India is an agricultural country where a significant percentage of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. To ensure farmers get fair prices for their crops, the Indian government has set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops. In addition, the government has implemented several developmental programs, policies and schemes to increase farmers’ incomes.

Overview

Various initiatives have been introduced to support farmers in India, including income transfers through PM-KISAN, crop insurance via PMFBY, improved irrigation access with PMKSY, infrastructure creation through AIF and production loans through KCC. Additionally, 10,000 FPOs have been established and promoted, and other schemes such as NMSA, drone technology adoption, Bee-Keeping, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Blue Revolution, Interest Subvention Scheme, Agro-forestry, restructured bamboo mission and implementation of new generation watershed guidelines have been implemented.

Since 2018-2019, the Indian government has raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 22 Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops by at least 50% over the all-India weighted average cost of production, as mandated. Furthermore, the National Statistical Office (NSO) conducted the 77th round of Situation Assessment Survey (SAS), 2019 of Agricultural Households in rural areas to estimate the average monthly income per agriculture household from various sources.

Current MSP of all the 22 Crops 

Important Information

• The Indian government has set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops to ensure farmers get a fair price for their crops.
• The government has implemented several developmental programs, policies and schemes to increase farmers’ incomes, such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, PMKSY, AIF, KCC and NMSA.
• The adoption of new technologies in agriculture, such as drone technologies, has the potential to revolutionize Indian agriculture.
• The MSP for various crops has been increased since 2018-19, with significant increases observed for crops such as paddy, wheat, cotton, tur (arhar) and niger seed. 

Conclusion

The Indian government has taken several measures to improve the income and living conditions of farmers in the country. This includes increasing the minimum support price for crops, implementing developmental programs, schemes and policies, promoting the use of technology in agriculture and creating infrastructure through the Agri Infrastructure Fund. The National Statistical Office has conducted surveys to estimate the average monthly income per agricultural household and the government has adopted measures such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, PMKSY and KCC to provide financial assistance to farmers. Overall, these measures aim to make Indian agriculture more resilient to changing climate conditions and improve the income of farmers in the country.

The Indian government has implemented various schemes and programmes to promote modern agricultural technology and increase agricultural production through extension activities. The Agriculture Extension Division is responsible for implementing these initiatives, which include the Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA), Kisan Call Centre (KCC), Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) and more. The Indian government has recently established the fundamental idea of India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) aimed at enhancing the agricultural ecosystem in the country. The National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) and Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing schemes (AGMARKNET) are some of the other initiatives that have been taken by the government. These schemes aim to promote agricultural marketing infrastructure, provide digital services to farmers and traders and promote the use of modern technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.

A brief overview on all the schemes/programmes

Conclusion 

Modern agricultural technology and practices can help increase agricultural productivity and efficiency in India. To promote the adoption of such technologies, the Indian government has implemented various schemes and programs, such as ATMA, KCC, SMAM and e-NAM. These initiatives aim to provide training and education on modern agricultural technologies, create awareness about new initiatives and improve access to markets and infrastructure. Through the continued implementation of these schemes and programs, the Indian agriculture sector can achieve sustainable growth and contribute to the country’s overall economic development.

The Indian government has reported smooth progress in the procurement of wheat and rice during the current crop year. The procurement of wheat has surpassed the total procurement of the previous year and is benefiting farmers. The relaxation of quality specifications for wheat procurement due to untimely rains has also helped prevent distress sales.  

Overview

The procurement of wheat and rice in India during the 2023-24 crop year is progressing smoothly. The procurement of wheat has already surpassed the total procurement of the previous year and is benefitting farmers. The major contributing states are Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. This year, the Indian government relaxed the quality specifications for wheat procurement in view of untimely rains leading to luster loss, reducing the hardship of farmers and preventing distress sales. Rice procurement is also progressing well. The current combined stock of wheat and rice in the Central Pool is over 510 LMT, which indicates that the nation has ample food grain reserves to meet its requirements.

Important points on procurement of wheat and rice in India during 2023-24

• As of April 26th, 2023, wheat procurement during RMS 2023-24 has surpassed the total procurement of RMS 2022-23, with 195 LMT already procured.
• The three major contributing states for wheat procurement are Punjab (89.79 LMT), Haryana (54.26 LMT) and Madhya Pradesh (49.47 LMT).
• The Indian government eased the quality standards for wheat procurement owing to unseasonal rainfall.
• Rice procurement during the kharif crop of KMS 2022-23 has resulted in a total procurement of 354 LMT, with an estimated 106 LMT to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.
• India’s wheat and rice stocks exceed 510 LMT, meeting food grain needs.
• The MSP outflow for wheat procurement has been Rs. 41148 crores, benefiting 14.96 lakh farmers.

