March Edition

MENTOR'S MIRACLE

Bimonthly Magazine
by AGRIMENTORS CHANDIGARH

Important for UPSC, NABARD Grade-A, IBPS-AFO

Kurukshetra Magazine Summarization Jan-2022

Follow us on

www.agrimentors.in
 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Agriculture: Challenges and Initiatives

2 How to boom Agriculture sector

3 Agri-startups and Enterprises

4 e-NAM: Helping Farmers to Earn Better

5 Agricultural Beacons Digital Transformation

6 Agriculture Sector Contributing in Rural Development

7 Renewable Energy: Transforming the Face of Rural India

8 Transforming Lives of Rural Youth

9 Smart Farming: Towards Sustainable Agriculture

10 Prioritising Climate Smart Agriculture

PAGE 2
 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE

Letter
from editor

MR. AJAY SINGH JAKHAR

MD AGRIMENTORS & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Welcome to Mentor’s miracle magazine

As we head into our third year, we are pleased to continue to bring our students
a most important topics for the agriculture related competitive exams.

Current affairs with new technologies, newly launched schemes and other
aspects to boost up your knowledge.

Everyone has different plans for their future, and we are trying to provide you a
right direction to achieve your goals. It will be a pleasure for us to work every day
for you to bring something extraordinary so that you can enhance your
knowledge.

There will be sunshine after every darkest night. So we should always be ready to
meet the hurdles of life. Remember to visit Agrimentors website and other
social media platform for up-to-date information of recent aspects of
agriculture & free study material and updates about upcoming exams.

We Agrimentors team wish you ongoing success in your life

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

1
Agriculture:
Challenges
and Initiatives

Food grain production in

India has increased from
50.8 million tonnes in 1950-51
to
308.65 million tonnes in 2021

India is the largest producer, consumer Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee

and importer of pulses; the second- Yojana (PMKSY), 2015 - The motto is ‘Har
largest producer of rice, wheat, Khet Ko Paani’. Presently net irrigated
sugarcane, cotton and groundnuts; the area in the country is nearly 48% of net
second largest producer of fruits and sown area, the rest dependent on rain for
vegetable in/the word after China; the cultivation. The scheme aims at the
largest producer of fruits like mango, expansion of net irrigated area, reduce
banana, sapota, pomegranate and aonla wastage of water and improve efficiency
and vegetables like peas and okra; the in the use of water. It also focuses on
second largest in the production of creating sources for assured irrigation
brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and onion; through rainwater harvesting to ensure
the largest producer/ consumer and 'Per Drop More Crop'. The Scheme also
exporter of spices and spice products contains a Micro-Irrigation Fund (MIF),
and the largest producer of milk with a focus on protective irrigation, and
(continuously for more than two water use efficiency interventions to not
decades) in the world. only expand India's irrigation networks
but improve its efficiency.
Government Initiatives
Soil Health Card Scheme, 2015 - Under
this scheme, samples of soil are taken and
tested in the labs to assess the
health of soil in the form of
presence/absence of required
micro-nutrients. Thereafter,
the experts suggest the
farmers measures to improve
productivity of soil through
judicious use of inputs.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana threshold and actual yield set according
(PKVY), 2015 - It promotes organic to the degree of loss. The scheme is
farming. The willing farmers are required compulsory for farmers availing
to form a group of minimum 50 farmers institutional loans but optional to others.
with minimum total area 50 acres. Each
Sub-Mission on Agricultural
farmer enrolling in the scheme is
Mechanisation (SMAM), 2014-15 – It was
provided a sum Rs. 20,000 (spread over
launched by Ministry of Agriculture and
three years) per acre by the government.
Farmers Welfare (MA&FW) to increase
This fund can be utilised for obtaining
the reach of farm mechanisation to small
agriculture inputs and transporting the
an d marginal farm ers an d to th e
produce to the market.
hinterland. The endeavour is to create
awareness among the stakeholders
t h ro u g h d e m o n s t r a t i o n , c a p a c i ty
building activities, performance testing
and certification of agricultural
machines at designated centres located
all over the country.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
(PM-KISAN) Yojana, 2019 - It was
launched to augment the income of
small and marginal farmers, for their
occupation as well as domestic expenses,
subject to cer tain exclusions. The
government provides Rs. 6,000 to eligible
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers in three equal instalments.
(PMFBY), 2016 - It stabilises the income
of farmers. In event of any loss to the Digital Agriculture Mission, 2021-25 – It
notified crop (food crop, commercial/ has been started by GoI for agriculture
horticultural crop and oil seeds) due to projects based on new technologies such
any natural calamity, pest or disease, as AI, block chain, remote sensing and
eligible farmers are paid compensation GIS technology, etc.
based on the difference between the

