4 December 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE AND ROBUST AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2080202&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Agriculture

Context

The Indian government promotes agricultural innovation and infrastructure through various initiatives. These initiatives focus on boosting agri-startups, modernizing post-harvest processes, and supporting sustainable agriculture. They enhance rural industrialization, reduce losses, and align with global sustainability goals.

 Agricultural Innovation and Infrastructure Initiatives

Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Program

• Implemented under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) since 2018-19 to promote innovation and agri-entrepreneurship.
• Provides financial and technical support to startups in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Features 5 Knowledge Partners (KPs) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) for training and startup incubation.
• Financial support includes up to ₹5 lakh at the idea/pre-seed stage and ₹25 lakh at the seed stage.
• Aims to modernize post-harvest management, expand cold chains, reduce losses, and improve market access.

Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) Scheme

• A component of the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM).
• Provides assistance for constructing or renovating godowns and warehouses in rural areas.
• Enhances agricultural storage capacity and reduces post-harvest losses.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme

• Aims to support sustainable agriculture by funding infrastructure projects with a target of ₹1 lakh crore by 2025-26.
• Offers loans up to ₹2 crore with a 9% capped interest rate, 3% annual interest subvention, and credit guarantee fee reimbursement for seven years.
• Converges with schemes like PMFME for food processing and PM-KUSUM for renewable energy integration.

Impact of Initiatives

• Empowers agritech startups and fosters precision farming and value addition in agriculture.
• Supports rural industrialization, creating employment and boosting markets for processed agricultural goods.
• Promotes sustainability through green practices, digital tools, and eco-friendly technologies, aligning with sustainable agriculture goals.
• Enhances collaboration between entrepreneurs and farmers for a resilient agro-industry.

PYQ: How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023)

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of initiatives like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Program in transforming India’s agricultural sector. How do these programs contribute to sustainability and rural industrialization?  (250 Words /15 marks)