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Agriculture & Food Management 231

labourers. India’s agricultural system demonstrated its resilience amid such adversities. The
agriculture and allied sectors were the sole bright spot amid the slide in performance of other
sectors, clocking a growth rate of 3.4 per cent at constant prices during 2020-21. Against all
adversities due to COVID-19, continuous supply of agriculture commodities, especially staples
like rice, wheat, pulses and vegetables, has been maintained thereby enabling food security. In
order to further strengthen and support the agricultural sector, several initiatives have been taken
by the Government of India under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Box 1).

Box 1: Major Announcements for Agriculture and Food Management
under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

Announcement Objectives
` 1 lakh crores Agri Infrastructure Financing will be provided for funding agriculture
Fund infrastructure projects at farm-gate & at aggregation
points and for financially viable post-harvest management
infrastructure.
` 10,000 crores scheme for Aiding 2 lakh MFEs who need technical upgradation to
Formalisation of Micro Food attain FSSAI food standards, build brands and support
Enterprises (MFE) marketing.
` 20,000 crores for fisherman It aims at integrated, sustainable and inclusive development
through Pradhan Mantri Matsya of marine and inland fisheries by developing infrastructure
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) such as fishing harbours, cold chain, markets, etc.
National Animal Disease Control It targets Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis
Programme by ensuring 100 per cent vaccination of cattle, buffalo,
sheep, goat and pig population.

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure It is to support private investment in dairy processing,
Development Fund - ` 15,000 enable value addition and improved cattle feed
crores infrastructure.
From ‘TOP’ to TOTAL “Operation Greens” run by Ministry of Food Processing
Industries (MOFPI) to be extended from tomatoes, onion
and potatoes to ALL fruit and vegetables.
Reforms in Essential Commodities These legislative reforms seek to remove agricultural
Act, Agriculture Marketing and commodities such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds etc. from
Agriculture Produce Pricing and the list of essential commodities and aim to reform
Quality Assurance agricultural marketing.
PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana The scheme aimed at ensuring food and nutritional security
to around 80 crores ration card holders who were affected
due to the COVID-19 induced national lockdown.
One Nation One Ration Card This scheme will enable migrant workers and their family
Scheme members to access PDS benefits from any fair price shop
in the country.