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GS Paper: Agriculture and related issues

  • [pib] Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

    Why in the News?

    The government has announced the establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres across the country as part of the recently approved Rs 1,765.67 crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP).

    What is Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?

    • Launch: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in August 2024 with an outlay of ₹1,765.67 crore, supported by a $98 million Asian Development Bank loan.
    • Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board (NHB), with technical support from ICAR.
    • Objective: Supply virus-free, high-quality planting material to improve crop yield, quality, and farmer incomes in horticulture.
    • Scope: Focus on fruit crops such as grapes, oranges, pomegranates, apples, and citrus.

    Key Features:

    • Centres: Establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) across India; three in Maharashtra – Pune (grapes), Nagpur (oranges), Solapur (pomegranates).
    • Research Hub: National-level laboratory in Pune for original plant species research.
    • Financial Aid: ₹3 crore for large nurseries, ₹1.5 crore for medium nurseries; target of 8 crore disease-free seedlings annually.
    • Certification & Traceability: Strong framework to ensure disease-free mother plants and regulated propagation.
    • Global Cooperation: Collaboration with Israel and the Netherlands for clean plant technologies.
    • Policy Alignment: Supports Mission LiFE, One Health, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

    On-Ground Progress:

    • Dedicated Website: Launched as central hub – cpp-beta.nhb.gov.in.
    • Hazard Analysis:
      • Grapevine: 578 samples tested from multiple states.
      • Apple: 535 samples under testing from Himalayan and northern states.
      • Citrus:  Hazard profiling preparations underway.
    • Assessments: ICAR, NHB, and ADB conducted lab and nursery visits (2024–25) to strengthen diagnostics and bioinformatics using High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
    • Propagation Protocol: Negative samples re-tested; positive ones treated with tissue culture, heat, or cryotherapy before propagation.
    • Infrastructure: First Clean Plant Centre underway; design bidding initiated.
    [UPSC 2011] With what purpose is the GoI promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”?

    1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.

    2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.

    3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

  • [pib] Regulation of Biostimulants in India

    Why in the News?

    India now has a comprehensive regulatory framework for biostimulants, placing it among the few countries with such dedicated oversight.

    What are Biostimulants?

    • Definition: Under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, Clause 20C, biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms that stimulate plant processes to improve nutrient uptake, growth, yield, crop quality, efficiency, and stress tolerance.
    • Exclusion: They are not pesticides or plant growth regulators, which fall under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
    • Categories (Schedule VI, FCO): Botanical extracts (including seaweed), protein hydrolysates and amino acids, vitamins, biochemicals, antioxidants, anti-transpirants, humic and fulvic acids, cell-free microbial products, and live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilizers/biopesticides).

    Regulation Timeline:

    • Before 2021: Nearly 30,000 unregulated products in Indian markets.
    • Feb 2021: Included under FCO; provisional registration system (G3 certificates) introduced; about 8,000 products approved temporarily.
    • Current Status: Only 146 products formally notified in Schedule VI.

    Key Amendments (2021–2025):

    • 2021: Biostimulants legally recognised under FCO.
    • 2023–24: Provisional validity extended to avoid disruption.
    • 2025:
      • Live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilizers/biopesticides) added as a category.
      • Pesticide residue limit raised from 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm.
      • Stricter quality testing, labelling, and safety standards enforced.
      • Provisional system discontinued.

    Significance:

    • Protects farmers from spurious/unproven products.
    • Encourages validated indigenous products under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Establishes quality, safety, and labelling standards through Gazette notifications.
    • Makes India one of the few countries with a dedicated Biostimulant law, balancing farmer welfare, environmental safety, innovation, and regulation.
    [UPSC 2013] Consider the following organisms:

    1.Agaricus 2.Nostoc 3.Spirogyra

    Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only

     

  • Dongar Cultivation of Odisha

    Why in the News?

    The Dongar cultivation, a hill-slope mixed cropping system of the Kondh tribals in Odisha’s Rayagada is now under decline due to eucalyptus monoculture.

    What is Dongar Cultivation?

