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3 AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation was earlier implementing 51 schemes for development of agriculture
and welfare of farmers in the country. These schemes have recently been restructured in to the following
schemes given below:

1) National Food Security Mission

• Year of commencement
• 2007-08 (again in 2014-15, in restructured form))

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• Components - (i) NFSM-Rice, (ii) NFSM-Wheat, (iii) NFSM-Pulses, (iv) NFSM-Coarse Cereals and (v)
NFSM-Commercial Crops
• Objectives
•
OR
Increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals through area expansion in a sustainable
manner in the identified districts of the country.
SC
• Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level.
• Enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence among the farmers.
• Salient Features
• Focus on low productivity and high potential districts including cultivation of food grain crops in
rain fed areas.
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• Implementation of cropping system centric interventions in a Mission mode approach through

active engagement of all the stakeholders at various levels.
• Agro-climatic zone wise planning and cluster approach for crop productivity enhancement.
• Focus on pulse production through utilization of rice fallows, rice bunds and intercropping of pulses
with coarse cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops (sugarcane, cotton, jute).
• Promotion and extension of improved technologies i.e. seed, Integrated nutrient management (INM)
including micronutrients, soil amendments, integrated pest management (IPM), input use efficiency
and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of the farmers/extension
functionaries.
• Close monitoring of flow of funds to ensure timely reach of interventions to the target beneficiaries.
• Integration of various proposed interventions and targets with the district plan of each identified
district.
• Constant monitoring and concurrent evaluation by the implementing agencies for assessing the
impact of the interventions for a result oriented approach.
• Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
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• Panchayati Raj Institutions will be actively involved in selection of beneficiary and selection of
interventions under Local Initiatives in the identified districts.
• A model activity map for effective devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to PRIs has
been prepared by DAC and the States would adopt the same or prepare activity maps to suit their
local conditions.

2) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Year of commencement - 2014-15 (in restructured form)
• Components
• Rainfed Area Development (RAD): RAD will adopt an area based approach for development and
conservation of natural resources along with farming systems.
• On Farm Water Management (OFWM): OFWM will focus primarily on enhancing water use
efficiency by promoting efficient on-farm water management technologies and equipment.

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• Soil Health Management (SHM): SHM will aim at promoting location as well as crop specific
sustainable soil health management including residue management, organic farming practices.
OR
• Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling & Networking (CCSAMMN):
CCSAMMN will provide creating a bidirectional (land/farmers to research/scientific establishments
and vice versa) dissemination of Climate Change related information and knowledge by way of
piloting climate change adaption/mitigation research/model projects.
• Objectives/Features
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• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) seeks to transform Indian agriculture into a
climate resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in domains
of both crops and animal husbandry.
• NMSA as a programmatic intervention focuses on promotion of location specific integrated/
composite farming systems; resource conservation technologies; comprehensive soil health
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management; efficient on-farm water management and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.

• NMSA identifies 10 key dimensions namely seed & culture water, pest, nutrient, farming practices,
credit, insurance, market, information and livelihood diversification for promoting suitable agricultural
practices that covers both adaption and mitigation measures through four functional areas, namely,
Research and Development, Technologies, Products and Practices, Infrastructure and Capacity
building.
• During XII Five Year Plan, these dimensions have been embedded and mainstreamed into Missions/
Programmes/Schemes of Ministry of Agriculture including NMSA through a process of restructuring
of various schemes/missions implemented during XI Five Year Plan and convergence with other
related programmes of Central/State Governments.

