Encouraging Kitchen Gardening
Encouraging Kitchen Gardening
For improving the crop productivity and efficiency in the value chains of horticulture crops, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) has been assisting the farmers under various programmes like production of hybrid seeds, production of quality planting material, promotion of integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management, micro irrigation, protected cultivation, organic farming, post harvest management etc.
The Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (VIUC) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) which was launched in 2011-12 encouraged kitchen gardening as well as organic farming in urban and peri-urban areas. Under this scheme, extensive training programmes were also imparted to city dwellers giving thrust to organic farming and promotion of vegetable cultivation.
The Government of Kerala has submitted a project on “Open Cultivation of Vegetables” during 2015-16 to the MIDH which has been sanctioned.
The Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (VIUC) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) which was launched in 2011-12 encouraged kitchen gardening as well as organic farming in urban and peri-urban areas. Under this scheme, extensive training programmes were also imparted to city dwellers giving thrust to organic farming and promotion of vegetable cultivation.
The Government of Kerala has submitted a project on “Open Cultivation of Vegetables” during 2015-16 to the MIDH which has been sanctioned.
****
Kharif Crop Sowing Crosses 847 Lakh Hectare So Far
The total sown area as on 7th August, as per reports received from States, stands at 847.40 lakh hectare as compared to 808.40 lakh hectare at this time last year.
It is reported that rice has been sown/transplanted in 227.81 lakh ha, pulses in 82.44 lakh ha, coarse cereals in 148.49 lakhhectare, oilseeds in 148.52 lakh ha and cotton in 101.91 lakh ha.
The details of the area covered so far and that covered during this time last year are given below:
Lakh hectare
Crop
|
Area sown in 2015-16
|
Area sown in 2014-15
|
Rice
|
265.90
| |
Pulses
|
92.64
|
81.24
|
Coarse Cereals
|
158.62
|
141.43
|
Oilseeds
|
157.43
|
152.31
|
Sugarcane
|
47.36
|
47.17
|
Jute & Mesta
|
7.79
|
8.11
|
Cotton
|
105.68
|
112.24
|
Total
|
847.40
|
808.40
|
****
Promoting Contract Farming
Agricultural marketing is regulated by the States’ Agricultural Produce Marketing Regulation (APMR) Acts. In order to regulate and develop practice of contract farming, Government has been actively advocating to the States/ Union Territories (UTs) to reform their agri marketing laws to provide a system of registration of contract farming sponsors, recording of their agreements and proper dispute settlement mechanism for orderly promotion of contract farming in the country. So far, 21 States (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab (separate Act), Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura and Uttarakhand) have amended their Agricultural Produce Marketing Regulation (APMR) Acts to provide for contract farming and of them, only 13 States (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana) have notified the rules to implement the provision.
The Government does not provide financial assistance either to States or directly to the farmers to promote contract farming.
The Government does not provide financial assistance either to States or directly to the farmers to promote contract farming.
****
Steps to Make Farming Competitive and Profitable
To give new dimension to the condition and direction of agriculture in the country, Government has taken several steps. With the objective of making farming competitive and profitable and to make the country self-sufficient in providing food for a growing population, the Government has in the last one year embarked upon a number of initiatives that address the multiple concerns affecting the farming as an enterprise. The emphasis of the Government is on:
(i) production activities with a view to enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis;
(ii) on post-production activities, that takes care of marketing concerns; and
(iii) credit facilitation.
The emphasis is on sustained growth based on reduced cost of cultivation, rejuvenation of soil health, efficient use of water resources and remunerative prices on the produce of a farmer. Further, the emphasis is on risk mitigation through insurance scheme.
In consonance with the above, the Government has rolled out the following new initiatives:
(1) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
(2) Soil Health Card Scheme
(3)Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY)
(4) Neem Coated Urea (NCU)
(5) Enhanced credit facility to the farm sector
(6) National Agricultural Market
(7) Krishonnati Yojana, in addition to above includes:-
(i) National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
(ii) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
(iii) National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP)
(iv) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
(v) National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology
(vi) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Marketing
(vii) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation
(viii) National Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund
(ix) Price Stabilization Fund for Cereals & Vegetables.
