National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) Overview

Key Highlights:

1. Funding and Coverage:

   • Since 2014-15, ₹2,119.84 crore has been allocated to cover 8.50 lakh hectares under rainfed area development, benefiting 14.35 lakh farmers.
   • The Per Drop More Crop (PDM) scheme, initiated in 2015-16, has covered approximately 109 lakh hectares with ₹26,325 crore in central assistance.

2. Soil Health Management:

   • By 2025-26, 97.53 lakh soil samples were collected; 92.87 lakh tested, leading to the issuance of 25.79 crore soil health cards since 2015.
   • These cards provide crop-specific nutrient recommendations, helping farmers optimize fertilizer use.

3. Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties:

   • A total of 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties were released from 2014 to 2025 under the National Agricultural Research System.

Importance of Rainfed Agriculture:

• Accounts for approximately 60% of the total cultivated area and contributes around 40% to the total food production in India.
• Sustainable management of natural resources is crucial for meeting rising food demand.

NMSA Objectives:

• Launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change to mitigate adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and ensure long-term food and livelihood security.
• Integrated into the broader Green Revolution - Krishonnati Scheme from 2018-19 and later included in the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) post-2022-23 institutional restructuring.

Major Interventions:

1. Rainfed Area Development (RAD):

   • Promotes integrated farming systems (IFS) to enhance sustainable agricultural production.
   • ₹343.86 crore allocated for RAD implementation in FY 2025-26, training 96,013 farmers.

2. Per Drop More Crop (PDM):

   • Aims to improve water use efficiency through micro-irrigation technologies.
   • Expansion of micro-irrigation systems with subsidies to beneficiaries.

3. Soil Health Management (SHM):

   • Encourages sustainable soil management practices, including balanced nutrient application and organic farming.
   • Focus on reducing fertilizer misuse and enhancing long-term soil health.

International and National Goals:

• NMSA aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger through sustainable food production.
  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation via efficient water management.
  • SDG 13: Climate Action through promotion of climate-resilient agriculture.

Research and Development:

• The National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program, initiated in 2011, supports the development and dissemination of climate-smart agricultural technologies.
• Vulnerability assessments in 651 agricultural districts have led to the creation of district-specific agricultural contingency plans.

Conclusion:

• NMSA provides a comprehensive approach to sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural development by integrating water use efficiency, soil health management, and climate-smart practices. These efforts aim to enhance productivity, support farmer income, and ensure long-term food security in alignment with national and international sustainability goals.