3) National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)

• NMOOP is built upon the achievements of the existing schemes of Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds. Oil
Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Tree Borne Oilseeds Scheme and Oil Palm Area Expansion (OPAE) programme
during the 11th Plan period. Implementation of these schemes have shown increase in production and
productivity of oilseeds, area expansion with increased production of FFBs under oil palm and augmented
availability of quality planting materials, pre-processing technologies and awareness about TBOs.
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• In October, 2013 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the
National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) during the 12th Plan Period with financial allocation
of Rs.3507 crore.
• This would help in enhancing production of oilseeds by 6.58 million tonnes. This would also bring
additional area of 1.25 lakh hectares under Oil Palm cultivation with increase in productivity of fresh fruit
bunches from 4927 kg/ha to 15,000 kg/ha and increase in collection of tree borne oilseeds to 14 lakh
tonne.
• Implementation of the proposed Mission would enhance production of vegetable oil sources by 2.48
million tonnes from oilseeds (1.70 million tonnes), oil palm (0.60 million tonnes) and tree borne oilseeds
(0.18 million tonnes) by the end of the 12th Plan Period.
• The implementation strategy in the Mission would place emphasis on
• increasing the Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR) with focus on varietal replacement;

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• increasing irrigation coverage under oilseeds from 26 percent to 38 percent;
• diversification of area from low yielding cereals crops to oilseeds crops;
•
•
OR
inter-cropping of oilseeds and use of fallow land; area expansion under oil palm and TBOs;
increasing availability of quality planting materials of oil palm and TBOs;
• enhancing procurement of oilseeds and collection and processing of TBOs.
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• Recommended varieties and proven technologies would be demonstrated in a cluster approach through
mini kits and frontline/cluster demonstration. The cluster approach would ensure participation of all
categories of farmers, irrespective of the size of their holdings, social status and would demonstrate visible
impact of technologies in enhancing productivity and production.

4) National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET)

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Year of Commencement - 2014-15 (in restructured form)

Components Objectives
Sub Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) To disseminate information and knowledgeto the farming
community in local language/dialect for strengthening the
agricultural extension system.
Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material • Increasing production of certified/quality seed;
(SMSP) Increasing Seed Replacement Ratio more
particularly to achieve higher SRR in crops like
paddy, gram, groundnut, cotton etc. as
recommended by Consultative Group of the
Ministry of Agriculture;

• Upgrading the quality of farm saved seeds with

specific objective to cover 10% villages and produce
100 lakh quintals of seed each year through farmers
participatory seed production;
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• Encouraging seed treatment particularly for farm

saved seed; Strengthening the seed multiplication
chain through assistance to public and private sector;
• Popularizing new varieties to encourage varietal
replacement;

• Promoting new technologies and methodologies in

seed production, processing, testing etc.;

• Strengthening and modernizing infrastructure for

seed production, storage,

• certification and quality control particularly to

ensure compliance with the provisions of the Seeds
Bill 2004/ISTA standards

Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization • Increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small

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(SMAM) and marginal farmers and to the regions where
availability of farm power is low;
OR
• Promoting 'Custom Hiring Centres' to offset the
adverse economies of scale arising due to small
landholding and high cost of individual ownership;

• Creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm

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equipments; Creating awareness among stakeholders

through demonstration and capacity building
activities;

• Ensuring performance testing and certification at

designated testing centers located all over the
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country.

Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant • Human resource development, both in public and
Quarantine (SMPP) private sector, covering areas, inter-alia, of plant
protection technology, plant quarantine and bio-
security etc

• Develop systematic linkages between State,

regional, national and international institutions of
outstanding accomplishments in the field of Plant
Protection Technology;

• Function as Nodal Agency/Forum for exchange of

latest information on plant protection technology;

• Collect and collate information on plant protection

technology for dissemination among the State
extension functionaries and farmers;
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5) National Mission on Micro Irrigation

• The Centrally sponsored National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) was launched in June 2010 in
addition to the earlier Micro Irrigation Scheme launched in January 2006.
• The scheme provides assistance at 60 per cent of the system cost for small and marginal farmers and at
50 per cent for general farmers.

