Brief on the achievements through schemes and programmes of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Unprecedented enhancement in budget allocation- During 2024-25 an amount of Rs 122528.77 croreIncome support to farmers through PM- KISAN- PM-KISANIn 2023-24, the MSP for Paddy (common) is set at ₹2,300 per quintal, while the MSP for Wheat has been increased to ₹2,425 per quintalOver ₹1.70 lakh crore in claims have been paid under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) andInstitutional credit for agriculture sector- The ground-level credit disbursement in agriculture has experienced a significant increase of 349%, rising from ₹7.30 lakh crores in FY 2013-14 to ₹25.48 lakh crores in FY 2023-24The Digital Agriculture Mission, approved on 02.09.2024 with a ₹2,817 crore budgetIntegrated 1410 mandis with e-NAM across 23 States & 4 UTsThe National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aims to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils. With a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore, it will run from 2024-25 to 2030-31

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been making concerted efforts to enhance the production and productivity of crops aiming to enhance the income of farmers. The MoA&FW is committed towards taking several initiatives to empower the farmers through their capacity building on thrust areas such as crop diversification and production aspects in terms of qualitative inputs and judicious use of farm resources. The major achievements of the DA&FW for the welfare of farmers are summarized below:

1. Unprecedented enhancement in budget allocation- During 2024-25 an amount of Rs 122528.77 crore has been allocated under various schemes and programmes for welfare of the farmers.
2. Record Food Grain Production- The food grain production for 2023-24 is recorded at 332.30 million tonnes, while horticultural production stands at 352.23 million tonnes, according to the third advance estimates.
3. Income support to farmers through PM- KISAN- PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme launched on 24^th February 2019 to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under this scheme, the financial benefit of Rs. 6,000/- per year in three equal instalments every four months is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The scheme leverages technological and process advancements so that the maximum number of beneficiaries can benefit without any hassle. PM-KISAN is one of the largest DBT schemes in the World. A total of over Rs 3.46 lakh Cr has been disbursed to more than 11 Cr PM KISAN beneficiary farmers through 18 instalments.
4. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)– launched with an allocation of ₹1 lakh crore, aims to provide medium to long-term debt financing for post-harvest management and community farming infrastructure projects. It offers interest subvention of 3% per annum on loans up to ₹2 crore for up to 7 years, and credit guarantee coverage for loans up to ₹2 crore through the CGTMSE scheme. Since its inception in 2020, AIF has sanctioned ₹51,364 crore for 84,159 projects, including warehouses, processing centers, cold storage, and other post-harvest facilities. On 28.08.2024, the Government approved measures to expand AIF’s scope, including integrating community farming assets, secondary processing, and convergence with PM-KUSUM Component-A. These initiatives aim to enhance agricultural infrastructure, reduce input costs, improve productivity, and increase farm incomes, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture development in India.
5. Promotion of FPOS- Launched on 29th February 2020 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Central Sector Scheme for Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs has a budget of ₹6,865 crore until 2027-28. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare oversees its implementation through 14 agencies, including NABARD, SFAC, NAFED, and others. Of the 10,000 FPOs allocated, 9,180 have been registered.
6. Fixing of MSP at one-and-a half times the cost of production- Government has increased the MSP for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from 2018-19. In 2023-24, the MSP for Paddy (common) is set at ₹2,300 per quintal, while the MSP for Wheat has been increased to ₹2,425 per quintal.
7. Namo Drone Didi Scheme- The government has approved a ₹1,261 crore Central Sector Scheme to provide drones to 15,000 Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) for offering rental services to farmers, such as applying fertilizers and pesticides. In 2023-24, 500 drones were procured (from own resources) and distributed by Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs). The remaining 14,500 drones will be provided in 2024-25 and 2025-26. The scheme aims to offer sustainable business opportunities, with SHGs earning at least ₹1 lakh annually.