    • Overview: A traditional shifting/mixed cropping system practised on hill slopes (uplands) by the Kondh tribal community in Odisha.
    • Crops grown: Millets (finger millet, foxtail millet), pulses, oilseeds, and even uncultivated foods like wild tubers.
    • Benefits offered: Provides nutritional diversity, supports birds and biodiversity, and maintains soil fertility without chemical inputs.
    • Cultural practice: Linked to seed conservation, labour exchange, and community-based farming traditions, reflecting a holistic tribal food system.
    • Significance: Its poly-cropping nature makes it more resilient to rainfall variability and climate shocks, unlike monocultures.

    Other Traditional Cultivation Practices in India:

    Type Key Features
    Bewar / Dahiya (Madhya Pradesh Baiga & Gond tribes, Dindori district) Shifting cultivation; mixed cropping of millets, pulses, oilseeds; similar to Dongar; sustainable tribal food system.
    Poonam Krishi (Western Ghats, Maharashtra & Karnataka) Traditional multi-cropping around rice fields; ensures year-round food and fodder security.
    Pamlou (Manipur) Form of jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation; rotational clearing of forests; crops include cereals, pulses, vegetables; supports subsistence farming.
    Kuruma / Podu (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh) Hill-slope shifting cultivation; millets and pulses dominant; threatened by monoculture plantations and forest restrictions.
    Apatanis’ Wet Rice Cultivation – Arunachal Pradesh Intensive valley wetland system; combines paddy farming with fish rearing; highly sustainable and productive.

     

    [UPSC 2018] With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance.  Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?

    1. Avoiding the monoculture practices

    2. Adopting minimum tillage

    3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops

    4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface

    5. Adopting spatial and temporal rop sequencing/crop rotations.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 3 and 4 (b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 (c) 2, 4 and 5 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 5*

     

  • A tribute to M.S. Swaminathan, ‘the man who fed India’

    Introduction

    In the 1960s, India was reeling under the threat of famine, dependent on food aid like PL-480 imports from the U.S. It was during this crisis that M.S. Swaminathan, in collaboration with Norman Borlaug and with strong political support from leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and C. Subramaniam, spearheaded the Green Revolution. By introducing high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties, India moved from “ship-to-mouth” dependence to food self-sufficiency.

    His story is not just about agricultural science, it is about leadership, political will, and atmanirbharta in its truest sense. Today, as India aspires for Viksit Bharat and faces the challenge of climate change, his legacy offers critical lessons.

    M.S. Swaminathan in the news today:

    • Centenary Year: 2025 marks 100 years since the birth of Swaminathan, celebrated with the release of a biography M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India.
    • Historical Significance: His leadership in the 1960s achieved food self-sufficiency, India’s most successful experiment in aatmanirbharta.
    • Relevance Today: India now faces a new agricultural crisis due to climate change, water stress, and soil degradation, making Swaminathan’s lessons critical for the future.
    • Striking Contrast: In the 1960s, India relied on foreign food aid; today, India is a food grain exporter, largely due to the foundation Swaminathan built.

    Collaboration and scientific exchange in shaping the Green Revolution

    • Cross-fertilisation of ideas: Swaminathan’s initial experiments with radiation-induced mutations failed. A Japanese scientist’s input on dwarf wheat and Norman Borlaug’s Mexican varieties changed the course.
    • Networking with global scientists: Swaminathan leveraged his contacts to bring Borlaug’s seeds to India, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles.
    • Lesson: Science thrives on openness, collaboration, and reduced bureaucracy, not isolation.

    The role of political leadership in Swaminathan’s success

    • Direct dialogue with scientists: C. Subramaniam (Agriculture Minister) listened directly to Swaminathan, bypassing bureaucratic resistance.
    • Evidence-based decisions: Lal Bahadur Shastri personally visited fields to see the new wheat varieties before approving large-scale imports.
    • Leadership support: Indira Gandhi carried forward the momentum after Shastri’s death, ensuring continuity.
    • Lesson: Strong political will + scientific advice = transformative policy outcomes.

    Challenges and criticisms of the Green Revolution

    • Opposition from multiple fronts: Finance Ministry resisted spending ₹5 crore in forex; Planning Commission doubted the seeds; Left parties opposed U.S. connections (Rockefeller Foundation funding).
    • Environmental fallout: Excessive water use, soil degradation, and fertilizer dependence became long-term challenges.
    • Swaminathan’s foresight: He himself warned against unsustainable practices and advocated for “evergreen revolution”, productivity with sustainability.

