Agricultural policy and development

                                                Agricultural Policy and Development

u  Agricultural policy and development refer to the structured efforts by the government and institutions to guide, support, and improve the agricultural sector.

u  includes creating rules, strategies, and programs

u  help increase agricultural production, ensure fair pricing, protect farmers' interests, promote rural development, and maintain environmental sustainability.               

Importance of Agriculture in India

●        Provides employment to more than 50% of the population.

●        Contributes to the GDP, food security, and rural livelihood.

●        Supports allied sectors like dairy, poultry, fisheries, and horticulture.

Historical Evolution of Agricultural Planning

India’s agricultural development has evolved in phases, supported by Five-Year Plans:

First Phase (1951–1966): Foundation Building

●        Focused on land reforms, irrigation, and increasing foodgrain production.

●        Major programs included community development, cooperatives, and major irrigation projects.

Second Phase (1966–1980s): Green Revolution

●        Introduced High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and irrigation.

●        Transformed India from a food-deficient country to a self-sufficient one.

●        Major success seen in wheat and rice production, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP.

Third Phase (1980s–1990s): Diversification and Growth

●        Attention shifted to horticulture, livestock, and agro-processing.

●        Focused on rural employment programs and poverty reduction.

Fourth Phase (1991 Onwards): Liberalization and Reforms

●        India opened its economy, affecting agriculture through trade and policy reforms.

●        Focus shifted to market-led growth, export promotion, and private sector participation.

Green revolution:

l  Refers to a period of rapid agricultural transformation marked by the adoption of modern technologies, high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization.

l  It began in the 1960s in India to tackle food shortages.

Second Green Revolution – A New Strategy(from 2000 onwards)

Ø  The government aims for a Second Green Revolution that is more inclusive, eco-friendly, and sustainable.

Main Strategies Include:

●        Appropriate Land Use: Match crops with the land’s potential and climate

●        Soil Nutri-Care: Restore soil health through organic farming, biofertilizers.

●        Water Use Efficiency: drip and sprinkler irrigation.

●        Integrated Input Supply: timely access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.

●        Dryland and Rainfed Farming: Support regions without irrigation through drought-resistant crops and rainwater harvesting.

●        Group and Cluster Farming: Encourage farmers to work in groups to reduce costs and increase income.

●        Crop Diversification

●        IT-Based Extension.

●        Disaster Risk Reduction through training and crop insurance.

                             Institutional and Policy Reforms

Reforms were introduced to address structural and operational challenges:

●        Land Reforms: Redistribution of land, abolition of landlords, and consolidation of land holdings.

●        Pricing Reforms: Government announces Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to assure fair prices to farmers.

●        Subsidy Rationalization: Aim to reduce misuse of subsidies and target the needy farmers.

●        Credit & Insurance:

o    Kisan Credit Card (KCC) helps farmers get affordable loans.

o    PM Fasal Bima Yojana provides crop insurance against natural calamities.

●        Market Reforms:

o    Development of e-NAM (electronic National Agriculture Market) to connect farmers with buyers online.

                                        Soil Health Initiatives

To ensure long-term fertility and productivity of the soil:

●        Soil Testing: Mobile Soil Testing Labs analyze soil health and suggest nutrient applications.

●        Farmer’s Integrated Handbook (FIHB): A booklet that provides personalized soil health data and crop recommendations for 3 years.

●        Promotion of organic farming, biofertilizers, and green manure to reduce chemical usage.

                                   Public Distribution System (PDS)

●   It is a government-managed food security system in India.

●   It distributes essential commodities like rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene at subsidized prices to the economically weaker sections through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS).

●   Operated under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.

Objectives of PDS:

●        Ensure food security.

●        Stabilize prices and control inflation.

●        Maintain buffer stocks for emergency needs.

●        Support agricultural producers by procuring food grains at Minimum Support Prices (MSPs).

●        Facilitate nutritional support to the poor and vulnerable groups.

Role of PDS in Agricultural Planning and Development

●   Price Support to Farmers: Government procurement through PDS encourages production and assures remunerative prices to farmers.

●   Market Stabilization: Prevents excessive fluctuations in food grain prices by ensuring availability and affordability.

●   Demand Creation: Steady demand for food grains due to procurement encourages planned cropping patterns and food production targets.

●   Balanced Regional Development: PDS promotes cultivation of food grains in diverse regions to meet national distribution needs.

●   Reduction in Rural Poverty: Supplies basic needs at subsidized rates, reducing rural household expenditure and increasing savings.