6) The National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

• The Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing the centrally sponsored NHM for the holistic
development of the horticulture sector since 2005-06, duly ensuring forward and backward linkages, and
with the active participation of all the stakeholders.
• All the States and the three Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and
Puducherry are covered under the Mission except the eight northeastern States including Sikkim and the
States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

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• The latter are covered under the Horticulture Mission for the North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH).

•
OR
7) Horticulture Mission For North East And Himalayan States
In order to improve livelihood opportunities and to bring prosperity to the North Eastern Region (NER)
including Sikkim, Government of India launched a Technology Mission for North East for integrated
Development of Horticulture in 2001-02.
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• Considering the potential of Horticulture for socio-economic development of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Technology Mission was extended to these States from 2003-04.
• The Mission is based on the "end-to-end approach" taking into account the entire gamut of horticulture
development, with all backward and forward linkages, in a holistic manner.
• The mission has now been renamed as Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH).
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The objectives of the Mission are:

• To improve the production and productivity of horticulture crops by harnessing the potential of the region.
• Special emphasis on "Low Volume, High Value, Less Perishable Horticulture Crops".
• A horticulture-based farming system to be developed, thereby providing viable and ample opportunities for
employment, especially for women, besides improving the productivity of land.
The programmes under the HMNEH have been evolved in consultation with all the stakeholders, including the
State Governments. The HMNEH strives to address the following issues:
• Technology & technological development
• Demonstration of technologies
• Production of quality planting material
• Organic farming
• Efficient water management
• Plant healt
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It Covers:-
• Plantation works
• Area expansion
• Post harvest management, processing, value addition including that of aromatic plants, marketing and
exports.
• Department of Agriculture will be the nodal department for the Horticulture Mission for coordination and
implementation.
• The Horticulture Mission will be implemented through "Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium" (SFAC),
except the programmes of ICAR, NHB, APEDA and NCDC.
• All the funds are to be routed through SFAC, New Delhi (SFAC is a society under the Government of
India, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation - Declared as a Financial Institution under Section 17(8A)
of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934).

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• Half percent service charges would be paid to SFAC Society for the funds routed through it.

8) Oecd Seed Schemes in India

OR
• The OECD Seed Schemes provide an international framework for the certification of agriculture seed
moving in international trade.
• Membership of the Schemes is voluntary and participation varies.
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• India became its member in 2008.

• With the accession of India and Moldova, number of participating countries in the OECD Seed Schemes
has increased to 57 from Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle-East, Asia and Oceania.
There are seven Agriculture Seed Schemes in OECD viz.,
• Grasses and Legumes
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• Cereals
• Crucifers and other oil or fibre species
• Fodder beet and sugar beet
• Subterranean clover and similar species
• Maize and sorghum
• Vegetables
Objectives
• The objectives of the OECD Schemes for the varietal certification of seed are to encourage the use of
"quality-guaranteed" seed in participating countries.
• The Schemes authorize the use of labels and certificates for seed produced and processed for international
trade according to agreed principles ensuring identity and purity.
• The Schemes facilitate the import and export of seed, by the removal of technical trade barriers through
internationally recognized labels (passports for trade).
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• They also lay down guidelines for seed multiplication broad as well as for the delegation of some control
activities to the private sector ("accreditation").
• The quantity of seed certified through the OECD Schemes has grown rapidly in recent years and reached
5,90,000 tonnes in 2005-06.
How do the Seed Schemes operate?
• The success of international certification depends upon close cooperation between maintainers, seed
producers, trades and the designated authority (appointed by the government) in each participating country.
• Frequent meeting allow for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to exchange information, discuss case studies,
prepare new rules and update the Schemes.
• The UN family of bodies, a vast range of non-government organizations (UPOV, ISTA) and seed industry
networks participate actively in the Schemes.

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Benefits of the Schemes
• To facilitate international trade by using globally recognized OECD labels and certificate (e.g. they are

•
•
required to export seeds to Europe).
OR
To build a framework to develop seed production with countries or companies.
To participate in the elaboration of international rules for seed certification.
• To develop collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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• To benefit from regular exchanges of information with other national certification agencies and observer
organizations.

