The Government of India is constantly working to increase agricultural productivity, farmers’ income and their welfare in a sustainable manner. Accordingly, the budget of the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare (DA&FW) has been increased from Rs. 21933.50 crore (2013-14) to Rs. 124,000 crore (2022-23), an increase of 465% for the implementation of various agricultural development and social welfare programs aimed at increasing agricultural production and welfare of farmers across the country. Besides, Rs. 8513.62 crore has been allocated to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education during 2022-23 for the development of several new high yielding, biotic/abiotic stress tolerant, disease/insect and bio-fortified seed varieties etc.
In order to increase the production and productivity of food crops, the government in the country is implementing a centrally sponsored National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme. The objective of the mission is to increase production of food crops/food crops through expansion of areas in marginal regions and increase in productivity. The Mission also provides support to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krisi Vigyan Kendras (KVKS) for stopping technology and technology transfer to farmers under the supervision of subject specialists/scientists.
Research organizations are supported to carry out research projects that can help increase crop production and productivity. For the welfare of farmers, the government has launched various initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA ), Price Support Scheme (PSS) for Pulses and Oilseeds, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Interest Subsidy Scheme, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) etc. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare is further introducing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) which aims to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation, viz. Drip and irrigation system. During 2015-16 to 2020-21, an area of 68 lakh ha has been covered under micro irrigation under PMKSY-PDMC.
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