●   Buffer Stock Maintenance: Helps the government manage food surplus or shortages by maintaining Food Corporation of India (FCI) stocks.

Types of PDS

●   Universal PDS (Pre-1997): Open to all citizens.

●   Targeted PDS (TPDS) (Post-1997): Focused on Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) categories.

●   Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Special scheme for the poorest of the poor, providing 35 kg of grains per family per month.

Challenges in PDS

●        Leakages and corruption in the supply chain.

●        Inefficient targeting—many deserving beneficiaries are excluded.

●        Storage and transportation issues (especially in FCI godowns).

●        Lack of digitization and real-time monitoring in some states.

Reforms and Modernization of the Public Distribution System (PDS)

1.Digitization of Ration Cards and Aadhaar Linkage

●   DIGITAL RATION card  linked with Aadhaar

●   Eliminate duplication and bogus beneficiaries.

●   better transparency.

●   Improves efficiency

2. One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme

●   Launched in 2019, the ONORC scheme allows inter-state portability of ration cards, enabling beneficiaries to access PDS benefits from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across India.

●   useful for migrant workers.

●   Provides flexibility

3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for Food Subsidies

●        Instead of providing subsidized grains, the government transfers cash subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

●        empowers beneficiaries to buy food grains from the open market, improving consumer choice.

●        Helps reduce pilferage, transportation costs, and the burden of grain storage.

4. Use of GPS Tracking and Electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) Devices

●   Introduced to monitor the supply chain and ensure real-time tracking and delivery monitoring.

●   prevent diversion or delays.

●   Electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) machines are installed at FPS to record transactions using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.

●   ePOS improves transparency, prevents overcharging or under-weighing

                                 WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

Introduction

●        WTO is an international body that deals with the rules of trade between nations.

●        Established: 1st January 1995

●        Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

●        Replaced: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), established in 1947

●        Members: 164 member countries (as of 2024), including India

Objectives of WTO:

●   Promote free and fair trade globally

●   Provide a platform for trade negotiations

●   Settle trade disputes among member countries

●   Enhance transparency and predictability in international trade

●   Assist developing countries in trade policy issues

Principles of WTO:

●       Non-discrimination – Most Favoured Nation (MFN) & National Treatment

●   Free Trade – Gradual removal of trade barriers

●   Predictability – Through binding agreements

●   Promoting fair competition

●   Encouraging development and economic reform

WTO and Agriculture:

Main Components:

1.      Market Access: Reduction of tariffs and quotas

2.      Domestic Support: Reduction of subsidies that distort trade

3.     Export Subsidies: Gradual reduction and removal

Boxes under Domestic Support:

1.      Green Box: Minimal or no distortion (e.g., R&D, extension, infrastructure)

2.      Amber Box: Trade-distorting subsidies (to be reduced)

3.      Blue Box: Linked to production-limiting programs (allowed with conditions)

WTO and India’s Agriculture:

●   India is a founding member of WTO.

●   Key issues for India:

Ø  Food security and subsidies for small farmers

Ø  Public stockholding programs (PDS)

Ø  Opposition to developed nations’ high subsidies

●   India uses Minimum Support Price (MSP) under green and amber box conditions

Doha Development Round

●        Initiated in 2001, Doha Round focuses on improving trade for developing countries

●        Stalled due to disagreements on agriculture and subsidies

WTO Dispute Settlement

●        WTO provides a Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to resolve trade disputes

●        India has used this mechanism in various disputes, e.g., against US poultry ban

Challenges with WTO

●        Developed countries' high subsidies

●        Imbalanced power in negotiations

●        Delays in dispute resolution

●        Need for reforms to ensure fairness for developing nations

Role of WTO in Indian Agricultural Trade

●        Promotes exports through market access

●        Challenges India’s subsidies and procurement practices

●        Impacts on Public Distribution System (PDS) and Food Security Act

Government Schemes and Subsidies in Indian Agriculture

Introduction

India’s agriculture is characterized by small and marginal land holdings, dependence on monsoons, and price volatility. To mitigate these challenges and improve the productivity and income of farmers, the Government of India (GoI) and various State Governments provide financial support, input subsidies, and institutional backing through various schemes.

