National Food Security Mission

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India to increase the production of key food grains, ensuring food security and addressing the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.

Objectives of NFSM

1. Increase the production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and commercial crops.
2. Enhance productivity of crops through sustainable farming practices.
3. Bridge the gap between actual and potential yields in identified regions.
4. Strengthen farmers' capacity by providing access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and technology.
5. Promote climate-resilient agriculture practices to ensure sustainability.

Key Features of NFSM

1. Launched in 2007-08 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
2. Focus on increasing production of food grains in identified districts across India.
3. Provision of subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and pest control measures.
4. Encouragement of integrated pest management and balanced use of nutrients.
5. Promotion of technology adoption like seed drills, sprinklers, and irrigation systems.

Components of NFSM

1. NFSM-Rice: Aims to increase rice production in major rice-growing states.
2. NFSM-Wheat: Focuses on improving wheat yield in wheat-growing regions.
3. NFSM-Pulses: Promotes pulse cultivation to reduce dependency on imports.
4. NFSM-Coarse Cereals: Aims at increasing production of millets and other coarse cereals.
5. NFSM-Commercial Crops: Targets crops like sugarcane, cotton, and jute to enhance production.

Implementation of NFSM

1. Implemented in identified districts across states based on their agricultural potential.
2. Focuses on cluster demonstrations to showcase improved practices to farmers.
3. Includes provision for training, workshops, and capacity building of farmers.
4. Emphasizes convergence with other schemes like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Achievements of NFSM

1. Significant increase in the production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
2. Reduction in the yield gap between potential and actual crop productivity.
3. Improved access to quality seeds and modern farming technologies.
4. Encouraged the adoption of integrated nutrient management practices.
5. Strengthened food security in the country by addressing production challenges.

Challenges of NFSM

1. Regional Disparities: Uneven implementation across states and regions.
2. Climate Change: Adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields.
3. Awareness Gaps: Limited knowledge among farmers about available benefits.
4. Infrastructure Issues: Lack of proper storage and distribution facilities.
5. Monitoring: Weak monitoring mechanisms in some regions.

Key Points for Competitive Exams

1. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08.
2. NFSM focuses on increasing the production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and commercial crops.
3. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
4. NFSM provides subsidized inputs like seeds and fertilizers to farmers.
5. The scheme emphasizes cluster demonstrations to showcase improved practices.
6. Components include NFSM-Rice, NFSM-Wheat, NFSM-Pulses, and NFSM-Coarse Cereals.
7. NFSM promotes climate-resilient agriculture to ensure sustainability.
8. Challenges include regional disparities and infrastructure bottlenecks.
9. NFSM has significantly contributed to ensuring food security in India.