E-Tech in the aid of farmers

Dimensions that might be asked:

● Benefits and challenges to adoption.
● Usages of upcoming technologies in agriculture.

YEAR QUESTION MARKS

2015 How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve 12.5
farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government
taken in this regard?

Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture

2017 after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped 10
in poverty alleviation and food security in India?

2019 How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? 15

2021 What are the present challenges before crop diversification? 15

How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop
diversification?

Facts related to E tech in the aid of farmers

Agri tech penetration NASSCOM estimates only 2% of Indian farmers

use apps in the field.

Growth of internet access in rural 13% growth

areas

Smartphone usage in rural areas 67.6 %

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI ● 1% agritech penetration in India

Aayog, and the United Nations ● 40% farm mechanisation as compared to
Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) US (95%), Brazil (75%) and China (57%)
have jointly launched a whitepaper
aimed at making India a global leader
in Agri-Tech innovation

Case studies

Mobile App to ● Employees to mark attendance and apply for leaves -

connect agri helped improve attendance by 60%
markets, Punjab ● Farmers can book stall online for Apni Mandi (Weekly

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 fruits and vegetable market)
● Daily/Weekly rates displayed

Scientific Sericulture ● Increase Mizoram’s Silk production.

● Provides ICT based information and advisory services
systems for farmers.

Government Schemes

E-Krishi Samvad ● Offering an online platform that enables farmers and

other stakeholders to directly connect with ICAR (Indian
Council of Agricultural Research) to seek effective
solutions for their problems.
● Users can also upload photographs of crop diseases,
animals, or fishes for instant diagnosis and remedial
measures from specialists.
● The specialists will provide appropriate solutions through
SMS or the web interface.

FARMS-app (Farm ● Help individual farmers, rent agricultural machinery &

Machinery Solutions- equipment and also facilitate sell and purchase of old
app) agriculture machinery.

Meghdoot app ● Provide location, crop and livestock-specific weather-

based agro advisories to farmers in local languages.

Centralised Farm ● Enhancing the quality of services provided by farm

Machinery machinery testing institutions and promoting
Performance Testing transparency in the entire process of testing and
Portal evaluating machines.
● Facilitating manufacturers in a seamless application,
communication, and monitoring of the testing progress for
their machines.

e-Rashtriya Kisan ● A collaborative effort between MSTC Ltd. (a Mini Ratna

Agri Mandi (e- PSU under the Ministry of Steel) and Central Railside
RAKAM) Warehousing Company, with the objective of establishing
an auction platform to ensure that farmers receive fair
prices for their produce and are not exploited by
intermediaries.

Definition:
● E-technology stands for Electronic Technology. E-technology, in broad terms,
encompasses the Internet and other interconnected information technologies.

Benefits of usages of E tech to the farmers:

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Technologies and government initiatives in the direction:

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Upcoming technologies in the aid of farmers:

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Way Forward

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 Agrarian Distress

Dimensions that might be asked:

● Causes of agrarian crisis.
● Tackling farmer suicide.
● Pros and Cons of Loan Waivers.

Case Studies

Poultry farming to ● Poultry farms under government supported cooperative

alleviate farm ventures of farmers and farm workers.
distress in ● A model with farmers as entrepreneurs and shareholders of the
Wayanad, Kerala
market, avoiding middlemen which increases remuneration.
● Reduced influence of private agencies which exploited farmers
when prices decreased.
● Cooperative managed price fluctuations and cushion its impact
by storing the produce in a cold storage in case of low prices.

Government Schemes

Modified Interest ● On short term agriculture loans to 1.5% to all financial

Subvention institutions for FY 2022-23 to 2024-25 for lending short term
Scheme (MISS) agri-loans up to ₹3 lakh to farmers.
● Previously, Centre’s support to banks for Interest Subvention
Scheme (ISS) was stopped in 2020 as banks were able to
provide short term agriculture loans at 7% by themselves.
● An additional 3% subvention (Prompt Repayment Incentive) is
also given to farmers for prompt and timely repayment of loans.
● 100% funded by Centre and is being implemented by NABARD
and RBI.

