India Launches Major Food Security Initiatives

The Government of India is ramping up efforts to bolster food security and nutrition through the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), now active in 28 states and 2 Union Territories. This initiative aims to enhance food grain production by expanding agricultural areas and improving productivity. Recent reports indicate a significant increase in the area dedicated to Rabi food grains, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting farmers with various incentives and technological advancements.

Boosting Agricultural Production

The NFSNM is designed to increase food grain production by providing farmers with essential resources and support. The government is focusing on area expansion and productivity enhancement through a range of initiatives. These include crop production and protection technologies, demonstrations based on cropping systems, and the distribution of certified seeds from newly released varieties and hybrids. Additionally, farmers are being trained in integrated nutrient and pest management techniques, as well as the use of improved farm implements and water-saving devices. As a result, the area under Rabi food grains has expanded by 14.35 lakh hectares, reaching a total of 565.46 lakh hectares for the 2024-25 season, compared to 551.11 lakh hectares in the previous year.

Financial Support for Farmers

The government has introduced the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) to provide farmers with concessional interest rates on short-term agricultural loans via Kisan Credit Cards. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on farmers and improve their access to credit. Furthermore, the government has implemented several measures to enhance the crop insurance scheme’s accessibility and efficiency. The National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) serves as a centralized platform for data management, subsidy payments, and online farmer enrollment. The introduction of the Digiclaim Module allows for better monitoring of claim disbursal processes, while grievance redressal committees at both district and state levels address farmer complaints effectively. Farmers can also utilize the Krishi Rakshak Portal and a dedicated helpline to raise issues related to claims, ensuring timely resolutions.

Infrastructure Development and Procurement Support

On May 31, 2023, the government approved the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector,” which aims to enhance agricultural infrastructure at the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level. This plan includes the establishment of godowns, custom hiring centers, processing units, and Fair Price Shops. Coordination between the Railways and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is crucial for the efficient movement of food grains from surplus to deficit regions, addressing challenges related to storage capacity, procurement, and allocation. The government is also committed to procuring all six mandated Rabi crops, providing price support for wheat and barley through the FCI and state agencies. Additionally, pulses and oilseeds are procured under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.

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