In a significant move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a substantial outlay of Rs 14,235 crore for seven key programmes on September 2. These initiatives, ranging from digital agricultural mission to crop science, are designed to improve the livelihood of farmers across the country, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
“The Cabinet has approved Rs 14,235.30 crore for programs aimed at improving farmers' livelihoods. States will play a crucial role in ensuring that the schemes approved today reach farmers effectively,” Vaishnaw said during a media briefing following the Cabinet meeting.
“The comprehensive package approved by the Cabinet underscores the government’s commitment to modernising Indian agriculture and ensuring the long-term welfare of farmers. As these programmes roll out, they are expected to bring significant improvements to farming practices, increase agricultural productivity, and secure the livelihoods of millions of farmers across India,” he added.
Digital Agriculture Mission
The Digital Agriculture Mission, one of the flagship initiatives, has been allocated Rs 2,817 crore. This programme aims to integrate modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and geospatial data to enhance farming practices. The mission will focus on creating a comprehensive Agri Stack, which includes a farmers registry, village land maps registry, and crop sown registry. Additionally, the Krishi Decision Support System will leverage weather and satellite data, groundwater information, and modeling for crop yield and insurance.
Vaishnaw emphasised the transformative potential of this initiative, saying, “The Cabinet has approved digital public infrastructure for agriculture, which will enable the use of technology to improve farmers' lives.”
Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security
To address the challenges of climate change and ensure food security by 2047, the Cabinet approved an outlay of Rs 3,979 crore for crop science. This programme will focus on research and education, plant genetic resource management, and the improvement of food and fodder crops. The initiative also includes research on insects, microbes, and pollinators, which are crucial for sustainable farming.
“Crop science plan will aim at improvement of pulses, commercial crops and oilseeds. The crop science initiative is a forward-looking program that will prepare farmers for climate resilience and ensure food security in the coming decades,” Vaishnaw said.
Strengthening Agricultural Education
Recognising the need to modernise agricultural education, the Cabinet approved Rs 2,291 crore for strengthening agri-education, management, and social sciences. This initiative, which will be implemented under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), aligns with the New Education Policy 2020 and aims to equip students and researchers with the skills needed to tackle current agricultural challenges.
“This programme will prepare agri students and researchers for the challenges of today and tomorrow, with a curriculum that includes natural farming and climate resilience,” Vaishnaw noted.
Sustainable Livestock Health and Production
The Cabinet has also approved Rs 1,702 crore for sustainable livestock health and production. This programme aims to boost farmers' income through improved livestock and dairy production, focusing on animal health management, veterinary education, and the development of dairy production technology.
Development of Horticulture
With an outlay of Rs 1129.30 crore, the sustainable development of horticulture programme seeks to increase farmers’ income from various horticulture crops, including tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate crops, as well as plantation, spices, and medicinal plants.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Natural Resource Management
Additionally, the Cabinet has approved Rs 1,202 crore for the strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Rs 1,115 crore for natural resource management. These initiatives are geared towards enhancing agricultural research, education, and sustainable resource management.
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