Several government schemes related to the agriculture sector have been in the news due to new allocations, policy reforms, and performance reviews. These initiatives focus on income support, crop insurance, irrigation, agri-infrastructure, and sustainable farming practices. For UPSC Prelims 2026, understanding their objectives, key features, and implementing ministries is crucial from a current affairs perspective.
M-CADWM Scheme
- Modernisation of Command Area Development & Water Management (M-CADWM) was approved.
Key Features
- A sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, with a ₹1,600 crore outlay for 2025–26.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Funding Model: Challenge-based funding to states to innovate and adapt designs.
- Sustainability Plan:
- Irrigation Management Transfer to Water User Societies (WUS) for long-term asset maintenance.
- 5-year support for WUS Capacity Building linkages with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS).
Objectives and Focus Areas
- Irrigation Network Modernisation: Upgrade water delivery infrastructure from existing canals or other sources to designated clusters.
- Micro-Irrigation Backbone: Create robust backend systems with underground pressurised piped irrigation up to 1 hectare from source to farmgate.
- Water Use Efficiency (WUE): Enhance efficiency at the farm level through precision water distribution.
- Tech Integration: Use SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems & Internet of Things for real-time water accounting & management.
Clean Plant Programme (CPP)
- The government launched the Clean Plant Programme for grapes, oranges & pomegranates.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, working in collaboration with National Horticulture Board (NHB), and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Launched under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- Objective: Ensure disease-free, certified, high-quality planting material for horticultural crops and enhance productivity, quality, and export potential of horticultural produce.
- Centre would collaborate with Israel and the Netherlands for technological support & innovation.
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Core Components of CPP:
- Establishment of Nine Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) to provide virus diagnostics, treatment, & quarantine for all domestic and imported planting materials.
- Development of large-scale and medium-sized nurseries to multiply and distribute clean planting material.
- Regulatory and certification framework under the Seeds Act 1966.
National Beekeeping & Honey Mission
- Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to promote and develop quality honey and beehive products.
- Launched under Atmanirbhar Bharat for FY 2020–21 to 2022–23; it has been extended to FY 2025–26.
- Objective: Enhance honey production, increase crop yields through scientific beekeeping and pollination, and raise beekeepers’ incomes.
- Implementing Body: National Bee Board (NBB).
- The mission operates through three sub-missions:
- Mini Mission-I: Increases honey and hive-product yield by encouraging scientific beekeeping and the adoption of modern equipment.
- Mini Mission-II: Develops infrastructure for honey testing, processing, storage, value addition, and organised market access.
- Mini Mission-III: Supports region-specific research and development to address diverse agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions across states.
Initiatives under NBHM
- Madhukranti Portal facilitates honey registration and traceability to prevent adulteration and promote transparency.
- National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping at IIT, Roorkee, was established for scientific innovation and advanced sectoral training.
- Training programs, exposure visits, and technology dissemination to promote high-value hive products such as royal jelly and beeswax.
- Beekeeper collectives through Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), & cooperatives promote women-focused capacity building.
- Honey is a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) under The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
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CROPIC Initiative
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare plans to launch the Collection of Real-Time Observations & Photo of Crops (CROPIC), a digital initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana *
- Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana was approved for a period of six years.
PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
- Government approved the continuation of the Integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme till 2025-26 during the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
- Launched: In 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Central Sector Scheme.
- Aim: To ensure farmers receive assured & fair prices for their produce.
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Includes 3 key schemes:
- PSS (Price Support Scheme): Government directly procures crops at MSP, mainly pulses & oilseeds.
- PDPS (Price Deficiency Payment Scheme): Farmers receive the difference between MSP & market price, without needing to sell their produce to government agencies.
- PPSS (Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme): Involves private players to procure crops at MSP when government agencies cannot.
- Market Intervention Scheme: For perishable / horticultural crops (e.g. onion, tomato, potato, etc.) that lack MSP; triggered when market prices fall >= 10% compared to normal; govt procures to prevent distress sale by farmers.
- Focus: Perishable & Non-MSP Crops like pulses, oilseeds and others that are vulnerable to price crashes.
- Income Assurance: Helps reduce post-harvest losses & ensures income stability.
- Flexibility of Choice: Through PDPS & PPSS, farmers can choose between physical procurement or direct payments, making it adaptable & inclusive.
PM-KISAN
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi was launched in 2019 (effective retrospectively from 2018), provides income support to farmers across the country.
- Objective: To offer financial assistance to farmers for agricultural inputs and domestic necessities, reducing reliance on moneylenders.
- Nodal Agency: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Financial Aid: ₹6,000 annually per family through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every four months.
- Eligibility: The scheme covers all landholding farmers but excludes institutional landholders, legislators, taxpayers, etc., to ensure benefits reach those in need.
- Beneficiary Identification: By respective State and UT governments.
- The scheme utilises Aadhaar-based e-KYC, PM-KISAN Portal and Mobile App, along with an AI chatbot called “Kisan-eMitra” to improve accessibility and grievance redressal.
- Achievements: Over 85% of small and marginal farmers are enrolled, with women making up more than 25% of beneficiaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the M-CADWM Scheme?
M-CADWM is a sub-scheme under PMKSY to modernise irrigation infrastructure and improve water use efficiency.
Q. What is the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?
CPP ensures disease-free, certified planting material for horticultural crops.
Q. What is the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission?
It is a Central Sector Scheme promoting scientific beekeeping and honey production.
Q. What is the CROPIC Initiative?
CROPIC is a digital platform for real-time crop observation under PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
Q. What is PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana?
It is a six-year agricultural development scheme aimed at strengthening farm productivity.
Q. What is PM-AASHA?
It is an income assurance scheme ensuring fair MSP-based returns to farmers.