(8) Further, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is also implementing the following schemes & programmes that support growth of the agricultural sector :-
(i) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
(ii) National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP)
(i) production activities with a view to enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis;
(ii) on post-production activities, that takes care of marketing concerns; and
(iii) credit facilitation.
The emphasis is on sustained growth based on reduced cost of cultivation, rejuvenation of soil health, efficient use of water resources and remunerative prices on the produce of a farmer. Further, the emphasis is on risk mitigation through insurance scheme.
In consonance with the above, the Government has rolled out the following new initiatives:
(1) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
(2) Soil Health Card Scheme
(3)Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY)
(4) Neem Coated Urea (NCU)
(5) Enhanced credit facility to the farm sector
(6) National Agricultural Market
(7) Krishonnati Yojana, in addition to above includes:-
(i) National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
(ii) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
(iii) National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP)
(iv) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
(v) National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology
(vi) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Marketing
(vii) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation
(viii) National Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund
(ix) Price Stabilization Fund for Cereals & Vegetables.
(8) Further, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is also implementing the following schemes & programmes that support growth of the agricultural sector :-
(i) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
(ii) National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP)
****
Steps to Raise the Production of Pulses
Household consumption of goods and services in the country is assessed through Household Consumer Expenditure Surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. Based upon per capita monthly quantity of consumption as per Household Consumer Expenditure Survey:2011-12 (latest available), the details of total consumption vis-Ã -vis production of pulses in the country during 2013-14 and 2014-15 are as under:-
(Million Tonnes)
Year
|
Production
|
Consumption
|
2013-14
|
19.25
|
12.10
|
2014-15
|
17.38
|
12.26
|
Note: 1.Production figures for 2014-15 are as per 3rd Advance Estimates.
2.Consumption figures only relate to consumption by household and do not include indirect consumption.
Shortfall in production of pulses is met through import. The details of import of pulses in terms of quantity and value during the last two years are as under:-
Year
|
Import of Pulses
| |
Quantity
(‘000 tonne)
|
Value
(Rs. in crore)
| |
2013-14
|
3177.89
|
11036.75
|
2014-15
|
4584.85
|
17062.94
|
In order to raise production of pulses and attain self-sufficiency, Government of India has been implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses in the country since 2007-08. Presently, around 50% of the funds under the umbrella scheme of NFSM is allocated for promoting cultivation of pulses. During 2014-15, NFSM-Pulses is being implemented in 622 districts of 27 States including all districts of North-Eastern and hill States.
Under NFSM-Pulses, an Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) was also implemented during 2010-11 to 2013-14.From 2014-15 onwards, the above programme has been subsumed under NFSM-Pulses.
Further, since 2010-11 “Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI)” Scheme is being implemented in Eastern States of Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. In order to increase production of pulses in the country, pulses have been included under BGREI from 2015-16 as part of demonstrations under cropping system based approach to target rice fallow areas.
****
Productivity of Foodgrains, Oilseeds and Pulses
Details of productivity/yield of foodgrains, oilseeds and pulses in the country during 2014-15 vis-Ã -vis 2010-11 are as under:-
Crop
|
Productivity (Kg/hectare)
| |
2010-11
|
2014-15*
| |
Foodgrains
|
1930
|
2082
|
Oilseeds
|
1193
|
1060
|
Pulses
|
691
|
753
|
* As per 3rd Advance Estimates.
In order to improve production and productivity of agricultural crops including foodgrains, oilseeds & pulses in the country, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments, several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.
Under these Schemes/Programmes, funds are provided to States for implementation of State-specific agricultural strategies including incentives to farmers for use of quality seeds, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), farm mechanization, etc. The States are also provided support for creation of agricultural infrastructure for optimal use of water and other natural resources.
To achieve higher productivity of agricultural crops, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is also conducting basic and strategic research relating to crop improvement, production and protection technologies suitable to different situations including development of location-specific varieties/hybrids and technologies.