    Lessons from Swaminathan’s legacy for Viksit Bharat

    • Science-Policy Linkages: Scientists must be given autonomy, direct access to policymakers and freedom from bureaucratic bottlenecks.
    • R&D Investment: India spends 0.43% of agricultural GDP on R&D, half of China’s share; none of India’s agricultural institutes are in the world’s top 200, while China has eight in the top 10.
    • Sustainability: A climate-resilient agriculture strategy is urgent to prevent food insecurity in the era of global warming.
    • Atmanirbharta parallel: Just as Swaminathan made India self-sufficient in food, similar investments are needed in the digital economy, AI and green technologies.

    Conclusion

    M.S. Swaminathan’s work reminds us that nation-building rests on the fusion of science and statesmanship. His Green Revolution made India food-secure, but his vision of an “evergreen revolution”, where productivity meets sustainability, remains unfulfilled. To truly honour him, India must invest in agricultural research, empower scientists, and align policy with long-term sustainability. The man who fed India has left us with not just a legacy but also a roadmap for the future.

    Value Addition

    Key Achievements

    • Food Self-Sufficiency: India moved from being a food-deficit, aid-dependent country (“ship-to-mouth”) to self-sufficiency in food grains by the 1970s.
    • Wheat Production Boom: From 12 million tonnes (1965), 23 million tonnes (1971), over 100 million tonnes (2020s).
    • Avoided Famines: Helped avert large-scale famine during population boom (India’s population doubled between 1950–1980).
    • Global Recognition: M.S. Swaminathan + Norman Borlaug collaboration hailed as a model of science-policy partnership.

    Criticisms & Limitations

    • Regional Imbalance: Benefits concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP; other states lagged behind.
    • Mono-cropping: Focus on wheat and rice discouraged diversification → vulnerability in nutrition and soil health
    • Environmental Degradation:
      • Over-extraction of groundwater → water table crisis in Punjab & Haryana.
      • Excessive fertilizer/pesticide use → soil toxicity & health hazards.
    • Inequality: Large farmers gained more due to access to credit, irrigation, inputs → widening rural inequality.
    • Neglect of Coarse Grains & Pulses: Led to declining production of millets, crucial for nutrition and climate resilience.

    Reports & Data

    • NITI Aayog (2021): 89% of India’s groundwater used for irrigation → unsustainable.
    • FAO Report (2019): Green Revolution improved calorie sufficiency but failed in ensuring nutrition security.
    • ICAR Data: Only 0.43% of agricultural GDP is spent on R&D in India vs ~0.86% in China.

    Concepts Introduced

    • Evergreen Revolution (Swaminathan): Increasing productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm → focus on sustainability.
    • Second Green Revolution: Emphasis on pulses, oilseeds, and eastern states under the National Food Security Mission (2007).
    • Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Shift towards water-use efficiency, precision farming, and millets revival (2023: International Year of Millets).

    Comparative Perspective

    • China vs India: China diversified faster into horticulture, aquaculture, and biotech crops; India stayed wheat-rice centric.
    • Mexico: Norman Borlaug’s work initially focused there, but India scaled it into a nationwide revolution.
    • Africa: “Green Revolution for Africa” attempts underway, but limited success due to weak infrastructure.

    Mapping Microthemes for GS Papers

    • GS Paper I: Post-independence consolidation, Nehruvian vision, famine & food security history.
    • GS Paper II: Science-policy interface, role of political leadership, bureaucratic hurdles in governance.
    • GS Paper III: Food security, Green Revolution, R&D in agriculture, climate change impact, sustainable agriculture.
    • GS Paper IV: Leadership ethics, scientific integrity, foresight (Swaminathan warning about sustainability).

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2019] How was India benefited from the contributions of Sir M.Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?

    Linkage: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s pioneering role in the Green Revolution transformed India from a food-deficit nation into a self-sufficient one, ensuring food security and laying the foundation for agricultural atmanirbharta.

     

  • How India’s Pesticide Market is Changing

    The Growth is Now Coming Not from Insecticides or Fungicides, but Herbicides.

