an umbrella scheme designed for the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. It offers flexibility to states.
Key Feature: Allows states to choose and implement their own agriculture and allied sector development activities based on specific district and state agricultural plans.
National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM)
Specialized research centers focus on specific crops to enhance their value chain. The NRCM is a prime example, focusing on the development of Makhana (fox nut) processing.
- Developed specialized machines for Makhana processing, including seed washers, graders, and roasting machines.
- Supported 24 enterprises, including Mithila Naturals, to boost Makhana industries and the agricultural economy.
Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System To Access Agricultural Resources)
Project VISTAAR represents a significant step towards digitalizing agriculture. It aims to create a unified and accessible digital ecosystem for farmers.
Objective: Enhance scalability, accessibility, and inclusivity in agriculture, while enabling two-way communication between farmers and agricultural resources.
This project leverages Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agricultural extension, integrating AI chatbots and Agristack for real-time farmer support and feedback mechanisms.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes organic farming in India through a cluster-based approach, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
Coverage (Since 2015-16): 14.99 lakh hectares covered through clusters
Beneficiaries: Over 25 lakh farmers
Beneficiaries: Over 25 lakh farmers
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are crucial for empowering farmers by collectivizing their efforts for better market access and resource utilization.
Registered FPOs (December 2024): 9268
Scheme: Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs
Benefits: Facilitates sourcing inputs, accessing credit, and marketing produce for farmers.
Scheme: Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs
Benefits: Facilitates sourcing inputs, accessing credit, and marketing produce for farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMY)
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMY) is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme designed to provide social security to small and marginal farmers.
Enrolled Farmers (November 2024): 24.66 lakh
Pension Benefit: Minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years of age.
Pension Benefit: Minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years of age.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on efficient water use through micro-irrigation techniques.
Financial Assistance for Drip and Sprinkler Systems:
Small & Marginal Farmers: 55% of project cost
Other Farmers: 45% of project cost
Small & Marginal Farmers: 55% of project cost
Other Farmers: 45% of project cost
Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)
The Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) provides vital weather and crop-related advisories to farmers, helping them make informed decisions.
- Agromet Field Units (AMFUs): 130 units disseminate information.
- Channels: SMS, radio, and social media.
- Mobile Apps: Kisan Suvidha and Mausam apps offer direct access to weather information.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a medium-long term financing facility designed to mobilize debt for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
Objectives: Enhance post-harvest infrastructure, reduce losses, minimize intermediaries, and enable farmers to sell directly to consumers at better prices.
Interest Rate: Capped at 9%
Interest Subvention: 3% for loans up to Rs 2 crore
Interest Subvention: 3% for loans up to Rs 2 crore
Skill Development Initiatives
Skill enhancement is crucial for modernizing agriculture and creating self-employment opportunities in rural areas.
- Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY): Offers 7-day short-term skill training in agriculture and allied sectors, primarily for self-employment.
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Provides comprehensive training in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, and allied sectors to strengthen rural skills and knowledge.
- Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA): Delivers decentralized extension services, updating farmers on new technologies and best practices.
- Student READY Programme: Focuses on skill development through hands-on learning, including training, rural awareness programs, internships, and practical projects.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare implements diverse schemes for holistic agricultural development.
- •Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provides easy credit access, now expanded to animal husbandry and fisheries.
- •PMFBY and RWBCIS offer crucial crop insurance against various risks, showing increased farmer participation.
- •Agricultural mechanization is promoted through SMAM and FMTTIs for skill training.
- •RKVY allows states flexibility in choosing agricultural development activities.
- •FPOs empower farmers for better input sourcing, credit access, and marketing.
- •Digital initiatives like Project VISTAAR and mobile apps are transforming agricultural extension.
- •PMKMY provides social security with a minimum pension for farmers.
- •AIF focuses on post-harvest infrastructure with interest subvention for loans.
- •Skill development programs like KVK and STRY enhance rural employability and entrepreneurship.
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