Centre approves Rs 14,000 crore for seven new schemes to boost farmer income

Cabinet’s agri push: The Union Cabinet has rolled out seven new schemes worth nearly Rs 14,000 crore, aimed at transforming the agriculture and allied sectors. These initiatives are designed to enhance research and education, improve climate resilience, manage natural resources, and digitalise agriculture. The programmes also focus on advancing livestock and horticulture, equipping farmers with tools for climate-resilient farming.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that amongst the approved programmes is the Rs 2,817 crore Digital Agriculture Mission and the Rs 3,979 crore Crop Science Scheme.

Six pillars of crop science

The Crop Science programme, with a focus on food and nutritional security, is built on six pillars, including research and education, plant genetic resource management, and crop improvement. It also stressed research on insects, microbes, pollinators, and the enhancement of commercial crops.

In a bid to modernise agricultural research and education in alignment with the New Education Policy 2020, the Cabinet has allocated Rs 2,291 crore for strengthening agricultural education, management, and social sciences under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. 

This programme will promote the use of cutting-edge technologies like AI, big data, and remote sensing while also fostering natural farming and climate resilience.

The Digital Agriculture Mission, backed by an investment of Rs 2,817 crore, rests on two key pillars: Agri Stack and the Krishi Decision Support System.

Strengthening animal resources

Additionally, a Rs 1,702 crore scheme has been approved to enhance livestock health and production, focusing on increasing farmer incomes from livestock and dairy sectors. This scheme covers animal health management, veterinary education, dairy production, animal genetic resource management, and more.

The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 860 crore for sustainable horticulture development, aiming to boost farmer incomes through diverse horticulture crops and plants.

Further approvals include a Rs 1,202 crore scheme for strengthening the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country and a Rs 1,115 crore initiative for Natural Resource Management.