Governance Initiatives in Agriculture: Milestones

Governance Initiatives in Agriculture: Milestones

Question: Governance initiatives in the agricultural sector aim at empowerment, prosperity and relief for the Indian farmer. Discuss in light of recent achievements of the government.


Empowerment aims at driving production and boosting productivity. Steps taken to empower the Indian farmer are as follows:

• Har Khet ko Paani through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchal Yojana. This encompasses drip sprinkler irrigation, canals and watershed development

• Rural electrification through Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana

• Sanction of more than 1 lakh solar pumps

• Soil health cards for boosting fertility of the soil

• Promotion of neem coated urea
• New urea policy 2015 and revival of fertiliser plants in eastern parts of the nation

• Farm credit target enhanced to INR 8.5 lakh crores increasing farmer access to loans

• DD Kisan TV: 24/7 help to provide weather updates, agri mandi information and so on

Prosperity aims at promoting vibrancy and making farming a rewarding profession through the following:

• Organic farming promoted through Pramaparagarat Krishi VIkas Yojana

• Unified National Agriculture Market developed in states

• Price Stabilisation Fund to provide support in the event of sharp price falls

• National Gokul Mission increasing productivity of indigenous cattle breeds

• Sugarcane farmer support resulting in increase in import duty and 250% increase in ethanol bending

• Support for farmers at WTO and securing their interests at every juncture
Relief and sharing the burden of farmers in need is another significant achievement of the NDA government.

• Compensation for crop damage increased by 1.5 times

• Coverage expanded to relax eligibility norms to 33% from 50%

• Procurement norms of grain quality were also relaxed while loans were restructured and rescheduled

• Subsidy in diesel and 50% rise in seed subsidy are other milestones.

Facts and Stats

• The governance initiatives are oriented towards “Annadaata Sukhi Bhava”

• The initiatives are part of the Saal Ek, Shuruaat Anek approach

• Farmer’s interests are non negotiable for the NDA government

• The well being of farmers is the top priority