Conclusion

The successful procurement of wheat during RMS 2023-24 is a significant achievement for the Indian government and the efforts have largely benefitted the farmers. The government’s decision to grant relaxation in quality specifications and allow procurement centers at the village/panchayat level has contributed to the success. Rice procurement is also on track and the ample stock of wheat and rice in the Central Pool meets the country’s food grain needs.

The “Pashudhan Jagruty Abhiyaan” program was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying as part of Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahostav. The primary objective of this awareness program was to furnish information on different schemes and programs of the department, with a specific focus on schemes related to entrepreneurship, vaccination, and other beneficiary-oriented initiatives.

Overview

The “Pashudhan Jagruty Abhiyaan” program was held across 2000 village-level camps in aspirational districts and around 1 lakh farmers were able to join the awareness program virtually from Common Service Centers. During the program, Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, CDD, presided over the meeting and engaged with the farmers. The program’s objective was to enhance farmer’s comprehension of the latest practices and techniques in animal husbandry and dairy farming, with the ultimate aim of ameliorating their livelihoods. Presentations and videos were utilized to elucidate the schemes’ impact and achievements.

Important points on Pashudhan Jagruty Abhiyaan

• “Pashudhan Jagruty Abhiyaan” was an awareness program organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• The program was held across 2000 village-level camps in aspirational districts, and around 1 lakh farmers were able to join virtually from Common Service Centers.
• Ms. Varsha Joshi, the Additional Secretary of CDD, oversaw the meeting and engaged with the farmers throughout the program.
• The program’s primary objective was to disseminate information regarding the department’s diverse schemes and programs, with a particular emphasis on schemes related to entrepreneurship, vaccination, and other initiatives intended for the beneficiaries.
• The success of the schemes was explained with the help of presentations and videos.

Conclusion

The “Pashudhan Jagruty Abhiyaan” program was a great initiative by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to help farmers gain a better understanding of the latest practices and techniques in animal husbandry and dairy farming. The success and impact of the schemes were explained with the help of presentations and videos, which made it easier for farmers to comprehend. It is commendable that around 1 lakh farmers were able to join the awareness program virtually from Common Service Centers, making it accessible to a wider audience.

In a recent development, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar released crop-specific standard operating procedures (SOP) for the pesticide application with drones, along with a guidebook named as “Machinery for Millets Production, Processing and Value Addition”. The release of these guidelines is expected to help farmers and other stakeholders improve the cost-effectiveness and safety of pesticide application. 

Overview

During the release, Shri Tomar emphasized the importance of using technology in agriculture to achieve the government’s goals of promoting agriculture and improving the financial condition of farmers. The minister also stressed the need to ensure that the benefits of agricultural schemes, including the use of drones, reach the last person. In this regard, the government is making efforts to make Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) more efficient and organize awareness sessions for agricultural students to make them capable of farming on their own land. Shri Tomar also highlighted the importance of millets, which are being celebrated worldwide as the International Year of Millets (Shree Anna) in 2023.

Key points 

• Agriculture is a priority sector for the Indian government and it is making continuous efforts to improve the financial condition of farmers and promote agriculture.
• The government is working towards reducing the cost of production and increasing the remuneration of farmers.
• Technological support is crucial for the agriculture sector to achieve its goals, and the government is linking schemes with technology.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes the importance of technology in agriculture and works towards its implementation.
• The Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has provided about Rs 2.5 lakh crore to farmers.
• The micro-irrigation project is proving to be fruitful, and there is a continuation of efforts towards promoting Natural Farming techniques.
• Drone technology is being used to reduce the cost of production and avoid the side effects of pesticides, and farmers will benefit extensively from it.
• The use of drones in agriculture should be made accessible to small farmers and common graduates and awareness sessions should be organized for them.
• The year 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, and the demand and consumption of millets should increase to boost production, productivity, processing and export.
• Financial assistance is provided to ICAR institutes, KVKs, SAUs and FPOs for the purchase and demonstration of drones in farmers’ fields, and agricultural graduates setting up CHCs are also given financial assistance.

Conclusion

The release of Crop Specific “Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Application of Pesticides with Drones” and the booklet on “Machinery for Millets Production, Processing and Value Addition” by the Indian government shows its commitment to promoting the use of technology in the agriculture sector. The government’s efforts to link schemes with technology and make drone technology accessible to small farmers and graduates will help reduce the cost of production and increase the remuneration of farmers, ultimately improving the agriculture sector’s financial condition.