Top 3 Central Government Schemes for Farmers' Welfare

The Indian government recognizes the significance of farming and agriculture in supporting the country's economy, and therefore, it consistently implements various schemes to provide financial support and professional assistance to farmers. These government subsidy schemes aim to strengthen the agriculture industry and ensure its sustained growth.

To avail the benefits of these schemes, it is crucial for individuals involved in agriculture to familiarize themselves with the available options. These central government subsidy schemes are designed to address specific concerns, provide advantages, and foster growth in various sectors of the economy and society.

What is a Central Government Scheme?

The objectives of these schemes may vary, depending on the government's policies and priorities. In India, the primary goals of central government schemes for farmers include improving agricultural infrastructure, promoting rural development, creating employment opportunities in the agriculture sector, and ensuring adequate funding for farmers.

The central government is committed to maximizing farm output and generating employment in the agriculture sector. To achieve these goals, it introduces various schemes specifically tailored for farmers in India. These schemes aim to develop innovative services that boost employment rates and enhance agricultural productivity.

Why are These Schemes Essential?

Government schemes are necessary to ensure better and sustainable livelihoods for citizens across various sectors. Like any other sector, the agriculture sector requires the attention and support of the government. Given that a significant portion of the Indian population relies on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood, government schemes play a crucial role.

These schemes assist the farming community in planning and organizing their agricultural activities effectively. The government is well aware that the agriculture sector contributes a substantial share of the country's GDP. Hence, it places special emphasis on this sector to ensure overall economic prosperity.

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Top 3 Central Government Schemes

Here we've mentioned the top 3 schemes provided by the central government, have a look at it.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) holds the top position among agricultural schemes in India. Launched by the Government of India in 2015, this centrally funded initiative aims to boost farm output and optimize water resource utilization in the agricultural sector. The primary objective of the scheme is to expand the irrigated land area and enhance water efficiency through a range of components and interventions.

Key objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana:

1. Har Khet Ko Pani: This agricultural scheme endeavors to ensure consistent irrigation for every agricultural field, while promoting the optimal utilization of available water resources.

2. Per Drop More Crop: The scheme places special emphasis on encouraging the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation, sprinklers, and precision irrigation. These techniques enhance water-use efficiency, leading to higher agricultural productivity.

3. Resource Convergence: The PMKSY underscores the importance of resource convergence by bringing together various departments and resources. This approach enables a comprehensive and holistic strategy for water management and the development of irrigation infrastructure.

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Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

In 2015, the national government introduced a new agricultural scheme called the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. This initiative aims to promote organic farming practices in India by encouraging farmers to rely less on chemical inputs. The scheme focuses on enhancing soil fertility, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring the production of chemical-free and nutritious agricultural products.

Key components of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana include:

1. Promotion of organic agriculture: The scheme provides government subsidies to farmers, encouraging the adoption of organic practices such as using organic manures, bio-fertilizers, traditional seeds, and natural pest and disease management strategies.

2. Cluster-based approach: The project follows a cluster-based strategy, wherein groups of farmers practicing organic farming (with a minimum of 50 acres) are organized into clusters. This approach facilitates better implementation, monitoring, and resource management.

3. Financial assistance: Farmers receive financial support to aid them in transitioning to organic agricultural practices. This assistance includes provisions for procuring organic inputs, establishing vermicomposting units, creating seed banks, and participating in capacity-building initiatives.

4. Certification support: The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana assists farmers in obtaining organic certification for their produce. This certification enables farmers to access premium markets while also ensuring the credibility and authenticity of their organic products.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is an agricultural scheme that provides financial assistance and risk reduction to farmers in case of crop loss or damage due to natural disasters, pests, or diseases. Its primary goal is to ensure the overall stability of the agricultural sector and protect farmers from financial hardships caused by crop losses.

Key features of the scheme include:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: The scheme encompasses all food crops, oilseeds, and annual commercial/horticultural crops, protecting against various risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest such as drought, floods, cyclones, pests, diseases, and more.

2. Premium Subsidy: The cost of crop insurance premiums is divided between the farmers and the government. The premiums paid by farmers are subsidized, making the insurance more affordable and accessible to them.

3. Crop-Cutting Experiments (CCEs): Crop output and loss assessment in insured events are determined through CCEs. The yield data obtained from these experiments are used for settling claims.

4. Technological Support: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana utilizes technology for data collection, premium calculation, enrollment, and claim settlement. Remote sensing, mobile phones, and satellite imagery are employed to assess crop losses more quickly and accurately.

5. Involvement of Insurance Companies and Banks: Insurance companies and banks play important roles in the scheme. Insurance companies provide coverage, while banks handle the enrollment process and premium collection.

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