Formation And ● To form and promote 10,000 new FPOs till 2027-28.
Promotion Of ● Training & skill development of FPOs with a minimum farmer
10,000 New Farmer members' size of 300 (in plains) and 100 in (North-Eastern and
Producer Hilly areas)
Organisations ● Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) will be
involved in the process of collecting, registering, and offering
professional support for a duration of five years.
● Formation and promotion of FPO is based on Produce Cluster
Area approach and specialised commodity based approach
● Focus on “One District One Product”
● Implemented by SFAC, NCDC, NABARD, NAFED, etc
● A National Project Management Agency (NPMA) for guidance
and coordination.
● District Level Monitoring Committee (D-MC) for coordination
and monitoring in a district.

Pradhan Mantri ● Voluntary for all farmers including sharecroppers and tenant
Fasal Bima Yojana farmers

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(PMFBY) ● Comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post-harvest
period.
● Providing financial assistance to farmers experiencing crop loss
or damage and ensuring stability in their income and
Encouraging the adoption of innovative and modern agricultural
practices as well as diversifying crops.
● Crops covered under rabi and kharif: All cereals, millets, pulses
and Oilseeds.
● Premium is paid as % of sum assured or Actuarial Premium
Rate (APR), whichever is less, which is the premium rate set by
insurance companies.
● Use of Smartphones and Remote sensing.

Pradhan Mantri ● ₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments of ₹ 2,000 each,
Kisan Samman every 4 months to all landholding farmers families with some
Nidhi (PM-KISAN) exclusion criteria.
● To fulfil the financial requirements of families of landholding
farmers in acquiring different agricultural inputs.
● Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to All beneficiaries.

Pradhan Mantri ● For ensuring remunerative price to the farmers.

Annadata Aay ● Components:
Sanrakshan ○ Price Support Scheme (PSS): Physical procurement of
Abhiyan (PM- pulses, oilseeds & Copra
AASHA) ○ Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS):cover all
oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
○ Pilot Of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS)

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Farmer’s Suicides

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Loan Waivers

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 Doubling Farmers income

Dimensions that might be asked:

● Need and challenges to DFI.
● Way to achieve goals of DFI.

Facts related to doubling farmer’s income

Target The benchmark for doubling farm income by

2022 was set at an estimated monthly
income of Rs 21,146, considering inflation
and using the base year of 2015-16 where
the estimated annual income was Rs
96,703.

Rate Necessary 10.4% in farmers real income

Achievement According to a survey conducted by the

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the
average monthly income per agricultural
household, including all sources, was Rs
10,218 in 2018-19, compared to Rs 6,426 in
2012-13. This represents a 59% increase in
farm income. However, it is important to
note that the majority of their earnings in
2018-19 came from wages rather than crop
production.

Income disparity Income per farmer never crossed one third

of the income of non- agri workers.

Last doubling of farmer income took 22

years at a rate of 3.3% from 1993-94 to
2015-16.

Income Composition According to the 77th NSS round data for

2018-19, the average monthly income has
increased, with the highest income source
being wages, followed by income from crop
cultivation and production. Additionally,
there has been a significant rise in income
from animal farming. Farmers are also
earning higher incomes from non-farm
businesses and by leasing out their land.

The data reveals that income from wages

accounted for 32% in 2012-13, which
increased to 40% in 2018-19. This suggests
that farmers are increasingly engaging in
daily wage labour to supplement their
income.

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Crop diversification Staple crops take a share of 77%of total
gross cropped area but only contribute 31%
to the output.

MSP ● Cabinet Committee on Economic

Affairs (CCEA) approved an
increase in Minimum Support Price
(MSP) for six rabi crops for 2023-24.
● Increase in MSP is in line with Union
Budget 2018-19 announcement of
fixing MSP at a level of at least 1.5
times of AllIndia weighted average
cost of production.
● Currently, Maximum rate of return is
104% for rapeseed and mustard,
followed by 100% for wheat and
85% for lentils.