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Mission for Integrated Development of Transport and Marketing Assistance
Horticulture (MIDH), 2014- It is a centrally (TMA) scheme, 2019 - It provides financial
sponsored scheme for the holistic growth assistance for transport and marketing of
of the horticulture sector and enhancing agriculture products in order to boost
agricultural exports. The MIDH provides agriculture exports. It is likely to mitigate
financial, technical and administrative disadvantage of higher cost of
support to state governments for the transportation of agriculture exports due to
development of the horticulture sector trans-shipment and to promote brand
covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber recognition for Indian agricultural products
crops, mushroom, spices, flowers, aromatic in the overseas markets.
plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, bamboo
In order to promote Indian brands of food
and saffron.
products in the international market
To promote horticultural exports, several through the creation of global food
centers for perishable cargoes and for post- manufacturing champions commensurate
harvest handling facilities have been set up with India's natural resource endowment,
with the assistance of Agricultural and the GoI has approved the Production
Processed Food Products Export Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food
Development Authority (APEDA). processing sector in 2021.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

2 How to boom
Agriculture
Sector

During pandemic it has been seen that economic activity of the country suffered another year
also but agriculture sector posted a robust growth of 3.4%. In a budget for fiscal year 2022-23
various legislations and technologies has been added to improve the potential of agriculture
productivity.
Indian agricultural sector faces several challenges that need to be reformed. These challenges
are due to lack of better market linkages, technologies. These are going to change by 2022.

By considering the opportunity in • Easy access to credit and new

agriculture sector, this change can be technologies
directed by a few factors:
• Incentive scheme for enhancing
1. Government policies: To uplift the agriculture infrastructure
farmers, government tries to acclaim especially for food processing.
farmers and to shape the agriculture
• Structural development through
sector. These include
Farmer’s producer organisation
• Enhancing insurance cover for (FPO) by promoting rural
crops development, agriculture
produce and marketing.
• Pesticide management bill: With
this bill, government control over
the production, sale and use of
pesticide
• Seed bill: This bill enables the
framer to access superior seeds
to ensure high quality crops that
lead to high earning of farmer
especially for cultivating oilseeds
and pulses.
• To execute project with
agricultural infrastructure fund
(Rs. 1 lakh crore) that announced
last year.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

2. Farmers access to new age of technology: Government is taking significant step to

introduce new technologies for the farmers such as use of drones in agriculture.
Use of drones: Drones has efficiency in fertilizing and protecting crops and has input
use efficiency which will reduce the workload of the farmer in a sustainable manner.
Artificial intelligence: Through the use of this, precision agriculture is possible which
will monitor crops for disease, pests, poor nutrition and weed management. Majority
of the farmers in India lack in these technologies so agritech companies are trying to
avail these technologies to small holder farmers in a affordable manner and easy to
use.
3. Increasing sustainability in agriculture: Sustainability in the favour of environment
friendly farming practices by using renewable energies and reducing the emission of
greenhouse gases. Majority of gases are generated through production and use of input
so sustainable farming practices are solution to this problem.
At last, it can be seen that productivity and profitability of small farmers through various
initiative can be increased by taking into account environment.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

3 Agri-start-ups
and
Enterprises

Impact of Agri-startups on Indian providing mentoring, networking,

Agriculture: and investor guidelines.
Agri-startups are providing Innovation and Agriculture
affordable and innovative solutions Entrepreneurship Development–
to the challenges faced in the value Program by the Department of
chain. Agriculture, Cooperation and
Farmers’ Welfare (DACFW) under
These startups are leaving a ripple
the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to
effect on the socio-economic fabric
promote entrepreneurship in
of India’s demography.
agriculture.
Agriculture in India has been slow
Initiative for Development of
in adopting technology. Agri-
Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
startups are disrupting this
(IDEA)– by the Ministry of
drawback and empowering the
Development of North Eastern
farmers digitally.
Region to assist in the
Agri-startups have brought in establishment of agri-business
fundamental changes in the way and make them profitable.
agriculture functions, with novel
Challenges:
technologies like Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning Small and scattered land holdings of
(ML), and Data analytics. the farmers reduce the scope of use of
technology.
With the use of mobile
applications, farmers are now able The rate of return on investment is still
to access information and credits poor compared to IT-based startups.
more conveniently.
Government Initiatives:
National Centre for Management
and Agricul tural Extension
(MANAGE) –It has been set up in
Hyderabad with a focus on
accelerating agritech start-ups by

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 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
High-cost tech solutions are unaffordable for
small and marginal farmers.
Most of the new technologies are non-
localized to current markets.

