Why is it in the news?
The 2nd Advance Estimates of Production of Major Crops for 2019-20 have been released by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW). The cumulative rainfall in the country during the monsoon season (June to September 2019) has been 10% higher than the Long Period Average (LPA). Accordingly, the production of most of the crops for the agricultural year 2019-20 has been estimated higher than their normal production.
Record production of Food Grains, Wheat and Rice-
What are the various steps taken by the Govt to increase agricultural production?
The Government has taken various steps to promote the use of modern techniques and plans to increase the agriculture production and thereby doubling the farmer’s income. Some of the interventions in this direction are :
(i) Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
(ii) Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
(iii) Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme
(iv) Creation of a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to facilitate farmer’s access to knowledge and information generated by Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes of the country.
(v) Initiatives under Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme like Extension Reforms, Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension, Kisan Call Centres, Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres, Exhibitions/ Fairs etc.
(vi) Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
(vii) National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme