Agriculture Update 23 July 2023

The latest agriculture update in India .
* The government has procured 3 lakh tonnes of onions, a 20% increase from last year's buffer stock. The government is also experimenting with the irradiation of onions with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to extend shelf life.
* The government has increased the budget for the agriculture sector from around Rs 22,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1.15 lakh crore in 2023-24.
* The government has launched a number of initiatives to boost the income of farmers, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) scheme, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
* The agriculture sector is facing a number of challenges, including climate change, pests and diseases, and low productivity. The government is working to address these challenges through a number of initiatives, including the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the National Agriculture Innovation System (NAIS).

Here are some additional details about the latest agriculture updates in India:

* The government has procured 3 lakh tonnes of onions, a 20% increase from last year's buffer stock. This is being done to ensure that there is adequate supply of onions during the festive season. The government is also experimenting with the irradiation of onions with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to extend shelf life. This will help to reduce post-harvest losses and make onions available to consumers for a longer period of time.
* The government has increased the budget for the agriculture sector from around Rs 22,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1.15 lakh crore in 2023-24. This is a significant increase and reflects the government's commitment to the agriculture sector. The additional funds will be used to support a number of initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) scheme, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
* The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme is a direct benefit transfer scheme that provides Rs 6,000 per year to eligible small and marginal farmers. The scheme has been very successful and has benefited over 12 crore farmers.
* The Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) scheme is a government initiative to help farmers organize themselves into groups and market their produce collectively. The scheme has been successful in a number of states and has helped farmers to get better prices for their produce.
* The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a government scheme that provides financial assistance to states to develop agriculture infrastructure, such as warehouses, cold storages, and irrigation facilities. The scheme has been successful in a number of states and has helped to improve the storage and marketing of agricultural produce.

The agriculture sector is facing a number of challenges, including climate change, pests and diseases, and low productivity. The government is working to address these challenges through a number of initiatives, including the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the National Agriculture Innovation System (NAIS).

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is a government initiative to promote sustainable agriculture practices. The scheme aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, improve soil health, and increase water efficiency.

The National Agriculture Innovation System (NAIS) is a government initiative to promote agricultural research and development. The scheme aims to develop new technologies and practices that can help farmers to increase productivity and profitability.

The agriculture sector is a key driver of the Indian economy. It provides employment to about 50% of the country's workforce and contributes about 17% to the GDP. The government is committed to the development of the agriculture sector and is working to address the challenges it faces.