    Understanding the Three Major Types of Pesticides:

    Pesticides are chemical or biological substances used to protect crops by eliminating or controlling pests, diseases, or weeds. India’s pesticide market primarily consists of:

    • Insecticides: These control insects that damage crops by feeding on them or transmitting diseases.
    • Fungicides: These are used to prevent or eliminate fungal infections like mildew, blight, or rust that affect crop yield and quality.
    • Herbicides: These destroy or inhibit the growth of weeds that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

    Herbicides – The New Growth Driver of India’s Pesticide Market:

    India’s organised crop protection market is valued at approximately ₹24,500 crore. While insecticides (₹10,700 crore) remain the largest segment, herbicides (₹8,200 crore) have emerged as the fastest-growing category, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10%. This shift reflects a deeper transformation in India’s rural economy—one driven by labour scarcity, rising wage rates, and the need for mechanisation and efficiency in farm operations.

    Why Herbicides Are Gaining Ground:

    1. Labour Shortages in Agriculture: Manual weeding is time-consuming and labour-intensive. A labourer takes 8–10 hours to weed one acre, and the average daily wage has increased from ₹326 in 2019 to over ₹447 in 2024. Moreover, rural youth are increasingly moving away from agricultural work. This has led to a surge in herbicide use as a labour-saving input, similar to how tractors reduced the need for manual ploughing.
    2. Time-Saving and Cost-Effective: Power weeders are limited in closely spaced or deep-rooted crops. Herbicides, on the other hand, can be sprayed easily and reduce both labour dependence and turnaround time between cropping cycles.
    3. Strategic Use Patterns Emerging: Earlier, herbicides were used only after weed emergence (“post-emergent”). Now, farmers increasingly apply “pre-emergent” herbicides at or just after sowing to prevent weed growth from the beginning—reflecting a shift from reactive to preventive agriculture.

    Role of Indian Companies Amidst MNC Dominance:

    India’s crop protection sector remains largely dominated by multinationals like Bayer (Germany), Syngenta (Switzerland), Corteva (USA), and Sumitomo (Japan). However, Indian companies like Crystal Crop Protection Ltd (CCPL) and Dhanuka Agritech are rising players:

    1. CCPL acquired rights for key herbicides like Ethoxysulfuron and Gramoxone from global majors.
    2. It has also developed new products like ‘Sikosa’ in partnership with Battelle (USA) and Mitsui (Japan), showing how Indian firms are strategically expanding through innovation and collaboration.

    Why This Matters for India’s Agricultural Future

    1. Productivity Gains: Weeds reduce crop yield by competing for water and nutrients. Herbicides help ensure better resource absorption by crops.
    2. Supports Mechanisation: Like other farm machinery, herbicides reduce dependence on human labour and enable faster, scalable farming.
    3. Aligns with Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Timely and smart weed control reduces input waste and improves crop resilience.

    Key Concerns

    1. Ecological Impact: Excessive herbicide use can lead to soil degradation, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity.
    2. Labour Displacement: As weeding becomes chemical-driven, demand for rural manual labour might further decline.
    3. MNC Monopoly: Unlike seeds and fertilisers, pesticides remain MNC-dominated, raising questions on strategic autonomy in agri-inputs.

    Conclusion:

    The rise of herbicides in India’s pesticide market marks a significant transformation in agricultural input use. While they offer a timely solution to labour shortages and boost farm efficiency, a cautious, balanced, and indigenously empowered approach is necessary.

  • Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and improving rural livelihoods.

    Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

    About Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

    • Objective: Aims to transform agriculture in 100 low-performing districts by addressing productivity gaps.
    • Inspiration: Modelled on NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme; first scheme focused solely on agriculture and allied sectors.
    • Launch: Announced in Union Budget 2025–26 and approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
    • Approach: Driven by convergence of schemes, collaboration across stakeholders, and healthy competition among districts.

    Key Features:

    • Scheme Integration: Merges 36 schemes from 11 ministries into one unified framework.
    • Budget & Duration: ₹24,000 crore annual outlay for six years (starting 2025–26).
    • District Selection:
      • 100 districts with low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit access
      • At least one district from each state/UT
    • Focus Areas:
      • Boosting productivity
      • Promoting crop diversification and sustainability
      • Improving irrigation and water efficiency
      • Expanding post-harvest storage
      • Enhancing credit access
    • Performance Monitoring: Monthly ranking on 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) via centralized dashboard.
    • Support Mechanism: NITI Aayog to provide capacity-building and reviews.
    • Expert Note: Credit-based selection criteria may require refinement.