The State Of Food And Agriculture ● Automation in our agri-food systems

Report 2022 can contribute to achieving
sustainable development goals.
● Agriculture Automation:
○ Increase labour productivity
and profitability
○ Generate new
entrepreneurship
opportunities
○ Reduce food losses
○ Improve working conditions
● Inaccessibility of automation
deepens inequalities
● It can lead to unemployment where
rural labour is abundant and wages
are low agricultural automation
● Certain technologies – large
motorised machinery – can also
have negative environmental
impacts due to monoculture and soil
erosion
● In labour-abundant contexts,
policymakers should avoid
subsidising automation
● Social protection should be provided
to the least skilled workers, who are
more likely to lose their jobs during
the transition

PACS ● PACS represent the foundational

level of the short-term cooperative
credit (STCC) system in the country.
● In addition to offering short-term
credit, they can also facilitate the
distribution of essential input
services, such as seeds, fertilisers,

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Case Studies
Shanxi Integrated Agricultural
Development Project, China
Intercropping Banana and Coffee : Africa
(DRC, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda)
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and pesticides, to their member
farmers. By doing so, PACS
contribute to promoting financial
inclusion for the rural population,
particularly those who are most
vulnerable.
● The Cabinet has approved a
proposal to establish 2 lakh Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS),
as well as dairy and fisheries
cooperatives, across the country
within the next five years.
● This initiative holds significance due
to the presence of approximately 1.6
lakh panchayats without Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
and nearly 2 lakh panchayats
without any dairy cooperative
society.
● Its implementation will establish
essential forward and backward
linkages for farmer members,
leading to increased income
generation. Furthermore, it will
contribute to the creation of
employment opportunities in rural
areas.
● Skilling farmers by imparting training
in agriculture innovation, sustainable
production and marketing, more
access to microfinance to women
groups.
● Move towards high value perennial
crops and livestock leading to
increased income.
● This pattern increased revenue per
unit area by over 50% without
affecting yield.
● Bananas offset cash flow constraints
in early years before the coffee
becomes more productive, and also
provides shade to climate sensitive
coffee crops.
● Bananas remain hydrated during
drought stress, reducing water
competition.
● Intercropping mitigates GHG
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Rural wealth for farmers through
Vegetable seed production, Chile
Increasing Agricultural productivity
through high density farming,
Aspirational district Kupwara, J&K
Sufal Bangla Scheme, West Bengal
Matsya Mitra, Jharkhand
Government Schemes
MPEDA (MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORT
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY )
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emissions by increasing above and
below ground carbon stocks.
● On an average mixed cropping
sequesters 4 times more carbon
than unshaded monocultures.
● Seed companies give training to
farmers for manual pollination of
vegetable seeds and funding and
equipment as well to propel the
production cycle as part of
production contract.
● This partnership has brought huge
cost savings on input costs and
other economic benefits as well.
● Converting traditional seedling
based orchards into high-density
orchards for crops like apples and
walnuts
● 3x the harvest
● Higher remuneration for farmers,
Lower prices to consumers
● Popularized Commercial aqua
farming, cage culture.
● Matsya Mitras perform collection of
vital info, resource assessment,
document best farming practices,
and popularise fisheries as alternate
source of income.
● MPEDA celebrated its 50th years
● On the occasion, Union Commerce
Minister made four proposals for the
comprehensive development of the
country’s marine resources:
○ Identify 20 markets for items
that contribute to 90% of the
exports.
○ Prepare state-wise export
development plans in
consultation with state
administrations.
○ Aim at exports worth $20
billion in the next five years,
and
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Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
(PM-KMY)
Mission For Integrated Development Of
Horticulture (MIDH)
Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
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○ Raise the livelihood of
fishermen by reducing their
risk, creating awareness
among them, increasing their
income and shielding them
against middlemen.
● Old age protection and social
security of Small and Marginal
Farmers (SMF) having land upto 2
ha and aged between 18 to 40 years
through LIC.
● Assured pension: Rs. 3000/- month
on attaining the age of 60 years.
● In the event of the subscriber's
death, the spouse will be eligible to
receive only half (50%) of the
pension received by the subscriber.
● For Holistic development of
horticulture.
● HORTNET: Web enabled workflow-
based system for providing financial
assistance under MIDH
● CHAMAN (Coordinated Horticulture
Assessment using Management
using geoiNformatic) : Area
assessment and production
forecasting of 7 major horticultural
crops.
○ Area assessment and
production forecasting of 7
major horticultural crops.
● Addressing the immediate credit
needs for crop cultivation, post-
harvest expenses, meeting the
consumption requirements of farmer
households, and providing working
capital for the maintenance of farm
assets.
● Collateral free loan up to Rs 1.6 lakh
without any processing fee.
● 3% p.a. interest subvention for
prompt borrowers up to Rs. 3.00
lakhs.
● Premium borne by both the bank
and borrower (in 2:1 ratio
respectively)
● Covers Farmers - individual/joint
borrowers who are owner cultivators;
Tenant farmers, oral lessees &
sharecroppers.
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Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Unnat
Krishi Shiksha Yojana (PDDUUKSY)
Restructured National Bamboo Mission
(NBM)
National Agricultural Higher Education
Project (NAHEP)
Attracting and Retaining of Youth in
9Agriculture (ARYA)
Blue Revolution: Integrated
Development And Management Of
Fisheries
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY)
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● Efforts are made to enhance the
expertise of individuals in the areas
of organic farming, natural farming,
and the cow-based economy to
ensure environmental sustainability
and soil health.
● Training programs are conducted for
farmers to educate them on organic
farming, natural farming, and the
latest technologies related to these
practices.
● Product development. Value
addition and marketing of Bamboo
along with skilling of communities
and R&D in the sector.
● Establishing resources and
mechanisms to support the
development of infrastructure,
faculty, and student advancement in
agricultural universities.
● Creating avenues for improved
governance and management of
these universities.
● The objective is to encourage and
empower rural youth to engage in
agriculture, allied, and service sector
enterprises for sustainable income
and meaningful employment in
specific districts.
● This initiative is carried out by Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, with one district
selected from each state.
● Increasing production and
productivity from aquaculture and
fisheries resources, both inland and
marine in a sustainable manner.
● Modernise the fisheries, ensure food
and nutritional security, generate
employment and export earnings.
● Fisheries and Aquaculture
Infrastructure Fund (FIDF): Rs.
7522.48 crore.
● Interest subvention of upto 3% pa to
agencies.
● Mission Fingerling: Establishment of
hatcheries and Fingerling rearing
ponds.
● Harnessing fisheries potential,
improving infrastructure and
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 regulation, enhancing Farmer’s
income and consolidating the
achievements of Blue Revolution.
● Requisite forward and backward
linkages and end to end solutions.
● Formation of Fish Farmer Producer
Organizations (FFPOs).

