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Subject: Agriculture

  • State of Food and Agriculture Report, 2025

    Why in the News?

    The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 3 November 2025, highlights the alarming global impact of human-induced land degradation.

    About the SOFA Report:

    • Goal: Aims to help governments design sustainable land management and food security policies.
    • Publication: Released annually by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as one of its flagship analytical reports.
    • Focus (2025 Edition): Examines human-induced land degradation and its effects on agricultural productivity, poverty, and ecosystem stability.
    • Analytical Scope: Integrates soil data, land use patterns, crop yields, and socioeconomic indicators to identify global vulnerability hotspots.

    Key Global Findings (2025):

    • Population Exposure: Around 1.7 billion people live in land-degraded regions with declining agricultural output.
    • Deforestation Drivers: Agricultural expansion remains the cause of nearly 90% of global forest loss.
    • Land Use Trends (2001–2023): Global agricultural land shrank by 78 mha (–2%); cropland increased by 78 mha, while pastures declined by 151 mha.
    • Land Abandonment: About 3.6 mha of cropland is abandoned annually due to soil degradation.
    • Restoration Potential: Reversing 10% of degraded cropland could feed 154 million people yearly; restoring abandoned land could feed 476 million.
    • Vulnerability Hotspots: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia face the highest overlap of degradation, poverty, and child malnutrition.
    • Farm Structure Inequality: Small farms (<2 ha) constitute 85% of all farms but hold only 9% of farmland; large farms (>1,000 ha) control nearly 50% of it.
    • Degradation Masking: Large farms offset degradation through high input use, while smallholders face disproportionate yield losses.

    India-specific Insights:

    • Overview: India among countries with highest yield losses due to human-driven land degradation.
    • Regional Impact: Eastern and southern India worst affected owing to dense population and intensive cropping.
    • Major Causes: Include soil erosion, nutrient depletion, deforestation, and over-irrigation.
    • FAO Recommendations:
      • Scale up sustainable land management, soil health, and watershed programs.
      • Promote precision farming, agroforestry, and organic inputs for soil restoration.
      • Strengthen smallholder resilience through credit, technology, and market access.
      • Integrate land restoration with national missions like PM-KUSUM and PMKSY for long-term sustainability.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

    1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.

    2. The country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • [pib] National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)

    Why in the News?

    The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (2020–21 to 2025–26) is set to conclude this fiscal year.

    About National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM):

    • Overview: A Central Sector Scheme (2020) under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, promoting scientific beekeeping and driving a “Sweet Revolution” for rural income enhancement.
    • Implementing Agency: Executed by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
    • Financial Outlay: ₹500 crore for FY 2020–21 to 2025–26.
    • Core Aim: Boost honey production, pollination-based crop productivity, and farmers’ income through structured beekeeping and processing infrastructure.
    • Technology & Quality Focus: Promotes traceability, quality assurance, and digital registration via the Madhukranti Portal.
    • Implementation Structure:
      1. Mini Mission–I: Enhances honey and hive product production through scientific beekeeping and pollination.
      2. Mini Mission–II: Focuses on post-harvest management, collection, processing, storage, marketing, and value addition.
      3. Mini Mission–III: Supports research, innovation, and capacity building for technology-driven solutions.
    • Institutional Network: Coordinated by NBB, involving NDDB, NAFED, TRIFED, ICAR, KVIC, SRLM/NRLM, and MSME bodies at national and state levels.

    Achievements & Progress:

    • Production & Exports: India produced 1.4 lakh MT honey (2024); exported 1.07 lakh MT worth USD 177.55 million (FY 2023–24), rising to 2nd globally from 9th in 2020.
    • Infrastructure Development: Established 6 world-class labs, 47 mini labs, 6 diagnostic labs, 8 hiring centres, 26 processing units, 18 branding units, and 10 cold storages.
    • Research Hub: National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping set up at IIT Roorkee for innovation and training.
    • Empowerment Initiatives: 167 SHG projects, 97 FPOs, 424 ha demonstrations, and 288 ha bee-friendly plantations sanctioned for livelihood diversification.
    • Digital Integration: Madhukranti Portal hosts 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 206 companies, with blockchain-based traceability for export-grade quality.
    • Policy Support: Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 2,000/MT (till Dec 2024) set to curb dumping of inferior honey and safeguard domestic producers.

