Agriculture — Government Schemes and Programmes (Part II)
1. Silo Projects by Food Corporation of India (Continued)
Challenges Addressed by Silo Projects
- Pest Infestations: Traditional warehouses are prone to pest attacks (e.g., rice weevils) which compromise grain quality.
- Moisture and Temperature Issues: Fluctuations in traditional storage degrade grain quality; silos provide stable storage conditions.
- Theft and Pilferage: Silos offer enhanced security to prevent losses due to theft.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many traditional warehouses are outdated and fail to meet modern storage requirements.
Additional Advantages
- Quality Preservation: Advanced technology ensures grains remain in optimal condition, maintaining nutritional and commercial value.
- Scalability: Silos offer a scalable solution to India's increasing food storage needs, supporting long-term food security goals.
2. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
Context: Government of India rolled out NMNF as an independent Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
- Total Outlay: ₹2,481 crore (GoI share – ₹1,584 crore; State share – ₹897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).
- NMNF will be demand-driven, with states preparing long-term perspective plans with year-wise targets and goals.
- Priority: Areas falling under the 5 km corridor on either side of river Ganga, followed by rain-fed and traditionally low or no fertilizer input areas.
Key Components
- Cluster Approach: Implementation in clusters within willing Gram Panchayats.
- Preference Areas: Regions with existing natural farming practices and support structures like PACS and FPOs.
- Model Demonstration Farms: At Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, and farmers' fields.
- Bio-input Resource Centres: Provision of ready-to-use natural farming inputs.
- Farmer Training: Training programs supported by Krishi Sakhis/Conservation Reserve Programs.
- Certification System: Straightforward certification process and dedicated branding for market access.
- Monitoring: Real-time geo-tagged monitoring through an online portal.
Benefits of Natural Farming
- Cost Reduction: Decreases reliance on external inputs, rejuvenating soil health and fertility.
- Climate Resilience: Enhances resilience to climate risks (waterlogging, floods, droughts).
- Health and Nutrition: Reduces exposure to fertilizers and pesticides; provides healthier, more nutritious food.
- Environmental Sustainability: Improves soil carbon content and water use efficiency; increases soil microorganisms and biodiversity.
3. National Cooperative Database & PACS
Context: Central Government targets every village to have agricultural credit societies by 2047.
- The government launched the National Cooperative Database and released its report.
Development Phases
- 1st Phase: Mapping of approximately 2.64 lakh societies in three sectors: PACS, Dairy, and Fisheries.
- 2nd Phase: Data collection from national and state federations, State Cooperative Banks, District Central Cooperative Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks.
- 3rd Phase: Data mapping of all remaining 8 lakh primary cooperative societies in other sectors.
About Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- Village-level cooperative credit societies.
- First PACS established in 1904.
- Serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by State Cooperative Banks (SCB).
- Short-term lending: Crop loans with minimal paperwork within a short time.
Cooperative Credit Institutions Structure
- Rural Co-operative Credit Institutions
- Short term structure: State Cooperative Bank → District Central Cooperative Bank → Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
- Long term structure: State Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks → Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks
- Urban Co-operative Banks
Functioning of PACS
- Credit from SCBs is transferred to DCCBs at district level.
- DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly with farmers.
- Individual farmers are members of PACS; office-bearers are elected from within.
- Farmers avail credit at 7% — 3% subsidized by Centre and 2% by state government.
- Effectively, farmers avail crop loans at 2% interest only.
4. PM KUSUM
Context: PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) has been extended till March 2026.
- Launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2019.
- Aims to boost solar capacity by adding 30,800 MW by 2022 to provide energy security to Indian farmers.
Components
- Component A: Installation of 10,000 MW solar capacity by setting up small power plants (2 MW) by farmers, panchayats, cooperatives, FPOs, etc., in barren land.
- Component B: Installation of 20 lakh standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps. Government supports individual farmers in setting up solar pumps with capacity up to 7.5 HP.
- Component C: Solarisation of 15 lakh grid-connected pumps.
5. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
Context: Research paper emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies to ensure a successful nationwide transition to natural farming.
- Agricultural approach promoting chemical-free, sustainable farming while minimizing cost.
- The term "zero budget" highlights the goal of reducing input costs to nearly zero.
Key Principles
- Natural Inputs: Avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GM seeds.
- Jeevamrutha: Bio-fertilizer using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil.
- Beejamrutha: Seed treatment solution to protect crops from diseases and improve germination.
- Mulching: Covers soil with crop residues to retain moisture and enrich organic content.
- Waaphasa (Soil Aeration): Ensures soil aeration to reduce water dependency and maintain natural balance.
- Crop Diversity: Encourages mixed cropping and intercropping to improve biodiversity and soil health.
Benefits
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces dependency on expensive chemical inputs.
- Sustainability: Enhances soil fertility, promotes biodiversity, reduces environmental degradation.
- Climate Resilience: Improves ability of crops to withstand droughts and extreme weather.