9) Revised Macro Management of Agriculture

• In the year 2008-09, Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme was revised to improve its efficacy in
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supplementing/ complementing the efforts of the States towards enhancement of agricultural production
and productivity.
• The Revised MMA scheme comprises 11 sub-schemes relating to crop production and natural resource
management.
Some of the salient features of the Revised Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme are as follow:
• The Practice of allocating funds to States/UTs on historical basis has been replaced by a new allocation
criteria based on gross cropped area and area under small and marginal holdings. The revised MMA
Scheme has formula-based allocation criteria and provides assistance in the form of grants to the States/
UTs on 90:10 basis except in case of the north-eastern States and Union Territories where the Central
share is 100 per cent.
• Subsidy structure has been rationalized to make the pattern of subsidy uniform under all the schemes
implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. Revised subsidy norms indicate maximum
permissible limit of assistance. States may either retain the existing norms, or increase them to a reasonable
level provided that the norms do not exceed the revised upper limits specified.
• Two new components have been added namely. (a) Pulses and oilseeds crop production programmes for
the areas not covered under the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM)
and (b) "Reclamation of Acidic Soil" along with the existing component of "Reclamation of Alkali Soil."
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• Permissible ceiling for new initiatives has been increased from existing 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the
allocation.
• At least 33 per cent of the funds have to be remarked for small, marginal and women farmers.
• Active participation of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of all tiers would have to be ensured in the
implementation of the Revised MMA scheme including review, monitoring and evaluation at district/
sub-district level.

10) Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

a) In December, 2013 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for implementation during the 12th Plan with an outlay of Rs.
16,840 crore, a centrally sponsored scheme. Out of this, State governments will be contributing a sum of
Rs. 866 crore in the States where the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) sub-scheme is implemented.
b) Subsumes earlier schemes
i. MIDH will subsume six ongoing schemes of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation on

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horticulture development viz.
• three Centrally Sponsored Schemes of NHM, HMNEH, NBM, and
OR
• three Central Sector Schemes viz. NHB, CDB and the Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH)
Nagaland.
ii. Implementation of NHM, HMNEH, NHB, CDB and CIH schemes during the 11th Plan has enabled
the bringing of an additional area of 23.5 lakh hectares under horticultural crops with supporting
SC

infrastructure in term of 2306 nurseries, 78 tissue culture units, 9156 post harvest management units
and 221 markets. Horticulture production of 257.3 million MT was achieved by end of the 11th
Plan. Implementation of the Centrally sponsored and Central sector schemes has provided necessary
stimulus to the horticulture sector, which has enabled the achievement of a healthy growth rate in
the sector. It has been proposed to maintain this stimulus during the 12th Plan and also to maintain
the tempo generated during the 11th Plan.
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c) Aim: Implementation of MIDH is expected to achieve a growth rate of 7.2 percent in the horticulture
sector during the 12th Plan, besides generating skilled and unskilled employment opportunities in rural and
urban areas.
d) Focus area
i. The scheme will cover all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India. It will cover about 4.5 lakh
hectares under rejuvenation of senile plantation, 0.18 lakh hectares under protected cultivation besides
bringing about 11 lakh hectares under new horticultural crops along with establishment of about
19,000 post harvest management and market infrastructure.
ii. While the NHM scheme will be focusing on 18 States and UTs, the Horticulture Mission for North
East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) scheme will cover all States in the North East and Himalayan
region of the country.
e) Strategy
i. The strategy of the MIDH will be on production of quality seeds and planting material, production
enhancement through productivity improvement measures along with support for creation of
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infrastructure to reduce post harvest losses and improved marketing of produce with active participation
of all stake holders, particularly farmer groups and farmer producer organizations.
ii. The interventions under MIDH will have a blend of technological adaptation supported with fiscal
incentives for attracting farmers as well as entrepreneurs involved in the horticulture sector.