Recommendations:
More than 25% of farmers currently have
smartphones, there is a need for mobile
training programs for farmers and help them
adopt new technologies faster.
Increased and timely support to early-stage
startups will further boost the sector.
There is a need for collaborating large
companies with startups.
Academia should encourage more
entrepreneurs to focus on this sector.
The States should formulate policies on the
lines of Karnataka that is home to about 70%
of Agritech startups.
Banks and financial institutions must offer
creative models of financing that would help
both farmers and entrepreneurs.

Why AGRIMENTORS?
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app for Agriculture exams
1. Online & Offline Quality 7. Weekly Topic wise Test &
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2. Exam Oriented Study 8. 200+ Full length &
Material Subject Test
3. Qualified & Best Mentors 9. Digital & AC Classroom
Useful for : 4. Personal Mentoring 10. Library 24*7
UPSC, FCI-AGM, 5. 100% Success Guarantee 11. Agriculture Current
6. Daily Doubt sessions Affairs
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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

4 e-NAM:
Helping Farmers
to Earn Better

e-NAM: The National Agriculture Market Transparent system that eliminates

(eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading scope for manipulation
system that connects the existing APMC
For Farmers
mandis to form a unified national
agricultural commodities market. Improved and increased options for
selling produce
Objectives:
Access to the national-level market
To promote uniformity in agriculture
marketing by streamlining It provides higher returns for farmers
procedures across the integrated For other parties:
markets.
Access to larger national markets for
To remove information asymmetry secondary trading buyers, processors
between buyers and sellers. and exporters.
To promote real time price discovery Reduction in intermediation costs
based on actual demand and supply.
Transaction costs are also reduced
To integrate APMCs across the country for the buyers
To fa c i l i t a te p a n - I n d i a t ra d e i n Other benefits:
agriculture commodities.
• Provides uniformity and streamlining
Achievements by e-NAM: of procedures
For Mandis • It removes information differences
Reduction in book-keeping and between buyers and sellers
reporting system • It provides for transparent
Better monitoring and regulation of auctioning
traders and commission agents

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Challenges faced by e-NAM:
Governments are having trouble persuading all stakeholders to switch to an online
platform.
There is no evidence that this new approach has benefited farmers in terms of lower
commissions to dealers and/or higher profits on their produce.
The lack of electricity, computers, and internet access, as well as a shortage of people,
sorting, and quality testing facilities, continue to be major obstacles for this project.
Farmers are unable to adopt the e-NAM plan due to a lack of information about it.

Recommendations:
The government can ensure the creation of a nationwide network of cost-effective
assaying facilities for all commodities in agricultural markets across the country.
State-of-the-art technology should be included in the e-NAM mechanism to allow for
speedy and accurate assaying at a reasonable cost.
Start-ups should be able to test the product’s quality. They should be paid a set
amount.
Assaying should be required for all e-NAM transactions.
Private players may be asked to construct additional warehouses on the mandis
location.
Farmers should be able to receive fast payment for their produce if they use
electronic payments.
Inter-mandi trade and movement of produce should be supported by a new entity.
The product should be auctioned concurrently in all APMC marketplaces across the
country, as well as in the private market, on a single shared electronic platform.
To accomplish market integration, there should be a regular flow of information on
prices and deals completed on e-NAM.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

5
Agricultural
Beacons Digital
Transformation

Digital Agriculture:

The use of digital technologies and

data to drive agricultural operations
and choices is referred to as digital
agriculture. Irrigation optimization,
soil condition monitoring, yield
estimate, livestock monitoring, and
insect identification are all examples
of digital agriculture.

It aids in the efficiency, transparency,

productivity, profitability, and social
responsibility of the entire agriculture
sector.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Current Initiatives under Digital Agriculture in India:

Scheme Description

It aims to support and accelerate projects based on new

Digital Agriculture technologies, like AI, block chain, remote sensing and GIS
Mission 2021–2025: technology and use of drones and robots.

NeGPA aims to achieve rapid development in India

National e-Governance through use of Information & Communication
Plan in Agriculture Technology (ICT) for timely access to agriculture related
(NeGPA): information for the farmers.

e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal that links

National Agriculture the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee
Market (e-NAM): (APMC) mandis, to create a unified national market for
agricultural commodities.

