IGI Logo

The Union Cabinet has approved seven big-ticket programmes for the holistic growth of agriculture and allied sectors with a total outlay of nearly Rs 14,000 crore, as it aims to improve farmers' income. The focus of these programmes would be on research & education, climate resilience, natural resource management and digitisation in the agriculture sector along with emphasis on growth of horticulture and livestock sectors. 

The Cabinet has approved crop science for food and nutritional security programmes with a total outlay Rs 3,979 crore. The six pillars have been included in the programme with a focus on preparing the farmers for climate resilient crop sciences and food security by 2047. These six pillars are -- Research and Education; Plant Genetic Resource Management; Genetic improvement for food and fodder crop; Pulse and oilseed crop improvement; Improvement of commercial crops; and Research on insects, microbes, pollinators.

The Cabinet also approved an outlay of Rs 2,291 crore for strengthening agricultural education, management and social sciences. This programme will be under Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The aim is to modernise agri-research and education in line with New Education Policy 2020. The use of latest technology like Digital DPI, Al, big data, remote, etc will be promoted and the programme includes natural farming and climate resilience. The Cabinet also approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a total investment of Rs 2,817 crore. There are two foundation pillars in the project -- Agri Stack and Krishi Decision Support System. 

A Rs 1,702 crore scheme has also been cleared for sustainable livestock health and their production. The scheme aims to increase farmers' income from livestock and dairy. Under this scheme, the focus will be on animal health management and veterinary education; dairy production and technology development; animal genetic resource management, production and improvement; and animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development. Another major scheme cleared by the Cabinet relates to sustainable development for horticulture. With a total outlay of Rs 860 crore the measure is aimed at increasing farmers’ income from horticulture plants. The programme comprises of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate horticulture crops; root, tuber, bulbous and arid crops; vegetable, floriculture, and mushroom crops; and plantation, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants The Union Cabinet also gave approvals to a Rs 1,202-crore scheme for strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and a Rs 1,115-crore scheme for Natural Resource Management.