Content:
- PROGRESS OF DOUBLING THE FARMERS’ INCOME
- Steps taken on Mental Health
PROGRESS OF DOUBLING THE FARMERS’ INCOME
Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI)
- The goal of Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) by 2022 was set by the government in 2016 based on the Ashok Dalwai Committee recommendations.
- It focused on six key strategies:
- Enhancing crop productivity
- Improving livestock productivity
- Resource use efficiency (cost savings)
- Increasing cropping intensity
- Diversification toward high-value crops and enterprises
- Improving price realization through efficient marketing
- The present schemes and budget allocations indicate the continued pursuit of this objective beyond 2022.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Agriculture)
Key Developments in Farmers’ Income Growth
Policy & Budgetary Support
- Budget allocation for DA&FW increased from ₹21,933.50 crore (2013-14) to ₹1,22,528.77 crore (2024-25).
- Integrated approach involving multiple schemes from agriculture, rural development, irrigation, and allied ministries.
- Convergence of schemes played a critical role in farmer welfare (ICAR’s study of 75,000 successful farmers).
Key Government Schemes for Farmers’ Income Growth
These schemes address income support, risk mitigation, technological adoption, and marketing support:
A. Direct Income Support & Financial Security
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) – ₹6,000 annually to small farmers.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) – Pension scheme for farmers.
- Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) – Cheaper credit for farmers.
- Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE) – Financial assistance for agri-startups.
B. Risk Mitigation & Insurance
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) – Crop insurance for risk coverage.
- Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) – Covers climate risks.
C. Agricultural Infrastructure & Mechanization
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) – ₹1 lakh crore funding for post-harvest infrastructure.
- Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) – Boosting mechanization among small farmers.
- Namo Drone Didi – Drone technology for spraying fertilizers/pesticides.
D. Sustainable & Climate-Resilient Farming
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) – Promotion of chemical-free farming.
- Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) – Micro-irrigation to improve water-use efficiency.
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – Organic farming promotion.
- Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F) – Enhancing soil productivity.
- Rainfed Area Development (RAD) – Special support for rain-fed farming.
E. Diversification & High-Value Farming
- National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) – Promotes beekeeping for additional farmer income.
- National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) – Boosting domestic oilseed production.
- Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) – Encouraging farmers to move beyond traditional crops.
- Agroforestry Mission – Tree-based farming for additional revenue.
F. Market Linkages & Value Addition
- Formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) – Strengthening farmers’ bargaining power.
- Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) – Ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits.
- Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM) – Marketing reforms for better price realization.
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region – Developing organic supply chains.
- Digital Agriculture Mission – Leveraging AI, IoT, and blockchain in agriculture.
- National Bamboo Mission – Encouraging bamboo farming for income diversification.
Impact Assessment Based on NSSO & MoSPI Data
A. Growth in Farmers’ Income (2012-13 to 2018-19)
- NSS 70th round (2012-13): ₹6,426/month
- NSS 77th round (2018-19): ₹10,218/month
- Increase: ~59% growth in six years, indicating progress but falling short of doubling income in real terms.
B. Household Consumption Expenditure (2011-12 to 2023-24)
- Rural MPCE increased from ₹1,430 (2011-12) to ₹4,122 (2023-24) (~2.88x increase).
- Urban MPCE increased from ₹2,630 to ₹6,996 (~2.66x increase).
- Urban-rural disparity reduced from 83.9% (2011-12) to 69.7% (2023-24), showing improved rural prosperity.
Challenges & Bottlenecks
Despite progress, several structural challenges persist:
A. Income Disparity & Cost Burden
- Inflation-adjusted income growth is not proportional to input cost rise (fertilizers, diesel, labor).
- Farm size shrinkage due to population growth limits per capita earnings.
B. Structural Weaknesses in Markets
- Low MSP procurement in non-wheat/rice crops reduces price benefits.
- Weak linkages to food processing and export markets.
C. Climate & Resource Challenges
- Erratic monsoons & climate change affecting yield stability.
- Water stress in major agricultural belts.
D. Implementation Gaps
- Technology adoption still low due to small landholdings.
- Digital Agriculture yet to reach grassroots levels.
- Cooperative model (FPOs) needs stronger financial and marketing support.
Way Forward
To sustainably enhance farmers’ income, the following reforms are necessary:
A. Market & MSP Reforms
- Strengthen e-NAM and warehouse receipt systems.