Asian Palm Oil alliance ● Formed by apex edible oil industry

associations of five major palm oil
importing countries, includingIndia,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
and Nepal, to gain collective
bargaining power while safeguarding
economic and business interests of
palm oil consuming countries and
increase its consumption.
● Solvent Extractors’ Association
(SEA) of India will manage its
secretariat.
● Asia accounts for 40% of global
palm oil demand with India as the
largest importer accounting for
nearly 15%.

National Mission On Edible Oils – Oil ● Enhance the edible oilseeds

Palm (NMEO-OP) production by harnessing Oil Palm
area expansion with special focus
on North east and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
● Reduce dependence on edible oil
imports.
● Promoting micro irrigation and water
conservation in oil palm.
● Targets:
○ Area: 10 lakh hectares
(adding additional 6.50 lakh
ha- of which 3.28 lakh ha in
North Eastern states)
○ Crude Palm Oil production:
11.20 lakh tonnes
○ Health component: maintain
consumption level of 19.00
kg/person/ annum
● Provisions for Planting material,
Inputs for intercropping,
Establishment of seed gardens,
nurseries, Setting up borewell/pump
set/water harvesting structure.

Coastal Aquaculture Authority ● Amend certain provisions of the

(Amendment) Bill, 2023 Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA)
Act, 2005 and decriminalise
offences under it.

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 ● Expands the scope of the CAA Act
beyond coastal aquaculture ‘farms’
to cover all the verticals and
activities of coastal aquaculture for
its sustainable development.
● The Bill prohibits coastal
aquaculture activities in Ecologically
sensitive areas, No-Development
Zones (NDZs) and within Coastal
Regulation Zones (CRZs). Although
some allied activities like Seaweed
culture, nucleus breeding centres
etc. have exemptions from these
regulations.
● The Bill removes the imprisonment
provisions of the Act for its
contravention and replaces them
with suitable monetary and other
penalties

Introduction:
Ashok Dalwai Committee had given out a road map for doubling farmers income by 2022.

Need for Doubling Farmers Income

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Approach to Achieving double Income

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