Agriculture-Related Initiatives in Union Budget 2024-25 | 24 Jul 2024

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

In the Union Budget 2024-25, the Finance Minister announced the allocation of Rs 500 crore for providing drones to women self-help groups (SHGs) under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, along with support for one crore farmers to adopt natural farming practices. 

What are the Key Initiatives in the Field of Agriculture? 

• Namo Drone Didi Scheme: 
  • The scheme was launched in March 2024 and aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs for offering rental services to farmers. 
    • The implementation period spans from 2023-24 to 2025-26. 
    • Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for this initiative under the Union budget 2024-25. 
  • This scheme will empower women in rural areas by integrating them into the technological advancements in agriculture, thus fostering entrepreneurship. 
  • Drones will enhance farming efficiency through precision agriculture, leading to better crop management and yield optimisation. 
• Support for Natural Farming: 
  • One crore farmers will be encouraged to adopt natural farming practices, supported by certification and branding. 
    • Natural farming is an agricultural practice that emphasises minimal intervention and the use of natural resources to cultivate crops.   
  • This will be carried out through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats. 
  • Under the National Mission on Natural Farming, Rs 365.64 crore has been allocated for 2024-25. 
    • 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres will be established. 
• Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit:  
  • The issuance of Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit will be enabled in states, streamlining access to 13 government schemes through a single-window online platform. 
• Pulses, Oilseeds, and Vegetable Production: 
  • A strategy is being formulated to achieve self-sufficiency (‘atmanirbharta’) in pulses and oilseeds production, which is crucial as India currently relies heavily on imports for edible oil. 
  • Large-scale clusters for vegetable production will be developed near major consumption centres.  
    • This includes promoting farmer-producer organisations, cooperatives, and startups for efficient supply chains. 
• National Cooperation Policy and Rural Economy: 
  • The government announced a National Cooperation Policy for systematic and orderly all-round development of the cooperative sector. 
  • Fast-tracking the growth of the rural economy and the generation of employment opportunities on a large scale will be the policy goal. 
• Shrimp Production and Export: 
  • India is one of the world's largest shrimp exporters.  
    • In 2022-23, India's seafood exports stood at USD 8.09 billion and shrimps accounted for a bulk of these exports at USD 5.6 billion. 
  • Further financial support will be provided for setting up a network of nucleus breeding centres for shrimp broodstocks, enhancing shrimp production and export capabilities.