What’s in the news?

• The Union Cabinet has approved seven schemes to improve farmers’ lives and increase their incomes at a total outlay of Rs 14,235.30 Crore.

1. Digital Agriculture Mission: 

• Based on the structure of Digital Public Infrastructure, Digital Agriculture Mission will use technology for improving farmers’ lives. 
• It comprises two foundational pillars:

1. Agri Stack

• Farmers registry
• Village land maps registry
• Crop Sown Registry

2. Krishi Decision Support System

• Geospatial data
• Drought/flood monitoring
• Weather/satellite data
• Groundwater/water availability data
• Modelling for crop yield and insurance

• The Mission has provision for 
  • Soil profile
  • Digital crop estimation
  • Digital yield modelling
  • Connect for crop loan
  • Modern technologies like AI and Big Data
  • Connect with buyers
  • Bring new knowledge on mobile phones

2. Crop science for food and nutritional security: 

• The initiative will prepare farmers for climate resilience and provide for food security by 2047. 
• It has following pillars:
  • Research and education
  • Plant genetic resource management
  • Genetic improvement for food and fodder crop
  • Pulse and oilseed crop improvement
  • Improvement of commercial crops
  • Research on insects, microbes, pollinators etc.

3. Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management and Social Sciences: 

• The measure will prepare agriculture students and researchers for current challenges and comprises the following:
  • Under Indian Council of Agri Research
  • Modernising agri research and education
  • In line with New Education Policy 2020
  • Use latest technology … Digital DPI, AI, big data, remote, etc
  • Include natural farming and climate resilience

4. Sustainable livestock health and production: 

• It aims to increase farmers’ income from livestock and dairy. 
• It comprises the following:
  • Animal health management and veterinary education
  • Dairy production and technology development
  • Animal genetic resource management, production and improvement
  • Animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development

5. Sustainable development of Horticulture: 

• The measure is aimed at increasing farmers’ income from horticulture plants. 
• It comprises the following:
  • Tropical, sub-tropical and temperate horticulture crops
  • Root, tuber, bulbous and arid crops
  • Vegetable, floriculture, and mushroom crops
  • Plantation, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants

6. Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra
7. Natural Resource Management