Policies and Schemes for Agricultural Development

India has implemented numerous policies and schemes for agricultural development, aiming to improve productivity, ensure food security, and enhance the welfare of farmers. Some of the key policies and schemes include:

• National Agricultural Policy (2000):
  • Focuses on improving productivity, ensuring food security, increasing farmers’ income, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
  • Promotes technological advancement and efficient water management.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) (2015):
  • Aims to provide irrigation facilities to ensure “Har Khet Ko Pani” (water for every field).
  • Focuses on efficient water use, creating new irrigation infrastructure, and improving existing irrigation systems.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) (2016):
  • Provides crop insurance to farmers, offering financial support in case of crop loss due to natural calamities.
  • Aims to make insurance coverage accessible and affordable.
• Soil Health Management (2015):
  • Encourages soil testing and provides farmers with soil health cards to optimize the use of fertilizers and enhance productivity.
  • Focuses on sustainable farming practices and improving soil quality.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) (2007):
  • Aims to increase agricultural productivity by enhancing the availability of resources such as irrigation, seeds, and fertilizers.
  • Supports state governments in developing their own plans for agricultural growth.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme (1998):
  • Provides farmers with easy access to short-term credit for agricultural operations, including purchase of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.
  • Aims to reduce dependency on informal and expensive sources of credit.
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) (2014):
  • Promotes sustainable farming techniques, focusing on soil health, water use efficiency, and biodiversity conservation.
  • Encourages organic farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
• Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF) (2020):
  • Provides financial assistance for building infrastructure for agri-markets, improving post-harvest management, and enhancing value chains.
  • Aims to provide farmers with better access to markets and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (2020):
  • Includes various measures for agricultural growth such as reforms in the agri-sector, promoting contract farming, and improving the farm-to-fork supply chain.
  • Focuses on increasing income through better market linkages and ensuring easier access to credit and technology.
• PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) (2019):
  • Provides direct income support to farmers with an income of up to ₹6,000 per year in three installments.
  • Aims to support farmers’ livelihoods, especially in times of distress.
• SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters):
  • Focuses on reducing food wastage, enhancing the processing of agricultural products, and boosting food exports.
  • Aims to promote the establishment of agro-processing clusters.
• Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Welfare:
  
  • The Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) Act and the National Agricultural Market (eNAM) aim to provide farmers with better access to markets and reduce the role of middlemen.