Executive Summary:
The document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 368 regarding the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). It details the distribution of climate-resilient seeds, the number of beneficiary farmers, funds allocated, outreach mechanisms, and the integration of mobile-based advisories. The information provided pertains to activities and data from 2014-2025, with specific focus on the period of 2024-2025 for fund allocation.
Key Points / Main Content:
Climate-Resilient Seed Distribution:
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) released 2900 varieties in the last 10 years (2014-2024), with 2661 being tolerant to biotic and/or abiotic stresses.
* Under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, 298 climate-resilient varieties were demonstrated to 11,835 farmers across 448 villages in 151 climatically vulnerable districts.
* 5278 tribal and smallholder farmers in 72 drought-prone districts received tolerant seeds under NICRA for field demonstrations.
Funding and Seed Programs:
* The Sub Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials (SMSP) was implemented from 2014-15 to promote quality seed production.
* SMSP has been merged with the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) from 2023-24.
* In 2024-25, Rs. 270.90 crore was allocated under the seed scheme now merged with NFSNM, with Rs. 206.86 crore released to States/UTs, including Rs. 141.46 crore for the Seed Village Programme.
Outreach and Awareness:
* Capacity building for village-level seed banks and community nurseries is being conducted under NICRA.
* Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) conducts training programs to raise awareness among farmers about using quality seeds.
Mobile-Based Advisories:
* The Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme generates medium-range weather forecasts for the next 5 days at district and block levels.
* 130 Agromet Field Units prepare Agromet Advisories in English and regional languages based on IMD weather forecasts.
* Farmers can access weather information and agromet advisories through the Meghdoot mobile app (available in English and 13 regional languages) and the Mausam App of IMD.
* Panchayat-level weather forecasts are accessible via eGramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra Application, Meri Panchayat Mobile App, and the Mausamgram web portal.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Access to climate-resilient seeds, increased awareness through training programs, and access to weather information and advisories via mobile apps and digital platforms.
* Action Required: Utilize available resources like training programs, mobile apps, and weather information portals to make informed decisions about crop selection and management.
State Agriculture Departments/Union Territories:
* Impact: Receipt and distribution of allocated funds for seed programs, implementation of seed schemes, and coordination with central government initiatives.
* Action Required: Effectively utilize the released funds for seed programs, ensure timely distribution of quality seeds to farmers, and participate in capacity-building initiatives.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
* Impact: Responsible for developing and releasing climate-resilient seed varieties.
* Action Required: Continue research and development of climate-resilient seed varieties and provide technical support for their distribution and utilization.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture: A government initiative (NMSA) focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research: An autonomous organisation (ICAR) responsible for coordinating agricultural research and education in India.
National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture: A project (NICRA) focused on developing and promoting climate-resilient agricultural technologies and practices.
Sub Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials: A sub-mission (SMSP) aimed at promoting the production and distribution of quality seeds.
National Food Security and Nutrition Mission: A mission (NFSNM) focused on enhancing food security and nutritional outcomes.
Agricultural Technology Management Agency: An agency (ATMA) responsible for technology dissemination and farmer training at the district level.
Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa: A scheme (GKMS) that provides weather forecasts and agromet advisories to farmers.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: A government ministry responsible for weather forecasting and related services through organizations like IMD (India Meteorological Department).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 368
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025
NATIONAL MISSION ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
368. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the status of distribution of climate-resilient seed varieties to farmers under the
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA);
(b) the number of tribal and smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions who have
received these seeds;
(c) the details of funds allocated and disbursed for these seed programme in the past
year;
(d) the outreach mechanisms to ensure timely awareness and seed delivery; and
(e) whether mobile-based advisories on crop rotation and weather are integrated into
these programme?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a total
of 2900 varieties during last 10 years (2014-2024), out of which, 2661 varieties are tolerant
to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Under National Innovations in Climate
Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, 298 climate resilient varieties tolerant to
drought/flood/ heat in 11 crops were demonstrated involving 11,835 farmers, across the
448 villages in 151 climatically vulnerable districts across the country. About 5278 tribal and
smallholder farmers in 72 drought-prone districts under NICRA project received tolerant
seeds of different crops for undertaking field demonstrations.(c): Government of India is implementing Sub Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials
(SMSP) from the year 2014-15 to promote production and multiplication of quality seeds of
agricultural crops to make availability of required quantities of seed to farmers across the
country. SMSP has now been merged with National Food Security and Nutrition Mission
(NFSNM) from 2023-24. During 2024-25, an amount of Rs. 270.90 crore was allocated
under the seed scheme of SMSP (now merged with NFSNM) wherein an amount of Rs.
206.86 crore had been released to the States/UTs out of which 141.46 crore has been
provided under Seed Village Programme.
(d): Capacity building for establishing village level seed banks and community nurseries
is being undertaken under NICRA project that enable availability of seeds in the adopted
villages. Drought and flood tolerant climate-resilient varieties of rice, wheat, soybean,
mustard, chickpea, sorghum, gram, and foxtail millet were demonstrated in several NICRA
villages. Besides, training programmes are conducted under Agricultural Technology
Management Agency (ATMA) on various issues of agricultural practices including the
awareness of using quality seeds among the farmers.
(e): To mitigate the impacts of adverse weather on agriculture, under the Gramin Krishi
Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, medium range weather forecast for next 5 days at district
and block are generated by IMD. Based on rainfall and other weather parameters along
with weather forecasts issued by IMD, 130 Agromet Field Units prepare Agromet Advisories
in English as well as in the regional language for dissemination through multiple channels.
Also, farmers access weather information including alerts and related agromet advisories
specific to their districts through the mobile App viz., ‘Meghdoot’ launched by the Ministry of
Earth Sciences which is available in English and 13 regional languages. These weather
details are also accessible to farmers through ‘Mausam’ App of IMD.The Panchayat-level
weather forecast information is accessible through multiple digital platforms, including:
eGramSwaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in/), ‘Gram Manchitra’ Application of MoPR
(https://grammanchitra.gov.in/gm4MVC), ‘Meri Panchayat’ Mobile App and Mausamgram
web portal of IMD (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in/).
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