- Expand MSP procurement beyond wheat & rice.
B. Crop Diversification & High-Value Agriculture
- Promote horticulture, floriculture, and medicinal plants for higher returns.
- Integrate livestock, fisheries, and agroforestry with farming.
C. Technological & Financial Inclusion
- AI-driven precision farming, Agri-tech start-ups to optimize input use.
- Expand Kisan Credit Card (KCC) penetration to all farmers
D. Resilience & Climate Adaptation
- Scale up rainwater harvesting, micro-irrigation, and climate-resilient seed varieties.
- Expand natural & regenerative farming under NMNF & PKVY.
E. Rural Value Chains & Processing
- Develop agri-clusters and food parks for processing and export.
- Strengthen cold storage & logistics infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
Steps taken on Mental Health
Background and Evolution
- Pre-2017 Era: Mental health in India was largely neglected, with limited policy interventions. Mental health coverage under insurance was almost non-existent.
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Marked a paradigm shift, recognizing mental healthcare as a legal right, ensuring non-discriminatory access, and mandating insurance coverage.
- National Tele Mental Health Programme (2022): Introduced to bridge accessibility gaps, particularly in remote areas.
- Tele MANAS (2022-Present): Strengthened digital interventions in mental healthcare.
- IRDAI Regulations (2024): Enforced mandatory insurance coverage for mental health treatment.
Relevance : GS 1(Society) ,GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)
Current Policy and Implementation Initiatives
Insurance and Financial Access
- AB PM-JAY:
- Provides cashless healthcare services covering 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality.
- Includes treatment for Schizophrenia, Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Delusional Disorders, etc.
- 77,634 hospital admissions worth ₹87 Crore have been authorized as of March 2025.
- States have flexibility to customize mental health benefit packages.
- IRDAI Master Circular on Health Insurance (2024):
- Mandates insurance coverage for mental illness, aligning with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
- Requires insurers to offer inclusive products covering pre-existing mental health conditions.
Strengthening Institutional Framework
- National Mental Health Programme (NMHP):
- District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) implemented in 767 districts under NHM.
- Provides mental health services at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- Services include:
- Outpatient care, counseling, and psycho-social interventions.
- Free drug distribution, emergency care, and outreach services.
- 10-bedded inpatient facilities at the district level.
- Tertiary Care Expansion:
- 25 Centres of Excellence established to strengthen mental health PG programs.
- 47 Government-run mental hospitals, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions:
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru
- LGBRIMH, Tezpur
- CIP, Ranchi
- Mental Health in AIIMS & Medical Colleges:
- Mental health services expanded across all AIIMS institutes.
- 19 Government medical colleges supported to strengthen 47 PG departments in mental health specialities.
Digital and Telemedicine Interventions
- National Tele Mental Health Programme (2022):
- Aims to provide quality mental health care in remote and underserved regions.
- 53 Tele MANAS Cells operational across 36 States/UTs.
- Over 19.67 lakh calls handled on the helpline by March 2025.
- Tele MANAS Mobile Application (2024):
- Launched on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10, 2024).
- Provides mental health support from general well-being to severe disorders.
- Digital Training for Mental Health Professionals:
- 42,488 healthcare professionals trained via Digital Academies at NIMHANS, CIP Ranchi, and LGBRIMH, Tezpur.
Mental Health at Primary Healthcare Level
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs:
- 1.75 lakh+ SHCs & PHCs upgraded under this initiative.
- Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use (MNS) disorders added in the comprehensive primary healthcare packages.
Forward Linkages
- Implementation of National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022-2030).
- Integration of AI-based mental health diagnosis tools in healthcare delivery.
- Expansion of Digital Mental Health Interventions via Tele MANAS 2.0.
Challenges and Way Forward
- Low Mental Health Budget Allocation (Only 1% of total health budget).
- Stigma and Lack of Awareness remain key barriers to seeking treatment.
- Shortage of Mental Health Professionals (Only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 population).
- Need for Community-Based Rehabilitation to integrate recovered individuals into society.
Conclusion
The Government has significantly expanded mental healthcare services through policy reforms, institutional strengthening, telemedicine, and financial inclusion. However, enhancing budget allocation, tackling stigma, and increasing skilled workforce are essential to achieve universal mental health coverage.
