Cabinet Approves Seven Major Agricultural Schemes

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved seven schemes to improve farmers’ lives and increase their incomes at a total outlay of Rs 14,235.30 Crore.

Digital Agriculture Mission Scheme

• About: The Mission is based on the structure of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) , Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) will use technology for improving farmers’ lives.
• Outlay: The Mission has a total outlay of Rs 2.817 crores.

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• Pillars: It comprises two foundational pillars:
  • Agri Stack: Agri Stack is a digital platform by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, designed to integrate high-quality data for improving agricultural outcomes in India. 
    • It aims to facilitate easier access to credit, quality inputs, personalised advice, and market opportunities for farmers, while also enhancing government efficiency in implementing benefit schemes. 
    • The Agri Stack will serve as a comprehensive database through detailed records of farmers, land usage, and crop patterns.
    • Built on InDEA 2.0 principles, it emphasises an open, federated, and inclusive design, with states playing a central role in its development.
    • The Central Core of Agri Stacks include: Farmers registry, Village land maps registry and Crop Sown Registry.
  • Krishi Decision Support System (DSS): The Krishi-Decision Support System is a satellite-based platform designed to help farmers enhance crop management and productivity. It utilises data from RISAT-1A and VEDAS, provided by the Department of Space, to offer precise agricultural insights. It’s components include: 
    • Geospatial data
    • Drought/flood monitoring
    • Weather/satellite data
    • Groundwater/water availability data
    • Modelling for crop yield and insurance.
• The Digital Agricultural Mission has provision for the following:
  • Soil profile
  • Digital crop estimation
  • Digital yield modelling
  • Connect for crop loan
  • Modern technologies like AI and Big Data
  • Connect with buyers
  • Bring new knowledge on mobile phones

Crop science for food and nutritional security Scheme

• Outlay:  The scheme has a budget of ₹3,979 crore
• Objective: It aims to prepare farmers for climate resilience and ensure food security by 2047.
  • This includes improving the nutritional value of crops and enhancing agricultural research and education
• Pillars: It has following pillars: 
  • Research and education
  • Plant genetic resource management
  • Genetic improvement for food and fodder crop
  • Pulse and oilseed crop improvement
  • Improvement of commercial crops and Research on insects
  • microbes, pollinators

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Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management and Social Sciences Scheme

• Outlay: The Scheme has a total outlay of Rs 2,291 Crore.
• Aim: This initiative aligns with the New Education Policy 2020 and seeks to equip the next generation of agricultural professionals with the skills needed to address contemporary challenges.
• Technology Incorporation: The scheme will incorporate advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and remote sensing, while also promoting natural farming and climate resilience.

Sustainable livestock health and production Scheme

• Outlay: The Scheme has been approved with a total outlay of Rs 1,702 crore.
• Aim: To increase farmers income from livestock and dairy. 
• Components: It comprises the following
  • Animal health management and veterinary education
  • Dairy production and technology development
  • Animal genetic resource management, production and improvement
  • Animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development.

Sustainable development of Horticulture Scheme 

• Outlay: Rs 860 crore
• Aim: To increase farmers’ income through the cultivation of a diverse range of horticultural crops.
• Components: This scheme will support the development of tropical, subtropical, temperate, root, tuber, and bulbous crops, as well as commercial and medicinal plants.

Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK’s) Scheme

• Outlay:  The Cabinet has earmarked Rs 1,202 crore for the strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
• Significance of KVK’s: KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) refers to the collective network of institutions in a country that are dedicated to agricultural research and development, including public, semi-public, and private entities like universities, government labs, private research organisations, and NGOs.
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK’s) centres play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and best practices to farmers across the country, helping to improve their productivity and income.
  • The strengthening of KVKs will ensure that farmers have access to the latest agricultural techniques and innovations.

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Natural Resource Management Scheme

• Outlay: This scheme has an outlay of Rs 1,115 crore.
• Significance: This initiative is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural practices while also protecting the environment. By promoting sustainable resource management, the government aims to safeguard the future of Indian agriculture. 

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