Goals of agricultural schemes:

●        Improve crop productivity and farm income

●        Promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture

●        Ensure food security

●        Boost agricultural infrastructure and value chains

●        Empower small and marginal farmers

Classification of Schemes

Schemes in Indian agriculture can be classified into the following types:

A.    Income Support Schemes-Provide direct financial help to farmers.

B.     Insurance and Risk Mitigation Schemes-Crop insurance against natural calamities and losses.

C.     Credit and Finance Schemes-Provide easy access to institutional credit.

D.    Input Subsidy Scheme-Subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, electricity, water, and equipment.

E. Infrastructure and Marketing Schemes-Storage, cold chains, APMCs, rural markets.

Major Central Government Agricultural Schemes

1 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

●        Launched in 2019.

●        Income support of ₹6,000 per year paid in three equal installments.

●        Paid directly to the bank accounts of landholding farmers.

●        Objective: To supplement the financial needs of farmers for input purchase and household needs.

2 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

●        Crop insurance scheme launched in 2016.

●        Premium rates: Kharif crops - 2%, Rabi crops - 1.5%, Commercial crops - 5%.

●        Covers losses due to natural calamities, pest attacks, and diseases.

●        Promotes risk management and farmer confidence.

3 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

●        Motto: “Har Khet Ko Pani”.

●        Aims to ensure water use efficiency.

●        Components:

o    Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

o    Per Drop More Crop (Micro Irrigation)

o    Watershed Development

●        Encourages use of drip and sprinkler irrigation.

4 Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

●        Promotes mechanization for small and marginal farmers.

●        Subsidies up to 40-50% on tractors, power tillers, seed drills, harvesters.

●        Encourages establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).

5 Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

●        Launched in 2007 and restructured as RAFTAAR in 2017.

●        Aims to incentivize states to invest more in agriculture.

●        Funds used for agriculture infrastructure, extension, entrepreneurship, etc.

 6 National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

●        Launched to increase production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals.

●        Promotes improved varieties, integrated nutrient management, and resource conservation.

 7 National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

  Focus on climate-resilient farming, soil health, efficient water use, and agroforestry.

  Promotes techniques like SRI (System of Rice Intensification), organic farming, and vermicomposting.

8 e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)

●        Digital platform to link APMC mandis across India.

●        Ensures transparent price discovery, better marketing options for farmers.

●        Farmers can sell to buyers anywhere in the country.

9 Soil Health Card Scheme

●        Provides information on soil nutrient status.

●        Recommendations for appropriate fertilizer use, reduces cost, and enhances productivity.

10 Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

●        Provides short-term credit to farmers for crop production.

●        Includes provision for fisheries and animal husbandry.

●        Interest subvention on timely repayment

Input Subsidies in Indian Agriculture

 Subsidies reduce production cost and increase affordability. Major input subsidies include:

●   Seeds    :Subsidy on certified seeds, seed minikits

●   Fertilizers :Urea is heavily subsidized; via DBT

●   Electricity:Free or subsidized for irrigation pumps

●   Irrigation Equipment: 35-50% subsidy for drip/sprinklers

●   Machinery :Up to 50% under SMAM

●   Soil Testing:Free kits or partially subsidized labs

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Agriculture

Ø  DBT ensures efficient delivery of subsidies by transferring funds directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Ø  Reduces leakages and corruption.

Ø  Applied in: Fertilizer subsidy, PM-KISAN, insurance claims, etc.

Ø  Requires Aadhaar linking for transparency and targeting.

                Technology and Digitization in Agricultural Schemes

                       Technology and digitization have become integral to transforming Indian agriculture from a subsistence-based system to a modern, data-driven sector. The Government of India has embraced ICT (Information and Communication Technology), AI, GIS, and mobile applications to improve efficiency, transparency, and farmer outreach under various schemes and services.

1. mKisan Portal

●        Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (2013)

●        Website: mkisan.gov.in

●        Objective: To provide timely and relevant agricultural information to farmers through SMS and voice calls in their regional languages.

Key Features:

●        SMS Alerts: Customized messages on:

o    Weather forecasts

o    Market prices

o    Agronomic practices

o    Pest and disease control

o    Government schemes

●        Multilingual Support: Messages are sent in 12 Indian languages to cater to diverse linguistic regions.

●        Targeted Communication: Data collected through Kisan Call Centres and State departments is used to send location-specific information.

●        Integration with Schemes: Acts as a communication tool under schemes like PMFBY, Soil Health Card, PM-KISAN, etc.

 Impact:

●        Over 10 crore farmers are registered.

●        Helps in timely decision-making.

●        Reduces crop losses and improves input use efficiency.

