**Executive Summary**
The NITI Aayog’s assessment of the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) highlights significant gains in food productivity and farmer income through improved agronomic practices and nutrient management. The report details implementation progress in 34 districts of Maharashtra for the 2025-26 period, emphasizing a shift toward climate-resilient crops and tribal welfare. Key initiatives include the Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, starting in 2025-26, and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, running through 2028-29.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**NFSNM Strategic Impact**
* Reduces pest-induced losses and improves household food security through the large-scale adoption of modern agronomic practices.
* Strengthens rural food security via Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and consistent field demonstrations.
* Focuses on "Shree Anna" (millets), bio-fortified crop varieties, and climate-resilient seeds to enhance nutritional outcomes.
**Implementation and Production in Maharashtra (2025-26)**
* Mission active in 34 districts, including tribal regions like Nandurbar, Gadchiroli, and Palghar.
* Conducted crop demonstrations across 2,12,728 hectares and promoted INM over 39,971 hectares as of December 2025.
* Distributed 51,497 quintals of improved seeds for rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals.
* State foodgrain productivity increased from 1438 kg/ha (2021-22) to 1574 kg/ha (2024-25).
**Financial Status**
* For the 2025-26 period, the Central government released ₹10,414.21 lakh to Maharashtra against an allocation of ₹19,149.16 lakh.
* The State has reported an expenditure of ₹9,302.49 lakh as of March 19, 2026.
**New Schemes and Targeted Interventions**
* **Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024-25 to 2028-29):** Approved to improve socio-economic conditions for tribal communities.
* **Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana:** A six-year initiative starting in 2025-26 targeting 100 districts with low productivity; nine districts in Maharashtra (including Palghar, Beed, and Chandrapur) have been identified.
* **Extension of Krishionnati Yojana:** Mission components are now extended to farmers holding land under the Forest Rights Act.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers (including Tribal and Rainfed Region Farmers)**
**Impact**
Farmers benefit from increased yields and incomes due to improved seed varieties, better nutrient management, and reduced pest losses. Those in low-productivity districts and those holding land under the Forest Rights Act now have access to targeted support schemes.
**Action Required**
Adopt modern agronomic practices, participate in crop demonstrations, and utilize distributed improved seed varieties and bio-fortified crops.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
States are granted flexibility to identify specific districts for implementation, with a priority on high-potential but low-productivity areas.
**Action Required**
Identify priority districts for NFSNM and the Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana; manage the expenditure of allocated Central funds and report progress on field demonstrations and seed distribution.
**Tribal Communities**
**Impact**
Specific focus via the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan aims to improve socio-economic conditions over a five-year period.
**Action Required**
Engage with the socio-economic development components of the Abhiyan and Krishionnati Yojana specifically designed for tribal regions and Forest Rights Act landholders.
Key Entities Referenced
National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM): A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at enhancing food security, farm productivity, and nutrition through improved agronomic practices and the distribution of improved seed varieties.
NITI Aayog: The policy think tank of India that conducted independent evaluations and a comprehensive assessment of the impact and implementation of the NFSNM.
Maharashtra: The primary state of focus for the mission’s implementation, where it is active across 34 districts to improve foodgrain production and farmers' incomes.
Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: A six-year initiative launched in 2025-26 targeting 100 districts characterized by low productivity and credit parameters, including nine districts in Maharashtra.
Krishionnati Yojana: An umbrella scheme whose components, including the NFSNM, are extended to support farmers including those holding land under the Forest Rights Act.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
National Food Security & Nutrition Mission
(NFSNM) Driving Multi-Dimensional Gains in
Food Security and Farm Productivity: NITI Aayog
NFSNM is being implemented in 34 districts of Maharashtra
Posted On: 24 MAR 2026 6:42PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 24 March 2026
The NITI Aayog has undertaken independent evaluations and a comprehensive assessment of
Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the agriculture and allied sectors, including the National Food
Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) being implemented across the country.
As per the assessment, the impact of NFSNM is visible and multi-dimensional. The Mission has
contributed to reducing pest-induced losses, improving household food security through
enhanced productivity and enabling large-scale adoption of improved agronomic practices.
These outcomes have been supported by consistent field demonstrations and the promotion of
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) resulting in a sustained system-level transformation.
Overall the Mission’s trajectory remains positive and aligned with its objective of strengthening
food security and nutrition in rural India.
Implementation in Maharashtra
NFSNM is being implemented in 34 districts of Maharashtra, including tribal districts such as
Nandurbar, Palghar, Gadchiroli, Thane, Nashik, Dhule, Chandrapur, Amravati, Yavatmal and
Gondia.
According to the Government of Maharashtra, during 2025-26 (up to December 2025), the State
has:
Conducted crop demonstrations over 2,12,728 hectares to promote modern agronomic
practices
Distributed 51,497 quintals and produced 77,642.74 quintals of improved seed varieties
for rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and Shree Anna
Promoted Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) across 39,971 hectares
For Maharashtra, a total Central share of ₹10,414.21 lakh has been released (as on
19.03.2026) against an allocation of ₹19,149.16 lakh during 2025–26 under NFSNM out of
which the State has reported an expenditure of ₹9,302.49 lakh.
At the national level, foodgrain production has increased from 3156.16 lakh tonnes in 2021–22
to 3577.32 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, while productivity has risen from 2425 kg/ha to 2601 kg/ha
during the same period. Similarly in Maharashtra, foodgrain production has grown from 166.56
lakh tonnes in 2021–22 to 184.69 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 with productivity improving from
1438 kg/ha to 1574 kg/ha. These gains have contributed significantly to strengthening farmers’
incomes through improved yields.In Nandurbar district, the total production of foodgrains (rice, wheat, coarse cereals, and
pulses) stood at 2,66,753 tonnes during 2024-25, as reported by the State Government.
Under NFSNM, special emphasis is being placed on Shree Anna (millets) and climate-resilient as
well as bio-fortified crop varieties to enhance both production and nutritional outcomes,
particularly in tribal and rainfed regions. States and Union Territories have been provided
flexibility to identify districts for implementation, with priority accorded to areas having low
productivity but high potential.
The Government of India has approved the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for the
period 2024-25 to 2028-29 to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities.
Various components of the Krishionnati Yojana, including NFSNM, are also being extended to
farmers holding land under the Forest Rights Act. Additionally, the Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya
Krishi Yojana has been launched for six years beginning 2025-26 to cover 100 districts
characterized by low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit
parameters. In Maharashtra, nine districts Palghar, Nandurbar, Raigad, Beed, Gadchiroli,
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule, Chandrapur and Yavatmal have been identified under the
scheme.
This was stated in a written reply to an unstarred question by the Minister of State for
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in Rajya Sabha today.
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