The DBT Agri Portal is a unified central portal for

Direct Benefit Transfer agricultural schemes across the country. The portal helps
(DBT) farmers adopt modern farm machineries through
Central Agri Portal: government subsidies

It is a unified platform to provide end-to-end services

‘Agri Stack’ across the agriculture food value chain to farmers.

Cisco developed an Agricultural Digital Infrastructure

Agricultural Digital
(ADI) solution in 2019, that enhances farming and
Infrastructure (ADI):
knowledge sharing.

Challenges: Way Forward:

Only large-scale farms can afford Low cost technology: There should be
digital farm management systems. increased emphasis on low cost
Despite the fact that small farms suffer technology to make such technology
the same issues as large farms, they are affordable to small farmers.
unable to invest and may be left
Portable hardware: Because most Indian
behind.
farms are tiny, plug-and-play hardware has
Farmers still have to enter in a lot of a better chance of succeeding in the Indian
information manually because market.
interconnectivity between apps and
Renting and sharing platforms for
software isn’t always available and
agricultural equipment and machinery:
information can’t always be shared. A
Due to limited financial resources and
major difficulty on the field is also a
small farm plots, digital platforms that
poor internet connection.
offer equipment renting and sharing
services rather than outright purchases are
becoming more popular.
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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

6 Agriculture Sector Contributing

in Rural Development

Significance of Agriculture Related economy Every most common land use in

in Rural Development: country’s farm industry rural areas around the world,
supports a variety of and it is a critical
Farming and related
ancillary and service sectors, component of rural
activities are integral to rural
producing revenue in supply sustainability.
life, contributing
and distribution chains as
significantly to the general Challenges:
well as processing
health of rural areas in terms
industries. Where the farming
of job and business
sector currently provides the
prospects, infrastructure, Remote and peripheral
majority of employment,
and environmental quality. areas: Farming is likely to be
maintaining proper levels of
one of a restricted range of
Employment: Farming farm employment is a major
economic activities available
is the backbone of rural challenge.
to sustain the region’s
society, and it is the primary
economic viability in remote Small and isolated
source of income in rural
and peripheral areas. economies, particularly
areas. The proportion of the
those whose trade is reliant
rural economy that farming Environmental and
on a small number of
makes up, and hence its cultural services:
agricultural products, may
relative importance as a Agriculture may help rural
be sensitive to global
sector, impacts its economic development by providing
market conditions.
contribution to rural environmental and cultural
development. services to society in rural Reduced public sector
areas. Agriculture is the support for agriculture, as

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

well as a reduction in the additional strain on already and increased crop

provision of goods and resource-constrained intensity can all help to
services to producers, has agricultural systems and a boost farm output.
resulted from a fall in weak natural resource base.
The other major step
investment in agriculture
Way Forward: that can help improve
and rural development
income is better price
throughout much of the If we want to boost
realization for farmers.
last two decades. overall rural income, we
need to focus more on A mechanism must be
Agricultural
agricultural-related sectors in place to prevent
protectionism and
in addition to agriculture. agriculture prices from
agricultural subsidies have
Improvements in industrial falling below the minimum
tended to benefit farmers
and service sector jobs will support prices (MSP).
in developed countries
be crucial in raising rural
while limiting trade Measures to increase
income.
prospects for small farmers the growth and
in rural areas and smaller Better irrigation productivity of the livestock
countries. systems, technological sector will have a
advancements, substantial influence on
Climate change is also
diversification toward reducing rural misery.
having an impact on the
higher-value-added crops,
rural population, putting

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

7 Renewable Energy:
Transforming the Face of Rural India

Renewable energy India is aiming to product, is an enriched

scenario in India: achieve 40 percent of organic fertiliser (NPK) with
installed electric power many advantages to fields
India stands 4th globally
capacity from non-fossil and farmers.
in terms of total installed
sources by 2030. India has
Renewable Energy capacity. Initially, biogas plants
also enhanced its target to
India stands 5th in solar were developed to use cattle
install 450 GW of RE
power and 4th in wind dung as feed stock but in
capacity by 2030 to 500 GW
power installed capacities. due course, biogas plants
under the new climate
were improved to feed
The core drivers for action commitments
agriculture residues, garden
growth and expansion of announced at the Glasgow
waste, municipal waste,
Renewable Energy in India COP26.
other organic waste, and
have been energy security,
Biogas – Biogas is the first human excreta.
energy access, increasing
clean and renewable
power demand and climate Of late, toilet-linked
energy that was developed
change. biogas system has been
specifically for rural areas
developed that eliminates
Recently India has and was promoted by GoI
the task of frequent
crossed the milestone of 100 during 1980s.
emptying of faecal sludge
Gigawatt (GW) installed
Biogas plants are reliable from septic tanks or twin
capacity in renewable
source of clean, low-cost, pits and dumping in drains
energy.
and green fuel for cooking, or landfill sites. This system
India has an estimated lighting, and fulfilling small is economically viable as it
RE potential of about 900 power needs of farmers and saves the construction cost
GW from commercially individual households. of septic tanks or twin pits
exploitable sources. and improves general
Digested slurry, obtained
hygiene and sanitation.
from biogas plants as a by-

