Agriculture — Government Schemes and Programmes
1. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released ₹20,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme during his visit to Varanasi.
- Launched: 24th February 2019
- Flagship initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to farmers.
- Designed to support small and marginal farmers by ensuring direct income support.
- Farmers can visit Common Service Centers (CSCs) for assistance in registration.
Key Features
- Financial Assistance: Each eligible farmer receives ₹6,000 per year, distributed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months.
- The amount is directly credited to the beneficiary's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Initially targeted small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares of land; later expanded to include all farmers regardless of landholding size.
- 100% centrally funded (Central Sector Scheme) — implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- Farmers must self-register via the PM-KISAN online portal or through local authorities.
Exclusions
- Institutional landholders
- Government employees (excluding Group D and Class IV employees)
- Taxpayers who filed income tax returns (ITR) in the previous financial year
- Retired pensioners with a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more
- Professionals such as doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers, and chartered accountants
Key Points:
- Launched: 24 February 2019
- ₹6,000/year in 3 installments of ₹2,000
- 100% centrally funded; DBT
- Excludes institutional landholders, government employees, ITR filers, pensioners >₹10,000
2. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)
Context: As of December 2024, e-NAM had integrated 1,389 mandis from 23 states and 4 union territories.
- Pan-India electronic trading platform launched by the Government of India to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
- Introduced on April 14, 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
- Aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the agricultural marketing system.
- Integrates existing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) mandis.
Key Features
- Inter-State & Inter-Market Trading: Farmers can sell outside their local APMC without physical presence.
- Real-Time Price Discovery: Prices determined through electronic bidding based on demand & supply.
- Online Payments & Cashless Transactions: Farmers receive payments directly in their bank accounts.
- Quality Testing & Assaying: Assaying labs at mandis to check commodity quality.
- Mobile App: Available in multiple Indian languages.
3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Context: The government launched the Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan to expand Kisan Credit Card access for fish farmers.
- Flagship initiative launched in August 1998 by NABARD.
- Aims to provide timely and adequate credit to farmers.
Eligibility
- Individual farmers (small, marginal, tenant, and sharecroppers)
- Self-help groups (SHGs) and joint liability groups (JLGs) engaged in farming
- Fishermen, dairy farmers, poultry farmers, and beekeepers
- Horticulture and plantation crop growers
Key Features
- Loan Facility: Credit for crop production, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other farm-related expenses.
- Affordable Interest Rates: Interest subvention of 2% by the government; additional 3% interest subvention if repayment is made on time.
- Flexible Repayment: Linked to harvest and marketing cycles. No collateral required for loans up to ₹1.6 lakh.
- Insurance Coverage: Covered under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
- ATM-cum-Debit Card Facility: Acts like a debit card.
- Validity: 5 years with option for renewal.
4. Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF)
Context: Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister launches Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based pledge (CGS-NPF).
- Provides a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore for post-harvest finance against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs).
- Focuses on Small and Marginal Farmers, Women, SC, ST and Divyangjan (PwD) farmers with a minimal guarantee fee.
Salient Features
- Coverage: Loans up to Rs. 75 lakhs for agricultural purpose; Loans up to Rs. 200 Lakhs for non-agricultural purpose.
- Eligible Institutions: All scheduled banks and all cooperative banks.
- Eligible Borrowers: Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF)/Women/SC/ST/PwD Farmers, other farmers, MSMEs, Traders, FPOs and Farmer cooperatives.
- Risks covered: Credit and warehouseman risk.
- Guarantee Fee: 0.4% p.a. for farmers and 1% p.a. for non-farmers.
- Guarantee coverage: 85% for loans up to Rs. 3L; 80% for loan between 3 to 75 lakhs for small and marginal farmers/women/SC/ST/PwD; 75% for other borrowers.
About WDRA
- Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) was set up to ensure implementation of the Warehousing (Development & Regulation) Act, 2007.
- Implements the Negotiable Warehousing Receipt (NWR) system in the country.
5. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Context: The Union Agriculture Minister unveiled new initiatives under PMFBY — Learning Management System (LMS), Krishi Rakshak Portal (KRP), Helpline 14447, and SARTHI Portal.
- Launched: January 13, 2016 — replaced earlier crop insurance schemes.
- Premium Rates: Farmers pay only 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops; rest subsidized by the government.
- Coverage Area: Targets around 50% of India's total cropped area; insures over 50 million farmers annually.
