Schemes and Programs by Central and State Governments for Farming-Based Livelihood Systems

Introduction

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for more than 50% of India’s population. The Government of India, along with State Governments, has introduced several schemes and programs to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure income security, encourage sustainable practices, and promote agri-based entrepreneurship.

The focus areas include:

• Increasing farmers’ income
• Improving resource efficiency
• Expanding irrigation and input support
• Promoting value addition and market linkages
• Encouraging climate-resilient and sustainable farming

These schemes are implemented by:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)
• Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
• State Departments of Agriculture

Central Government Schemes for Farming-Based Livelihoods

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM–KISAN)
• Launch Year: 2019
• Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Objective: To provide income support of ₹6,000 per year to all landholding farmers.
• Features:
  • Amount paid in three equal installments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • Improves farmers’ liquidity for crop production and household needs.
  • Covers over 12 crore farmers across India.
• Significance: Strengthens small and marginal farmers’ economic condition.

1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

• Launch Year: 2015
• Motto: “Har Khet Ko Pani” (Water to every field).
• Implementing Agencies: MoA&FW, MoRD, and Ministry of Water Resources jointly.
• Objectives:
  • Expand irrigation coverage.
  • Improve water use efficiency through micro-irrigation.
  • Encourage sustainable water management practices.
• Key Components:
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP)
  • Watershed Development
  • Per Drop More Crop (micro-irrigation system).
• Impact: Enhanced irrigation efficiency, reduced dependency on monsoon rainfall.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• Launch Year: 2015
• Objective: To promote organic farming through participatory guarantee system (PGS) certification.
• Features:
  • Cluster-based approach (minimum 50 farmers per cluster, 50 acres total area).
  • Financial assistance of ₹50,000 per hectare for 3 years.
  • Focus on soil health improvement, biodiversity, and sustainable farming.
• Significance: Strengthened the organic farming sector and export potential.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY–RAFTAAR)

• Launch Year: 2007; restructured in 2017 as RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation).
• Objectives:
  • Ensure holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Promote agripreneurship and innovation through start-ups.
• Components:
  • Infrastructure and asset building.
  • Value addition and market development.
  • RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubators (R-ABIs) for start-ups.
• Funding Pattern:

• • 60:40 (Centre: State) for general states.
  • 90:10 for NE and Himalayan states.
• Impact: Encouraged youth participation and innovation in agriculture.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Objective: Promote climate-resilient agriculture through conservation of natural resources and improved input efficiency.
• Sub-Missions:
  • Soil Health Management (SHM)
  • Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
  • On-Farm Water Management (OFWM)
  • Agroforestry (Sub-Mission on Agroforestry – SMAF)
• Benefits:

• • Focus on integrated farming systems, conservation agriculture, and renewable energy use.
  • Builds resilience against droughts and extreme weather.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

• Launch Year: 2007
• Objective: To ensure food security by increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and commercial crops.
• Approach:
  • Seed distribution of HYVs.
  • Demonstrations on improved agronomic practices.
  • Use of bio-fertilizers and plant protection measures.
• Impact: Enhanced food grain production and reduced import dependency on pulses.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

• Launch Year: 2016
• Objective: Provide comprehensive crop insurance against losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
• Premium Rates:
  • 2% for Kharif crops,
  • 1.5% for Rabi crops,
  • 5% for commercial and horticultural crops.
• Implementation: Public-private insurance companies and technology-based assessment using drones and satellites.
• Outcome: Enhanced financial protection for over 6 crore farmers.

Soil Health Card Scheme

• Launch Year: 2015
• Objective: To assess the nutrient status of soil and issue cards to farmers with fertilizer recommendations.
• Benefits:
  • Promotes balanced use of fertilizers.
  • Enhances soil fertility and crop productivity.
• Fact: Over 22 crore Soil Health Cards distributed till date.

National Agriculture Market (e–NAM)

• Launch Year: 2016
• Objective: To create a pan-India electronic trading platform for agricultural commodities.
• Features:
  • Integrates over 1000 mandis into a unified online marketplace.
  • Provides real-time price discovery, transparency, and market access.
• Outcome: Reduced intermediaries, better price realization, and fair trade practices.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

• Launch Year: 1998–99
• Designed by: NABARD
• Objective: Provide timely and affordable credit for crop cultivation and allied activities.
• Features:
  • Credit limit up to ₹3 lakh with flexible repayment.
  • Now extended to fisheries and animal husbandry sectors.
• Significance: Encouraged financial inclusion of farmers.

State Government Schemes (Examples)

NABARD and ICAR Supported Programs

NABARD Initiatives

• Farm Sector Promotion Fund (FSPF) – Demonstrations of innovative farm models.
• Producer Organization Development Fund (PODF) – Financial and capacity-building support to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) – For efficient water use infrastructure.
• Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) – Promotes self-employment in dairy sector.
• Tribal Development Fund (TDF) – Sustainable livelihood creation among tribal farmers through Wadi (fruit orchard) model.

ICAR Initiatives

• Farmers FIRST Programme (FFP) – Farmer participatory research and technology integration.
• Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) – Scientists adopt villages for continuous guidance and technology transfer.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) – Over 700 centers for training, on-farm trials, and demonstrations.
• Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) – Encourages agri-startups and entrepreneurship among rural youth.
• NICRA (National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture) – Builds adaptive capacity to climate variability.

Impact of Government Schemes

• Economic: Enhanced farm income and reduced rural poverty.
• Social: Empowerment of small and marginal farmers, especially women and youth.
• Environmental: Promotion of organic farming, water conservation, and soil fertility.
• Technological: Adoption of ICT, mechanization, and precision agriculture.
• Institutional: Strengthened FPOs, cooperatives, and rural credit systems.

Challenges in Implementation

• Delayed fund transfer or duplication across departments.
• Lack of awareness and digital literacy among farmers.
• Inadequate market linkages and infrastructure in rural areas.
• Limited insurance penetration and data gaps.

Conclusion; Government schemes and programs have played a crucial role in transforming agriculture from a subsistence activity to a sustainable and entrepreneurial livelihood system. By integrating credit, insurance, technology, and market access, these initiatives empower farmers to become agripreneurs, ensuring food security, income stability, and rural development.

Fact Sheet Summary