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Currently, MNRE is running 'New National Biogas and Organic

Manure Programme' (NNBOMP) for dissemination and
deployment of biogas plants in remote, rural, and semi-urban
areas of the country. Under the programme, central subsidy is
provided for installing biogas plants.
MNRE is operating a 'Biogas Power Generation (Off-grid) and
Thermal Energy Application Program (BPGTP)' for setting up
biogas plants which replace diesel in DG sets and also reduce
electricity bills of the individual farmers and other beneficiaries.
The farmers or enterprises can also sell out surplus
biogas/electricity to other households in off-grid mode.
Vivekananda Kendra - NARDEP, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu has developed an
innovative low-volume fixed model for biogas production called ‘Shakthi-
Surabhi' plant. It uses chiefly cattle dung or kitchen waste as feed stock.
Biomass- Gasifiers are generally installed to recover energy from biomass
resources (agricultural residues/wastes, biowastes from industries, bagasse
of sugar mills, etc.) for power generation. It helps in environmentally safe
utilization of surplus agro-residues which if left unutilized will be disposed off
by burning in open fields.
Solar Power –
• MNRE runs a comprehensive- Off-grid and Decentralized Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Applications Programme for deployment of solar streetlights, solar study lamps and solar
power packs to meet out the electricity and lighting needs in rural areas. Central Financial
Assistance is provided to local communities, institutions, and individual households for
deployment of solar devices.
• Under Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY), Phase-Il, the area of coverage was expanded to include
NE states, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Islands of
Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
Small Hydro Power - MNRE runs a special Small Hydro Power (capacity up to 25 MW)
Programme to meet power requirements of remote and isolated areas in a decentralised
manner. Under the PM's special package for Arunachal Pradesh, over 150 micro-hydel and
small hydel projects have been installed in the region. Several projects are running in Ladakh
and Kargil areas.

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PM-KUSUM
GoI approved 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Eva Uthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-
KUSUM)' in 2019 with the objective to provide
energy and water security to farmers, enhance
farmers income, de-diesalise the farm sector
and reduce environmental pollution. It is one of
the largest initiatives of the world to provide
clean energy to more than 35 lakh farmers by
solarising their agriculture pumps. The scheme
is being implemented through three major
components -
• Component - A aims addition of 10,000 MW
of solar capacity through installation of small
solar power plants of capacity up to 2 MW.
Individual farmers, co-operatives, panchayats
and FPOs are being supported for setting up
solar power plants on barren, fallow, marshy,
pasture or cultivable lands. A farmer can also
provide his land on lease to a developer for
installing the plant. Power generated from plant
may be used for personal requirement, and
surplus power will be purchased by DISCOMs at
tariffs determined by the respective State
Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
• Under Component-B, individual farmers
and groups of farmers are being supported to
replace their existing diesel pumps with solar
pumps. Farmers are provided Central Financial
Assistance (30% of cost) and subsidy by State
Government (30% of cost) to ease the financial
burden. This component is likely to benefit
farmers in off-grid areas, with no source of
electric power for irrigation.
• In component-C, GoI is providing 30%
subsidy for solarization of agricultural feeders.
It lowers the cost of capital and cost of power.
Farmers are getting day-time reliable power for
irrigation free of cost or at tariff fixed by their
respective States.
s have been installed in the region. Several projects are running in Ladakh and Kargil
areas.

