Government of India is committed to the welfare of farmers. It is implementing various central sector and centrally sponsored schemes covering entire spectrum of agriculture for the welfare of farmers in the country. The details of new initiatives launched to support farmers during last few years are below:
1) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)- PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme launched on 24th February 2019 to supplement financial needs of land holding farmers, subject to exclusions. Under the scheme, financial benefit of Rs. 6000/- per year is transferred in three equal four-monthly installments into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Till now, Rs. 3.24 lakh crores have been transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to more than 11 crores beneficiaries (Farmers) through various installments.
2) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PMKMY) is a central sector scheme launched on 12th September 2019 to provide security to the most vulnerable farmer families. PM-KMY is contributory scheme, small and marginal farmers (SMFs), subject to exclusion criteria, can opt to become member of the scheme by paying monthly subscription to the Pension Fund. Similar, amount will be contributed by the Central Government.
The applicants between the age group of 18 to 40 years will have to contribute between Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month till they attain the age of 60. PMKMY is taking care of the farmers during their old age and provides Rs. 3,000 monthly pension to the enrolled farmers once they attain 60 years of age, subject to exclusion criteria.
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is pension fund manager and registration of beneficiaries is done through CSC and State Govts. So far 23.38 lakh farmers have enrolled under the scheme.
3) Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)- In order to address the existing infrastructure gaps and mobilize investment in agriculture infrastructure, Agri Infra Fund was launched under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package. AIF was introduced with a vision to transform the agriculture infrastructure landscape of the country. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
4) Formation & Promotion of new 10,000 FPOs– The Government of India launched the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” in the year 2020. The scheme has a total budgetary outlay of Rs.6865 crores. Formation & promotion of FPOs are to be done through Implementing Agencies (IAs), which further engage Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) to form & provide professional handholding support to FPOs for a period of 5 years.
5) National beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)- Keeping in view the importance of beekeeping, a new Central Sector Scheme entitled National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched in 2020 under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for its implementation in the field for overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping & to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution”.
6) National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm- A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched by Government of India in 2021 in order to promote oil palm cultivation for making the country Aatamnirbhar in edible oils with special focus on North-Eastern States and A&N Islands. The Mission will bring additional area of 6.5 lakh ha under Oil Palm plantation with 3.28 lakh ha in north-eastern states and 3.22 in rest of India with total outlay of Rs. 11040 cr in next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
7) Namo Drone Didi- The Government has recently approved a Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Group (SHGs) for the period from 2024-25 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women Self Help Group (SHGs) for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Under this Scheme, Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges upto a maximum of Rs. 8.0 Lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones.
MCQ
Q.1) When was the PM-KISAN scheme launched?
(a) 24th February 2018 (b) 24th February 2019 (c) 12th September 2019 (d) 12th September 2018
Q.2) How much financial benefit is provided annually under the PM-KISAN scheme?
(a) Rs. 3000 (b) Rs. 5000 (c) Rs. 6000 (d) Rs. 7000
Q.3) What is the monthly pension amount provided under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PMKMY) once the enrolled farmers attain 60 years of age?
(a) Rs. 1000 (b) Rs. 2000 (c) Rs. 3000 (d) Rs. 4000
Q.4) What is the monthly subscription amount range that small and marginal farmers need to pay to become a member of the PMKMY scheme?
(a) Rs. 25 to Rs. 150 (b) Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 (c) Rs. 75 to Rs. 250 (d) Rs. 100 to Rs. 3
Q,5) Which mode is used to transfer the financial benefit to farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme?
(a) Cheque (b) Cash (c) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) (d) Money Order
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