8. Per Drop More Crop- Launched in 2015-16, the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme aims to enhance water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation technologies like Drip and Sprinkler systems. Initially implemented under PMKSY, it is now part of RKVY from 2022-23. The scheme offers financial assistance of 55% to small and marginal farmers, and 45% to others, for micro-irrigation installation. From 2015-16 to 2024-25 (December 2024), approximately 95 lakh hectares have been covered. An evaluation by NITI Aayog in 2020-21 found the PDMC effective in improving water use efficiency (30%-70%), increasing farmer income (10%-69%), and creating employment opportunities.
9. Institutional credit for agriculture sector- The ground-level credit disbursement in agriculture has experienced a significant increase of 349%, rising from ₹7.30 lakh crores in FY 2013-14 to ₹25.48 lakh crores in FY 2023-24. This includes both short-term and long-term credit. Notably, short-term loans have also seen a substantial surge of 275%, growing from ₹5.48 lakh crores in FY 2013-14 to ₹15.07 lakh crores in FY 2023-24, reflecting a significant expansion in financial support for the agricultural sector over the past decade. Furthermore, short-term credit investment through the Kisan Credit Card scheme has grown 270% from ₹3.63 lakh crores to ₹9.81 lakh crores during the same period.
10. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)- Launched in 2016, PMFBY provides comprehensive coverage against crop losses due to natural calamities and unforeseen weather events. Over ₹1.70 lakh crore in claims have been paid under the scheme. DigiClaim, introduced in Kharif 2023, ensures transparency in claims by directly transferring payments to farmers via the National Crop Insurance Portal using the PFMS platform. The Krishi Rakshak Portal (KRPH) and a dedicated toll-free helpline (14447) have been set up for efficient grievance redressal, allowing farmers to track complaints and ensuring resolution within a specified timeframe.
11. Setting up of e-NAM Platform- The Department has integrated 1410 mandis with e-NAM across 23 States & 4 UTs. As on 31.12.2024, 1.78 crore Farmers & 2.63 Lakh traders have been registered on e-NAM portal. Total volume of 11.02 Crore MT & 42.89 Crore numbers (bamboo, betel leaves, coconut, lemon & sweet corn) collectively worth approximately Rs. 4.01 lakh crore of trade has been recorded on e-NAM platform.
12. Digital Agriculture Mission- In the Union Budget 2023-24, the government announced the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, further augmented in the 2024-25 Budget. The DPI will provide comprehensive data on farmers, including demographic details, land holdings, and crops sown, integrating state and central government data for innovative, farmer-centric services. The Digital Agriculture Mission, approved on 02.09.2024 with a ₹2,817 crore budget, forms the core of this initiative, including three key DPIs: AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), and Soil Profile Mapping. AgriStack will create digital IDs for 11 crore farmers and launch a nationwide Digital Crop Survey. DSS will integrate geospatial data on crops, soil, weather, and water, while soil profile maps will cover 142 million hectares. The mission also includes the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey for accurate yield estimates. This initiative aims to create jobs for 2,50,000 trained youth and Krishi Sakhis, enhancing service delivery to farmers through advanced technologies like AI and remote sensing.
13. Soil Health & Fertility Scheme of Rashtriya Krishi VikasYojana (RKVY)- Introduced on 19th February 2015, the Soil Health Card (SHC) and Soil Health Management (SHM) programs assist state governments in issuing SHCs to farmers. From 2022-23, they were merged under the Soil Health & Fertility component of RKVY. Achievements for 2024-25 include:

• 75 lakh soil samples collected, with 53 lakh SHCs generated against a target of 92 lakh.
• ₹109.87 crore released out of ₹201.85 crore allocated.
• 1,020 schools implementing the School Soil Health Programme, with 1,000 soil testing labs set up and 125,972 students enrolled.
• 31 lakh farmers received soil health advisories from ATMA.

14. Promotion of Natural farming

The MoA&FW, GoI has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote natural farming in mission mode across the country as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore.