  • [pib] National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025

    Why in the News?

    Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying George Kurian officially launched the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

    About National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025:

    • Objective: To collect detailed data on fishermen population, crafts, gear, livelihood patterns, and welfare indicators for evidence-based policy and blue economy planning.
    • Overview: The 5th national enumeration of India’s marine fisheries sector after 1980, 1998, 2005, and 2010 rounds.
    • Implementing Agencies: Conducted by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, coordinated by ICAR–CMFRI with Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as operational partner.
    • Coverage: Encompasses 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000–5,000 marine fishing villages in nine coastal states and four UTs, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
    • Funding & Legal Basis: Financed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an allocation of ₹16.2 crore for digital census operations.

    Key Features:

    • Digital Data Collection: First paperless marine census using apps, VyAS Bharat, VyAS Sutra, and VyAS NAV, enabling geo-tagged, real-time data capture and validation.
    • Technological Integration: Uses drone-based craft surveys and live dashboards at CMFRI; establishes a National Marine Fisheries Data Centre for analytics and storage.
    • Expanded Scope: Covers ornamental fisheries, seaweed farming, and post-harvest value chain activities; includes data on credit, insurance, and welfare access.
    • NFDP Linkage: Mandates registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to ensure DBT-based benefit delivery under PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
    • Inclusive Approach: Involves 1,000+ trained enumerators with state departments and fisher cooperatives, promoting community participation for accuracy.
    • Government Initiative: Promotes safety tools like vessel transponders and turtle excluder devices (TEDs); embodies the vision “Smart Census, Smarter Fisheries.”

  • [pib] Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved an enhanced outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), including ₹1,000 crore earmarked for 50 irradiation units under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) Scheme.

    About the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) Scheme:

    • Objective: To build an end-to-end cold chain and value addition system from farm gate to consumer, ensuring unbroken preservation, reduced losses, and fair returns to farmers.
    • Overview: A Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), implemented as a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
    • Coverage: Focuses on non-horticultural produce, dairy, meat, poultry, and marine fish, while fruits, vegetables, and shrimp fall under Operation Greens.
    • Goal: Minimise post-harvest wastage, promote value addition, and provide year-round food availability through modern cold chain infrastructure.
    • Participation: Open to farmers, FPOs/FPCs, cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs, companies, and PSUs on a demand-driven basis.

    Details of the ICCVAI Scheme:

    • Objectives: Develop pre-cooling, cold storage, processing, and refrigerated transport; strengthen farmer–market linkages; promote modern technologies like irradiation and renewable energy; and enhance food safety and shelf life.
    • Infrastructure Components:
      • Farm-Level Infrastructure (FLI): Pre-cooling, grading, packaging near production zones.
      • Processing Centres: Multi-product processing and testing units.
      • Distribution Hubs: Multi-temperature storage for aggregation and retail dispatch.
      • Refrigerated Transport: Reefer vans and mobile tankers for seamless cold logistics.
      • Irradiation Units: For sterilisation and shelf-life extension via ionising radiation.
    • Financial Assistance:
      • 35% of project cost in general areas; 50% in difficult areas (NE, hill states, islands, ITDP regions) or for SC/ST/FPO/SHG entities.
      • Grant cap: ₹ 10 crore per project, released in three instalments.
      • 2025 Update: Union Cabinet raised PMKSY’s total outlay to ₹6,520 crore, with ₹1,000 crore for 50 irradiation units under ICCVAI.
    • Eligibility Conditions: Applicants must have net worth ≥ 1.5× the grant (general areas) or equal to the grant (special areas). Each project must integrate Farm-Level Infrastructure with a Distribution Hub and/or refrigerated transport.
    • Implementation Progress:
      • 395 projects approved, 291 operational.
      • Created 25.52 LMT preservation capacity and 114.66 LMT processing capacity.
      • Generated 1.74 lakh jobs nationwide.

