Centre Unveils New Agri-Tech Schemes for Higher Productivity

The Centre has launched several key schemes to upgrade agricultural technology, focusing on improving productivity, sustainability, and farmers’ income. These initiatives incorporate digital technologies, modern farming techniques, and efficient resource management to enhance agricultural output while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Key Government Initiatives

1. Digital Agriculture Mission

• Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and geospatial technology for,
• Better crop monitoring
• Soil management
• Weather forecasting

2. Crop Improvement & Agricultural Research

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 2,900 crop varieties in the last decade.
• 2,661 varieties are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses (diseases, pests, drought, etc.).
• 156 new technologies/machines introduced for production and post-harvest processing.

3. Technological Advancements in Animal & Fisheries Sector

• Development of advanced diagnostics, vaccines, and processing methods.
• Enhancing animal productivity, aquaculture efficiency, and fish health management.

4. Farmer Training& Awareness

• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) conduct,
• Training sessions for farmers
• Field demonstrations
• Skill development programs to improve farm efficiency

5. Agricultural Marketing & Market Access

• e-NAM (National Agricultural Market) for better price discovery & transparency.
• Kisan Rail & Kisan Udan for faster transportation of farm produce.
• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to reduce intermediaries and enhance farmers’ profits.
• Promotion of Agri-tech startups and digital platforms like AGRI-Bazaar for direct farmer-buyer connections.

6. Sustainable Farming & Soil Health Management

• Soil Health Card Scheme promotes balanced fertilizer use.
• ICAR-recommended soil test-based nutrient management for:
• Reduced chemical fertilizer dependency
• Improved soil health
• Micro-irrigation & efficient irrigation methods under Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme for water conservation.

7. Value Addition & Agri-Processing

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana focuses on:
• Value-added processing of farm products
• Enhancing shelf life
• Linking farmers with agro-industries

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Centre Unveils New Agri-Tech Schemes for Higher Productivity
Initiative	Key Features & Objectives
Digital Agriculture Mission	Uses AI, Big Data, and geospatial tech for crop monitoring, soil management, and weather forecasting.
ICAR Crop Research	Developed 2,900 new crop varieties, including 2,661 stress-tolerant ones, to enhance productivity.
Animal & Fisheries Tech	Introduced vaccines, diagnostics, and aquaculture tools to improve livestock and fishery productivity.
Farmer Training & Awareness	KVKs and SAUs conduct training, field demos, and skill programs to educate farmers on modern practices.
Agricultural Marketing	e-NAM, Kisan Rail/Udan, FPOs, and Agri-tech startups improve market access and reduce intermediaries.
Soil Health & Water Management	Soil Health Card, PDMC, and micro-irrigation promote sustainable farming and efficient water use.
Value Addition & Processing	PM Kisan Sampada Yojana enhances agro-processing, shelf-life, and farm-to-industry linkage.