11) National Crop Insurance Scheme

Based on evaluation studies, experience gained through implementation and feed-back of the stakeholder,
various improvements / changes have been made in yield index based Modified National Agricultural Insurance
Scheme (MNAIS), weather index based Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) & crop specific
based Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) and a new umbrella central sector scheme in the name of
'National Crop Insurance Program (NCIP) has been introduced by merging MNAIS, WBCIS & CPIS throughout
the country from Rabi 2013-14.
The major improvements made in the scheme are:

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i. Full-fledged implementation throughout the country with compulsory coverage of the loanee farmers.
ii. Two higher indemnity levels of 80% & 90% instead of earlier 70%, 80% & 90%.

OR
iii. Those States which are unable to reduce insurance unit at village/village panchayat, will be allowed to
implement at higher unit area level (upto a cluster of maximum 15 villages) with prior approval of DAC
for first 3-5 years.
iv. States implementing MNAIS at Village/Village Panchayat level are entitled for 50% reimbursement of
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incremental expenses of CCEs from GOI with the cap provision based on the annual budget.
v. Provision for add-on/index plus products for horticultural crops for compensating losses due to perils of
hailstorm, cloudburst etc.
vi. As per provision approved under NCIP by the Cabinet, 5,000 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) shall
be created through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for proper implementation of Weather Based
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Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) during 12th Plan period.

vii. There is no discrimination between loanee and non-loanee farmers in respect to the premium rates,
premium subsidy, loss assessment, claims payment procedure etc., under NCIP. The loanee farmers are
covered on compulsory basis and non-loanee farmers on voluntary basis.

12) Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)

a) Year of commencement
2014-15 ( in restructured form)
b) Components
i. Assistance to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Programmes for Development
of Co-operatives.
ii. Co-operative Education & Training
c) Objective
i. To provide assistance to NCDC for financing the activities of cooperatives like agro-processing,
marketing of food grains, input supply, development of weaker section cooperatives, computerization
of co-operatives etc.,
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ii. to develop cooperative awareness amongst the people and to cater to the education and training
requirements of cooperative personnel and State Government officials dealing with Co-operatives.
d) Structure
i. The scheme 'Assistance to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Programmes
for Development of Co-operatives' is implemented through National Cooperative Development
Corporation (NCDC).
ii. The scheme 'Co-operative Education & Training' is implemented through National Cooperative Union
of India (NCUI), National Council for Co-operative Training (NCCT) & Vaikunth Mehta National
Institute of Co-operative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, Junior Co-operative training Centres
(JCTCs) through NCUI and Centre for International Co-operation & Training in Agriculture Banking
(CICTAB).
e) Will be implemented in all states/UTs
f) Eligibility - The cooperatives in the field of fisheries, tribal / SC & ST / Hill Area Cooperatives, dairy,
poultry, handloom, coir, jute & tobacco, sericulture, women cooperatives and labour cooperatives have

E
been identified by NCDC for assistance.

13) Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)

OR
a) Year of Commencement
2014-15 (in restructured form)
b) Components
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i. Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI)

ii. Marketing Research Information Network (MRIN)
iii. Strengthening of Agmark Grading Facilities (SAGF).
iv. Agri-Business Development (ABD)
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v. Choudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM).