    Complementary Government Initiatives:

    • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): Credit-linked subsidy for cold storages up to 5,000 MT.
    • National Horticulture Board (NHB): Promotes Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storages for horticulture.
    • Operation Greens (PMKSY):  Stabilises supply chains for fruits, vegetables, and shrimp.
    • Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore for cold chain and processing units.
    • National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD): Think tank for standards, training, and best practices in cold logistics.
    [UPSC 2024] With reference to the sectors of the Indian economy, consider the following pairs: Economic activity Sector

    1. Storage of agricultural produce Secondary

    2. Dairy farm Primary

    3. Mineral exploration Tertiary

    4. Weaving cloth Secondary

    How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three (d) All four

     

  • Cabinet approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Rates for Rabi 2025- 26

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi 2025–26 (October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.

    About the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:

    • Overview: Introduced on April 1, 2010, by the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.
    • Nature: A Central Sector Scheme providing fertilisers at subsidized rates based on nutrient content rather than product type.
    • Nutrients Covered: Subsidy is fixed per kilogram of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).
    • Coverage: Applies to 28 grades of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPKS grades, and fortified fertilizers containing micronutrients such as zinc and molybdenum.
    • Exclusion: Urea is not covered under NBS; it remains price-controlled and sold at a fixed MRP by the government.
    • Objective: Ensures balanced fertilizer use (optimal N: P: K ratio of 4:2:1) to maintain soil fertility, increase productivity, and promote sustainable agriculture.
    • Subsidy Mechanism: Subsidy is paid directly to fertilizer manufacturers/importers based on notified per-kg nutrient rates, enabling sale to farmers at affordable prices.
    • Rationale: Aims to insulate farmers from international price volatility of fertilizer inputs such as urea, DAP, MOP, and sulphur, while maintaining fiscal prudence.
    • Additional Support: Fertilizers fortified with secondary, and micronutrients are eligible for additional subsidy.
    • Institutional Role: Department of Fertilizers monitors implementation; state agriculture departments ensure field-level availability and prevent diversion.
    • Major Benefits:
      • Ensures timely and affordable access to fertilizers.
      • Promotes balanced nutrient application and soil health.
      • Supports food security and agricultural productivity.
      • Rationalizes government subsidy expenditure.
      • Encourages domestic fertilizer production and reduces import dependence.
    • Issues:
      • Exclusion of urea leads to its overuse and nutrient imbalance.
      • Rising fiscal burden; fertiliser subsidy is India’s second-largest after food subsidy.
      • Continued chemical fertiliser dependence affects long-term soil sustainability.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:
    1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
    2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
    3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for Phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

  • Trouble in ‘Soy State’-The Brewing Crisis in Madhya Pradesh’s Soybean Sector

    Introduction

    Madhya Pradesh contributes nearly 60% of India’s soybean output, earning its title as the Soy State. However, falling yields, poor returns, and uncertain government support are driving young farmers away from cultivation. The state, which once symbolized India’s success in expanding oilseed production, from 300,000 hectares in the 1970s to over 12 million hectares today, is now facing a turning point. Issues surrounding MSP, seed quality, and potential soybean imports have triggered widespread concern among cultivators.

    Declining Interest in Soybean Cultivation

    1. Generational shift: Young farmers are abandoning soybean farming despite their families’ legacy due to poor income and rising costs.
    2. Low profitability: Farmers report earnings of only ₹5,000–₹6,000 per quintal, while production costs remain high due to fertilizers, diesel, and seed expenses.
    3. Falling acreage: MP’s soybean acreage fell from 5.7 million hectares in 2023 to 5.1 million hectares in 2024, marking a 10% decline.
    4. Shift to alternatives: Many farmers are switching to urad, moong, maize, or cash crops that offer higher or more stable returns.

    Why Are Farmers Losing Faith in MSP?