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8
Transforming
Lives of
Rural Youth

Demographic dividend:
India is home to around a fifth of the world’s youth. Half of India’s population of more than
1.3 billion belongs to the age of 25.
India’s young population provides a unique demographic advantage. This huge workforce
can help aid economic growth of India.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen kaushalya Yojana:

Given the need to have a competent and youth who come from poor families in the age
trained manpower pool, under Skill India group of 15 to 35 years. The program ensures
Mission, the Government of India Is social inclusion of candidates through
Implementing more than 40 programmes mandatory coverage of socially disadvantaged
through more than 20 Central Ministries and groups.
Department for skill development for youths
The mission of DDU-GKY Is to reduce poverty
including youth living below poverty line
by enabling poor households to access
especially in the rural areas.
remunerative and sustainable employment
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen that provides regular salary. The aim is to
kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a placement- diversify the income of poor rural families and
linked skill training program being financially cater to the professional aspirations of rural
supported by the Ministry of Rural youth.
Development. The rural development ministry
DDU-GKY follows a three-tier implementation
revamped its existing skill development
architecture in PPP mode, with the national
program called Aajeevika scheme as DDU-GKY
unit responsible for policy, funding and
which emphasised on greater access, coverage
technical support, State Rural Livelihood
and quality.
Missions or State Skills Missions responsible for
DDU – GKY aims to build the placement-linked funding of state share, Implementation and
skills of the poor rural youth and place them in monitoring controls, and Project
wage employment across various sectors of Implementing Agencies (PlAs), mostly private
the economy. The programme has an outcome training partners, responsible for mobilisation,
led design with guaranteed placements for at training and placements.
least 70 percent of the trained candidates.
Under the DDU-GKY, two special programs
Key features of DDU-GKY include ensuring are also being implemented. Roshni program
market-led, pla cem ent-linked trainin g is being implemented in 27 left wing
programmes for rural youth undertaken in a extremist affected areas of nine States.
Private Public Partnership mode, mandatory Himayat programme is being implemented
assured placement to 70 percent of the trained for all the youth of the UTs of Jammu &
candidates and special focus on those rural Kashmir and Ladakh.

PAGE 20 Continue reading at next page >

 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Significance:
The government’s thrust on providing skills training to poor rural youth through Deen Dayal
Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) has boosted rural income as more than
seven lakh youth have gained employment in various sectors of the Indian economy. The
increased household earnings have resulted in an increase in spending levels and ultimately to
increase their standard of living.
Skill development can be an important driver to develop gainful employment opportunities for
the rural youth. It will help reduce poverty by improving employability, productivity and help to
achieve sustainable enterprise development and inclusive growth.

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MENTOR’S MIRACLE

9
Smart Farming:
Towards Sustainable
Agriculture

Challenges in agricultural sector:

Dwindling natural resources, increasing population pressure and food demand in the 21st
century agriculture generate multiple challenges for the agricultural sector.
The climate change phenomenon and the abrupt weather fluctuations around the world
have put huge pressure on agricultural food products for quality and sustainable food
production.
Challenges like soil degradation through salinity, nutrient deficiencies, low soil organic
carbon content, lower ground water table, etc. add to the woes of agricultural sector.
Smart farming:
‘Smart Farming’ in an emerging concept that refers to managing farms using modern
information and communication technologies like loT, geo-positioning systems, big data,
robotics, drones and Al to increase the quantity and quality of products while optimising the
human labour required by production.
Smart farming involves performing of agricultural operations smartly with more precision
and it mainly relies on the use of artificial intelligence (Al) and Internet of Things (loT) in
cyber-physical farm management.

Smart Farming Technologies:

Agricultural
Automation and
Smart Farming Robotics
Technologies

Precision
Farm Management
Agriculture
information System Systems

PAGE 22 Continue reading at next page >

 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Farm Management Information Systems Application of Smart Farming in Indian
represent mainly software systems for Context:
collecting, processing, storing, and
Use of drones for the purpose of spraying
disseminating data. It is aimed at
pesticides and fertilizers on agricultural
optimising input use based on recording
corps. Usage of drones in irrigation,
technologies to observe and measure
monitoring crop health, planting, crop
inter-and intra-field spatial and temporal
inspection, and soil analysis. It can be
variability in crops, aiming to improve
used to monitor crop conditions and
economic returns and reduce
d i s ea s e s , p l a n t h ea l t h i n d i c a to r s ,
environmental impact. It could also
vegetable density, plant count, plant
involve using remote sensing
height measurement etc.
technologies for data gathering with
either satellite platforms for space Agricultural robot are being used to
imagery or aircrafts/UAVs for aerial perform many agricultural practices.
applications, along with combined use of Now robots are being used in agricultural
sensors for, ground data acquisition, operations such as harvesting and
wireless networks for interconnecting weeding.
them, and decision support systems Smart Decision Support Systems (SDSS)
(DSSs) for optimised farming decision- in the agriculture sector are helping
making. farming in making proper decision in
Agricultural automation and robotics irrigation management and fertilisation
involve applying automatic control, process.
artificial Intelligence techniques, and Yuktix Technologies – an agritech start-
robotic platforms at all levels of up based in Bangalore is providing handy
agricultural production. Increasing d i g i t a l to o l s f o r a g r i c u l t u r e f a r m
automation has been obser ved in monitoring and risk management These
agricultural activities like weed control, small digital tools help farmers to make
harvesting, etc in recent years. decisions and implement best practices
Pillars of Smart Farming: that increase yield and reduce losses.

The main pillars of smart farming include IoT, There has been the increased use of
internet connection, and smart sensors. automatic watering and irrigation
systems in India.
Sensors: A sensor is a device that produces
an output signal for the purpose of sensing of Benefits of Smart Farming:
a physical phenomenon. The major Increasing the amount of real-time data
applications of sensors in monitoring and on the crop. This can help in accurate and
decision support system of smart farming timely decision-making.
include soil health monitoring, smart
Accurate evaluation of soil and crops
irrigation systems, disease identification
systems and smart animal husbandry. Remote monitoring and controlling of
farms
Internet connection: The 5G network
provides a very high speed internet to Management and monitoring of pests
transform data in low time. and diseases in different crops

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 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Controlling water and other natural Data collection and processing centres
resources usage in production process. and many IoT based sensors need
This can help ensure greater resource uninterrupted and continuous energy
use efficiency. for a successful application running out
of energy resources. The lack of
Improving livestock management
affordable and quality energy source
Improving agricultural production can thus act as a major hindrance for
Eco-friendly farming by avoiding the large scale adaptation of smart farms in
misuse of fertilisers and pesticides. near future.

Challenges: Recommendations:

The main challenge in increased There is the need to understand the

adoption of smart farming in India is the challenges associated with smart
small landholdings and fragmented farming in India. There is the need to
farms in India. The small land holdings design smart tools and techniques
makes it economically unviable for such which can be customised according to
farmers to adopt smart farming typical Indian small and marginal
techniques wherein the upfront farmers.
adoption costs continue to remain high. The key factors to succeed in smart
The limited knowledge and skills of the farming in India are affordability of
farmers acts as another impediment in technology, ease of access and
the adoption of smart farming in Indian operations, easy maintenance of
farms. systems and appropriate policy support.

The lack of quality and affordable Robust research and development in

internet connectivity is another major the field of smart farming is needed so
challenge. Most villages and farming that smart farming can empower Indian
communities do not have access to farmers to sustain their farm
Internet all the time. This makes the productivity and livelihood.
adaption of smart farming difficult. There is the need for focus on low cost
Global Positioning System signal technology, simple and easily portable
transmission is difficult in tools, and custom hiring system module
heterogeneous topography like hilly, and credit facility to help mainstream
forests and field with a dense tree smart farming adoption in India.
planting.

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 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE

10 Prioritising
Climate
Smart
Agriculture
Challenges posed by climate change to At the same time, agriculture is also a
Indian agriculture: major contributor to the climate problem.
Agriculture is a fuel and water intensive
Climate change has emerged as a matter
business and generates 19-29 percent of
of concern to Indian agricultural sector.
total global greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, the countrywide decline in major
The impact of climate change will be all the
crop yields due to climate change effects
more severe on small farmers due to the
between 2010 and 2039 could be as high as
following reasons.
9 percent. This will only worsen further
with time. The estimated impacts of both Most small farmers are dependent on
historical and future climate change on rainfall for their irrigational needs. Hence
cereal crop yields in different regions they are vulnerable to weather patterns
indicate that such yield loss can be up to 35 and volatile yields.
percent for rice, 20 percent for wheat, 50
Th e small farm ers h old small lan d
percent for sorghum, 13 percent for barley,
holdings. The average size of landholdings
and 60 percent for maize depending on
have come down to 1.08 hectares, with
the location, future climate scenarios and
two-thirds of all holdings being below 1
projected year.
hectare. Such f ragmentation prevents
Higher temperature eventually reduces economies of scale and holdings below
yields of many crops while also and around 1 hectare (i.e. marginal
encouraging weed and pest proliferation. holdings) tend to be insufficient to provide
The higher temperature could lead to for a family’s consumption needs. Marginal
higher incidence of plant diseases. holdings are particularly vulnerable to the
effects of climate change.
Also the large variations in rainfall due to
climate change effects can also have an Small farmers tend to have very little
adverse impact on the major food crops. technical know-how. The incorrect use of
fertilizers and pesticides in such farms is a
This will have serious implications of food
major concern. The problems of
insecurity, loss of employment opport-
salinization, desertification, and
unities of those dependent on agricultural
degradation are direct consequences of
sector. This could further fuel rural to urban
poor agricultural practices adversely
migration.
impacting productivity of arable land.
Around 54.6 percent of India’s total
workforce is engaged in agriculture and
allied activities.