2. Kisan Call Centres (KCC)

●        Toll-free number: 1800-180-1551

●        Languages supported: Hindi, English, and regional languages

●        Operational hours: 6 AM to 10 PM (365 days)

Objectives:

●        Provide instant answers to farmers' queries related to:

o    Crops

o    Soils

o    Livestock

o    Government schemes

o    Input use

●        Three-tier model:

0.      Level 1: Agricultural graduates receive and answer basic queries.

1.      Level 2: Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) at KVKs or research stations handle complex queries.

2.      Level 3: Further referral to ICAR institutions or SAUs if needed.

Benefits:

●        Personalized and expert guidance.

●        Reduces dependence on informal/unreliable sources.

●        Empowerment of farmers in remote areas.

3. Agri Mobile Apps

India has developed and deployed several government-supported agricultural apps to improve accessibility, transparency, and engagement in various agri-schemes.

🔹 eNAM App

●        Extension of the National Agriculture Market (eNAM).

●        Allows farmers to view mandi prices, make online transactions, and receive payments.

●        Integrated with 1000+ APMCs.

🔹 Pusa Krishi App

●        Developed by ICAR-IARI.

●        Offers information on improved varieties, management practices, and technologies developed by Pusa Institute.

🔹 Crop Insurance App

●        Provides details about PMFBY and RWBCIS.

●        Farmers can:

o    Calculate premium

o    Check coverage

o    Lodge complaints

o    Track claim status

🔹 AgriMarket App

●        Displays market prices of commodities within a 50 km radius.

●        Promotes better market access and price realization.

🔹 Kisan Suvidha App

●        Comprehensive platform offering:

o    Weather updates

o    Dealer info

o    Plant protection tips

o    Market prices

o    Agromet advisories

Overall Impact:

●        Encourages youth involvement in agriculture.

●        Enhances transparency and faster communication.

●        Reduces exploitation by middlemen.

4. GIS Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Drone Use

🔹 GIS (Geographic Information System) Mapping

●        Used to create soil fertility maps, crop coverage maps, and irrigation coverage data.

●        Supports planning under:

o    Soil Health Card

o    PMKSY

o    NFSM

🔹 Remote Sensing

●        Satellite imagery used to:

o    Monitor crop growth

o    Assess droughts, floods

o    Estimate yields

o    Detect land use changes

●        Organizations involved: ISRO, Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC)

🔹 Drone Technology

●        Drones are used for:

o    Crop surveillance

o    Disease detection

o    Aerial spraying of fertilizers/pesticides

o    Yield estimation

●        Initiatives under Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025)

●        GoI provides subsidies up to 50-100% for drone purchase under Custom Hiring Centres.

 Impact:

●        Enables real-time monitoring of schemes like PMFBY.

●        Improves targeting of input subsidies.

●        Reduces cost and enhances precision in farming operations.

 5. Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025)

A landmark program launched by the Government of India for digitally transforming Indian agriculture.

 Key Highlights:

●        Creation of a unified farmer database.

●        Use of AI, ML, blockchain, remote sensing, and IoT.

●        Collaborations with private partners for AgriTech solutions.

●        Integration of scheme benefits using Aadhaar-based authentication.

🔹 Projects Under the Mission:

●        Agri Stack – centralized database with all agri-related data.

●        Digital Mandis and online trading platforms.

●        Smart Extension Services – video-based, AI-powered advisories.

                           Rural Employment and Schemes

Importance of Rural Employment in Agriculture

●       Provides livelihood to over 60% of the rural population.

●       Helps reduce migration to urban areas.

●       Ensures optimal use of natural and human resources.

●       Promotes rural entrepreneurship and social equity.

●       Contributes to national GDP through increased agricultural productivity.

 Major Rural Employment Schemes (Central & State Initiatives)

A. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005

   Objective: Provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.

   Features:

●       Legal guarantee for wage employment.

●       Focus on water conservation, afforestation, and rural connectivity.

●       Special provisions for women (at least 33% beneficiaries), SC/STs.

●       Wages directly credited to bank accounts (DBT).

●       Promotes asset creation in agriculture (e.g., farm ponds, check dams).

B. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

  Objective: Skill development and employment generation for rural youth (15–35 years).

  Focus: Placement-linked training in industrial, service, and agricultural sectors.

  Features:

●       Placement for at least 70% trained candidates.

●       Special focus on marginalized groups – SC/ST, women, minorities.

C. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

While primarily for irrigation development, it indirectly promotes rural employment through:

●       Micro-irrigation works (drip/sprinkler).

●       Watershed development and water conservation projects.

D. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)

●        Joint initiative by MoRD and banks to provide free skill training for self-employment.

●        Short-term training for rural BPL youth.

●        Encourages agri-based enterprises (dairy, vermicomposting, food processing).

E. National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) / DAY-NRLM

●        Objective: Empower rural poor through self-help groups (SHGs) and federations.

●        Promotes sustainable livelihood through:

o    Farm-based activities (organic farming, poultry, fisheries).

o    Financial inclusion, capacity building, and market linkages.

F. PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme

●       Promotes rural entrepreneurship in agri-processing.

●       35% subsidy support for micro food processors, SHGs, FPOs.

●       Value addition to agri-produce creates employment in rural areas

Recent Developments and Digital Initiatives

●        e-SHRAM Portal: National database for unorganized workers including rural workforce.

●        Krishi UDAN Scheme: Boosts air cargo for agri-produce, indirectly generating logistics jobs.

●        Agri-Stack and Digital FPOs: Encourage data-driven farming and employment in agri-tech startups.

Role of Panchayats and Local Institutions

●        Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are key in implementing schemes like MGNREGA.

●        Local employment plans are made under Gram Sabhas.

●        Promote community-based resource management for employment generation

  Poverty Alleviation in Agriculture

Poverty: Poverty is generally defined as a condition in which an individual or a group of people lack the financial resources and essential means to meet a minimum standard of living.

Types               

        i.            Absolute Poverty - Lack of basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.      

       ii.            Relative Poverty  -Income or resource gap compared to others in society.      

      iii.            Chronic Poverty  -Persistent poverty over a long period, often intergenerational.

      iv.            Transient Poverty -Temporary poverty due to crop failure, illness, disasters, etc.

 Major Poverty Alleviation Programmes Related to Agriculture

1. Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)

●        Launched: 1978

●        Objective: Provide assets and skills to the rural poor to promote self-employment.

●        Coverage: BPL (Below Poverty Line) families including marginal farmers, landless laborers, SC/ST.

●        Key Feature: Subsidized loans for productive assets through banks.

●        Status: Subsumed under SGSY in 1999.

2. Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)

●        Launched: 1999

●        Objective: Create sustainable income-generating assets through formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs).

●        Focus: Capacity building, training, bank credit linkage.

●        Target Group: Rural BPL households.

●        Status: Replaced by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in 2011.

3. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

●        Launched: 2006

●        Legal Guarantee: 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households.

●        Agricultural Link: Builds rural assets like irrigation canals, ponds, bunds, and rural roads that benefit farming.

●        Focus: Drought proofing, water conservation, land development.

●        Special Provision: One-third participation reserved for women.

4. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) / DAY-NRLM

●        Launched: 2011

●        Full Form: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission

●        Objective: Empower rural poor women through SHGs and micro-enterprise support.

●        Agricultural Focus:

o    Promotes agri-based livelihoods like dairy, poultry, fisheries.

o    Provides support for agri-entrepreneurship, collective marketing.

5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)

●        Launched: 2015

●        Objective: “Har Khet Ko Pani” – Assured irrigation for every field.

●        Components:

o    Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

o    Watershed Development

o    Per Drop More Crop (micro-irrigation promotion)

●        Impact: Enhances water-use efficiency and reduces dependence on rainfall, thereby improving farmer income and reducing poverty.

6. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

●        Launched: 2016

●        Objective: Provide crop insurance to protect farmers against yield loss from natural calamities, pests, and diseases.

●        Subsidized Premium: 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, 5% for horticulture.

●        Benefit: Reduces risk-induced poverty and debt burden among farmers.

7. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

●        Started: 1995-96, managed by NABARD.

●        Purpose: Fund rural infrastructure projects such as irrigation, roads, bridges, storage, and market yards.

●        Impact: Directly supports agriculture productivity and rural connectivity, helping poor farmers.

●         

8. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

●        Launched: 2019

●        Benefit: ₹6,000/year direct income support to small and marginal farmers (up to 2 ha land).

●        Objective: Ensure minimum income security and reduce rural poverty.

9. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)

●        Launched: 2016

●        Purpose: Create a pan-India online trading platform for agricultural produce.

●        Impact: Ensures fair prices and cuts middlemen exploitation, especially beneficial for smallholders.

10. Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

●        Skill development and wage employment for rural youth from poor families.

●        Supports agri-allied sector skill training and placements in food processing, agri-logistics.

11. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) – ICAR

●        Focus: Rural youth engagement in agriculture as a sustainable profession.