    1. Improper implementation: Though the Centre announced ₹4,600 per quintal as MSP, most farmers sell below it due to lack of procurement infrastructure.
    2. Ceiling price issue: The government fixed a “ceiling price” of ₹4,300 per quintal for private buyers, making market rates unprofitable for producers.
    3. Limited procurement centres: Farmers complain of delayed payments and unavailability of buyers at MSP, forcing distress sales.
    4. Mismatch with cost of cultivation: Even after MSP hikes, real income remains stagnant due to higher input costs.

    The Threat of Soybean Imports

    1. Policy uncertainty: Reports of possible U.S. soybean imports have caused panic among domestic farmers.
    2. Price depression: Imported soybean meal could reduce domestic demand, pushing prices below MSP levels.
    3. Industry divide: Processors argue that imports are needed to stabilize edible oil prices, but cultivators fear it will cripple local production.
    4. Farm unions’ protest: The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) and farmers’ groups have demanded a ban on import proposals, calling it a “death blow” to the domestic industry.

    What Are the Structural Problems Behind the Soybean Crisis?

    1. Seed quality issues: Farmers allege substandard seeds, resulting in poor germination and low yields.
    2. Inadequate extension services: Absence of updated agronomic practices and low use of scientific techniques hinder productivity.
    3. High input costs: Fertilizers, pesticides, and labour costs have nearly doubled over the last five years.
    4. Climate vulnerability: Irregular rainfall and pest infestations (like girdle beetle and stem fly) have further reduced yields.
    5. Weak farmer organizations: Lack of effective cooperatives and marketing federations reduces farmers’ bargaining power.

    How Has Soybean Production Shaped India’s Agricultural Growth?

    1. Historical expansion: From 300,000 ha in the 1970s to 12 million ha today, soybean has been India’s fastest growing crop.
    2. Export potential: Soymeal exports to East Asia once contributed significantly to India’s agri-trade surplus.
    3. Edible oil dependence: Soybean accounts for nearly 35% of India’s oilseed area and plays a key role in reducing import dependency.
    4. Policy linkage: The crop was promoted under Technology Mission on Oilseeds (1986), which revolutionized oilseed cultivation patterns.

    Reviving Faith in Oilseed Farming

    1. Long term MSP assurance: A 3 year guaranteed MSP policy can restore confidence and reduce uncertainty.
    2. Seed innovation: Investment in high-yielding, pest-resistant seed varieties through ICAR and private collaboration.
    3. Market infrastructure: Expansion of procurement centres and digital payment systems to ensure fair realization.
    4. Diversification support: Incentivizing mixed cropping and integrated farming models to mitigate risk.
    5. Value chain strengthening: Promotion of domestic processing units and branding for soybean-based products.

    Conclusion

    The “Soy State” stands at a crossroads. The crisis in Madhya Pradesh reflects the larger policy dilemma of India’s agricultural system, balancing market liberalization with farmer protection. Unless structural issues like MSP implementation, seed quality, and import regulation are addressed, India risks losing self-reliance in a crop that transformed its rural economy. The need of the hour is a farmer-centric reform agenda that enhances profitability, productivity, and predictability in oilseed cultivation.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2018] What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system?

    Linkage: UPSC’s recurring theme of agriculture and crop diversification finds direct relevance here. The soybean crisis in Madhya Pradesh mirrors the same structural issues of monocropping stress, declining productivity, and need for diversified cropping systems to ensure long-term yield stability and farmer resilience.

  • Makhana (Fox Nut) Cultivation in India

    Why in the News?

    The Prime Minister called the National Makhana Board a “revolution” in India’s farm value chain, aiming to formalise and commercialise makhana cultivation.

    National Makhana Board (NMB)

    • Objective: To enhance production, processing, value addition, and export competitiveness of makhana (fox nut) through a structured national framework.
    • Establishment: Constituted in 2025 under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries with an initial outlay of ₹100 crore to institutionalise India’s makhana value chain.
    • Functions: Provides training, technical support, quality regulation, and export facilitation, aligning makhana with schemes such as PM-FME, One District One Product (ODOP), and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Regional Presence: Operates regional centres in Darbhanga, Purnea, and Katihar (Bihar) for farmer outreach and capacity building.
    • Institutional Linkages: Coordinates with ICAR, NABARD, and agricultural universities to promote high-yield varieties (HYVs), mechanised harvesting, and standardised processing.
    • Governance Structure: Comprises Central and State officials, FPO representatives, and industry experts ensuring multi-stakeholder participation.
    • Core Goals: Expand exports, ensure fair farmer pricing, and build sustainable livelihoods for makhana-growing communities.