vi. In order to keep pace with growing production and marketable surplus, the existing marketing system
and post harvest marketing infrastructure have been restructured into five sub schemes as mentioned
above.
c) Objectives
i. To promote creation of agricultural marketing infrastructure by providing backend subsidy support
to State, cooperative and private sector investments;
ii. to promote creation of scientific storage capacity and to promote pledge financing to increase farmers'
income;
iii. to promote Integrated Value Chains (confined up to the stage of primary processing only);
iv. to provide vertical integration of farmers with primary processors;
v. to use Information Communication Technology as a vehicle of extension; to sensitize and orient
farmers to respond to new challenges in agricultural marketing;
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vi. to establish a nation-wide information network system for speedy collection and dissemination of
market information and data on arrivals and prices for its efficient and timely utilization by farmers
and other stake holders;
vii. to support framing of grade standards and quality certification of agricultural commodities;
viii. to help farmers get better and remunerative prices for their graded produce;
ix. to catalyze private investment in setting up of agribusiness projects and thereby provide assured
market to producers and strengthen backward linkages of agri-business projects with producers and
their groups ;
x. to undertake and promote training, research, education, extension and consultancy in the agri marketing
sector.

14) Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and

Statistics (ISACE&S)

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a) Year of Commencement

b)
2014-15 (in restructured form)
Components
i. Agriculture Census (AC)
OR
ii. Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Farmers (SASF)
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iii. Comprehensive Scheme for Studying the Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops in India (CSSCCPCI)
iv. Agro-Economic Research Centres/Units (AERCsUs)
v. Scheme of Planning, Management & Policy Formulation (SPMPF)
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vi. Improvement of Agricultural Statistics (IAS)

vii. Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-Meteorology and Land based observation (FASAL)
c) Objectives
i. Agriculture Census: The objective of the Agriculture Census Scheme is to collect/ compile data of
operational holdings in the country to provide aggregates for basic Agricultural characteristics for use
as benchmark for inter-census estimates.
ii. Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Farmers: To conduct the situation assessment survey of
farmers in the country.
iii. Comprehensive Scheme for Studying the Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops in India: To
collect, compile field data on cost of cultivation and cost of production in respect of various
agricultural crops and to generate cropwise and statewise estimate of cost of cultivation and production
of selected agricultural crops.
iv. Agro-Economic Research Centres/Units: To carry out research and evaluation studies on studies of
agricultural economy and rural development for meeting the needs of DAC and other Ministries/
Departments having a bearing on the performance of the agricultural sector for policy formulation
and to provide a feed back on implementation.
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v. Scheme of Planning, Management & Policy Formulation: Funding conferences/workshops and

seminars involving eminent economists, agricultural scientists and experts, to conduct short term
studies, engage consultancy services, bring improvement in agricultural statistics methodology; strategy
for development of crops, soil etc. and to bring out reports/papers based on recommendations of
workshops, seminars, conferences held by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
vi. Improvement of Agricultural Statistics: (i) Obtain reliable and timely estimates of area under principal
crops in each season (ii) generate estimates of area production of principal crops in each season and
(iii) bring improvement in crop statistics by conducting spot supervision of (a) area enumeration (b)
area aggregation and (c) crop cutting experiments in 10,000 villages.
vii. Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-Meteorology and Land based observation
(FASAL): To strengthen the current capabilities of in season multiple crop estimation through
combination of Remote Sensing, Agro-met and Land based observations backed by Econometric
tools.
d) Features -
i. Agriculture Census: It is conducted at an interval of 5 years.
ii.
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Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Farmers: SAS was conducted during 70th round of NSSO
OR
during Jan.-Dec., 2013 by National Sample Survey Office under Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation. Funds for conduct of SAS 2013 were provided by DAC.
iii. Comprehensive Scheme for Studying the Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops in India: The
scheme is being implemented by 16 General Agricultural Universities/Institutions in 19 States.
iv. Agro-Economic Research Centres/Units: There are 12 AERCs and 3 AERUs situated in different
SC

States. These centres are functioning under various central/state universities.

v. Scheme of Planning, Management & Policy Formulation: This scheme was formulated by merging
two ongoing schemes of 11th Five Year Plan i.e. Planning & Management of Agriculture and
Strengthening of Agricultural Statistics; and discontinuing Drought Management schemes.
vi. Improvement of Agricultural Statistics: The scheme will have three components namely (i) Timely
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Reporting Scheme (TRS), (ii) Establishment of an Agency for Reporting of Agricultural Statistics
(EARAS) and (iii) Improvement of Crop Statistics (ICS).
vii. Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-Meteorology and Land based observation
(FASAL): The scheme is in operation since August 2006. In 2011, the implementation strategy was
revised by including drought assessment, horticulture crops, rainfed area assessment and global
monitoring in the scope of FASAL and operationalizing the methodology developed so far by Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the newly created Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast
Centre (MNCFC), DAC.

15) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

a) Year of Commencement
2007-08
b) Components
i. Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern Region
ii. Initiative on Vegetable Clusters
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iii. National Mission for Protein Supplements

iv. Saffron Mission

v. Vidarbha Intensive Irrigation Development Programme

vi. Crop Diversification in Original Green Revolution States

c) Objectives

i. To incentivize the States to increase investment in Agriculture and allied sectors to achieve 4%
growth in agriculture sector.

d) Salient Features

i. The outlay of the Scheme for the 11th Five Year Plan was Rs.25000.00 crore and for 12th Plan is
Rs.63246.00 crore.

E
ii. The scheme requires the States to prepare District and State Agriculture Plans. States will be eligible
for receiving RKVY funds only if the baseline share of expenditure of the Agriculture and allied

OR
sectors in its total State Plan (excluding RKVY fund) is at least maintained and the District Agriculture
Plan and State Agriculture Plan have been formulated by the State Government.

iii. The States have been provided flexibility and autonomy in the process of selection, planning, approval
and execution of schemes.
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iv. Since RKVY is a State Plan Scheme, being implemented by the States, the respective States are
required to take appropriate steps for identification of the projects that are important for agriculture,
horticulture and allied sector development.

v. The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief
Secretary of the concerned State Government is empowered to approve the projects under RKVY.
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Funds are released to State Governments for implementation of the projects approved by the State
Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC).

vi. The funds under the scheme are provided to the States as 100% grant.

vii. RKVY funds are routed through State treasury and the State Agriculture Department, which is the
nodal Department for implementing of RKVY in the States.

e) Structure

RKVY is a State Plan scheme and funds are routed through the State Treasury and State Agriculture Department
is the nodal Department for implementation which in turn reallocates the same to the concerned implementing
departments/agencies.

f) Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

States are required to ensure that at least 25% of total value of projects including 'Production growth' and
'Assets & Infrastructure' Streams have emanated from Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan (CDAP) and
have been approved by the District level Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
g) Names of the States/UTs where Mission/Scheme is being implemented - All States
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16) Soil Health Card

a) Year of commencement - 2014-15
b) Components
i. Soil health card
ii. Training for soil analysis
iii. Financial assistance for package of nutrient recommendations
iv. Capacity building and regular monitoring and evaluation
v. Mission management
c) Objectives
i. To issue soil health cards every three years, to all farmers of the country, so as to provide a basis

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to include nutrient deficiencies in fertilization practices.
ii. To strengthen functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories(STLs) through capacity building, involvement
OR
of agriculture students and effective linkage with Indian Council of Agriculture Research(ICAR)/
State Agriculture Universities(SAUs).
iii. To diagnose soil fertility related constraints with standardized procedures for sampling uniformly
across states and analysis and design taluqa / block level fertilizer recommendations in targeted
districts.
SC

iv. To develop and promote soil test based nutrient management in the districts for enhancing nutrient
use efficiency.
v. To build capacities of district and state level staff and of progressive farmers for promotion of
nutrient management practices.
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d) Salient features
55 lakh soil samples to be tested and 3.12 crore soil health cards generated during 2014-15. Similarly, 97 lakh
samples to be tested and 5.47 crore soil health cards to be generated during 2015-16 and 96 lakh samples to
be tested and 5.41 crore soil health cards generated during 2016-17. In all, 248 lakh samples to be tested to
generate 14 crore soil health cards during the three years period.
e) Funding pattern including subsidy, if any( component wise)
75:25 for all components
f) Name of the state /UTs where scheme is being implemented
To be implemented in all States.

