The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare aimed at bridging the yield gap for key food crops by disseminating improved technologies and farm management practices. The programme provides a range of incentives to boost production, including:
• Production and distribution of quality seeds and seed mini kits
• Front Line and Cluster Demonstrations to showcase improved practices
• Supply of improved farm implements, bio-pesticides, micronutrients, and bio-fertilizers
• Establishment of seed hubs and support for seed production
• Focus on crops like millets, nutri cereals, pulses, rice, and wheat
Benefits
• Enhanced Productivity: Improved agricultural practices to increase crop yields and quality.
• Technology Dissemination: Cluster and frontline demonstrations help educate farmers on modern practices.
• Quality Inputs: Assistance in procuring certified seeds and necessary agro-inputs.
• Infrastructure Support: Funding available for establishing seed hubs and better post-harvest management.
• Market Linkages: Better organized marketing leads to fair price realization for produce.
Eligibility
• All farmers are eligible to apply, with assistance available for interventions on up to 5 hectares per season.
• Special Allocations:
– At least 33% of funds are earmarked for small and marginal farmers.
– 30% of the funds are allocated for women farmers.
– For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), 16% and 8% of the total allocation are earmarked respectively, based on population proportions in the states/districts.
Selection of Districts
• Districts with an area exceeding 50,000 hectares and yields below the state average for NFSM-Rice and NFSM-Wheat are prioritized.
• All districts in North-Eastern states (except Assam) with at least 5,000 hectares of rice, and districts in hill states with a minimum area under rice or wheat are included.
• For coarse cereals (Maize and Barley), districts covering 70% of the state’s area are selected.
• All states growing jowar, bajra, ragi, and small millets are covered under NFSM-Nutri-Cereals.
Demonstration Requirements
• Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD): Minimum of 25 hectares per cluster, as organized by ICAR.
• Front Line Demonstration (FLD): Minimum of 1 hectare per cluster, as organized by ICAR.
• State Government Demonstration: Minimum of 100 hectares per cluster (or 25 hectares for hilly and North East states).
Application Process
Offline Process
• Step 1: Identification of Beneficiaries:
– Gram Panchayats and Panchayati Raj Institutions actively participate in the transparent and time-bound selection of beneficiary farmers.
• Step 2: Fund Flow:
– Funds are released to state governments with NFSM-EC approval and then transferred through PFMS/Treasury to the State Level Agency.
• Step 3: District-Level Disbursement:
– The District Level Agency releases funds to the Implementing Agency/beneficiary as per the approved programme.
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Number
• Caste Certificate (for SC/ST farmers)
• Bank Account Details
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the objective of NFSM?
A: The objective is to bridge the yield gap by promoting improved agricultural practices, increasing productivity, and ensuring food security.
Q: Who can apply for NFSM?
A: All farmers are eligible to apply, with the scheme targeting interventions on up to 5 hectares per season.
Q: What benefits does NFSM provide?
A: NFSM provides incentives for seed production, distribution, demonstration of improved practices, quality inputs, and support for post-harvest management.
Q: How is the selection of districts determined?
A: Districts are selected based on land area, yield levels (especially for rice and wheat), and regional coverage for various crops, including coarse cereals and nutri cereals.
Q: How is the financial assistance disbursed?
A: Funds are disbursed through a cascade from the central government to state governments, then to district agencies, and finally to individual beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Q: What special provisions are available for SC, ST, and women farmers?
A: Specific percentages of the total fund are earmarked for SC (16%), ST (8%), and women farmers (30%) based on their population proportions.