    About Makhana:

    • Overview: Edible seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), found in freshwater wetlands across South and East Asia.
    • Nutritional Profile: Protein-rich, low-fat, and mineral-dense, recognised globally as a superfood.
    • Cultural & Medicinal Use: Integral to Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese medicine; used for blood pressure control, fertility, and immunity.
    • Policy & Branding: Listed under ODOP, backed by branding and export support; granted GI tag “Mithila Makhana” (2022).
    • Global Market: Valued at USD 43.5 million (2023), projected to reach USD 100 million by 2033, positioning India as global leader.
    • Export market: Almost 30% to US, UAE 20%, UK 15% , Canada 10%, Singapore 7-8%.

    Makhana Cultivation in India:

    • Geographic Concentration: Bihar produces ≈ 90 % of India’s makhana from Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa districts.
    • Agro-Climatic Needs: Thrives in stagnant ponds/lakes, 20–35 °C temperature, 100–250 cm rainfall, and loamy soils.
    • Area & Yield: Grown on 15,000 ha producing ≈ 10,000 tonnes annually; HYVs like Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 yield 3–3.5 t/ha vs 1.7–1.9 t/ha earlier.
    • Other States: Cultivated marginally in West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, MP, Rajasthan, UP.
    • Challenges: Labour-intensive manual harvesting, limited mechanisation, and high input costs.

  • Why is India seeking Self-sufficiency in Pulses?

    Why in the News?

    India, though the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, continues to face chronic supply-demand imbalance, threatening food security and farm incomes.

    Introduction  

    • The Union Cabinet (1 October 2025) approved the ₹11,440 crore “Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses”, a 6-year programme (FY26–FY31) to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production.
    • The initiative responds to surging imports of $5.5 billion in FY25, the highest ever, amid stagnating domestic yields and acreage.
    • India, though the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, continues to facea  chronic supply-demand imbalance, threatening food security and farm incomes.

    Value Addition: Pulses and their Production in India

    • Overview: Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants (family Fabaceae), cultivated for dry grains such as gram, tur, urad, masoor, and moong.
    • Nutritional Role: Rich in protein, fiber, micronutrients, and amino acids; low in fat and vital for nutritional security.
    • Agro-Climatic Range: Grown in both kharif and rabi seasons, requiring 20–27°C temperature and 25–60 cm rainfall.
    • Production Share: India produces ~25 million tonnes, accounting for 25% of global output, yet consumes 27%, making it the largest producer, consumer, and importer.
    • Crop Composition: As per FY2024, Gram (~40%), Tur/Arhar (15–20%), Moong/Urad (8–10%) dominate; pulses occupy 20% of grain area but only 7–10% of total foodgrain output.
    • Regional Spread: Major producers are- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP, Karnataka.
    • Crop Share: Pulses occupy 20 % of grain area but yield only 7–10 % of output; gram 40 %, tur 15–20 %, moong/urad 8–10 %.

    Why Farmers shifted away from Pulses?

    1. Price Disparity: Market prices often 14–28% below MSP, due to cheap imports (e.g., yellow peas from Canada at ₹3,000/quintal vs MSP ₹5,875).
    2. Import Competition: Duty-free imports from Canada, Australia, Mozambique, Myanmar suppress domestic demand.
    3. Policy Bias: Procurement, subsidies, and irrigation facilities favour rice and wheat, not pulses.
    4. Low Productivity: Pulses mostly grown on rain-fed, marginal lands, highly vulnerable to droughts, erratic monsoons, and poor irrigation.
    5. Market Risk: Weak procurement and delayed payments reduce confidence in government price support.
    6. Limited R&D: Poor availability of improved seed varieties and inadequate extension support for pest management and soil health.

