National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture was launched during the Twelfth Five Year Plan in 2013. NMSA seeks to transform Indian agriculture into a climate resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in domains of both crops and animal husbandry. NMSA has four major programme components or activities,

• Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
• On Farm Water Management (OFWM)
• Soil Health Management (SHM)
• Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling and Networking (CCSAMMN)

Rainfed Area Development Programme focuses on promoting Integrated Farming System like horticulture, livestock, fishery etc. for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability.

On Farm Water Management (OFWM) aims to enhance water use efficiency by promoting technological interventions like drip & sprinkler technologies, efficient water application & distribution system.

Soil Health Management (SHM) aims at promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers and promotes greater use of organic manures and bio fertilizers for improving soil health.

CCSAMMN provides bidirectional dissemination of climate change related information and pilots climate smart sustainable management practices through integrated farming systems suitable to local agro - climatic conditions.

Outcome

• Implementation of ‘Soil Health Card’ to all farmers in the country providing information on soil nutrients that will improve the soil health and its fertility. 50% of the fund allocation under the scheme has been utilized for small, marginal farmers, of which at least 30% are women beneficiaries.
• District Agriculture Contingency Plans and NICRA (National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture) findings of ICAR need be taken into consideration while identifying location specific interventions.
• Creation of database on GIS platform on soil resources through land use survey, soil profile study and soil analysis to facilitate adoption of location and soil specific crop management practices.

Challenges

• Interoperability and communication gap between various agricultural institutions like ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agricultural Universities.
• Lack of consultation with grass root institutions in identifying appropriate technology and specific localized farm practices.
• Departmental website of agriculture does not voluntarily upload data in public domain regarding implementation strategies of NMSA.

Way forward

• Involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in ensuring decentralized planning and implementation of NMSA.
• Support micro level water storage or water conservation /management activities to supplement source creation.
• Allow evaluation of NMSA on bi-annual basis through ‘third party agency’ for assessing efficacy, performance, outcome and shortcomings to facilitate mid-course corrections.