New Initiatives
- Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH)-14447: Centralized platform for farmers' assistance and grievance redressal; multi-language support; real-time resolution.
- Learning Management System (LMS): Essential skills and knowledge for efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.
- SARTHI Platform: Agri-insurance sandbox framework platform; developed in partnership with UNDP, India.
6. Namo Drone Didi Scheme
Context: The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the Namo Drone Didis for showcasing innovation, suitability, and self-reliance.
- Central Sector initiative aimed at empowering women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) by equipping them with drones.
- Targets 15,000 selected Women SHGs between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
- Expected to generate additional income of at least Rs. 1 lakh per year for each SHG.
- Financial Assistance: 80% central financial support for purchasing drones and accessories; remaining costs financed through National Agriculture Infrastructure Financing Facility (AIF).
- Subsidy capped at ₹8 lakh per drone.
7. World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector
Context: The Prime Minister launched the "World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector" in 11 states.
- Being carried out in 11 states by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS): Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka and Telangana.
- Vision: Thousands of PACS to join over the next few years to reach full storage capacity before 2027.
- Financial Support: NABARD refinances PACS at subsidized rates of approximately 1%, including a 3% interest subsidy under the AIF scheme for projects up to Rs. 2 Crore.
- Implementing Agencies: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with support from NABARD, FCI, CWC, NABCONS, NBCC, etc.
Monitoring Committees
- Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC): Ensures accountability and smooth implementation.
- National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC): Members from ministries and Central Government agencies.
- State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC): At state level.
- District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC): In each district.
8. National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)
Context: The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) to enhance domestic oilseed production.
- Implementation Period: 2024-25 to 2030-31
- Total outlay: Rs 10,103 crore
- Primary oilseeds sources: Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, Sesamum
- Secondary oilseeds sources: Cottonseed, Rice Bran, Tree Borne Oils (TBO)
Targets
- Increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes.
- Domestic edible oil production to reach 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31.
Key Features
- Over 600 value chain clusters across 347 districts, covering 10 lakh hectares annually.
- 65 seed hubs and 50 storage units to enhance seed infrastructure.
- SATHI Portal ('Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory') — a 5-year rolling seed plan.
About SATHI
- Seed Authentication, Traceability and Holistic Inventory (SATHI) is a user-oriented centralized portal.
- Conceived and created by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the National Informatics Center (NIC).
- Provides holistic information of seeds through automation of the entire seed supply chain.
- Seed authenticity can be traced through a QR code system.
- Note: Seed certification is voluntary, but seed labeling is compulsory in India.
About PPV&FR Act, 2001:
- Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001
- Protection of plant varieties, rights of farmers and plant breeders
- Encourages development of new varieties of plants
- Aids in implementing TRIPS agreement
9. Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Context: The CCEA approved an equity infusion of ₹10,700 crore to support FCI's working capital needs for 2024-25.
- Formed under the Food Corporations Act, 1964.
- PSU under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
- Mandate: Primary agency for implementing food policies of the Government of India.
Core Functions
- Procurement and storage of food grains
- Interstate transportation, distribution, and sale of grains
- Ensuring a steady food supply across the nation
10. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Context: The Union Government decided to include four new components — Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture — under MIDH.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2014.
- Aims to promote comprehensive growth of the horticulture sector in India.
- Supports: Fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, and cocoa.
- Implemented under Green Revolution - Krishonnati Yojana.
Funding Pattern
- General States: 60% GoI, 40% State Governments
- North Eastern States and Himalayan States: 90% GoI
Advanced Farming Techniques
- Hydroponics: Soilless cultivation in nutrient-rich water solutions.
- Aquaponics: Closed-loop system combining hydroponics and aquaculture.
- Precision Agriculture: Uses AI, IoT, and satellite data to optimize resource use.
- Vertical Farming: Space-efficient method in stacked layers or controlled environments.
11. Unified India Organic Logo
Context: FSSAI and APEDA collaborated to introduce a new "Unified India Organic" Logo, replacing the current India Organic and Jaivik Bharat logos.
- Objective: Ensure consistency and alignment in the implementation of Indian regulations regarding organic products.
- Differentiates organic products from non-organic ones, indicating compliance with the National Standards for Organic Production.
Organic Product Certification
- Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; ensures organic product quality without third-party certification.
- National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP): APEDA oversees NPOP, regulating organic farming certification and promoting organic farming and marketing.