PAGE 25 Continue reading at next page >

 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
Climate Smart Agriculture:
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an
approach that helps guide actions to
transform agri-food systems towards green
and climate resilient practices.

Three Pillars of CSA: CS A i n te g ra te s m u l t i p l e g oa l s a n d

manages multiple trade-offs: CSA’s three
1. Productivity: CSA aims to sustainably raise
primary pillars are interrelated concerns-
agricultural productivity and incomes
i n c r e a s e d p r o d u c t i v i t y, e n h a n c e d
from agricultural and allied activities while
resilience and reduced emissions.
balancing concerns relating to the
environment. It aims to promote food and CSA aims at maintaining ecosystem
nutrition security. services: Ecosystems provide the
agricultural sector with a number of
A key concept related to raising
‘unpaid’ services-clean natural water,
productivity is sustainable intensification,
materials, food, sunlight, etc. CSA attempts
described as “an approach using
to ensure the sustainability of these
innovations to increase productivity on
services, preventing their degradation.
existing agricultural land with positive
environmental and social impacts. CSA has multiple intervention points at
different levels: Insurance schemes, value
2. Adaptation: CSA aims to reduce the
chains and the strengthening of
exposure of farmers to short-term risks,
institutional and political enabling
while also strengthening their resilience
environments. It also involves multiple
by building their capacity to adapt and
inter ventions at the food system,
prosper in the face of shocks and longer-
landscape, value chain or policy level.
term stresses.
CSA involves the marginalised: The
3. Mitigation: The minimisation of emissions
vulnerable and marginalised sections like
and the maximisation of carbon capture is
women often remain the most vulnerable
a core concern of CSA. The prevention of
to climate events like drought and floods.
deforestation, adoption of sustainable
CSA involves building the adaptive
practices, and the management of soils
capacity of these vulnerable stakeholders.
and trees in ways that maximises their
potential to act as carbon sinks and absorb Key Government Initiatives on CSA:
carbon from the atmosphere is a part of
National Innovations on Climate Resilient
the mitigation strategy.
Agriculture: Indian Council of Agricultural
Characteristics of CSA: Research (ICAR) launched a flagship project
‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient
CSA attempts to address climate change’s
Agriculture’ (NICRA) in 2011. The project aims
causes and effects: CSA systematically
at strategic research on adaptation and
integrates climate change into the
mitigation, demonstration of technologies on
planning and development of sustainable
farmers’ fields and creating awareness among
agricultural systems.
farmers and other stakeholders to minimise
the climatic change impacts on agriculture.
PAGE 26 Continue reading at next page >
 March Edition
MENTOR’S MIRACLE
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
derives its mandate from Sustainable Agriculture Mission which is one of the eight Missions
outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
The NMSA aims at promoting sustainable agriculture through a series of adaptation measures
focusing on ten key dimensions encompassing Indian agriculture namely; ‘Improved Crop
Seeds, Livestock and Fish Cultures’, ‘Water Use Efficiency, ‘Pest Management’, ‘Improved Farm
Practices’, ‘Nutrient Management’, ‘Agricultural insurance’, ‘Credit Support’, ‘Markets’, ‘Access to
Information’ and ‘Livelihood Diversification’.
National Adaption Fund for Climate Change: The overall aim of NAFCC is to support concrete
adaptation activities which mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the National Implementing Entity for NAFCC.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana has been
formulated with the vision of extending the coverage of irrigation with the motto os ‘Har Khet ko
pani’ and improving water use efficiency ensuring ‘More crop per drop’.
Zero Budget Natural Farming and Organic Agriculture: Zero Budget Natural Farming offers a
commercially viable and environmentally friendly alternative to the chemical intense farming
methods.
Recommendations:
CSA linked credit: The provision of agricultural finance to farmers willing to adopt, or those
having adopted CSA techniques will be a key catalyst in accelerating the process of
adoption. Specific concessions and offers in this regard can set up positive incentives for
farmers.
Extension Services: The proper adoption of CSA requires consistent, comprehensive, and
grassroots extension services for the farmers.
Innovation: Indian agri-startups have been providing affordable, scalable solutions in the
field of soil testing, disaster early warning, and farm management, etc. Holding contests
with possible procurement tenders for such products by the government can incentivise
scientific innovation in the field.

PAGE 27
 March Edition
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