The Digital Farming Mission, with a total investment of Rs 2,817 crore, has two key pillars: Agri Stack and the Krishi decision support system. (Photo: X@ANI)
The Union Cabinet on Monday announced seven new schemes with a total outlay of nearly Rs 14,000 crore for agriculture and allied sectors.
The programmes focus on research and education, climate resilience, natural resource management and digitalisation in the agricultural sector, along with the growth of livestock and horticulture. The aim of the programmes is to prepare farmers for climate-resilient agriculture.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said the approved programmes included a Rs 2,817 crore digital agriculture mission and a Rs 3,979 crore scheme for crop science.
Crop science programmes for food and nutrition security have six pillars including research and education, plant genetic resources management, genetic improvement of food and forage crops, improvement of legume and oilseed crops, research on insects, microbes, pollinators and commercial crop improvement.
The Cabinet also approved an outlay of Rs 2,291 crore for strengthening education, management and social sciences in the agricultural sector. This programme will be run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
The aim is to modernize agricultural research and education in line with the New Education Policy 2020. The use of the latest technologies such as Digital DPI, AI, big data, remote control, etc. will be promoted and the program includes natural agriculture and climate resilience.
The Digital Agriculture Mission, with a total investment of Rs 2,817 crore, has two key pillars: Agri Stack and Krishi Decision Support System.
The minister said a Rs 1,702 crore scheme for sustainable livestock health and production has also been approved. The scheme aims to increase farmers’ income from livestock and dairy products.
Under this plan, the focus will be on animal health management and veterinary education, dairy production and technology development, management, production and improvement of animal genetic resources, and animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development.
Another important plan approved by the Cabinet relates to the sustainable development of horticulture.
“With a total outlay of Rs 860 crore, the measure is aimed at increasing farmers’ income from horticultural crops,” the minister said.
The programme covers tropical, subtropical and temperate horticultural crops; root, tuber and bulb crops and arid zones; vegetable crops, floriculture and mushrooms; and plantations, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants.
The Cabinet also approved a Rs 1,202 crore scheme for strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and a Rs 1,115 crore scheme for natural resource management. There are over 700 KVKs across the country.
First published: September 2, 2024 | 18:28 IS
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