15. Agroforestry component under RKVY- The Agroforestry component under RKVY, originally part of the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) from 2016-17 to 2021-22, encourages tree plantation on farmland for additional farmer income. Over this period, 1.21 lakh hectares were planted with 532.298 lakh trees, and 899 nurseries were established, benefiting about 1.86 lakh farmers. The scheme was restructured in 2023-24 to provide quality planting materials and support the establishment of nurseries by various stakeholders. In 2023-24, ₹58.10 crore was released for 162 new agroforestry nurseries, and 470 existing nurseries began raising saplings. In 2024-25, ₹33.24 crore was released to 21 States/UTs, with accreditation protocols for nurseries developed in December 2023. So far 133 nurseries have been accredited.
16. National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)-The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), launched by the Government of India under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative, aims to promote scientific beekeeping and achieve the ‘Sweet Revolution.’ With a budget of ₹500 crores for 2020-23, the scheme was extended through 2025 with ₹370 crores remaining. It focuses on three Mini Missions (MM-I, MM-II, MM-III) to establish infrastructure like Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres (IBDCs), Honey Testing Labs, Beekeeping Equipment Manufacturing Units, and Custom Hiring Centres. Major accomplishments include 8 regional Honey Testing Labs, 33 honey processing units, 1305 hectares of technology demonstrations, 385 hectares of bee-friendly plantations.
17. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)- From 2014-15 to 2024-25, the NHM/HMNEH scheme under MIDH has achieved significant progress: 13.96 lakh hectares of horticulture crops expanded, 908 nurseries established, 1.52 lakh hectares of old orchards rejuvenated, and 52,459 hectares covered under organic farming. Additionally, 3.08 lakh hectares were covered under protected cultivation, 55,347 water-harvesting structures created, and 16.45 lakh bee colonies distributed. The scheme also provided 2.74 lakh horticulture machines, established 1.29 lakh post-harvest units, and set up 15,973 market infrastructures. Furthermore, 9.77 lakh farmers were trained. Recent changes to the scheme include nationwide coverage, inclusion of Makhana and medicinal crops, and benefits extended to tribal families with FRA Patta Land and Lac insect host plant plantations.
18. National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)- The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aims to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils. With a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore, it will run from 2024-25 to 2030-31. The mission targets increasing oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31, focusing on crops like Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, and Sesamum, as well as improving extraction from secondary sources. The initiative will promote high-yielding seed varieties, rice fallow cultivation, and intercropping, aiming to meet 72% of domestic edible oil needs by 2030-31.
19. Sub-Mission On Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Scheme: The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), launched in 2014-15, provides financial assistance for purchasing agricultural machinery and establishing Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), High-Tech Hubs, and Farm Machinery Banks.

Achievements (2014-15 to 2024-25, up to November 2024):

• ₹8,565 crore allocated across states.
• 1,909,809 agricultural machines distributed, including tractors and power tillers.
• 26,637 CHCs, 609 Hi-Tech Hubs, and 24,176 Farm Machinery Banks established.
• ₹141.39 crore released for Kisan Drone promotion, including ₹52.5 crore for ICAR to purchase 296 drones.
• 527 drones supplied to farmers and 1,595 Drone CHCs established.
• ICAR has trained 287 personnel as drone pilots.
• Conducted 27,099 drone demonstrations covering 30,234.7 hectares, benefiting 351,856 farmers.

20. Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme since 2018-19 (Up to November, 2024): The Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme, launched in 2018-19, supports Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi in addressing air pollution and subsidizing machinery for crop residue management.

Achievements:

• ₹4,391.80 crore allocated to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and ICAR.
• 319,103 in-situ crop residue management machines distributed.
• 40,996 Custom Hiring Centres established.
• Paddy stubble burning incidents decreased by 57% in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 season compared to 2023.

21. Climate resilient Varieties– climate resilient crop varieties of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, forage crops, fibre crops and sugar crops have been developed specially for extreme climate including flood/ water submergence/ water logging tolerance, drought/moisture stress/ water stress tolerance, salinity/ alkalinity/ sodic soils tolerance, heat stress/ high temperature tolerance, cold/ frost/ winter chilling tolerance using the precision phenotyping tools. ICAR has recently released 109 climate resilient varieties which will help the farmers for its adoption based on agro climatic conditions.
22. Extension Reforms (ATMA) Scheme

ATMA, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, presently is being implemented in 739 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country. The scheme promotes decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system in the country. The objectives of the Scheme is to support State Government’s efforts and to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.

All the efforts and initiatives of government are entrusted to make the farming community more empowered and self reliant.

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MG/ RN