PM-PRANAM SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has recently approved the PM-PRANAM scheme.

PM-PRANAM Scheme

• Full form: The PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth.
• Launched in: Union Budget 2023–24.
• Aim: Protects the environment through sustainable fertilizer use, alternative fertilizers, and organic farming.
• Focus: PM-PRANAM specifically addresses the growing concerns about the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which, despite boosting crop yields, have a detrimental long-term impact on soil quality.
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Coverage: Includes all States and Union Territories (UTs).
• Encouragement: The initiative promotes a balanced approach to fertilizer use and encourages the adoption of sustainable farming methods to counteract the negative effects of chemical inputs.
• Reward System for States: A key feature of PM-PRANAM is a reward system where states that reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers can receive a portion of the saved subsidies.
• Benefits: States/UTs reducing chemical fertilizer use receive 50% of saved subsidy; 70% of grant for technological adoption and production units; 30% for incentivizing farmers and related groups.