- Healthier Produce: Delivers chemical-free, nutritious food.
- Farmer Empowerment: Reduces indebtedness by minimizing input costs.
Implementation in India
- Promoted through state initiatives, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- Supported under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).
Comparison: Conventional, Organic, and ZBNF
- Conventional: Uses synthetic pesticides/fertilizers.
- Organic: No synthetic pesticides/fertilizers; uses purchased organic inputs (farmyard manure, vermicompost).
- ZBNF: No synthetic pesticides/fertilizers; uses homemade inputs (desi cow dung and urine) with mulch; no purchase of inputs.
About Akkadi Saalu Farming System:
- Rainfed mixed cropping system found in the drylands of Karnataka.
- Encourages biodiversity and is practiced as dryland agriculture.
6. Anna Chakra Initiative
Context: 'Anna Chakra,' a Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain optimization tool, and the SCAN portal were introduced by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs.
- Developed collaboratively by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT-Delhi.
- Designed to optimize the logistics of the PDS network using advanced algorithms.
Key Features
- Efficiency Enhancement: Optimizes supply chains across 30 states/U.Ts, streamlining operations for 4.37 lakh FPS and 6,700 warehouses, saving ₹250 crore annually.
- Integration with Logistics Platforms: Integrated with Railways' Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and PM Gati Shakti platform.
- Environmental Impact: Reduces fuel consumption and transportation-related emissions, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
About SCAN Portal
- Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA — introduced to simplify the subsidy claim process for states under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
- Single-window system enabling states to submit, scrutinize, and approve subsidy claims efficiently.
- Automates workflows and expedites settlement processes.
- Ensures faster and more transparent release of food subsidies, reducing administrative delays.
7. Summary: Government Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme | Launched | Key Feature | Ministry/Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMNF | — | ₹2,481 Cr; Natural Farming; 5 km Ganga corridor | MoA&FW |
| National Cooperative Database | — | 2.64 lakh+ societies mapped; 3 phases | Ministry of Cooperation |
| PM KUSUM | 2019 | 30,800 MW target; extended till March 2026 | MNRE |
| ZBNF | — | Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, Mulching | PKVY/BPKP |
| Anna Chakra | — | PDS optimization; ₹250 Cr annual savings | DFPD + WFP + IIT-D |
| SCAN Portal | — | Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA | DFPD |
| PACS | 1904 | Village-level credit; 2% effective interest | NABARD/Cooperation |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- NMNF: ₹2,481 Cr; Natural Farming; 5 km Ganga corridor; 15th Finance Commission
- National Cooperative Database: 3 phases; 2.64 lakh+ societies mapped; target: every village by 2047
- PM KUSUM (2019): 30,800 MW target; 3 components; extended till March 2026
- ZBNF: Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, Mulching, Waaphasa; supported under PKVY and BPKP
- Akkadi Saalu: Rainfed mixed cropping system in Karnataka drylands
- Anna Chakra: PDS optimization; ₹250 Cr annual savings; WFP + IIT-Delhi
- SCAN Portal: Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA; single-window system
- PACS (1904): 3-tier cooperative structure; farmers get loans at 2% effective interest
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Government Schemes — Part II)
Q1. What is the total outlay of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)?
Correct Answer: C. The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has a total outlay of ₹2,481 crore (GoI share – ₹1,584 crore; State share – ₹897 crore).
Q2. NMNF gives priority to areas falling within how many km of river Ganga?
Correct Answer: C. NMNF gives priority to areas falling under the 5 km corridor on either side of river Ganga, followed by rain-fed areas.
Q3. The first PACS was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The first Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) was established in 1904. PACS are village-level cooperative credit societies.
Q4. PM KUSUM was launched by which ministry?
Correct Answer: C. PM KUSUM was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2019. It has been extended till March 2026.
Q5. Under PM KUSUM, what is the capacity limit for individual solar pumps?
Correct Answer: B. Under Component B of PM KUSUM, the government supports individual farmers in setting up solar pumps with a capacity of up to 7.5 HP.
Q6. What is Jeevamrutha in Zero Budget Natural Farming?
Correct Answer: B. Jeevamrutha is a bio-fertilizer prepared using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, and soil, promoting soil fertility.
Q7. Anna Chakra initiative was developed by DFPD, WFP, and which institution?
Correct Answer: C. Anna Chakra was developed collaboratively by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT-Delhi.
Q8. What is the annual savings from Anna Chakra's PDS optimization?
Correct Answer: D. Anna Chakra saves ₹250 crore annually by optimizing PDS supply chains across 30 states/U.Ts, streamlining operations for 4.37 lakh FPS and 6,700 warehouses.
Q9. SCAN stands for:
Correct Answer: A. SCAN stands for Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA. It is a single-window system introduced to simplify the subsidy claim process for states under the National Food Security Act.
Q10. The Akkadi Saalu farming system is found in which state?
Correct Answer: C. Akkadi Saalu is a rainfed mixed cropping system found in the drylands of Karnataka, which encourages biodiversity and is practiced as dryland agriculture.