As a result of various initiatives taken by the Government, production and productivity of various agricultural crops has been generally increasing except for the years with un-favourable rainfall, weather conditions etc
****
Resources made available to States for Development of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing 5 Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) namely: i) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), ii) National Food Security Mission (NFSM), iii) National Mission of Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), iv) National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET), v) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA); 5 Central Sector Schemes (CS) namely: i) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Marketing (ISAM), ii) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC), iii) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics & Statistics (ISACE&S), iv) Secretariat Economic Services, v) National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP); and 1 State Plan Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
All the above schemes/ missions have now been regrouped under 4 main schemes namely: a) National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP); b) Krishi Unnati Yojana; c) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY); and d) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) to ensure growth in agriculture sector and for the betterment of farmers.
The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) is providing financial support to the States for agricultural development through the above schemes/ missions as per the approved Annual Action Plans of the States. Further, through these schemes/ missions, resources in different forms, like quality seeds; farm machineries, such as, self propelled paddy transplanter, chiseller, rotavator, laser land leveler, plant protection equipment (manual/power sprayer), chaff cutter, sprinkler/pump set, seed treating drum, seed drill/zero till, multi crop planter/ridge furrow planter/raised bed planter, groundnut digger, power weeder, water carrying pipes, mobile rain gun, multi crop thresher; plant protection chemicals; micro nutrients & soil ameliorants; chemical fertilizers; bio-fertilizers etc. are made available to the farmers at subsidized rates. Other resources like storage godowns, cold storage facilities, marketing infrastructure etc. are also created for benefit of the farmers.
The State-wise allocation under the various schemes/missions of DAC has progressively increased during the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. The details are at Annexure.
With the acceptance and adoption of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the financial devolution to the States has risen from 32 percent to 42 percent of the central tax revenue. With this the sharing pattern of the funds for CSS has been changed. The States would now share the funding by a larger margin relative to pre-devolution period. The budgetary allocation of the DAC for the Centrally Sponsored Schemes has been accordingly provided for.
ANNEXURE
Resources made available to States for development of agriculture.
| ||||
Rs. in crore
| ||||
Sl. No.
|
Name of the State
|
Allocation
|
Allocation
|
Allocation
|
2012-13
|
2013-14
|
2014-15
| ||
1
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
1287.76
|
1210.69
|
699.02
|
2
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
141.99
|
124.62
|
131.42
|
3
|
Assam
|
522.90
|
632.69
|
719.17
|
4
|
Bihar
|
1057.31
|
785.74
|
805.53
|
5
|
Chhattisgarh
|
852.29
|
694.81
|
687.24
|
6
|
Goa
|
68.95
|
28.86
|
32.88
|
7
|
Gujarat
|
1008.52
|
995.36
|
1016.94
|
8
|
Haryana
|
418.11
|
542.17
|
586.52
|
9
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
160.66
|
143.13
|
176.05
|
10
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
220.45
|
224.24
|
263.64
|
11
|
Jharkhand
|
404.48
|
466.14
|
470.63
|
12
|
Karnataka
|
1065.70
|
1283.82
|
1379.12
|
13
|
Kerala
|
384.10
|
378.55
|
442.31
|
14
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
1045.91
|
1212.72
|
1238.79
|
15
|
Maharashtra
|
1817.14
|
2470.96
|
1876.29
|
16
|
Manipur
|
160.16
|
142.03
|
136.53
|
17
|
Meghalaya
|
184.94
|
123.19
|
133.84
|
18
|
Mizoram
|
293.89
|
222.11
|
213.01
|
19
|
Nagaland
|
193.81
|
151.93
|
159.20
|
20
|
Odisha
|
736.82
|
742.40
|
787.87
|
21
|
Punjab
|
344.94
|
613.19
|
667.50
|
22
|
Rajasthan
|
874.48
|
1258.63
|
1056.87
|
23
|
Sikkim
|
107.89
|
80.12
|
359.40
|
24
|
Tamil Nadu
|
945.29
|
600.21
|
652.32
|
25
|
Telangana
|
477.44
| ||
26
|
Tripura
|
155.07
|
168.09
|
188.84
|
27
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
1081.29
|
1278.55
|
1278.08
|
28
|
Uttarakhand
|
129.55
|
159.42
|
183.83
|
29
|
West Bengal
|
647.76
|
671.32
|
768.58
|
Total
|
16312.15
|
17405.68
|
17588.86
| |
****
Crops Notified Under NAIS During Kharif & Rabi
National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS envisages coverage of all food crop (cereals, millets & pulses), oilseeds and annual commercial/horticultural crops in respect of which past yield data is available for adequate number of years and State have the capacity to conduct requisite number of crop cutting experiments to assess the yield of notified crop in notified area. Names of crops notified under NAIS during Kharif & Rabi seasons are given in Annexure.
