Agricultural Renaissance: Empowering Farmers Through Visionary Policies and Transformative Schemes
Context:
In a recent development, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has apprised the Lok Sabha about the successful implementation of a comprehensive array of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes dedicated to the upliftment of Farmers Welfare.
Main highlights:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):
- The objective of the scheme is to provide vital income support to every landholding farmer family across the nation, to alleviate financial burdens associated with agricultural and domestic expenses.
- By granting an annual payment of Rs. 6000 to eligible farmers’ families possessing cultivable land holdings, this scheme has emerged as a lifeline for those dependent on the soil’s bounties.
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs):
- To foster collective strength and synergy among farmers, the Central Sector Scheme for the “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” was launched with much fanfare in 2020.
- This aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by extending robust support through dedicated Implementing Agencies (IAs).
- Besides this, the FPOs receive invaluable professional handholding support for a remarkable span of 5 years, ensuring a smooth and effective transition to sustainable business models.
- This not only empowers farmers but also stimulates agricultural productivity and competitiveness on a broader scale.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):
- To cater the agricultural prosperity, Rs. 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was released to mark a definitive step towards self-reliance.
- Being the part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, this fund addresses the critical need for medium to long-term debt financing, specifically targeting viable post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
- The AIF is complemented by the much-needed interest subvention and credit guarantee support to enhance resilience and modernization in the agricultural domain.
National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP):
- To fortify India’s self-sufficiency in edible oils, the Central Sponsored Scheme titled “National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)” emerged.
- The vision was to augment special emphasis on the North-Eastern States and the A&N Islands.
- The mission aspires to embrace an additional 6.5 lakh hectares under Oil Palm plantation within the forthcoming 5 years.
- The strategic regional focus, coupled with the promotion of sustainable cultivation practices, heralds a promising outlook for the Indian edible oil sector.
National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM):
- With the goal of “Sweet Revolution” through the prism of scientific beekeeping, the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) was initiated under the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in 2020.
- This mission extends to the apiculture sector, fostering its growth, and unlocking its immense potential as a source of economic empowerment for farmers.
- The NBHM not only advocates ecological conservation through pollination but also seeks to create a viable honey economy that nourishes livelihoods.