    Implementation:

    • District Planning: Each district to prepare an Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan.
    • Plan Approval: Handled by District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, chaired by the Collector and including progressive farmers.
    • National Alignment:
      • Agricultural self-sufficiency
      • Soil and water conservation
      • Promotion of organic/natural farming
    • Governance: Committees at district, state, and national levels to guide execution.
    • Monitoring: Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) to conduct field visits and track progress.
    • Technical Support: Agricultural universities to serve as knowledge partners.
    • Expected Outcomes: Boost farm income, create local livelihoods, and support Atmanirbhar Bharat through enhanced agri-productivity.
    [UPSC 2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

    1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets

    2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini truck

    3. Consumption requirements of farm households

    4. Post-harvest expenses

    5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only* (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

  • Continuation of Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) 

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Interest Subvention (IS) component under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025–26.

    About Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS):

    • Central Sector Scheme: It helps farmers get low-interest short-term loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
    • Nodal Agencies: The scheme is monitored by RBI and NABARD and implemented through Public Sector Banks, RRBs, Cooperative Banks, and Private Banks.
    • Loan Details:
      • Borrowing Limit: Farmers can borrow up to ₹3 lakh at 7% interest.
      • Interest Support: Banks get 1.5% interest support from the government, helping them offer cheaper loans.
      • Extra Discount: Farmers who repay on time get a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive, reducing their effective interest rate to 4%.
      • For Livestock & Fisheries: Loans up to ₹2 lakh also qualify for this benefit.
    • Digital Support: The Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), launched in August 2023, improves transparency and tracking of loan disbursal.

    Back2Basics: Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

    • Launch: Started in 1998 based on the R.V. Gupta Committee’s recommendation.
    • Who implements it: Managed by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Cooperative Banks, and Small Finance Banks.
    • Purpose and Uses:
      • Gives quick and easy loans for crop expenses, post-harvest needs, and household costs.
      • Supports dairy, poultry, fisheries, and other allied activities.
      • Offers credit for farming-related business investments.
    • Key Features:
      • Collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh.
      • Interest rates as low as 4% with timely repayment (under MISS).
      • Loan limit raised to ₹5 lakh in Budget 2025–26.
      • Uses a revolving credit system — farmers can borrow and repay as needed.
      • Flexible repayment is aligned with crop cycles to reduce stress.
    • Additional Benefits:
      • Includes crop insurance under PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
      • Since 2018–19, also covers farmers in animal husbandry and fisheries.
      • Helps farmers avoid moneylenders, promoting financial inclusion.

     

    [UPSC 2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

    1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets

    2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini truck

    3. Consumption requirements of farm households

    4. Post-harvest expenses

    5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only* (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

  • Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs) to Promote Natural Farming

    Why in the News?

    The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has come up with the guidelines for setting up of bio-input resource centres (BRC) under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).

    What are Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs)?

    • BRCs are part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), aimed at promoting chemical-free and sustainable agriculture.
    • BRCs will produce, store, and supply bio-inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and Neemastra using local livestock by-products and plant-based materials.
    • Key Functions:
      1. Local Production: Ensures availability of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, reducing dependency on synthetic inputs.
      2. Training: Provides training on bio-input preparation and natural farming techniques.
      3. Entrepreneurship: Promotes local entrepreneurship, empowering self-help groups (SHGs) and farmers.
      4. Affordability: Aims to make sustainable farming practices accessible to small and marginal farmers.
    • Financial support of Rs 1 lakh per BRC are provided in two tranches of Rs 50,000, though experts raise concerns about its adequacy for infrastructure.

    Back2Basics: National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):

    • NMNF is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme was launched on November 2024 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, promoting chemical-free farming.
    • Objectives:
      • Focus on eco-friendly practices and organic methods.
      • Reduce input costs by minimizing chemical usage.
      • Restore soil health, promote biodiversity, and improve climate resilience.
    • Implementation Strategy:
      • Establish 15,000 clusters across Gram Panchayats.
      • Train 1 crore farmers and implement practices on 7.5 lakh hectares.
      • Establish 10,000 BRCs for bio-input accessibility.
      • Deploy 30,000 Krishi Sakhis for mobilization.
    • Financial Outlay: ₹2,481 crore until 2025-26.
    [UPSC 2021] How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

    1.Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices, but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant. 2.Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity, but this phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 3.Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions, but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4.The practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 and 3  (b) 1, 2, and 4* (c) 4 only (d) 2 and 3

     

  • [pib] Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD)

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved the Revised National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), enhancing its scope and funding to modernize and expand the dairy sector across India.