Comprehensive risk insurance is provided due to non-preventable risks including failure of seeds under NAIS. As the scheme is being implemented on area approach basis, the admissible claims are settled on the basis of final yield data furnished by the State Government for the notified area and crop.
ANNEXURE
| |||||||||
CROPS COVERED UNDER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE
| |||||||||
S.NO.
|
CROPS COVERED UNDER RABI
SEASON
|
S.NO.
|
CROPS COVERED UNDER KHARIF SEASON
| ||||||
FOOD CROPS & OIL
|
FOOD CROPS & OILSEEDS
| ||||||||
1
|
Paddy
|
1
|
Paddy
| ||||||
2
|
Wheat
|
2
|
Maize
| ||||||
3
|
Jowar
|
3
|
Jowar
| ||||||
4
|
Bajra
|
4
|
Bajra
| ||||||
5
|
Maize
|
5
|
Ragi
| ||||||
6
|
Barley
|
6
|
Moth
| ||||||
7
|
Rape & Mustard
|
7
|
Korra
| ||||||
8
|
Linseed
|
8
|
Navane
| ||||||
9
|
Blackgram
|
9
|
Save
| ||||||
10
|
Bengal gram
|
10
|
Blackgram
| ||||||
11
|
Greengram
|
11
|
Greengram
| ||||||
12
|
Redgram
|
12
|
Horsegram
| ||||||
13
|
Horsegram
|
13
|
Redgram
| ||||||
14
|
Sunflower
|
14
|
Groundnut
| ||||||
15
|
Safflower
|
15
|
Sesamum
| ||||||
16
|
Sesamum
|
16
|
Sunflower
| ||||||
17
|
Groundnut
|
17
|
Soya bean
| ||||||
18
|
Ragi
|
18
|
Niger
| ||||||
19
|
Peas
|
19
|
Castor
| ||||||
20
|
Lentil
|
20
|
Kodo Kutki
| ||||||
ANNUAL COMM. / HORT. CROP
|
ANNUAL COMM./HORT. CROPS
| ||||||||
1
|
Cotton
|
1
|
Sugarcane
| ||||||
2
|
Sugarcane
|
2
|
Banana
| ||||||
3
|
Potato
|
3
|
Cotton
| ||||||
4
|
Onion
|
4
|
Potato
| ||||||
5
|
Ginger
|
5
|
Chilly
| ||||||
6
|
Chillies
|
6
|
Ginger
| ||||||
7
|
Tapioca
|
7
|
Onion
| ||||||
8
|
Banana
|
8
|
Turmeric
| ||||||
9
|
Jeera
|
9
|
Pineapple
| ||||||
10
|
Garlic
|
10
|
Tapioca
| ||||||
11
|
Isabgol
|
11
|
Jute
| ||||||
12
|
Sonf
| ||||||||
13
|
Brinjal
| ||||||||
****
State wise allocation under Soil Health Card Scheme
Under the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme, Government of India provides assistance to State Governments to issue SHCs to all farmers in the country at an interval of 3 years. Under the scheme, Soil Health Card portal has been developed for registration of soil samples, recording test results of soil samples and generation of Soil Health Card (SHC) along with fertilizer recommendations. This is single, generic, uniform, web based software accessed at the URL www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in. The System envisages building up a single national database on soil health for future use in research and planning.