    Key Structural Challenges:

    1. MSP and Procurement Gaps: Inconsistent purchase operations discourage adoption of pulses over cereals.
    2. Climatic Vulnerability: Rain-fed dependence leads to high risk from El Niño, floods, or dry spells.
    3. Low Yields: National average at 740 kg/ha, below global mean of 949 kg/ha and far below Canada/USA (1,800+ kg/ha).
    4. Small Landholdings: Over 85% small and marginal farmers lack capital for irrigation and mechanisation.
    5. Soil and Pest Constraints: Nutrient deficiency, salinity, and frequent pest attacks hinder productivity.
    6. Institutional Weakness: Fragmented R&D ecosystem and weak integration between seed research, extension, and procurement systems.

    Import Trends and Dependence:

    • Import Bill Growth: From $1.6 billion (FY21) to $5.5 billion (FY25) i.e a 3.4× surge.
    • Sources: Australia and Canada (peas), Myanmar, Tanzania, Mozambique (tur/arhar).
    • Volume: 7.3 million tonnes imported in 2024-25 surpassing the 2016-17 record.
    • Drivers: Stagnant domestic output (~25 Mt for five years) and rising urban consumption.
    • Top Importers: Canada, Russia, Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, USA.

    Economic and Social Dimensions:

    • Production Rise: From 19.2 Mt (FY14) to 24.4 Mt (FY24), yet consumption still exceeds supply.
    • Consumption Growth: Rising incomes and protein awareness push demand upward.
    • Trade Imbalance: India remains both largest producer (25 %) and largest importer (14 %) of global pulses.

    Benefits of Pulses Cultivation:

    1. Environmental Sustainability: Pulses require less water and lower chemical inputs than cereals.
    2. Soil Fertility: Through biological nitrogen fixation, they enrich soil nitrogen, improving yield for subsequent crops.
    3. Reduced Fertilizer Use: Lower dependence on synthetic urea reduces subsidy burden and emissions.
    4. Soil Structure and Water Retention: Root systems enhance porosity, carbon content, and microbial biodiversity.
    5. Pest and Disease Management: Crop rotation with pulses suppresses soil-borne pathogens and reduces pesticide dependency.
    6. Carbon Sequestration: Residue incorporation increases soil organic carbon, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
    7. Economic Efficiency: Arvind Subramanian Committee (2016) estimated a ₹13,000/ha higher social benefit for Tur vis-à-vis rice cultivation due to water and emission savings.

    Way Forward:

    1. Seed Innovation: Intensify research through ICAR–IIPR and utilise India’s 70,000 germplasm accessions for high-yielding, climate-resilient strains.
    2. Area Expansion: Promote rice-fallow pulse rotation in eastern India and intercropping systems in semi-arid regions.
    3. Assured Procurement: Scale up NAFED and NCCF-led MSP operations, ensuring timely payments.
    4. Infrastructure Support: Strengthen warehousing, milling, and processing hubs near production clusters.
    5. Import Rationalisation: Impose variable tariffs to protect domestic farmers from global price volatility.
    6. Sustainability Integration: Incentivise pulse cultivation under carbon farming and sustainable agriculture missions.

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2017] Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulse because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

    [UPSC 2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

    1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.

    2. Green gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.

    3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

    Linkage: Pulses imports often strain the Balance of Payments (BoP) and affect food inflation (a topic tested in 2024 Mains). Achieving self-sufficiency saves foreign exchange and helps manage domestic price volatility.

     

  • [pib] E-NAM (electronic National Agriculture Market) Portal

    Why in the News?

    The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has expanded the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) by including 9 additional commodities, raising the total tradable items on the platform to 247.

