SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare highlighted ongoing government efforts to promote sustainable agriculture through multiple schemes. Under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, 26.18 crore Soil Health Cards have been issued and Integrated Nutrient Management is encouraged. The Per Drop More Crop Scheme has brought 114.60 lakh hectares under micro‑irrigation, benefitting about 100 lakh farmers, and promotes fertigation. Organic farming is supported via PKVY (18.93 lakh hectares, 33.63 lakh farmers) and MOVCDNER (2.36 lakh hectares, 2.74 lakh farmers) with a Rs 15,000 per‑ha DBT. The Agroforestry Scheme has established 826 nurseries and raised 1062.18 lakh saplings in three years. The National Mission on Natural Farming covers 11.81 lakh hectares in 24,031 clusters, benefiting 24.69 lakh farmers, with a Rs 4,000 per‑acre incentive. Evaluation by NITI Aayog reports high farmer‑reported improvements in water use efficiency, fertilizer efficiency, soil health, and reduced input costs across these schemes. The Central Ground Water Board’s 2026 pre‑monsoon assessment shows 87.8 % of 9,085 wells in the normal category, indicating stable groundwater conditions.