Uttar Pradesh: Agriculture - 2 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

The State Agriculture Policy, 2013

The State Agriculture Policy, 2005 for Uttar Pradesh envisaged 4% growth rate in the agriculture sector, but the state could achieve only 3% growth against the planned 4% for agriculture sector.
Therefore, government has drafted the new State Agriculture Policy, 2013 to endorse the growth rate. The vision of the policy is transforming the state into a Granary of the Nation by ensuring food and nutritional security and to improve the quality of village life with inclusive and sustainable growth.

The objectives of the State Agriculture Policy, 2013 are as follows:

• To achieve a growth rate of 5.1% in the agriculture sector.
• To develop appropriate eco-friendly farming systems which would improve the soil health as well as farm income.
• To develop and conserve natural resources for maintaining ecological balance.
• To increase the income of farmers through agricultural diversification towards high value activities, while retaining the core competence in area of food and nutritional security.
• To develop infrastructure facilities in sectors of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agriculture implements, extension services, food processing and marketing by promoting private sector involvement across the agricultural supply chain.

Agricultural Development Schemes in Uttar Pradesh

Consolidation Programme 
The scheme was launched in the year 1954 in Muzaffarnagar and Sultanpur districts by the State Government. The aim of the scheme is to increase agricultural production, productivity and to uplift the status of farmers in the state.
Under this scheme, the fragmented land is consolidated, chak roads or lane, street side drains are marked, and under this consolidation exercise, land is arranged and reserved for public purposes, such as school, hospital, community centre, play field, veterinary hospital, etc. This scheme is directly connected with planned Land Reform, Green Revolution and Village Development.
Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM) 
The first programme on oilseeds was launched in 1986 as Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO). The core idea was to increase the production and productivity of oilseeds to make the country self-reliant in this vital sector.
Later pulses, oil palm and maize were brought in its ambit in the 1990s. The scheme was later restructured in 2004 as Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM).
Kisan Bahi Yojana 
In order to provide information to 2.50 crore land holders about their land holdings the Kisan Bahi Yojana came into existence in 1992. It is a revised form of previous holding passbook scheme. It includes information about the landholders, his/her name, address, his landholding information, sales, mortgage, lease and information about exchange.

Agriculture Development Project 
This scheme was financed by the World Bank which started in the year 1998. It is considered a revolutionary project for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in the state. It has been operated in the selected development blocks in all the districts of the state.

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme
This scheme was launched in the year 1999-2000 by the Government of India. This scheme was introduced in 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh. This scheme provides comprehensive risks insurance against yield losses viz. drought, hailstorm, floods, pests and diseases etc.

Kisan Credit Card 
The scheme was introduced in the year 1999-2000 by the Government of India. The scheme is aimed to provide credit to farmers at lowest interest rates by the banks.

Farmer Friend Programme 
This scheme was launched in the year 2001. Under this scheme, grants-in-aid is released to State Governments with an objective to support their efforts of revitalisation of the extension system. The extension activities like farmers training, demonstration, exposure visits, kisan mela, mobilisation of farmers groups and setting up of farm schools are included under this programme.

Uttar Pradesh Beej Vikas Nigam 
In order to provide certified seeds at the fair price to the farmers, the State Government set up Uttar Pradesh Beej Vikas nigam on 15th February, 2002. The nigam is functioning since 10th December, 2002. Seed production work is done by this corporation with the assistance of 14000 producers.

Farmer Old Age Pension Scheme 
This scheme was launched by the State Government on 2nd October, 2003. Under this scheme,₹ 500/ month is given to the farmers of age above 60 years old. The pension is given every 6 month and both husband and wife are eligible for this pension. Thus wife would get the benefit.

Gramin Khadya Bank Yojana 
This scheme is being in operation since 2007 in districts of Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Mau and Ballia and 7 districts of Bundelkhand region.
In all of these districts, there are total 500 banks and 40 beneficiaries are connected to each bank. Under this scheme, a beneficiary can take 1 quintal free foodgrains with simple interest of 1 year.

Kisan Hit Yojana 
In order to develop and improve the agricultural land in Uttar Pradesh, the scheme was started in 2007-08.

National Agricultural Development Scheme 
This scheme was started in the year 2007 by the Central Government. The aim of this scheme is to achieve the growth rate of 4% in agricultural sector and prepare and implement agricultural schemes for the districts and states on the basis of available resources in the agricultural and allied sectors. All the districts have been covered under this scheme.

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana 
This scheme was started by the Central Government on 1st November, 2008 with a share of 50 : 50 between Centre and State Government. The scheme covers the head of the family or one earning member of landless family Below Poverty Line of the age group of 18 to 59 years. Under this scheme, the person who got the insurance, if died naturally will get ₹ 30000 and if died accidentally or became permanent disabled will get ₹ 75000. Two children of insurance covered family will get ₹ 100 monthly scholarship.

National Land Record Modernisation Programme 
This scheme was started by the Central Government in the year 2008-09. The aim of this scheme is to usher in a system of updated land records, automated and automatic mutation, integration between textual and spatial records, inter connectivity between revenue and registration and to replace the present deeds registration. Under this scheme, all the tehsils have been connected with state headquarters via district headquarters through E-Link facility.

Janeshwar Mishra Gram Yojana 
This scheme was launched by State Agriculture Production Mandi Board in August, 2012. Under this scheme, there is a provision for the construction of cement concrete roads, improved drainage system, drinking water, electricity, etc. in the 1000 selected villages which have 250 or more population.₹ 40 lakh will be given per village in this scheme.

Beej Gram Yojana
This scheme was launched in 2012-13. Under this scheme, it is estimated that the farmers will be getting quality seeds.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 
This scheme was launched by Prime Minister of India on 13th February, 2016. In this scheme, farmers only have to pay 2% uniform premium for Kharif Crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops and 5% premium for annual commercial and horticultural crops.

Fruit Belt Development Scheme 
At present, the scheme is in operation in 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh. There are 13 mango belts, 2 guava belts and 1 amla belt under this scheme.

Parks and Call Centre

• Agriculture Park 
  The state has agriculture parks in Hapur, Varanasi, Lucknow and Saharanpur. Food Park The state has Food Park in Noida.
• Agricultural Export Zone 
  The state has three export zones of potato and mango.
• These are as follows:
  • Lucknow (Mango) It covers Lucknow, Sitapur, Barabanki, Hardoi and Unnao districts.
  • Saharanpur (Mango) It covers Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Meerut, Baghpat, Bulandshahr and Bijnor districts.
  • Agra (Potato) It covers Agra, Kannauj, Hathras, Farrukhabad and Meerut districts. 
• Kisan Call Centre 
  Under this scheme, the government is trying to resolve the technical issues of the farmers. Now farmers from anywhere can use the toll free helpline number 1551 to get solution.