24-Mar-2023: Reducing Dependence on Import of Edible Oils
National Food Security Mission- Oilseeds (NFSM-OS) is being implemented by the Government of India from 2018-19 to augment the availability of edible oils and reduce the import burden by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds (Groundnut, Soybean, Rapeseed & Mustard, Sunflower, Safflower, Sesame, Niger, Linseed and Castor) and area expansion of Oil Palm & Tree Borne Oilseeds (Olive, Mahua, Kokum, Wild Apricot, Neem, Jojoba, Karanja, Simaroba, Tung, Cheura and Jatropha) in the country. The scheme comprises of three sub-missions namely, NFSM-Oilseeds, NFSM-Oil Palm and NFSM-Tree Borne Oilseeds.
Moreover, During the year 2021-22, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched to promote oil palm cultivation for making the country Atmanirbhar in edible oils with special focus on North Eastern States and Andaman & Nicobar by increasing area of Oil Palm from 3.70 lakh hectares to 10.00 lakh hectares in 2025-26. This scheme is being implemented in 15 States/UTs during 2022-23.
Under National Food Security Mission- Oilseeds (NFSM-OS), Government of India has also been implementing some special programmes namely Special Programme on Rapeseed & Mustard for distribution of latest high yielding varieties seeds, Distribution of Seed Mini kits of hybrid Mustard seeds, Rapid Soybean Seed Multiplication Plan (3S1Y) and a Special Project to increase area and production of Sunflower cultivation in the country through hybrid seed production and demonstration for three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25. In addition, Government has also approved an Annual Action Plan for area expansion of Sunflower in Paddy Fallows during 2022-23.
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Oilseeds is being implemented by Government of India from the year 2017-18 in 28 States/UTs, including, Gujarat and assistance is being provided in all 33 districts of Gujarat.
24-Mar-2023: Cultivation of Coarse Cereals
In order to promote cultivation of millets (Shree Anna) like Jowar, Bajra, Ragi etc., the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 212 Districts of 14 States since 2018-19. Under NFSM–Nutri Cereals, incentives are provided to the farmers, through the states/UTs, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season, organizing events/workshops, distribution of seed mini kits, publicity through print and electronic media etc. The interventions such as setting up Centers of Excellence (CoEs) and seed hubs for Nutri Cereals have also been supported under NFSM.
In addition, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet-based products (PLISMBP) for implementation during 2022-23 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores. The Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is currently being implemented in 35 States and Union Territories (UTs). Government is also popularizing Agri-Infrastructure Fund Scheme to invite farmers/FPOs/Entrepreneurs to avail the benefit of interest subvention on loans up to 2 crores for setting up primary processing units in millets (Shree Anna). To encourage farmers to take up millet cultivation, higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to Jowar, Bajra and Ragi has been announced.
Further, in view of 2023 being celebrated as International Year of Millets (IYM), the Government of India is implementing a multi stakeholder approach with focus on strategies to enhance production and productivity, consumption, export, strengthening value chain, branding, creating awareness for health benefits etc.
The first Global Event for IYM was organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on 18th March 2023. The occasion was graced by the Prime Minister of India wherein IYM engraved stamp and currency coin were also launched. As part of the event, participants from 100 countries including six Agriculture Ministers from leading millet producing/ exporting countries, international organizations, scientists, Padma Awardees, farmers, FPOs, international companies etc. participated. Moreover, a global level Exhibition-cum-Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) in collaboration with APEDA was organized with focus on millets with participation of domestic and international exporters for promotion of millets. Several other stakeholders such as farmer producer companies/ farmers, self-help groups, schools, agri-universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), gram panchayats, cooperative institutions, hotel management schools, yuva kendras, anganwadi, Indian embassies, Ministry of Railways and diaspora, etc. also participated in the event online.
Government is providing R&D support to Research Institutions for popularizing nutritious millets. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is undertaking various research projects related to shelf-life, food standards, database development etc. funded under NFSM. Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) is undertaking R&D projects to tackle the bottlenecks in millet processing, value addition and product development. Under the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme of Government of India, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru has conducted several training and skill development programmes to enhance competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises, including millet based industries in the unorganized segment. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) program a Centre of Excellence for Processing Millets and incubation centre is being set up consisting of around 8 processing lines dedicated to millets. These lines will help in obtaining quality primary and secondary products with enhanced shelf-life. ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition is conducting R&D activities on millets such as on nutritional values of various processed and cooked millets, efficacy of cooked millet diet, effect of finger millet based dietary supplementation.
21-Mar-2023: Promotion of Natural Farming
Government is promoting natural farming since 2019-2020 through a sub-scheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and other plant based preparations. Under BPKP, natural farming is being promoted in cluster of 500 ha and Rs. 12200.00 is provided per ha for three years, in which Rs. 2000 is provided as incentives to farmers through DBT. So far 4.09 lakh ha area has been brought under BPKP.
To encourage more farmers engaged in natural farming and enhance the reach of natural farming on larger scale, Government has formulated National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) by up-scaling the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) to promote natural farming across the country. NMNF will cover 7.5 lakh ha area by developing 15,000 clusters in next 4 years with total budget outlay of Rs. 1584 crore (GoI Share).
Government is undertaking large scale training of Master Trainers, Champion Farmers and practicing farmers on techniques of Natural Farming through National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). MANAGE has also sensitized the public representative like Gram-Pradhan on the technique and benefits of Natural Farming. Study material on 22 regional languages has been prepared, 697 Master Trainers have been developed on natural farming and 997 training were conducted on natural farming for 56952 Gram Pradhans through MANAGE.
A Digital web portal (naturalfarming.dac.gov.in) has been launched for promotion of natural farming to display information about implementation framework, resources, implementation progress, farmer’s registration, blog etc.