(GIST OF YOJANA) Agriculture and Rural Development

(DECEMBER-2023)

Agriculture and Rural Development

Introduction:

Continuing with its commitment this year, the government has taken strategic steps to accelerate a transformation in agriculture and rural development sectors, eyeing an inclusive growth in villages. centrally-sponsored welfare schemes and programmes intend to develop rural areas as hubs of profitability, productivity, and prosperity.
The year 2023 was declared the ‘International Year of Millets’ by the United Nations General Assembly. A mission was launched to boost production, processing, and marketing of millets and to position India as the global hub for millets. The Government has announced the facilitation of the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector’ this year.
The plan entails setting up various types of agri-infrastructure, such as warehouses, custom hiring centres, and processing units, at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies have been increased substantially for ongoing schemes and new initiatives. the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has been allocated Rs 1,25,036 crore for FY 2023-24, 5 per cent higher than the revised estimates for 2022-23.

Raising the bar

Based on the proposal of the government of India, the year 2023 was declared the ‘international Year of Millets’ by the united nations general Assembly. A mission was launched to boost production, processing, and marketing of millets and to position India as the global hub for millets.
Meanwhile, India renamed Millets as Shree Anna to express its high regard and esteem, especially in a national context.
With many promotional and supportive schemes at the core, the at home consumption of millets has increased to 14 kilograms per month per person, which was previously not more than 3 kilograms. in recent times, the sale of millet-based food products has also seen a boost of around 30 per cent with demand growing in international markets as well. Millets have been selected in 19 districts of the country under the ‘one District, one Product’ scheme for further promotion and expansion.
On the front of food production, the country set a new record for both food grain and horticultural produce in 2022-23 with an estimated production of 330 million tonnes and 352 million tonnes respectively.
While foodgrain production touched an increase of over 4 per cent (14 million tonnes),
the output of horticultural produce showed an increase of over one per cent (5 million tonnes) compared to the previous year. chief food grains, paddy (rice), and wheat recorded an all-time high production in 2022-23 (July-June cycle) at 135 million tonnes and 110 million tonnes respectively.
Among horticultural crops, fruit production stood at 108 million tonnes, and vegetables reported a
record production of 213 million tonnes.

Initiatives for Growth

As per Budget Proposal (2023-24), the government has approved the ‘PM Programme for restoration, Awareness generation, nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-earth’ (PM-PRANAM) scheme. the initiative aims to support the mass movement started by states/union territories to save the health of Mother earth by promoting sustainable and balanced use of fertilisers, adopting alternate fertilisers, promoting alternate farming, and implementing resource conservation technologies.
Further, the government has also approved market development assistance @rs 1500/Mt to promote the field application of organic fertilisers, specifically manure produced at plants under the Gobardhan initiative. in this context, the launch of the world’s first nano-DAP liquid (Di Ammonium Phosphate).
The production of nano-urea was approved in 2021, and in 2023 the infrastructure to make about 17 crore nano-urea bottles will have been built up in the country.
Nearly 6.3 crore bottles have been produced till March 2023. the effect of one bottle of 500 ml on the crop is equivalent to that of a 45 kg bag of granular urea! enhanced use of liquid fertilisers will reduce quantum of fertilizer imports, thus saving the country’s valuable revenue and foreign currency. it will contribute towards Atmanirbharta in fertiliser sector.
The government has recently approved Rs 22,303 crore subsidy for nutrient-based phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for the rabi season. This will help increase the availability of fertilisers to farmers at cheaper prices.

Path of prosperity for rural India

Rural inhabitants, making up nearly 65 per cent of the population, are at the core of national development goals, with a specific agenda of building safety nets and enhancing livelihood opportunities.
The Ministry of rural Development is all ready to chalk out a medium-term plan for
2024-30, and a long-term plan for 2024-47, to chalk out the future of rural development in the country.
This year, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister announced an ambitious goal, “today, 10 crore rural women are part of the self-help groups.

Way forward:

This year marks nine years of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), and the achievement of 75% ODF (open Defecation Free) Plus villages is a significant milestone in this regard. SBM-Gramin Phase ii has been instrumental in improving the health and well-being of millions of people across the country. the nation observed ‘Swachhata Hi seva’ campaign from 15 September to 2 October 2023 with the theme ‘garbage-Free India’.
More than 109 crore individuals participated in the campaign cleaning beaches, river-banks, water bodies, etc. the government continued its emphasis on improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure more equitable and inclusive development. it aims to ‘transform lives and livelihoods through proactive socio-economic inclusion, integration, and empowerment of rural India’.