05 Sep Prelims Bits: Agriculture-related schemes.
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and topic details of LGBTQ+ Acceptance in India.
Syllabus mapping:
GS-3: ECONOMY: e- Technology in farmers Aid.
For Prelims:
What are the Digital Agriculture Mission, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), and The AgriSURE Fund; its objectives funding mechanism, and other key provisions?
Why in the News?
Recently cabinet approved the Digital Agriculture Mission to revolutionize the agri sector in India. Along with this government has launched/ strengthened many schemes related to agriculture.
Digital Agriculture Mission:
Digital Agriculture Mission: Key Facts
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Components:
1. Agri Stack: Includes farmer registries, village land maps, and crop sown records.
2. Krishi Decision Support System: Uses data for weather, drought, flood, groundwater, and crop yield modeling.
Financial Support: Funded through a combination of government resources and public-private partnerships.
Objectives of the Digital Agriculture Mission
1. Farmer Registries and Village Land Maps: Create a comprehensive digital record of farmers and their land holdings. This aims to streamline access to government schemes, subsidies, and other support services, ensuring that assistance reaches the right beneficiaries.
2. Crop Sown Records: Maintain accurate records of the crops sown across different regions. This helps in monitoring crop patterns, predicting harvests, and managing resources more effectively.
3. Krishi Decision Support System:
A. Weather Data: Utilize weather data to provide timely and localized weather forecasts. This enables farmers to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting, and managing crops.
B. Drought and Flood Data: Analyze data on droughts and floods to predict their impact and offer early warnings. This helps in mitigating the adverse effects on crops and planning for disaster management.
C. Groundwater Data: Monitor groundwater levels to assist in water management practices, ensuring that irrigation is used efficiently.
D. Crop Yield Modeling: Use data to model and predict crop yields, aiding in planning and optimizing production strategies.
4. Soil Profile: Assess and map soil types and conditions to recommend appropriate farming practices and fertilizers. This helps in improving soil health and crop productivity.
5. Crop Estimation: Provide accurate estimates of crop production to help in market planning, storage management, and price stabilization.
6. Crop Loan Connections: Facilitate easier access to crop loans by integrating with financial institutions. This ensures that farmers can obtain the necessary funding for their agricultural activities.
7. AI and Big Data: Leverage artificial intelligence and big data analytics to gain insights from large volumes of agricultural data. This supports precision farming and enhances decision-making processes.
8. Market Connections: Connect farmers with market information, including prices and demand trends. This helps in making better marketing decisions and achieving fair prices for their produce.
9. Mobile Knowledge Dissemination: Use mobile platforms to disseminate agricultural knowledge, tips, and best practices. This ensures that farmers have access to timely information and support, regardless of their location.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
Key facts:
Establishment: The first KVK was established on March 21, 1974.
Current Network: India now has a network of 731 KVKs.
Geographical Spread: KVKs are present across various states including Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal.
Ministry: KVKs operate under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
Funding: KVKs receive funding primarily from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various state governments. The financial support is used for infrastructure, operational costs, and implementing agricultural extension activities.
Objectives:
1. Technology Assessment and Demonstration: Evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural technologies and practices at the field level.
2. Farmer Training: Provide training to farmers and extension workers to enhance their skills and knowledge about modern agricultural techniques.
3. Farm Advisory Services: Offer advisory services to farmers on various agricultural practices to solve field problems and improve productivity.
4. Production of Inputs: Produce quality seeds, planting materials, and other agricultural inputs.
5. Awareness Creation: Raise awareness about improved agricultural technologies to encourage adoption and improve farming practices.
6. Reduction of Cultivation Costs: Help farmers reduce cultivation costs and increase their production and returns by adopting efficient and innovative methods.
The AgriSURE Fund
Recent Context:
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, officially launched the AgriSURE Scheme, marking a significant milestone for India’s agricultural sector. The AgriSURE Fund, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape, will provide vital support to technology-driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures in agriculture and rural enterprises.
Purpose and Objective:
Objective: The AgriSURE Fund is designed to support technology-driven and high-risk, high-impact ventures in agriculture and rural enterprises. It aims to transform the agricultural landscape through innovation and substantial investment.
Fund Size: Total Amount: ₹750 crore
Category: Blended capital fund
SEBI Classification: Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF)
Contributions:
Government of India: ₹250 crore
NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development): ₹250 crore
Private Sector: ₹250 crore, mobilized from banks, insurance companies, and private investors
AgriSURE Greenathon Awards
Recent Context:
The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare gave AgriSURE Greenathon awards to recognize innovative start-ups that address agricultural challenges. Out of 2,000 entries, ten finalists were chosen, with Greensapio, Krushikanti, and Ambronics emerging as top winners. The Greenathon, which began on July 12, 2024, featured 500 prototypes and offered a prize pool of ₹6 lakhs to foster collaboration and innovation.
Purpose and Objective:
The AgriSURE Greenathon Awards aim to recognize and support innovative solutions and impactful ventures in the agricultural sector that contribute to sustainability and technological advancement.
Prelims Question:
Q. Consider the following pairs:
List I List II
1. Digital Agriculture Mission Soil mapping
2. Krishi Vigyan Kendra Capacity building
3. AgriSURE Fund: Support innovation
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
ANSWER: C.
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