National Food Security Mission, Objectives, Beneficiary, Strategy And NFSA Act!

The National Food Security Mission aims to increase food grain production and ensure food security in India. Learn National Food Security Mission objectives, beneficiaries, and implementation details here.

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The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a crucial government initiative aimed at enhancing food grain production in India. It is an important topic for UPSC aspirants, as it aligns with the themes of agriculture, food security, and rural development. Understanding NFSM can help candidates grasp India’s approach to ensuring food availability, sustainability, and economic upliftment of farmers.

What is the National Food Security Mission?

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2007 based on recommendations from the National Development Council (NDC). The mission focuses on boosting the production of rice, wheat, and pulses through area expansion, productivity enhancement, and improved farming techniques. Over time, it has also included coarse cereals and commercial crops under its scope.

 Also Read: UPSC Prelims Cut off Analysis

Objectives of National Food Security Mission

The NFSM was designed to achieve the following objectives:

Objective Description
Increase food grain production Achieve self-sufficiency in food grain production to ensure food security.
Enhance farm-level productivity Promote modern agricultural techniques, seed quality improvement, and mechanization.
Restore soil fertility Improve soil health and sustainable farming practices.
Raise farmers’ income Increase earnings of farmers by improving productivity and profitability.
Employment generation Create jobs in agriculture and allied sectors.

NFSM Scheme Details

The NFSM scheme is implemented across 638 districts in 29 states. The key components include:

  1. Cluster Demonstrations: Educating farmers on advanced agricultural practices.
  2. Seed Distribution: Providing high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties.
  3. Farm Mechanization: Promoting modern tools and machinery.
  4. Water Efficiency Measures: Encouraging drip and sprinkler irrigation.
  5. Soil Fertility Management: Nutrient application and organic farming techniques.
  6. Training & Awareness Programs: Capacity building for farmers.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Syllabus

National Food Security Mission Beneficiary

The primary beneficiaries of the NFSM are farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers. They receive support in the form of:

  • Subsidized seeds and fertilizers.
  • Financial assistance for farm equipment.
  • Training on advanced farming methods.
  • Market linkages and post-harvest support.

National Food Security Mission Components

The NFSM includes various components targeting specific food crops and farming practices:

  • NFSM-Rice: Focuses on increasing rice production.
  • NFSM-Wheat: Aims at enhancing wheat yields.
  • NFSM-Pulses: Encourages pulse production to meet protein demands.
  • NFSM-Coarse Cereals: Promotes millet, maize, and barley cultivation.
  • NFSM-Commercial Crops: Supports cotton, jute, and sugarcane farmers.

Implementation Strategy of NFSM

The NFSM follows a structured approach to implementation, which includes:

  • State and District Level Planning: State governments tailor NFSM policies based on local agricultural conditions.
  • Financial Assistance: Funds are allocated for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
  • Technological Interventions: Research and extension programs help in adopting advanced farming techniques.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular assessments ensure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

National Food Security Act

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, complements the NFSM by ensuring access to subsidized food grains for up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Key provisions include:

  • Maternity benefits of Rs. 6,000 for pregnant women.
  • Free meals for children aged 6 months to 14 years.
  • Mid-day meals for school children.
  • Nutritional support for malnourished children.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Pattern

Challenges Faced by NFSM

 Despite its success, the NFSM faces several challenges, including:

  • Low Awareness: Many farmers are unaware of available benefits.
  • Implementation Gaps: Delays in fund disbursement and logistical issues.
  • Climate Change Impact: Erratic weather patterns affect crop yields.
  • Limited Technology Adoption: Small farmers struggle to implement modern techniques.

Conclusion

The National Food Security Mission plays a vital role in ensuring food security, boosting agricultural production, and supporting farmers. Alongside the National Food Security Act, it strengthens India’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and nutritional security for its citizens.

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National Food Security Mission FAQs

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare implements the NFSM in coordination with state governments and agricultural institutions.

The NFSM provides subsidized seeds, modern equipment, training, and financial aid to small and marginal farmers to boost productivity.

The mission covers rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (millets, maize, barley), and commercial crops like cotton, jute, and sugarcane.

Success is measured through increased food grain production, improved soil fertility, higher farmer incomes, and employment generation in the agricultural sector.

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan in 2007-08.

The initial target of the NFSM was to increase food grain production by an additional 20 million metric tonnes (MT).


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