Agriculture is a gamble with monsoon and is often prone to price and production volatility. To this end, the Government of India has launched different schemes targeting varied segments of Indian agriculture. The aim of these schemes is to boost agriculture production, arrest the price volatility, and double the income of farmers. In this blog, we will discuss the top 10 central government schemes for agriculture in India in 2023.
Numerous government schemes are in operation in India to promote the development of agriculture in India. Some of the prominent government schemes are Soil Health Card Scheme, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), among others.
The Soil Health Card Scheme was launched by Ministry of Agriculture in 2015. It seeks to assist the State Governments in issuing Soil Health Cards to all the farmers in the country.
The scheme provides comprehensive information about the nutrient status of the soil and gives recommendation about the right dosages of nutrients to be given to enhance the soil health and fertility.
Soil health cards contain vital details about 12 soil-specific nutrients along with recommendations for appropriate fertilizers, and crop-specific guidance.
The Neem Coated Urea programme was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2015 to introduce 100% neem coating on urea receiving subsidy from the government.
The aim was to make the use of urea difficult for non-agricultural purposes and address harmful effects on soil and water. Also, it sought to slow down the release of urea, making it more efficient for crop uptake.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was launched in 2015 as a Centrally Sponsored Schemes to boost organic farming in India.
The government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) on 1 July 2015. PMKSY seeks to go beyond merely establishing dependable irrigation sources like lift irrigation system and ridge and furrow irrigation method.
The National Agriculture Market, or e-NAM, is an online platform that connects agricultural markets across the country. It was launched on 14 April 2016, as a Central Sector Scheme.
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched as a Central Sector Scheme to promote scientific beekeeping as a supplementary income source for farmers.
The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is a sub-scheme of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
It seeks to promote the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and medicinal plants.
By diversifying agricultural activities and promoting high-value crops, NHM enhances the income of farmers and contributes to overall agricultural growth.
The Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was launched as a Central Sector Scheme by the Government in India. Under the scheme
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, introduced in 2020, aims to create a financing mechanism for medium to long-term investments in post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched in August 2021 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
These top 10 government agriculture schemes in India for agriculture in India in 2023 reflect the government's commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring food security for the nation. These initiatives address a wide range of challenges faced by farmers, from soil health and irrigation to crop insurance and income support.