Agricultural Empowerment Schemes
Agricultural Empowerment Schemes (Indian Economy and Agriculture)
Why In News:
The news highlighted India’s agricultural transformation through several flagship schemes aimed at ensuring farmer income security, crop insurance coverage, improved market access, irrigation expansion, and price support mechanisms.
Key Schemes:
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi): Direct income support of ₹6,000 per year (in 3 equal installments of ₹2,000) to all landholding farmer families. Launched: February 2019.
100% funded by the Central Government. States only verify and authenticate beneficiaries.
PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana): Crop insurance scheme providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss. Premium: 1.5% for Rabi, 2% for Kharif, 5% for commercial/horticultural crops (rest borne by government).
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): ₹1 lakh crore fund for agri-infrastructure and post-harvest management. Focuses on cold chains, storage, and processing.
e-NAM (National Agriculture Market): Online trading platform enabling farmers to sell produce at best prices beyond local mandis.
National Food Security Act, 2013: Entitles up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban population to subsidised foodgrains under TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).