Taking strides towards an Evergreen Revolution

If the Union Agriculture Ministry's record is to be believed, the government's farmer-friendly policies and decisions have not only led to the highest-ever production of food grain in the country, but also to an improvement in the quality of the farmers' lives.

From increasing budgetary allocations to providing unprecedented security through the Prime Minister's Fasal Bima Yojana, that provides for the lowest premium and covers various risks, the initiatives undertaken in the last three years have been in line with PM Narendra Modi's vision of Sadabahar Kranti, or Evergreen Revolution.

In the last three years, the Modi-led government has increased the budget for the Agriculture Ministry every year. From 2014-15 to 2017-18, the government allocated Rs 164,415 crore for the welfare of the agriculture sector. During the previous UPA regime, in four years -- 2010-11 to 2013-14 -- only Rs 104,337 crore, 57.58 per cent lesser than the present government, was allocated.

The government paid focused attention to extension of irrigation facilities, low-cost organic farming, national agricultural market, horticulture development, agroforestry, bee keeping, and dairy, fish, and egg production. Agricultural education, research, and extension remained the key areas of interest.

In addition, several initiatives were undertaken to make the country self-reliant as far as pulses and oilseeds are concerned.

In fact, it has been estimated that the production of pulses in 2016-17 will touch the 22.40 million tonne mark, a record number that is 37 per cent higher than the total production in 2015-16.

Here, it is worth mentioning that even the food grain production in 2016-17 broke all previous records. During the year, the agriculture and allied sectors recorded a growth rate of approximately 4.4 per cent. According to the Third Advance Estimate for 2016-17, the total food grain production will be 273.38 million tonnes -- 8.67 per cent higher than that of 2015-16. Not only that, this figure will also be 6.37 per cent higher than the average production in the last five years.

To those whose hard work provides food to rest of the country, by May 16 this year, as many as 725 lakh soil health cards were distributed. Testing of samples in other areas is currently on, and the remaining farmers will also get the cards in the next three months.

Giving priority to the interests of farmers, the government has prepared district-wise contingency action plans, and the amount of relief funds for farmers affected by drought or hailstorm has also been increased.

Between 2014 and 2017, nearly 9.5 crore farmers were insured for the Kharif season. The number of non-loanee farmers among them was 2 crore 61 lakh. In contrast, under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme during 2011-14, only six crore farmers got insurance for the Kharif season, and just 77 lakh among them were non-loanee farmers.

In a heartening development, during 2014-17, the cumulative area under organic farming increased from 7.23 lakh hectares to 20 lakh hectares. Also, so far, 417 regulated markets in 13 states have joined the scheme.

Further, the ministry has highlighted that milk production was increased from 398.01 million tonnes in 2011-14 to 465.5 million tonnes in 2014-17 -- a growth rate of 16.9 per cent. Similarly, from 210.93 billion in 2011-14, the egg production increased to 248.73 billion in 2014-17 -- a commendable growth rate of 17.92 per cent.

The ministry further stated that fish production, which was 272.88 lakh tonnes in 2011-14, was increased to 327.74 lakh tonnes in 2014-17, registering a three-year growth rate of 20.1 per cent.

Green turn

Green Revolution
Yearly growth rate
8.67%

Blue Revolution 
Three-year growth rate
20.1%

White Revolution 
Three-year growth rate
16.9%