India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a landmark decision aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a substantial allocation of nearly ₹14,000 crore for seven significant programs. These initiatives are designed to foster holistic growth within the agriculture and allied sectors, with a primary focus on enhancing farmers’ income and ensuring long-term sustainability.
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Key programs and allocations
The comprehensive package includes seven major schemes, each targeting various aspects of agricultural management and development:
1. Digital Agriculture Mission:
With an allocation of ₹2,817 crore, this mission seeks to leverage technology to revolutionize farming practices. The mission is built on two foundational pillars: the Agri Stack and the Krishi Decision Support System. Agri Stack encompasses a farmers’ registry, village land maps, and crop sown registry, while the Krishi Decision Support System incorporates geospatial data, weather monitoring, and digital crop estimation. The initiative also aims to integrate advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and digital crop modeling to support farmers with real-time information and decision-making tools.
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2. Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security:
This scheme, with a budget of ₹3,979 crore, focuses on preparing farmers for climate-resilient crop sciences and ensuring food security by 2047. It is underpinned by six key pillars: research and education; plant genetic resource management; genetic improvement for crops; pulse and oilseed crop enhancement; improvement of commercial crops; and research on insects, microbes, and pollinators.
3. Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management, and Social Sciences:
Allocated ₹2,291 crore, this program aims to modernize agricultural research and education in alignment with the New Education Policy 2020. The initiative, spearheaded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, will incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as digital platforms, AI, and big data. It will also emphasize natural farming and climate resilience.
4. Sustainable Livestock Health and Production:
This scheme, with an investment of ₹1,702 crore, is designed to enhance livestock health and increase income from dairy and other animal products. The program covers animal health management, veterinary education, dairy production technologies, and genetic resource management.
5. Sustainable Development of Horticulture:
With a budget of ₹1,129 crore, this initiative aims to boost farmers’ income from horticultural crops. The focus will be on a range of plants, including tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate crops, as well as root vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants.
6. Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK):
The Cabinet has approved ₹1,202 crore for the enhancement of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, which will support agricultural extension services and improve farmers’ access to knowledge and technology.
7. Natural Resource Management:
This program, with an allocation of ₹1,115 crore, will address the sustainable management of natural resources crucial for agriculture, including water and soil conservation.
Impact and vision
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a briefing, underscored that these programs are strategically crafted to improve farmers’ income by addressing various dimensions of agricultural productivity and sustainability. The emphasis is on integrating advanced technologies, fostering research and education, and ensuring climate resilience. The approval of these schemes marks a significant step towards transforming the agricultural sector.
By investing in digital infrastructure, crop science, and agricultural education, the government aims to create a more robust and resilient agricultural framework. This comprehensive approach is expected to not only enhance productivity but also ensure long-term food security and economic stability for farmers. Furthermore, the Cabinet’s decision to allocate ₹14,000 crore to these seven major agricultural schemes reflects a forward-looking strategy designed to modernize the sector, improve income levels, and achieve sustainable growth.
