National Food Security Mission NFSM

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was initiated in the fiscal year 2007-08 with the primary aim of enhancing the yield of key crops such as rice, wheat, and pulses. Over time, the scope of this mission has expanded to include coarse cereals, nutri cereals, and commercial crops like sugarcane, jute, and cotton.

Overview of the Scheme

This mission is fundamentally designed to minimize the yield disparities associated with these crops by promoting advanced agricultural technologies and improved farm management practices. Under the NFSM, farmers receive various incentives, including the distribution of quality seeds, provision of seed mini kits, and the implementation of Front Line/Cluster Demonstrations. Additionally, support is available for improved farming equipment, bio-pesticides, micronutrients, and bio-fertilizers.

Components and Benefits

Key Advantages

The NFSM aims to deliver the following advantages:

• Boost Crop Production: Enhance overall production and productivity of targeted crops.
• Technology Promotion: Encourage the adoption and dissemination of improved farming techniques and seed varieties through various demonstration initiatives.
• Quality Seed Support: Facilitate the production and distribution of certified seeds.
• Pest and Nutrient Management: Provide assistance for effective nutrient management and pest control strategies.
• Flexible Interventions: Offer a flexible component for interventions that includes farm machinery, farmer capacity building, water carrying pipes, and post-harvest technologies like Dal Mills.

Eligibility Criteria

The NFSM is accessible to all farmers who wish to participate. The following criteria are essential for the identification of areas and beneficiaries:

• 16% of the total budget is allocated for Scheduled Castes (SCP) and 8% for Scheduled Tribes (TSP), based on the Government of India’s directives.
• A minimum of 33% of the funds must be allocated for small and marginal farmers.
• At least 30% of the funds are reserved for women farmers.
• Farmers may avail assistance for various mission components, limited to 5 hectares per season.

District Selection Criteria

Districts are selected based on specific agricultural parameters, including:

• Selection of districts with an area exceeding 50,000 hectares and yields below the state average for NFSM-Rice and NFSM-Wheat.
• Inclusion of all northeastern states (excluding Assam) with over 5,000 hectares of rice cultivation.
• Selection of districts in hilly states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand with at least 15,000 hectares of rice or wheat cultivation.
• All districts across 29 states are included under NFSM Pulses.
• For coarse cereals like Maize and Barley, districts covering 70% of the total area under these crops are selected.
• All states cultivating Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, and Small Millets are encompassed in the NFSM-Nutri-Cereals program.

Application Procedure

Applications for the NFSM can be submitted offline through the following steps:

1. Beneficiary Identification: A transparent and timely identification process for beneficiaries must be carried out, with the involvement of Gram Panchayats and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
2. Funding Approval: State governments will receive funds for the program upon approval from the NFSM-Executive Committee (NFSM-EC).
3. Fund Disbursement: Funds will be transferred to the State Level Agency via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) or Treasury.
4. District Fund Allocation: The State Level Agency will allocate funds to the District Level Agency according to the district’s approved program.
5. Final Fund Release: The District Level Agency will disburse funds to the implementing agency or beneficiary.

Official Source

For more information, visit the official website: myScheme.gov.in.