Introduction
Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58 per cent of India’s population. Gross Value Added (GVA) by agriculture, forestry and fishing was estimated at Rs 19.48 lakh crore (US$ 276.37 billion) in FY20(PE). Growth in GVA in agriculture and allied sectors stood at 4 per cent in FY20.
The Indian food industry is poised for huge growth, increasing its contribution to world food trade every year due to its immense potential for value addition, particularly within the food processing industry. Indian food and grocery market is the world’s sixth largest, with retail contributing 70 per cent of the sales. The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32 per cent of the country’s total food market, one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.
Investments
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Indian food processing industry has cumulatively attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflow of about US$ 9.98 billion between April 2000 and March 2020.
Some major investments and developments in agriculture are as follows:
- In March 2020, Fact, the oldest large-scale fertiliser manufacturer in the country, crossed one million production and sales mark.
- Nestle India will invest Rs 700 crore (US$ 100.16 million) in construction of its ninth factory in Gujarat.
- In November 2019, Haldiram entered into an agreement for Amazon’s global selling program to E-tail its delicacies in the United States.
- In November 2019, Coca-Cola launched ‘Rani Float’ fruit juices to step out of its trademark fizzy drinks.
- Two diagnostic kits developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the Japanese Encephalitis lgM ELISA were launched in October 2019.
- Investment worth Rs 8,500 crore (US$ 1.19 billion) have been announced in India for ethanol production.
Government Initiatives
Welfare of farmers has been the top priority of Government of India. For this it has implemented different schemes or yojana’s to revive agriculture sector and to improve the economic conditions of farmers. These agricultural schemes are very beneficial for the farmers and they must know about it so as to take its benefit. So, through this article we will tell you about some of the most useful and popular government schemes for farmers in India.
PM -Kisan Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is an initiative of the Government wherein 120 million small and marginal farmers of India with less than two hectares of landholding will get up to Rs. 6,000 per year as a minimum income support. PM-Kisan Scheme has become operational since 1st December 2018. Under this scheme, cultivators will get Rs. 6000 in three instalments.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a pension scheme for the small & marginal farmers of India last September. Under PM Kisan Maandhan Scheme about 5 crore marginalised farmers will get a minimum pension of Rs 3000 / month on attaining the age of 60. Those who fall in the age group of 18 – 40 years will be eligible to apply for the scheme. Under this scheme, the farmers will be required to make a monthly contribution of Rs 55 to 200, depending on their age of entry, in the Pension Fund till they reach the retirement date, 60 years. The Government will make an equal contribution of the same amount in the pension fund for the cultivators.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is an actuarial premium based scheme where farmer has to pay maximum premium of 2 percent for Kharif, 1.5 percent for Rabi food & oilseed crops and 5 percent for annual commercial or horticultural crops and the remaining part of the actuarial or bid premium is equally shared by the Central & State Government. An important purpose of the scheme is to facilitate quick claims settlement. The claims should be settled within 2 months of harvest subject to timely provision of both yield data & share of premium subsidy by State Government.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is yet another important Government scheme that provides farmers with timely access to credit. Kisan Credit Card scheme was introduced in 1998 to provide short-term formal credit to the farmers. KCC scheme was launched to ensure that the credit requirements for cultivators in the agriculture, fisheries & animal husbandry sector were being met. Under this scheme, farmers are given short-term loans to purchase equipment & for their other expenses as well. There are many banks that offer KCC including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis.
Pashu Kisan Credit Card Scheme
For the growth and development of animal husbandry sector in India, the Government has launched ‘Pashu Kisan Credit Card’ for livestock farmers. Haryana is the first state in the country to provide Pashu Kisan Credit Card to the farmers. Under this scheme, farmers are given loan to buy cow, buffalo, goat etc. To apply for Pashu Kisan Credit Card you will have to go to your nearest bank.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is implemented with the aim to promote organic cultivation in India. To improve soil health as well as organic matter content and to boost the net income of the farmer so as to realize premium prices. Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, an area of 5 lakh acre is targeted to be covered though 10,000 clusters of 50 acre each, from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana was launched on 1 July 2015 with the motto ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ to provide end-to end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network & farm level applications. PMKSY focuses on creating sources for assured irrigation, also creating protective irrigation by harnessing rain water at micro level through ‘Jal Sanchay’ & ‘Jal Sinchan’.
Components:
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme – implemented by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR.
- PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani) – implemented by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR
- PMKSY (Watershed) – implemented by Department of Land Resources.
- PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop – PDMC)
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
National Agriculture Market gives an e-marketing platform at the national level and support creation of infrastructure to enable e-marketing. This new market process is revolutionizing agriculture markets by guaranteeing better price discovery. It also brings in transparency & competition to enable cultivators to get improved remuneration for their produce moving towards ‘One Nation One Market’.
Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F) had launched a pilot scheme called as “Venture Capital Scheme for Dairy & Poultry” in the year 2005-06. The scheme aimed at extending support for setting up small dairy farms and other components to bring structural changes in the dairy sector. Later on, DAHD&F changed its name to ‘Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme’ (DEDS) & the revised scheme came into operation with effect from 1st September, 2010.
Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP)
Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) was started as a sub-scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The aim was to improve quality of life of farmers’ especially, small & marginal farmers by giving a complete package of activities to maximize farm returns. It also helps in increasing agricultural productivity of rainfed areas in a sustainable way by adopting suitable farming system -based approaches. It minimises the adverse impact of possible crop failure because of drought, flood or un-even rainfall distribution through diversified & composite farming system. The programme also helps in increasing farmer’s income & livelihood support for reduction of poverty in Rainfed areas.
Soil Health Card Scheme
Soil health card scheme was launched in the year 2015 in order to help the State Governments to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers of India. The Soil Health Cards gives information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It is aimed at promoting Sustainable Agriculture via climate change adaptation measures, boosting agriculture productivity especially in Rainfed areas focusing on integrated farming, soil health management & synergizing resource conservation.
Schemes under NMSA
- Rainfed Area Development (RAD) – implemented by RFS Division.
- Sub Mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF) – implemented by NRM Division
- Soil Health Management (SHM) – implemented by INM Division
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – implemented by INM Division
- National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) – implemented by RFS Division
- Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) – implemented by RFS Division
- National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) – implemented by INM Division
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) – implemented by INM Division
Livestock Insurance Scheme
Livestock insurance Scheme is aimed at providing protection mechanism to farmers as well as cattle rearers against any eventual loss of animals because of death. The scheme also tells about the benefit of insurance of livestock to dairy farmers and popularizes it with the ultimate goal of attaining qualitative improvement in livestock & their products.
