Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has prioritized the enhancement of farmers’ livelihoods and the revitalization of the agricultural sector. With a commitment to doubling farmers’ incomes, the government has implemented various schemes, reforms, and policies aimed at fostering economic prosperity and sustainability in agriculture.
PM Modi’s Vision for Farmers’ Income:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision upon assuming office emphasized the imperative of doubling farmers’ incomes. To realize this ambitious goal, the government has pursued multifaceted strategies encompassing private investment, technological advancements, and policy interventions in the agricultural domain.
Nine Farmer-oriented Programmes and Initiatives:
1. PM-KISAN:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme facilitates supplementary income transfers to farmers, providing crucial financial support to enhance their economic well-being.
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY):
Crop insurance under the PMFBY ensures risk mitigation for farmers against crop failures and adverse weather conditions, safeguarding their incomes and promoting agricultural stability.
3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY):
The PMKSY aims to improve farmers’ access to irrigation, enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable water management practices across the country.
4. Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF):
The creation of the Agri Infrastructure Fund, with a substantial size of Rs. 100,000 crores, underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering agricultural infrastructure, facilitating modernization, and fostering growth in the sector.
5. Kisan Credit Cards (KCC):
Kisan Credit Cards offer production loans to farmers, enabling them to access timely credit for agricultural activities and investment in farm inputs, thereby enhancing productivity and income stability.
6. Formation and Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs):
The government’s initiative to establish and promote 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) aims to empower farmers through collective action, facilitating access to markets, technology, and credit.
7. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
The NMSA endeavours to develop and implement strategies to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture to climate change, promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring long-term viability.
8. Adoption of Drone Technologies in Agriculture:
The integration of drone technologies in agriculture holds significant potential to revolutionize farming practices, facilitating precision agriculture, pest management, and crop monitoring, thereby augmenting productivity and profitability.
9. Additional Benefits and Schemes:
Various schemes and initiatives such as Bee-Keeping, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Blue Revolution, Interest Subvention Scheme, agro-forestry, restructured bamboo mission, and the implementation of new generation watershed guidelines complement the government’s efforts to enhance farmers’ incomes and promote agricultural sustainability.
Conclusion:
The Modi government’s comprehensive approach towards achieving higher incomes for farmers encompasses a diverse array of programmes, reforms, and policies aimed at fostering economic prosperity and sustainability in agriculture. By prioritizing initiatives such as income transfers, crop insurance, irrigation development, infrastructure enhancement, and technological adoption, the government is steadfast in its commitment to doubling farmers’ incomes and ensuring the well-being of agricultural communities across the nation.
-Prisha Jaiswal