India recorded an all-time high food grain production of 332.30 million tonnes and horticultural production of 352.23 million tonnes for 2023-24, as per the third advance estimates.
Agriculture has been the backbone of India’s economy, supporting over half of the population and contributing significantly to GDP. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has implemented transformative policies and initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity, empower farmers, and pave the way for a self-reliant India. These efforts not only address immediate concerns of the farming community but also lay a strong foundation for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Unprecedented Enhancement in Budget Allocation
In 2024-25, a substantial allocation of ₹1,22,528.77 crore has been made under various schemes and programs for farmers’ welfare. This historic budgetary boost ensures robust funding for critical agricultural reforms, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes. By providing financial support for modernizing farming practices, ensuring timely subsidies, and improving infrastructure, this allocation empowers farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, increases productivity, and strengthens rural livelihoods.
Record Food Grain Production
India recorded an all-time high food grain production of 332.30 million tonnes and horticultural production of 352.23 million tonnes for 2023-24, as per the third advance estimates. These record figures reflect the success of government initiatives in improving agricultural productivity and food security. Increased production not only ensures adequate supply for domestic consumption but also enhances export potential, leading to better incomes for farmers and supporting India’s agricultural economy.
Income Support to Farmers Through PM-KISAN
Launched on 24th February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides annual income support of ₹6,000 in three equal instalments to landholding farmers. With over ₹3.46 lakh crore disbursed to 11 crore farmers through 18 instalments, it is one of the world’s largest DBT schemes. The scheme reduces financial strain on farmers, provides consistent cash flow for essential farming activities, and helps mitigate risks associated with crop failures. By leveraging technology, it ensures transparency and hassle-free benefits, enhancing the socio-economic stability of farmers.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched with a ₹1 lakh crore allocation, provides long-term debt financing for projects like warehouses, cold storage, and processing centers. Since 2020, ₹51,364 crore has been sanctioned for 84,159 projects. Expansion measures, such as integrating community farming assets and secondary processing, have further increased its scope. By reducing post-harvest losses, lowering input costs, and boosting productivity, AIF enables farmers to improve their income and strengthen the agricultural value chain, fostering sustainable development in rural areas.
Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
The Central Sector Scheme for Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs, launched on 29th February 2020 with a budget of ₹6,865 crore until 2027-28, has successfully registered 9,180 FPOs. These organizations empower small and marginal farmers by enabling collective farming, better access to credit, technology, and markets. By facilitating economies of scale and reducing production and marketing costs, FPOs enhance profitability for farmers and create a resilient and inclusive agricultural ecosystem.
Fixing of MSP at One-and-a-Half Times the Cost of Production
The government has ensured a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all mandated Kharif, Rabi, and commercial crops, offering at least a 50% return over the all-India weighted average cost of production since 2018-19. For the 2023-24 season, MSP for Paddy (common) has been set at ₹2,300 per quintal, and Wheat at ₹2,425 per quintal. This policy provides a safety net for farmers by guaranteeing remunerative prices for their produce, encouraging higher investment in agriculture, enhancing productivity, and ensuring financial security.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme
With an approved outlay of ₹1,261 crore, this Central Sector Scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for offering rental services like applying fertilizers and pesticides. In 2023-24, 500 drones were distributed, with the remaining 14,500 planned for delivery by 2025-26. The scheme creates sustainable income opportunities, as SHGs can earn at least ₹1 lakh annually, while also promoting precision farming. The initiative reduces input wastage, lowers environmental impact, and improves crop yields, leading to enhanced farmer income and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Per Drop More Crop
Launched in 2015-16, this scheme promotes water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems. By December 2024, approximately 95 lakh hectares have been covered, with financial assistance provided—55% for small and marginal farmers and 45% for others. A NITI Aayog evaluation found improvements in water efficiency (30%-70%), farmer income (10%-69%), and employment opportunities. By addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable irrigation, the scheme enhances productivity and contributes to long-term agricultural resilience.
Institutional Credit for Agriculture Sector
Ground-level credit disbursement in agriculture has grown by 349%, from ₹7.30 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹25.48 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. Short-term loans have increased by 275%, while credit through the Kisan Credit Card scheme has grown 270%, ensuring accessible and affordable financing for farmers. This expansion in credit availability empowers farmers to invest in modern agricultural inputs and technologies, leading to higher productivity, reduced dependency on informal lending, and improved economic stability.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launched in 2016, PMFBY offers comprehensive crop insurance against natural calamities and unforeseen weather events. Over ₹1.70 lakh crore in claims have been settled, ensuring timely support for farmers. The DigiClaim feature, introduced in Kharif 2023, streamlines payments via the National Crop Insurance Portal. The Krishi Rakshak Portal (KRPH) and a toll-free helpline ensure effective grievance redressal. By mitigating risks and offering financial protection, PMFBY helps stabilize farmer incomes and encourages continued agricultural activity even in adverse conditions.
