**Policy Summary: Addressing Structural Challenges in Indian Agriculture**
The Indian government is actively addressing structural challenges in agriculture through the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). This mission aims to create a sustainable production system through various schemes designed to enhance resilience and productivity.
Key initiatives under NMSA include:
* **Per Drop More Crop (PDMC):** Focuses on improving water use efficiency at the farm level by promoting micro-irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems.
* **Rainfed Area Development (RAD):** Emphasizes Integrated Farming Systems to boost productivity and mitigate climate-related risks.
* **Soil Health Fertility:** Supports integrated nutrient management through the balanced use of chemical fertilizers (including secondary and micronutrients), organic manures, and biofertilizers to improve soil health.
* **Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Agroforestry, and National Bamboo Mission:** These missions contribute to climate resilience in agriculture.
* **Organic Farming Promotion:** Supported through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) implemented in all states except the North Eastern (NE) states, and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) implemented exclusively in the NE states. These schemes offer comprehensive support to organic farmers, encompassing production, processing, certification, and marketing, utilizing a cluster-based approach prioritizing small and marginal farmers.
Furthermore, the National Agricultural Research System has released 2900 varieties in the last 10 years (2014-2024) to combat climate change impacts. Of these, 2661 varieties exhibit tolerance to biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Climate-resilient technologies such as system of rice intensification, aerobic rice, direct seeding of rice, zero-till wheat sowing, and cultivation of climate-resilient varieties, alongside practices like in-situ incorporation of rice residues, have been developed and demonstrated.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on August 8, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture NMSA: A government initiative to promote sustainable agriculture in India.
Per Drop More Crop PDMC: A scheme under NMSA focused on increasing water use efficiency in agriculture through micro-irrigation.
Rainfed Area Development: A component of NMSA focusing on integrated farming systems in rainfed areas.
Soil Health Fertility scheme: A scheme assisting states in promoting integrated nutrient management for improving soil health.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture: A mission promoting climate resilience in agriculture through horticulture development.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana PKVY: A scheme supporting organic farming, implemented in all states except North Eastern states.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region MOVCDNER: A scheme supporting organic farming, exclusively implemented in the North Eastern states of India.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
CORRECTIVE STEPS TO ADDRESS
STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE.
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 4:58PM by PIB Delhi
The Government is implementing National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to make Indian
Agriculture a sustainable production system. Several schemes have been initiated under NMSA to achieve
resilience in Agriculture. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme increases water use efficiency at the farm
level through micro irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area
Development focuses on Integrated Farming System for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks
associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health & Fertility scheme assists states in promoting integrated
nutrient management through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micronutrients in
conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture, Agroforestry & National Bamboo Mission also promote climate
resilience in agriculture. Organic farming is supported by the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
(PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). PKVY is
being implemented in all the states other than North Eastern (NE) states, whereas MOVCDNER is being
implemented exclusively in the NE states. These schemes provide end-to-end support to organic farmers i.e.
from production to processing, certification and marketing, in cluster-based approach where preference is
given to small and marginal farmers. Further to address the impact of climate change, the National
Agricultural Research System has released 2900 varieties during last 10 years (2014-2024). Out of these 2661
varieties are tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Climate resilient technologies such as
system of rice intensification, aerobic rice, direct seeding of rice, zero till wheat sowing, cultivation of climate
resilient varieties tolerant to extreme weather conditions such as drought and heat; in-situ incorporation of rice
residues; etc. have been developed and demonstrated.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur
in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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RC/ KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2154177)