    About National Agriculture Market (e-NAM):

    • Launch: Introduced in April 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare under the Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM).
    • Implementing Agency: Managed by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
    • Objective: To unify agricultural markets across India by offering farmers and traders a transparent, competitive, and quality-based digital trading platform for real-time price discovery and reduced intermediary dependence.
    • Legal Framework: Operates within state Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Acts, harmonised through inter-state trading licences and digital linkage.
    • Funding & Governance: Fully centrally funded, providing both digital infrastructure and physical market modernisation to APMCs.
    • Working Mechanism:
      • Digital APMC Integration: Each mandi connected to the e-NAM portal for online inter-state trading.
      • Online Auctions: Produce graded, assayed, and weighed before real-time electronic bidding.
      • Price Discovery & Payment: Transparent auction ensures quality-linked pricing; proceeds transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts.
      • Unified Licensing: A single trading licence enables purchase from multiple mandis nationwide.
      • Warehouse Trading (e-NAM 2.0): Incorporates warehouses and cold storages for sale of stored produce and extended logistics support.
    • Coverage (2025):
      • Mandis Integrated: 1,522 mandis across 23 States & 4 UTs.
      • Commodities: 247 tradable items including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, spices, and medicinal plants.
      • Participants: Around 1.7 crore farmers and 4,500 FPOs registered.
      • Leading States: Tamil Nadu (213 mandis), followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat.
      • Data Analytics: Real-time insights on trade volume, prices, and demand trends aid policy decisions.

    Key Features & Impact:

    • Pan-India Integration: Realises “One Nation, One Market” by linking mandis and private markets.
    • Quality Assurance: Standardised parameters framed by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI) ensure grade-based pricing.
    • Digital Efficiency: Electronic weighing, e-payments, and cloud-based architecture cut transaction time from 8–10 hours to 30 minutes.
    • FPO & Warehouse Linkages: Strengthen logistics, storage, and collective bargaining power.
    • Scheme Synergy: Complements PM-KISAN, PM-AASHA, and MSP operations through traceable, transparent procurement data.
    [UPSC 2017] What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the `National Agriculture Market’ scheme?

    1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.

    2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • [pib] 10 Years of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

    Why in the News?

    After a decade (2015–2025), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) has evolved from a pilot cluster model into a national ecosystem of training, certification, and market access.

    About Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):

    • Launch: Introduced in 2015 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare as part of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to promote organic and traditional chemical-free farming.
    • Cluster-Based Model: Farmers form 20 ha+ clusters for collective organic adoption, resource sharing, and easier certification & marketing.
    • Eligibility & Funding Flow: Open to farmers/institutions with land up to 2 ha; applications via Regional Councils → Annual Action Plans → States → DBT to farmers.
    • Financial Support: ₹31,500/ha over 3 years, covering inputs, training, certification, and marketing.
    • Certification Systems:
      1. NPOP (Third-Party Certification): for export and formal markets.
      2. PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System): community-driven, peer-reviewed certification for domestic markets.
      3. Large Area Certification (LAC): initiated in 2020 to fast-track certification in areas with no prior chemical use, reducing conversion time.
    • Digital Integration: Jaivik Kheti portal links farmers, buyers, input suppliers for transparent, traceable organic trade.

    Achievements (as of Jan 2025):

    • Scale: ₹2,265.86 crore released; 15 lakh ha organic area, 52,289 clusters, 25.3 lakh farmers.
    • Certification: Sikkim fully organic, Lakshadweep & Dantewada LAC-certified, expansion to Nicobar & Ladakh.
    • Digital Reach: 6.23 lakh farmers, 19,016 groups, 8,676 buyers on Jaivik Kheti portal.
    • Institutional Growth: 9,268 FPOs formed; expanded market linkages for premium organic produce.
    • Ecological Gains: Reduced chemical load, improved soil fertility, local input ecosystems strengthened.

    Challenges:

    • Yield Dip: Transitional productivity loss strains small farmers.
    • Certification Costs: Verification and residue testing remain expensive.
    • Market Gaps: Uneven price premiums and weak buyer networks.
    • Cluster Variation: Success depends on local leadership and coordination.
    • Sustainability: Post-funding continuity often uncertain; technical gaps persist.
    [UPSC 2018] With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:

    1. The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

    2. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’ (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.

    3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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