Setting Up of e-NAM Platform
The e-NAM platform has integrated 1,410 mandis across 23 States and 4 UTs, registering 1.78 crore farmers and 2.63 lakh traders by December 2024. With a recorded trade volume of 11.02 crore metric tonnes and commodities worth ₹4.01 lakh crore, e-NAM enhances market accessibility and price transparency. Farmers benefit from competitive pricing, reduced transaction costs, and the elimination of middlemen, thereby maximizing their earnings and strengthening the agricultural supply chain.
Digital Agriculture Mission
In the 2023-24 Union Budget, the government proposed the creation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, which has been further enhanced in the 2024-25 Budget. The DPI will provide comprehensive data on farmers, including demographic details, land holdings, and crops sown, and integrate both state and central government data for innovative, farmer-centric services. The Digital Agriculture Mission, approved in September 2024 with a budget of ₹2,817 crore, is central to this initiative. It includes three key components: AgriStack, the Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), and Soil Profile Mapping. AgriStack will create digital IDs for 11 crore farmers and introduce a nationwide Digital Crop Survey. DSS will integrate geospatial data on crops, soil, weather, and water, while soil profile maps will cover 142 million hectares. This mission will also launch the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey for accurate yield predictions. The initiative will generate employment for 2,50,000 trained youth and Krishi Sakhis, empowering farmers with access to advanced technologies like AI and remote sensing, leading to better decision-making, improved farm management, and increased agricultural productivity.
Soil Health & Fertility Scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
The Soil Health Card (SHC) and Soil Health Management (SHM) programs under RKVY have significantly contributed to improving soil fertility and ensuring better yields for farmers. With 75 lakh soil samples collected and 53 lakh SHCs generated by 2024-25, farmers receive customized recommendations for improving soil health. This initiative also includes the School Soil Health Programme, with over 1,000 schools participating and 125,972 students enrolled, creating awareness about soil health from an early age. The scheme has benefited 31 lakh farmers, who have received soil health advisories, promoting better farm management practices that lead to enhanced productivity and sustainable agricultural practices.
Promotion of Natural Farming
The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to promote natural farming in mission mode across the country. With a total outlay of ₹2,481 crore, the scheme focuses on reducing chemical input reliance and enhancing soil health through organic farming practices. This approach not only reduces input costs for farmers but also improves the quality of produce and ensures long-term environmental sustainability. The promotion of natural farming supports the reduction of environmental degradation, enhances biodiversity, and helps farmers achieve higher returns by adopting organic and eco-friendly farming methods.
Agroforestry Component under RKVY
The Agroforestry component under RKVY encourages tree plantation on farmland to generate additional income for farmers. Over the period from 2016-17 to 2021-22, 1.21 lakh hectares were planted with 532.298 lakh trees, benefiting around 1.86 lakh farmers. The scheme was restructured in 2023-24 to provide quality planting materials and support the establishment of agroforestry nurseries. In 2024-25, ₹33.24 crore was allocated to 21 States/UTs for the promotion of agroforestry, with accredited nurseries providing high-quality saplings for farmers. This initiative enhances farmers’ income by diversifying their agricultural activities and offers environmental benefits by promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)
The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), launched under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative, focuses on promoting scientific beekeeping and achieving the ‘Sweet Revolution.’ With a budget of ₹500 crore (extended through 2025), the mission aims to establish infrastructure such as Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres (IBDCs), Honey Testing Labs, Beekeeping Equipment Manufacturing Units, and Custom Hiring Centres. Major achievements include the establishment of 8 regional honey testing labs, 33 honey processing units, and 385 hectares of bee-friendly plantations. This mission supports farmers by diversifying their income streams through beekeeping, improves crop pollination, and contributes to the growth of the honey industry, generating employment and boosting agricultural productivity.
Toward Viksit Bharat: Agriculture as the Keystone
Through these initiatives, the government has committed significant resources to transforming Indian agriculture by promoting mechanization, sustainability, climate resilience, and market access, aiming to empower farmers and increase agricultural productivity while ensuring food security for the nation.
The Modi government’s holistic approach to agriculture and farmer welfare is not just about increasing yields or incomes; it is about transforming agriculture into a sustainable, technology-driven, and globally competitive sector. By addressing structural challenges and empowering farmers through innovative schemes, India is not only securing its food supply but also creating opportunities for rural prosperity and economic growth.
Agriculture’s transformation under Modi is a cornerstone of the vision for Viksit Bharat. As the sector becomes more resilient, efficient, and inclusive, it paves the way for a developed India where prosperity reaches every corner of the nation.
