In order to increase the production and productivity of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (maize and barley), nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) and to fulfil the objectives of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), assistance is being provided to the farmers through States/Union Territories for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production and distribution of high yielding varieties/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, processing &post-harvest equipment, cropping system based trainings etc. Initiatives like distribution of seed minikits of newer varieties of pulses, production of quality seed, creation of seed hubs at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes/ State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), technological demonstrations by KVKs have also been included under NFSM.

To meet the objectives of NFSM-Oilseeds,incentives/ subsidies are being provided for purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation seeds & certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seed mini kits, demonstrations (block demonstrations /front line demonstrations /cluster front line demonstrations), farmers field school, training, supply of water carrying devices, plant protection equipments, soil ameliorates, micro-nutrients, weedicides, insecticides, bio-fertilizer/bio agents, etc. 

Government of India has launched a separate Mission i.e. National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in August 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation with the aim to augment the availability of edible oil in the country by harnessing area expansion, increasing crude palm oil production and productivity with the aim to reduce the import burden.

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) is being implemented from 2015-16 in the country to focus on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed cost effective, location specific scientific technologies viz. rainwater harvesting and recycling, precision technologies for irrigation and farming practices, adoption of modern agronomic practices, diversifying cropping pattern from water guzzling crops like low land rice and sugarcane to pulses, oilseeds, maize and agro-forestry etc. Further, ICAR imparts training and organizes field demonstrations to educate farmers in these regard.

Under the Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) programme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), lined field channels are constructed and wherever possible underground pipeline network is laid for providing last-mile connectivity to the irrigation system to enhance irrigation efficiency. The DoWR, RD & GR has set up Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) on 20.10.2022 for promotion, regulation and control of efficient use of water in irrigation, industrial and domestic sector. The Bureau facilitates promotion of improving water use efficiency across various sectors namely irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation, industries etc. in the country. National Water Mission (NWM) launched the ‘SahiFasal’ campaign in 2019 to nudge farmers in water stressed areas to grow crops which are not water intensive but use water efficiently and are economically remunerative, healthy and nutritious and suited to the agro-climatic-hydro characteristics.

The net irrigated area in the country has increased from 692.70 lakh hectare in the year 2016-17 hectare to 777.29 lakh hectare in the year 2020-21.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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