    About the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

    • It is implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD).
    • The scheme has been operational since February 2014, initially targeting the development of dairy cooperatives and expanding infrastructure to support dairy activities.
      • In July 2021, the scheme was restructured to align with the goals of the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-2026), to run from 2021 to 2026 with an enhanced budget.
    • It focuses on providing technical and financial assistance to improve the dairy infrastructure in India, including enhancing milk procurement, processing, and marketing capabilities.
    • It also aims to provide training facilities for dairy farmers, improving their skills and fostering rural development.

    Revised Components of NPDD Scheme:

    The Revised NPDD, a Central Sector Scheme, is designed with two primary components that focus on dairy infrastructure development and cooperative strengthening:

    Component A: Dairy Infrastructure Improvement

    • This component focuses on improving essential dairy infrastructure, such as the installation of milk chilling plants, advanced milk testing laboratories, and certification systems for quality assurance.
    • Special attention is given to the North Eastern Region (NER), hilly areas, and Union Territories (UTs), where support is provided for the formation of new dairy cooperative societies and the strengthening of milk procurement and processing systems.
    • Grant support will be provided for the formation of 2 Milk Producer Companies, ensuring a more efficient procurement system.

    Component B: Dairying through Cooperatives (DTC)

    • This component focuses on fostering dairy development through cooperative models in partnership with the Government of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
    • It aims to sustainably develop dairy cooperatives, improve production, processing, and marketing infrastructure in 9 key states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
    • This component seeks to introduce international best practices in cooperative management and dairy technologies.

    PYQ:

    [UPSC 2013] Which of the following grants direct credit assistance to the households?

    1. Regional Rural Banks

    2. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

    3. Land Development Banks

    Select the correct answer using codes given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

    Why in the News?

    According to the RBI, bad loans in the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme segment increased by 42% over the last four years, reaching ₹97,543 crore by December 2024, up from ₹68,547 crore in March 2021.

    About the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

    • The KCC Scheme is a government-backed credit initiative designed to provide timely and adequate credit to farmers for agricultural and allied activities.
    • Launched in 1998 on the recommendation of NABARD (R.V. Gupta Committee), the scheme aims to ensure easy access to institutional credit, reducing farmers’ dependency on moneylenders and informal credit sources.
    • Purpose of KCC:
      • Provides short-term credit for crop cultivation and post-harvest needs.
      • Supports working capital requirements for farm mechanization, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and other allied agricultural activities.
      • Helps meet household consumption needs of farmers.
      • Allows credit access for investment in agriculture-related businesses.
    • Credit and Repayment System:
      • Farmers can avail collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh.
      • Interest rates start as low as 4% per annum (with government interest subvention for timely repayment).
      • The loan limit was increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh in Budget 2025-26.
      • Revolving credit system allows farmers to withdraw and repay as needed within the sanctioned limit.
      • Repayment schedules are linked to the crop harvesting cycle, ensuring no undue financial burden.
    • Implementation: Commercial Banks; Regional Rural Banks (RRBs); Small Finance Banks; Cooperative Banks.
    • Additional Benefits:
      • Comes with insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to protect against crop loss.
      • Covers fisheries and animal husbandry farmers (since 2018-19).

    Successes and Limitations of the KCC Scheme:

    Successes Failures
    • Increased Financial Inclusion: 7.3 crore active accounts, reducing reliance on moneylenders.
    • Higher Agricultural Productivity:  Easy access to inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
    • Increased Support: Interest subvention makes loans affordable; loan limit raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh (Budget 2025-26).
    • Promoted Rural Development: Covers women farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and non-farm activities.
    • Rising NPAs:  Discussed above.
    • Loan Misuse: Funds diverted for non-agricultural expenses, increasing defaults.
    • Low Financial Literacy: Many farmers unaware of repayment terms, leading to debt traps.
    • High Credit Dependency: Continuous borrowing without income growth raises financial risks.

    PYQ:

    [2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

    1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
    2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
    3. Consumption requirements of farm households
    4. Post-harvest expenses
    5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

    Select the correct answer:

    (a) 1, 2 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 4 and 5