●        Promotes agri-enterprises in dairy, mushroom cultivation, bee-keeping, etc.

12. Formation and Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

●        Implemented by: SFAC, NABARD, and other agencies.

●        Objective: Empower small and marginal farmers by collective marketing, input procurement, and processing.

●        Key for poverty reduction through scale efficiency.

Strategies for Poverty Alleviation in Agriculture

1. Improving Agricultural Productivity

2. Income Support and Subsidy Schemes

●        PM-KISAN offers ₹6000/year as direct income support.

●        Beneficiaries: 11 crore farmers across India (as of 2024).

●        Minimum Support Price (MSP) ensures price stability with 23 crops covered; ₹2.28 lakh crore worth of procurement was made in 2022-23.

3. Rural Employment Generation

●        MGNREGS is the world's largest employment scheme.

●        ₹98,467 crore allocated in 2023-24 budget.

●        Over 6 crore households benefited in 2022-23.

●        60% of the work must be related to agriculture and allied sectors, such as farm ponds, land leveling, compost pits, and irrigation canals.

4. Livelihood Diversification (Allied Sectors)

●        Income diversification reduces risk and seasonality.

●        Allied sectors like livestock and fisheries contribute over 30% to agricultural GDP (NABARD 2022).

●        Key schemes include the National Livestock Mission, Blue Revolution (fisheries), and Honey Mission under KVIC.

5. Rural Infrastructure Development

●        Infrastructure supports better price realization and reduces post-harvest losses.

●        Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) funded by NABARD has sanctioned ₹4.7 lakh crore cumulatively by 2023.

●        Over 38,000 km of rural roads constructed in 2022 under PMGSY.

●        Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore (2020–29) for storage, cold chains, and processing units.

6. Market Reforms and Access

●        e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) covers over 1300 mandis across 28 states, enhancing market transparency and competitive pricing.

●        Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with a target of 10,000 FPOs by 2027, helps farmers with collective bargaining, input supply, and value addition.

7. Skill Development and Training

●        National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) promotes SHGs and women’s employment.

●        Over 8 crore rural women mobilized into over 81 lakh SHGs.

●        Skill India Mission in agriculture sector trains youth in dairy management, organic farming, food processing, and other agri-enterprises.

8. Risk Management and Insurance

●        Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) covers over 5.5 crore farmers annually.

●        Offers low premium rates (2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi).

●        Claims worth over ₹1.35 lakh crore were settled from 2016 to 2022, reducing vulnerability to natural calamities.

9. Natural Resource Management and Sustainability

●        Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) has treated over 39 million hectares.

●        It helps reduce soil erosion, improves groundwater recharge, and increases cropping intensity.

10. Targeted Support for Small and Marginal Farmers

●        About 85% of Indian farmers are small and marginal.

●        Government initiatives include custom hiring centres, zero-interest loans, and women farmers’ support through schemes like Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana.

                       Agricultural Education System in India

Historical Background

Pre-Independence Era:

·         The first agricultural college was established at Saidapet, Chennai in 1868 (later moved to Coimbatore).

·         Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) was established in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar (later shifted to New Delhi).

Post-Independence Era:

·         .Establishment of  State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)  began from 1960 (first in Pantnagar).

Structure of Agricultural Education System

a. Central Institutions

·         Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Apex body

·         Controls and coordinates research, education, and extension.

·         Operates Deemed Universities:

Ø  IARI (New Delhi)

Ø  IVRI (Izatnagar)

Ø  NDRI (Karnal)

Ø  CIFE (Mumbai)

b. State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

·         Autonomous universities established by State Governments.

·         Conduct UG, PG and Ph.D. programs in agriculture and allied sciences.

c. Deemed Universities and Central Agricultural Universities

·         Deemed Universities under ICAR (like IARI)

·         Central Agricultural University (Imphal) and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (Pusa)

d. Private Agricultural Institutions

Approved by UGC/ICAR; offer degree/diploma courses with ICAR accreditation in some cases.

Levels of Agricultural Education

Ø  Undergraduate (UG) B.Sc. (Agri), B.Tech (Agri Engg), B.F.Sc., B.Sc. (Hort), etc.

Ø  Postgraduate (PG): M.Sc. / M.Tech in various disciplines.

Ø  Doctoral (Ph.D.): Specializations in agronomy, soil science, genetics, etc.

Ø  Diploma and Certificate Courses: Offered by KVKs, NGOs, and Agricultural Polytechnics.