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What is the News?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has taken several initiatives in the year 2021.
Several of them are
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMDY)
MSP: In the Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced the predetermined principle to keep MSP at levels of one and half times the cost of production.
National Food Security Act, 2013
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER): It is a Central Sector Scheme. It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana(PKVY): It was launched in 2015-16. The scheme stresses on end to end support to organic farmers, i.e from production to certification and marketing. Post-harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made an integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers.
Large Area Certification (LAC) programme
Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana(PMFBY)
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization(SMAM)
Trade: The export of Agri and allied commodities during 2020-21 compared to the same period last year has increased. The commodities which posted significant positive growth in exports were wheat, Other Cereals, Rice (other than Basmati), Soya meal, Raw Cotton, Fresh Vegetable, Processed Vegetables etc.
Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level(MPRNL) scheme: It was initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, during 2005-06 to regularly monitor pesticide residues in food commodities and environmental samples such as soil and water.
National Beekeeping & Honey Mission(NBHM)
ATMA Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under implementation since 2005. The scheme promotes a decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country.
Under the scheme, Grants-in-Aid are released to the State Governments with an objective to support the State Government’s efforts to make available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers.
Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme: It is being implemented since 2016-17 as part of the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014. India was the first country to have such a comprehensive policy. The scheme aims to encourage farmers to plant multipurpose trees together with agriculture crops for climate resilience.
Source: This post is based on the article ‘Year End Review: 2021- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’ published in PIB on 19th January 2022.