12. Silo Projects by Food Corporation of India
Context: FCI developed modern silo projects under the PPP model to enhance grain storage and efficiency.
- Transformative approach to grain storage replacing traditional warehouse methods.
- Managed by FCI and implemented through PPP model.
Key Features
- Scientific Storage: Optimal conditions for grain storage; proper ventilation and moisture control.
- High Capacity: Each silo can store up to 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of grains.
- Automation: Automated systems for loading, unloading, and handling.
- Integrated Logistics: Seamless connectivity to rail and road networks.
- Cost Savings: Minimizes theft, pilferage, and wastage.
Advantages Over Traditional Warehousing
- Reduced Losses: Better security and controlled environments.
- Quality Preservation: Advanced technology ensures grains remain in optimal condition.
13. Summary: Government Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme | Launched | Key Feature | Ministry/Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | Feb 2019 | ₹6,000/year in 3 installments; DBT | MoA&FW |
| e-NAM | April 2016 | Unified national market; 1,389 mandis | MoA&FW (SFAC) |
| KCC | Aug 1998 | Credit up to ₹1.6L no collateral; 5 years | NABARD |
| CGS-NPF | — | ₹1,000 Cr corpus; e-NWR pledge financing | WDRA |
| PMFBY | Jan 2016 | 2%/1.5%/5% premium; 50 million farmers | MoA&FW |
| Namo Drone Didi | 2024-25 | 15,000 SHGs; 80% subsidy; ₹1L/year income | MoA&FW |
| Grain Storage Plan | — | PACS; 11 states; full capacity by 2027 | NCDC/NABARD |
| NMEO-Oilseeds | 2024-25 | ₹10,103 Cr; 69.7M tonnes target by 2030-31 | MoA&FW |
| FCI | 1964 | ₹10,700 Cr equity infusion (2024-25) | MoCAF&PD |
| MIDH | 2014 | Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming | MoA&FW |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- PM-KISAN (2019): ₹6,000/year in 3 installments; 100% centrally funded; DBT
- e-NAM (2016): Unified national market; 1,389 mandis integrated; SFAC
- KCC (1998): NABARD; ₹1.6L no collateral; 5 years validity; PMFBY coverage
- PMFBY (2016): 2%/1.5%/5% premium; 50 million farmers; SARTHI platform (UNDP)
- Namo Drone Didi: 15,000 SHGs; 80% subsidy; ₹8L per drone cap
- NMEO-Oilseeds: ₹10,103 Cr; 69.7M tonnes target; SATHI Portal
- FCI: Food Corporations Act, 1964; ₹10,700 Cr equity infusion
- MIDH (2014): Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, Precision Agriculture
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Government Schemes)
Q1. PM-KISAN was launched on:
Correct Answer: B. PM-KISAN was launched on 24th February 2019. It provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months.
Q2. e-NAM was launched by which ministry?
Correct Answer: C. e-NAM was launched on April 14, 2016, by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
Q3. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was launched in which year?
Correct Answer: D. The Kisan Credit Card scheme was launched in August 1998 by NABARD to provide timely and adequate credit to farmers.
Q4. Under PMFBY, farmers pay what percentage for Kharif crops?
Correct Answer: B. Under PMFBY, farmers pay only 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops.
Q5. The Namo Drone Didi Scheme targets how many Women SHGs?
Correct Answer: C. The Namo Drone Didi Scheme targets 15,000 selected Women SHGs between 2024-25 and 2025-26. The subsidy is capped at ₹8 lakh per drone.
Q6. NMEO-Oilseeds has a total outlay of:
Correct Answer: C. NMEO-Oilseeds has a total outlay of Rs 10,103 crore with implementation from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
Q7. The Food Corporation of India was formed under which Act?
Correct Answer: B. The Food Corporation of India was formed under the Food Corporations Act, 1964. It is a PSU under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Q8. MIDH was launched in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) was launched in 2014 as a centrally sponsored scheme under Green Revolution - Krishonnati Yojana.
Q9. What is the guarantee fee under CGS-NPF for farmers?
Correct Answer: C. Under CGS-NPF, the guarantee fee is 0.4% p.a. for farmers and 1% p.a. for non-farmers.
Q10. The SARTHI Platform under PMFBY was developed in partnership with:
Correct Answer: C. The SARTHI (Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance) Platform was developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India.