Under the scheme about 2.53 crore samples will be collected and tested to generate 14 crore SHCs for farmers once in a cycle of 3 years. The scheme has been approved with a total outlay of Rs. 568.54 crore (with Government of India share of Rs. 426.41 crore.).
From the current year the sharing pattern of funds for the project between Government of India and the States is in ratio of 50:50. The details of state-wise funds allocated for the scheme during the current year 2015-16 is given below:
State-wise Allocation for 2015-16 under Soil Health Card Scheme:
| |||||
(Rs in lakh)
| |||||
Sl. No.
|
State
|
Allocation (GOI Share)
| |||
1
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
508.61
| |||
2
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
15.58
| |||
3
|
Assam
|
124.16
| |||
4
|
Bihar
|
483.80
| |||
5
|
Chhattisgarh
|
277.87
| |||
6
|
Goa
|
12.98
| |||
7
|
Gujarat
|
602.19
| |||
8
|
Haryana
|
287.21
| |||
9
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
35.07
| |||
10
|
J&K
|
68.67
| |||
11
|
Jharkhand
|
54.21
| |||
12
|
Karnataka
|
646.47
| |||
13
|
Kerala
|
61.24
| |||
14
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
886.50
| |||
15
|
Maharashtra
|
931.78
| |||
16
|
Manipur
|
15.94
| |||
17
|
Meghalaya
|
18.63
| |||
18
|
Mizoram
|
12.58
| |||
19
|
Nagaland
|
20.24
| |||
20
|
Odisha
|
269.88
| |||
21
|
Punjab
|
303.90
| |||
22
|
Rajasthan
|
873.92
| |||
23
|
Sikkim
|
10.82
| |||
24
|
Tamil Nadu
|
468.02
| |||
25
|
Telengana
|
392.13
| |||
26
|
Tripura
|
20.49
| |||
27
|
Uttarakhand
|
58.08
| |||
28
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
1706.44
| |||
29
|
West Bengal
|
478.63
| |||
Total
|
9646.17
| ||||
****
Implementation of Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15 under the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology. The SMAM has following Components:-
1. Promotion and Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstration: Aims to ensure performance testing of agricultural machinery and equipment, capacity building of farmers and end users and promoting farm mechanization through demonstrations.
2 Demonstration, Training and Distribution of Post Harvest Technology and Management (PHTM): Aims at popularizing technology for primary processing, value addition, low cost scientific storage/transport and the crop by-product management through demonstrations, capacity building of farmers and end users. Provides financial assistance for establishing PHT units.
3 Financial Assistance for Procurement of Agriculture Machinery and Equipment: Promotes ownership of various agricultural machinery equipments as per norms of assistance.
4 Establish Farm Machinery Banks for Custom Hiring: Provides suitable financial assistance to establish Farm Machinery Banks for Custom Hiring for appropriate locations and crops.
5 Establish Hi-Tech, High Productive Equipment Hub for Custom Hiring: Provides financial assistance to set up hi-tech machinery hubs for high value crops like sugarcane, cotton etc.
6 Promotion of Farm Mechanization in Selected Villages: Provides financial assistance to promote appropriate technologies and to set up Farm Machinery Banks in identified villages in low mechanised states.
7 Financial Assistance for Promotion of Mechanized Operations/hectare Carried out Through Custom Hiring Centres:Provides financial assistance on per hectare basis to the beneficiaries hiring machinery/equipments from custom hiring centers in low mechanized areas.
8 Promotion of Farm Machinery and Equipment in North-Eastern Region: Extends financial assistance to beneficiaries in high-potential but low mechanised states of north-east.
