9 government policies that empowered the Indian Farmer in the past 9 years.

Agriculture has played a significant role in Indian society, both culturally and economically, for millennia. Farmers referred to as ‘Annadattas’ have played an important role in making India self-sufficient in foodgrain production since Independence. This can be derived from the fact that around 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. This makes the growth of the sector imperative as it supports more than half of the population of the country. The Government under Prime Minister Modi has delivered towards this intent since its incoming and the results have been encouraging. In the last 9 years, the agricultural budget allocation has seen a manifold increase from ERs. 30,223.88 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 1.25 lakh crore in 2023. Under this financial umbrella, a lot of steps and policies have been taken up to boost the farmers income and their endeavours, encouraging the usage of technology and innovation in daily agri-practices, augmenting farm-related infrastructure and fostering agricultural research and education leading to upliftment and empowerment of farmers. An array of policies and programs have been launched in the past 9 years to administer the above deliverables efficiently.

In 2015, in order to signify the farmers’ welfare as the standard for the development of agriculture, the designation of Ministry of Agriculture was changed to Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Post this, the thrust for awareness with messaging like ‘Per Drop, More Crop’, ‘Beej Se Bazar Tak’, etc. citing the intent towards creating sustainable systems leading the agricultural activities towards productivity and prosperity. Right from taking care of soil health to providing easier access to national markets, policies have taken up a comprehensive approach to fill the gaps in the virtuous farming cycle. These include: 

1. Soil Health Card Scheme: Aligning with the government’s serious approach towards soil health, this scheme was introduced in 2015. A soil testing kit was developed for quick soil sample analysis to rationalize the use of fertilisers and supplied at more than 730 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). In the last 8 years since its launch, nearly 23 crore have been distributed to farmers. This initiative has been critical because soil health is imperative to plan health which in turn to human health.

2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): To chase away the irrigation woes of the country, in 2016, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched with twin objectives of ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ ensuring water availability to field and ‘Per Drop More Crop’ bringing in efficiency towards water usage in agriculture. The scheme has positively impacted agricultural productivity and water conservation with improved access to irrigation facilities, augmentation of water distribution and storage infrastructure and availability of information on the usage of micro-irrigation techniques.

3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) : One of the facets of empowerment is providing security in the face of uncertainty. With agriculture being prone to unfortunate events like natural calamities, in 2016, this scheme was launched to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in case of crop failure or damages due to natural disasters. As of 2022, more than 36 crore farmers, 85% being small and marginal, have been insured with around 1,07,059 crores of claims have already been paid under PMFBY. It has assured much needed financial security and stability among the farming community, securing their livelihoods.

4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Credit Card (PM-KCC): The access to credit to foster growth of farmers is crucial to empower them. The PM-KCC was reoriented to strengthen and expand its coverage, by the current administration to ease out the access of capital through formal channels, making it an attractive option and thereby encouraging them to invest in advanced farming operations and increased productivity. According to the latest data from the agriculture ministry, in 2022, there are more than 71 million KCC holders in the country.

5. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan): Initiated in 2019, The Government of India pays Rs. 6000 per year to small and marginal farmers, through direct benefit transfers (DBT) ensuring money reaches the end user.PM-Kisan has provided farmers with a financial cushion during the trying times of pandemic. As of 2023, approximately 11 crore farmers have benefited through this scheme, with more than 2.24 lakh crore being released in their accounts.

6. E-NAM (National Agriculture Market): Launched in 2016, E-National Agriculture Market (NAM) to fill the gap of an e-trading platform furnishing a unified market for agricultural commodities, by networking the existing APMC mandis.. It brings forth healthy competition and better price realization to farmers in accordance to the quality of their yield, bringing in potential buyers and sellers on one single platform from across the nation. The platform has advanced the agricultural trade by eliminating intermediaries and has ensured transparency.

7. Kisan Rail Scheme: To facilitate the easy movement of perishable agri produce from one part of the country to another, in a cost effective manner-, in 2020,Kisan Rail Scheme was initiated, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways. Special trains are operationalised to transport fruits, vegetables, fish, dairy, poultry etc from production areas to consumption areas to ensure speedy delivery with minimum damage. As of 2023-2359 Kisan Rail Services have been operated and have transported more than 7.9 lakh perishable goods, since its launch in 2020. The opening of this freight corridor showcases the Government’s commitment towards welfare and development of farmers.

8. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Indian agriculture has suffered for a long time with lack of proper post harvest infrastructure facilities in place due to lack of investment and finance. However, the government in 2020, approved the allocation of 1 lakh crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. It aims to provide debt financing facilities for post harvest investment projects like godowns, cold storages, sorting and grading units, primary processing units etc, for farmers, FPOs, SHGs and many others. As of early 2023, the AIF team has mobilized approx 30000 crore for projects in the agri- infrastructure sector with a sanctioned amount of Rs. 15000 crore under AIF.

9. Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) scheme:- To ensure the advantages of economies of scale among farmers, Government of India, in the Union Budget 2019-20, announced the formation of 10000 Farmer Producer Organisations with a budgetary provision of nearly 5000 crore for 5 years. The primary objectives to develop agriculture entrepreneurship skills through effective capacity building. Since the launch, more than 16000 FPOs have registered in the last 3 years.The formation of FPOs has benefitted farmers in enhancing their collective strength for better access to quality input and technology, availing of credit facilities and better marketing access through economies of scale leading to profit maximization and better income generation.

The above initiatives and many more such have provided a strong support system to farmers towards making the practices more secure, sustainable and remunerative in the long term. The access to credit, markets, inputs and technology has become much easier and smoother for farmers in the last 9 years than it was before. To complement the above initiatives, the Government is also focusing on diversifying their income sources by encouraging livestock breeding, and rearing, fish farming with missions like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), apiculture, beekeeping, sector at all levels. 

The second term of the Government has focused more on invigorating the entrepreneurship spirit among the rural youth engaged in agriculture. Today India is home to more than 3000 Agri-startups with more than 85% are tech-based positively working towards modernizing the Indian Agricultural scenario. To support them, the provision of Accelerator Funds to provide viable funding avenues have been set up for young entrepreneurs to move forwards and achieve their objectives in the farming sector.

2023 has been declared as the International Year of Millets with objectives to promote the consumption of millets on a large scale while supporting and encouraging small farmers to engage in its farming and production increasingly. Budget provisions for investments and subsidies are being provided to farmers and start-ups for establishing post harvest infrastructure and processing units up to Rs. 2 crore inorder to increase the production of the ‘Shri Anna’, as millets are called, on a large scale.

The increasing focus on improving the agriculture infrastructure and encouraging economies of scale in agri-production will aid India towards building a self-sustainable agricultural sector and a self-reliant India. As we move towards AmritKaal, a multifaceted approach in developing agriculture will be the true empowerment of farmers!