Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Polity & Governance
Why in News?
The Government of India has set an ambitious target of bringing 100 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation over the five-year period from 2025-26 to 2029-30 under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
About NMSA
- Origin - Launched in 2014-15 as one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Objective - To transform agriculture into a climate-resilient production system through strategic interventions in soil health, water use efficiency, and integrated farming.
- Administrative Shift - Since 2022-23, NMSA has been subsumed under the umbrella of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
- Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Key Components & Interventions
Rain fed Area Development (RAD)
- Focuses on Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) to enhance productivity and minimize risks from climatic variability.
- Promotes a multi-cropping system involving crops, livestock, fishery, and agro-forestry.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
- Aims to maximize water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro-Irrigation technologies (Drip and Sprinkler systems).
- Target: 100 lakh hectares by 2029.
Soil Health Management (SHM)
- Focuses on the sustainable use of fertilizers through the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme.
- Aims to maintain soil fertility and enhance nutrient uptake by mapping soil-specific nutrient deficiencies.
CCSAMMN
- Full Form -Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling, and Networking.
- Provides a platform for the bidirectional flow of information between scientific establishments and farmers regarding climate-smart practices.
Significance of the 100 Lakh Hectare Target
- Water Conservation - Reduces water wastage in a country where agriculture accounts for over 80% of freshwater usage.
- Input Cost Reduction - Micro-irrigation reduces the requirement for fertilizers (through fertigation) and electricity.
- Climate Resilience - Directly aligns with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to adapt to climate change and ensure food security.
For Reference : Republic World