State wise allocation of funds under sub mission on agricultural mechanization (smam) during 2015-16:
State
|
Allocation 2015-16
| ||
(RUPEES IN LAKHS)
| |||
Andhra Pradesh
|
758.47
| ||
Arunachal Pradesh
|
188.32
| ||
Assam
|
692.00
| ||
Bihar
|
691.59
| ||
Chhattisgarh
|
400.29
| ||
Goa
|
9.29
| ||
Gujarat
|
725.24
| ||
Haryana
|
211.63
| ||
Himachal Pradesh
|
77.95
| ||
Jammu & Kashmir
|
98.99
| ||
Jharkhand
|
28l.40
| ||
Karnataka
|
920.48
| ||
Kerala
|
192.23
| ||
Madhya Pradesh
|
1127.40
| ||
Maharashtra
|
1596.20
| ||
Manipur
|
19l.11
| ||
Meghalaya
|
362.67
| ||
Mizoram
|
202.93
| ||
Nagaland
|
225.93
| ||
Orissa
|
576.67
| ||
Punjab
|
186.56
| ||
Rajasthan
|
1241.40
| ||
Sikkim
|
129.83
| ||
Tamil Nadu
|
661.18
| ||
Telangana
|
549.23
| ||
Tripura
|
257.21
| ||
Uttar Pradesh
|
1710.30
| ||
Uttarakhand
|
79.72
| ||
West Bengal
|
620.45
| ||
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Strengthening Agricultural Market Infrastructure
In order to create an integrated agricultural market at national level, Government has formulated a Central Sector Scheme for “Promotion of National Agriculture Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF)” to be implemented with a budgetary outlay of Rs.200.00 crore during 2015-16 to 2017-18. Under the scheme, an appropriate common e-market platform would be deployed in 585 selected regulated wholesale markets in states across the country. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) will meet expenses on software and its customisation for the States and in addition will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of Rs.30.00 lakhs per Mandi for related hardware including equipment/infrastructure. The selection of the mandis will be based on proposals from States that have carried out prior reforms in their marketing laws in respect of (i) a single license to be valid across the State, (ii) single point levy of market fee and (iii) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery. It is envisaged that at least 585 mandis will be integrated with the common e-platform over three years during 2015-16 to 2017-18.
In order to modernise the existing mandis and strengthen the agriculture market infrastructure in the country, including in rural areas, the Government has been providing financial assistance through various central sector and centrally sponsored schemes which include inter-alia the schemes of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) such as the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) and its sub-schemes of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) and Venture Capital Assistance (VCA), the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) as well as the scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure.
The Government has also been advocating to the States/ Union Territories to reform their agri-marketing laws to promote development of alternative marketing channels other than the market yards of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) to promote inter-alia private investment in development of agri marketing infrastructure.
In order to modernise the existing mandis and strengthen the agriculture market infrastructure in the country, including in rural areas, the Government has been providing financial assistance through various central sector and centrally sponsored schemes which include inter-alia the schemes of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) such as the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) and its sub-schemes of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) and Venture Capital Assistance (VCA), the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) as well as the scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure.
The Government has also been advocating to the States/ Union Territories to reform their agri-marketing laws to promote development of alternative marketing channels other than the market yards of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) to promote inter-alia private investment in development of agri marketing infrastructure.
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Increasing Knowledge and Awareness Among Farmers to Enhance the Production and Productivity
To increase knowledge and awareness among farmers to enhance the production and productivity of various crops, the Government of India has initiated various programmes such as Front Line Demonstrations and Extension through network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), National Mission of Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Soil Health Management Scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as per details given below:-
NMAET: The aim of this Mission is to restructure and strengthen Agricultural Extension to enable delivery of appropriate technologies and improved agronomic practices to the farmers. NMAET is implemented with four Sub-Missions namely – Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE); Sub-Mission on Seed & Planting Material (SMSP); Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Sub-Mission on Plant Protection & Plant Quarantine (SMPP).
SMAE focusses on awareness creation and enhanced use of appropriate technology in agriculture and allied sectors. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is the main scheme under SMAE of NMAET. The Scheme is implemented in 652 districts of 29 States and 3 UTs of the country. It promotes decentralized farmer - driven and farmer - accountable extension system for technology dissemination. ATMA encourages multi-agency and broad-based extension strategies, adopt group approach to extension and facilitates convergence of programmes in planning, execution and implementation at district level. Under the Scheme grant is released to State Govts. for revitalizing their extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different thematic areas to increase production and productivity of crops through farmers training, demonstrations, exposure visits,
exhibitions, kisan melas, farmer-scientist-interactions, mobilization of farmers interest groups and setting up of farm schools on the field of progressive farmers. Govt. also creates awareness among farmers through print & electronic media.
