National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

✦Key Features

• Covers: rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (maize, barley), nutri-cereals (millets)
• Record food production: 330.5 million tonnes in FY2023-24
• India became world largest producer of millets in 2023 (International Year of Millets)
• Part of Krishonnati Yojana umbrella (consolidated 2017)
• Interventions: certified seeds distribution; micronutrient support; farm machinery; demonstrations
• NFSM-Pulses: India achieved record pulse production of 22.08 million tonnes (2023-24)
• Focus districts: 638 most backward districts across India

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Small and marginal farmers holding valid agricultural land.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in identified districts.
• Beneficiaries must reside in districts prioritized for specific crops like rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals.
• Tenant farmers and sharecroppers with valid lease agreements are also eligible in certain states.

★Benefits

• Subsidies on high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and hybrid seeds to enhance productivity.
• Financial assistance for purchasing farm machinery like rotavators, sprayers, and seed drills.
• Support for soil health management through the distribution of micronutrients and bio-fertilizers.
• Training and capacity building through 'Farmer Field Schools' and frontline demonstrations.
• Incentives for adopting efficient water management techniques like sprinklers and drip irrigation.

▶Application Process

• Approach the Block Development Officer or District Agriculture Officer for the scheme application form.
• Register details on the NFSM portal or State-specific agriculture portals where integrated.
• Submit the proposed cropping plan and details of inputs required like seeds or machinery.
• The District Food Security Mission Executive Committee (DFSMEC) reviews and approves applications.
• Receive subsidies on inputs or machinery directly through the DBT portal after verification.

₹ Budget Allocation

1516

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (Center:State), 90:10 for NE/Himalayan States, 100% for UTs.

Historical Context

Launched in 2007-08 following a recommendation by the National Development Council (NDC) to address the food security gap and meet the demand of the growing population.

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• Diminishing returns in traditional rice-wheat belts (Punjab/Haryana).
• Delayed dissemination of climate-resilient seed varieties.
• Lack of storage and processing infrastructure for millets at the farm gate.
• High dependency on monsoon patterns in rainfed pulses areas.

Reforms & Recommendations

• Shift focus to 'Bio-fortified' crop varieties to combat hidden hunger.
• Greater integration of Ag-Tech startups for precision farming under NFSM.
• Direct Income Support for farmers adopting crop diversification away from water-intensive paddy.

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Targets Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Coarse Cereals, and Nutri-cereals.
• Emphasis on 'Seed Minikits' and 'Cluster Demonstrations'.
• Promotes Water Use Efficiency through sprinklers and pumps.
• Specific sub-mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm added later.

Convergence Schemes

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

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