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CSR for Agriculture Sustainability - UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector
What is CSR for Agriculture Sustainability in UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector?
CSR for Agriculture Sustainability is a key topic under Agriculture Allied Sector for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: India was the first country to legally mandate CSR in 2013.. CSR in India is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.. Eligible companies must spend 2% of their average net profit on CSR activities.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is CSR for Agriculture Sustainability important for UPSC exam?
CSR for Agriculture Sustainability 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 CSR for Agriculture Sustainability, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare CSR for Agriculture Sustainability for UPSC?
To prepare CSR for Agriculture Sustainability 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 CSR for Agriculture Sustainability to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of CSR for Agriculture Sustainability for UPSC
- India was the first country to legally mandate CSR in 2013.
- CSR in India is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
- Eligible companies must spend 2% of their average net profit on CSR activities.
- CSR aims to make agriculture economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
- Financial inclusion, through tools like Micro-ATMs and RuPay Kisan Credit Cards, is a key CSR focus.
- Environment and sustainability is the second highest priority for CSR spending.
- CSR supports initiatives like grain banks, farmer schools, and water conservation.
CSR for Agriculture Sustainability
Medium⏱️ 6 min read
agriculture allied sector
📖 Introduction
Introduction to CSR for Agriculture Sustainability
With increasing contributions, the focus is on how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can effectively support Indian agriculture.
The primary aim is to ensure agriculture becomes both economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
Key Focus: Leveraging CSR for comprehensive development in the agricultural sector, encompassing sustainability and financial empowerment.
Financial Inclusion through CSR Principles
Cooperative societies are being equipped with modern financial tools to enhance farmer access to credit.
This includes the provision of RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs.
These tools facilitate access to low-cost loans, thereby promoting greater financial inclusion and support for farmers.
Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India
What is CSR? CSR is a business practice where companies voluntarily integrate social, environmental, and ethical concerns into their core operations and interactions with stakeholders.
These concerns often encompass areas like environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, education, and healthcare.
India's Pioneering CSR Mandate
India holds the distinction of being the first country globally to legally mandate CSR.
This landmark legislation was introduced in 2013 under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
CSR Fund Disbursement (2014-2023): A total of Rs 1.84 lakh crore of CSR funds were disbursed during this period.
Legislative Framework and Mandatory Requirements
The CSR concept in India is governed by a robust legislative framework, ensuring its structured implementation:
- Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013
- Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013
- Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014
CSR became a mandatory requirement for specific companies, effective from 1st April 2014.
CSR Criteria and Spending Mandate
CSR Criteria: Provisions apply to companies meeting any of the following criteria in the preceding financial year:
- A net worth of over Rs 5 billion
- A turnover exceeding Rs 10 billion
- A net profit greater than Rs 50 million
CSR Priorities and Agricultural Initiatives
While healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene remain the top priorities for companies, environment and sustainability is the second priority for CSR contributions. This underscores its significant potential for the agricultural sector.
Examples of CSR-supported initiatives directly benefiting agriculture include:
- Establishment of grain banks for improved food storage and security.
- Development of farmer schools for skill enhancement and knowledge dissemination.
- Implementation of water conservation projects to ensure efficient resource management.
- Promotion of energy-efficient irrigation systems to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •India was the first country to legally mandate CSR in 2013.
- •CSR in India is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
- •Eligible companies must spend 2% of their average net profit on CSR activities.
- •CSR aims to make agriculture economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
- •Financial inclusion, through tools like Micro-ATMs and RuPay Kisan Credit Cards, is a key CSR focus.
- •Environment and sustainability is the second highest priority for CSR spending.
- •CSR supports initiatives like grain banks, farmer schools, and water conservation.
🧠 Memory Techniques
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