The Kisan Call Centre (KCC) Scheme is also implemented across the country for the benefits of farmers. The main aim of the Scheme is to answer queries of farmers on telephone calls in their own dialect. A countrywide common 11 digit toll free number 1800-180-1551 has been allotted for Kisan Call Centre.
A Central Sector Scheme “Establishment of Agri Clinics & Agri Business Centres (ACABC)” supplements the efforts of public extension, supports agriculture development and creates gainful self employment opportunities to unemployed youths with qualification in agriculture and allied sectors. It promotes agri-preneurs trained under the ACABC Scheme in providing advisory and extension services to the farmers.
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) promotes Agricultural Mechanization in the country through Training, Testing and Demonstration. Under Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP), Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) have been established in 28 States and 1 UT. These centres conduct Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) in fields to create awareness among farmers. Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Material (SMSP) covers the entire gamut of seed chain from nucleus seed supply to farmers for sowing and also to the major stakeholders in the seed chain. It promotes adoption of quality seeds for increasing Agricultural Production & Productivity.
NFSM: This Mission includes cluster demonstration of rice, wheat, pulses on improved package of practices, demonstration on cropping system, cropping system-based training of farmers, seed distribution of high-yielding varieties and other agri inputs. The Govt. of India has approved crops developmental programme on cotton, jute and sugarcane for enhancing production and productivity of these commercial crops from 2014-15. Demonstration on High Density Planting System (HDPS) in cotton on inter-cropping with pulses, oilseeds & cereals with sugarcane are also conducted under the Scheme to enhance production and productivity.
The programme ‘Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India’ (BGREI) was initiated to address the constraints linking the productivity of Rice based cropping system in eastern India comprising 7 States namely – Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Eastern U.P. and West Bengal. The programme provided a more focused approach on medium and long-term strategies for asset building activities of water conservation and utilization along with short-term strategies pertaining to Transfer of Technologies (ToTs) of major cereals in BGREI districts. Under Soil Health Management Scheme farmers are trained for judicious use of fertilizers.
MIDH: Capacity building programmes of farmers & technicians are carried out under the Mission for adopting improved technologies.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
It has established a network of 642 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country aiming at assessment and demonstration of technologies/ products and its dissemination through number of extension programmes including training of farmers to update their knowledge and awareness to increase the productivity of crops.
Due to the training programmes conducted by KVKs on improved technologies related to agriculture and allied fields benefited the farmers in terms of increased crop production and improved farm income. The successful technological interventions identified by KVKs through On-farm testing (OFTs) and frontline demonstrations (FLDs) are up-scaled with the help of Department of Agriculture and other line departments for the spread of the technologies to large number of farmers in the district by the respective KVK and also organizing the extension activities like technology week in the demonstration farm of KVK for exposure of farmers to the improved technologies of agriculture.
ATMA under NMAET provides generic extension covering all the crops and allied sectors through extension activities / capacity building programmes like Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas, Farmer-Scientist-Interaction, Mobilization of Farmers Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farm Schools, etc. NFSM carries out counseling of farmers through cluster demonstrations and FFSs for Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Cotton, Jute, and Sugarcane Crops. MIDH imparts capacity building programme for farmers in horticultural crops namely - fruits, vegetables, roots & tuber crops, mushroom, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa & bamboo, etc.
ICAR: The major crops covered were rice, wheat, maize and barley (Cereals); barnyard millet, finger millet, pearl millet (Millets); groundnut, sesame, soybean, sunflower, linseed, mustard, castor (Oilseeds); black gram, cowpea, field pea, green gram, lentil, pigeon pea, rajmash (Pulses); sugarcane, cotton, betel leaf, guar seed (Commercial Crops); berseem; cowpea, maize, Lucerne, napier, oat, sorghum (Fodder Crops); vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices and condiments, tuber crops and plantation crops (Horticultural Crops).
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