Commercial farming based livelihood models by
NABARD, ICAR in other organization across the
country
• India’s agriculture sector has been numerous initiative aims at
promoting commercial farming as a means to enhance rural
livelihood, boost agricultural productivity, increase income and reduce
poverty.
• Theses initiatives are driven by government organization like NABARD
(National Bank for agriculture in rural development) ICAR (Indian
council of agriculture research) State agricultural departments and
several in NGOs and private organization.
NABARD initiating in
commercial farming
• NABARD plays a pivotal role in financing and promoting commercial
farming models across India through scheme, subsidies and loans. Key
model and initiatives include
Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP)
• Launch in 2009 as a part of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana
(PMKSY)
• NABARD supports watershed project to improve water availability and
conservation, improve soil quality and crop productivity
• Focus on improving agriculture by promoting crop diversification
• Farmers are encouraged to adopt cash crop and high value horticulture
boosting income levels
Agri Clinic and Agribusiness
Centre (ACABC)
• Launched in 2002 by NABARD in partnership with MANAGE (National
Institute of agricultural and extension management)
• NABARD provide support to train agriculture graduate to set up
agriclinic and Agri business center
• The centers assist farmers in crop planning, providing quality seed and
linking them with market for commercial crops like vegetable and
fruits
Model bankable projects
• NABARD has developed model bankable project for various
commercial activities such as farming, poultry, mushroom cultivation
and floriculture
• This project provides detail blue prints for loan and financial support
to entrepreneurs willing to enter commercial farming
NABARD Rural Infrastructural Development Fund (RIDF)
• Launched in 1995-96
• RIDF finance for development for postharvest management, irrigation,
road and marketing infrastructure, Critical for success of commercial
farming
• Enhances farmer’s accesses to markets, increases land productivity and
supports high-value crops
• Improve storage facility and helps to reduce post harvest losses and
ensure that farmers can get better price for their produce
Farmers Producer Organizations
(FPOs)
• NABARD started promoted FPOs as a commercial initiative around
February 2020
• NABARD promoted FPOs that helps small farmers aggregate produce
and collectively market it
• FPOs Helps smallholder farmers to access input at lower cost, adopt
improved technology and gain better bargaining power in the market
place
ICAR initiatives
1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs). First KVK was established in 1974
• It is a import institute helping to bridge the gap between research
institution and farmer
• KVKs provide training, field demonstration and advisory service to farmers
2. All India Co-ordinated research Project (AICRP)- First Launched 1967 and
has since expanded to various domain of agriculture
• AICRPS in ICAR collaborative Research initiative that develops location
specific technologies in fields like Horticulture, Fishery, Poultry and
Floriculture.
• Provide viable commercial farming models suited to different agroclimatic
regions.
3.National agricultural innovation projects (NAIP)
• NAIP focus on value chain development in high value commercial
crops like vegetables , fruits and medicinal plants
• Emphasis post-harvest processing and market linkage crucial for
increasing farmers profits
4. Agri business incubation center (ABIC)
• Established under ICAR Agribusiness development programs to future
agri startups in commercial farming
• Supports farmers and entrepreneurs with Mentorship, Technology
and Funding to start ventures in commercial crop and livestock
5. Climate-resilient agriculture
• Develop and promote practices that protect farming against climate
risk
• ICAR promotes climate smart agriculture practices like conservation
agriculture, sustainable intensification and drought resistance crop
varieties,
• Theses practices helps farmer maintain productivity levels and income
stability even in adverse weather conditions promote long term
resilience
Govt. scheme and state
initiative
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
• Provide crop insurance to mitigate the risk in commercial farming
• It covers crops such as cotton, soybean, horticultural produce and
other high value crops
• Launched 2018
• Under the PMFBY, the premium rates for crop insurance are as follows
Kharif crop: Farmer pay a premium of 2% of the sum assured
Rabi crop : Farmer pay a premium of 1.5% of the sum assured
Horticultural and commercial crops: Farmers pay a premium of 5% of
the sum assured
National Horticultural Mission (NHM)
• Focus on promoting high value horticultural crops (fruit vegetables,
spices and floriculture)
• NHM supports for establishment of nurseries, provision of quality
seed, training and infrastructure
• Launched in 2005 as a part of NHB
Mission of integrated development horticulture (MIDH)
• Aims to increase the area under horticulture crops through
commercial cultivation
• Provide financial assistance for drip irrigation, green houses and
marketing of horticultural produce
Dairy Entrepreneurship Development
Schemes (DEDS)
Increase the livestock productivity, milk production and
farmer income in rural areas
Helps small farmers for development of commercial dairy farm
with assistance for breed improvement, fodder bank,
infrastructure like veterinary service and milk processing
Private sector and NGOs models
Community based agro-Enterprises by NGOs
• NGOs promotes community based agro- enterprises, such as honey
production, silk farming and organic agriculture
• The enterprises promote collective marketing and processing,
enhancing commercial viability
Public Private Partnership’s (PPP)
• PPPs in agriculture involves private players working with government
agencies to develop rural infrastructure, storage facility and marketing
• Common in high value agriculture like horticulture, floriculture and
organic farming
Benefits in commercial farming
based models
• Income generations: By promoting high value crops and livestocks,
these models improves farmers income
• Employment generations: these models create rural employment in
production, processing and value addition
• Market linkages and export potential: many initiatives provide export
opportunities, especially in horticulture, organic farming and
floriculture
• Sustainability: focus on sustainable agriculture practices includes
organic farming, water management and soil health management.
Challenge and limitations:
• Lack of awareness and training: Many small farmers used more
information’s and training on commercial farming
• Market volatility: prices of commercial crop can be volatile, impacting
farmer’s income.
• Infrastructural gap: lack of infrastructure, particularly in remote area
can affect productivity and market access
• Financial constraints: access to credit ca be challenging for small and
marginal farmer