17) Agri Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF)

a) Year of Commencement - 2014-2015
b) Objectives -ATIF is aimed at creating an appropriate e-market platform that would be deployable in 642
wholesale regulated markets across States and UTs.
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c) Salient features
i. The Scheme envisages initiation of an e-market platform that would be deployable in 642 wholesale
regulated markets across States and UTs.
ii. For creation of a National Market, a common platform across all States is necessary. For the purpose,
a Service Provider to be engaged centrally who would build, operate and maintain the e-platform on
PPP (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer - BOOT) model. This platform would be customized/ configured
to address the variations in different states.
iii. State Governments to suggest names of APMCs where this project would be initiated in the first
phase of the scheme.
iv. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) assistance towards setting up e-platforms (Grading
and Assaying Laboratories, IT infrastructure for e-market platform, training of market participants
and other miscellaneous/ contingency expenditure) would amount to Rs.34.00 lakhs, Rs.29.00 lakhs
and Rs.24.00 lakhs for A, B and C category markets respectively.

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d) Eligibility - States is to complete the following pre-requisites in six months following sanction of
State specific proposal.
i.
ii.
OR
To provide for a single license to be valid across the State,
Single point levy of market fee
iii. Provide for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery,
SC
iv. Provide for integrating warehouses into the marketing system.

18) Price Stabilization Fund (PSF)

Year of Commencement -2014-2015
Objectives: To support procurement/distribution interventions of States and State/Central agencies to regulate
GS

price volatility of agricultural and horticultural commodities both when there is price rise or vice-versa.
Salient Features
i. PSF is for current plan. However, it could be extended to future Plan periods as well.
ii. A Corpus Fund of Rs.500 crores to be established to provide advances for working capital and other
expenses at zero rate of interest to State Govts/ State Agencies/ Central agencies for procurement
and distribution of perishables agricultural and horticultural commodities.
iii. The fund to initially support procurement/distribution interventions for highly volatile commodities
onion and potato only.
iv. The fund to support interventions in two situations viz. (i) Procurement interventions for perishable
agri-horticultural commodities when prices crash and farmers need to be protected. (ii) Alternatively,
when prices are anticipated to increase substantially, then procurement of these commodities could
be undertaken from farm gate/mandi to reduce the cost of intermediation and make them available
at a cheaper price to the consumers
v. In case of losses incurred by the agencies, the losses to be borne on the fund to the extent of 100%
losses in case of Central Govt. agencies ; 50% losses in case of State Govts/ State Govt agencies
and 75% losses in case of North Eastern States/State agencies.
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vi. There will like-wise be a profit sharing mechanism between the Fund and the implementing
organisations. In case of profits accrued by the organizations, the profits will be ploughed back into
the Fund to the extent of 100% profits in case of Central Govt. agencies ; 50% profits in case of
State Govts/ State Govt agencies and 75% profits in case of North Eastern States/State agencies.
Some minimum incentive may, however, be given to the Central agencies in case of profits.
vii. Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) has been designated as the Fund Manager through
whom the funds will be channelized to the implementing agencies.
Structure
The fund will be managed by Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee (PSFMC) headed by Secretary
(A & C) and consisting of 7 other Ex-officio members viz. (i) Additional Secretary (In charge of Marketing),
(ii) AS&FA (iii) Joint Secretary (Consumer Affairs) (iv) Joint Secretary (Crops), (v) Joint Secretary (Horticulture)
, (vi) Joint Secretary (Cooperation) and (vii) Joint Secretary (Marketing) as Member Secretary.
Funding Pattern including subsidy, if any, (component-wise) - 100% Central Funding

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OR
SC
GS
Notes

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