The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), one of eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aims to address 'Sustainable Agriculture' issues in the context of climate change risks by developing appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies for ensuring food security, equitable access to food resources, enhancing livelihood opportunities, and contributing to national economic stability. The Mission recognises that the risks to the Indian agriculture sector from climatic variability and extreme events would be exacerbated at multiple levels, including crop or livestock, farm or cropping system, and food system. In this article, we will discuss the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Need for

• Agricultural productivity is dependent on the quality and availability of natural resources such as soil and water.
• Agriculture can be sustained by promoting conservation and sustainable use of these scarce natural resources through location-specific measures.
• Indian agriculture is still primarily rainfed, accounting for roughly 60% of the country's net sown area and 40% of total food production.
• Thus, conservation of natural resources in tandem with the development of rainfed agriculture holds the key to meeting the country's burgeoning demand for food grain.
• To that end, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was created with the goal of increasing agricultural productivity, particularly in rainfed areas, by focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management, and resource synergy.

Objectives of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

• To promote location-specific Integrated/Composite Farming Systems in order to increase agricultural productivity, sustainability, remuneration, and climate resilience.
• To conserve natural resources by taking appropriate soil and moisture conservation measures;
• Adopt comprehensive soil health management practises based on soil fertility maps, soil test-based application of macro and micronutrients, judicious fertiliser use, and so on;
• To maximise water resource utilisation through efficient water management in order to achieve "more crop per drop";
• To build the capacity of farmers and stakeholders in the domain of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, in collaboration with other ongoing Missions such as the National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology, the National Food Security Mission, the National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), and so on.
• To pilot models in selected blocks for improving rainfed farming productivity by mainstreaming rainfed technologies refined through NICRA and leveraging resources from other schemes/missions such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), and so on;
• To establish an effective inter- and intra-departmental/ministerial coordination system for achieving key deliverables of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture under the auspices of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

Various Strategies for NMSA Implementation

• Integrated farming system: Under the NMSA, an Integrated Farming System is being promoted, in which activities such as horticulture, livestock, fishery, agroforestry, and value addition will be undertaken alongside cropping.
  • It is critical for increasing livelihood opportunities, ensuring food security, and mitigating crop failure risks through supplementary production systems.
• Adopting Technology: The NMSA seeks to achieve its goals by popularising resource conservation technologies and introducing practises that will aid in mitigation efforts during extreme climatic events or disasters such as prolonged dry spells, floods, and so on.
  • This is especially important in light of changing climatic conditions caused by global warming.
• Water resource management: Under the NMSA, it is planned to focus on effective management of available water resources and improving water use efficiency.
  • It will be accomplished by combining technologies with demand and supply side management solutions.
• Agronomic practises: The NMSA envisions encouraging improved agronomic practises for higher farm productivity, such as improved soil treatment, increased water holding capacity, judicious chemical use, and enhanced soil carbon storage.
• Creating a Database: NMSA aims to facilitate the adoption of location and soil-specific crop management practises and optimise fertiliser use by creating a database on soil resources through land use survey, soil profile study, and soil analysis on a GIS (Geographic Information System) platform.
• Integrated Nutrient Management Practices: NMSA will promote location and crop specific integrated nutrient management practises to improve soil health, increase crop productivity, and maintain the quality of land and water resources.
• Professionals will be involved: NMSA will work with knowledge institutions and professionals to develop and promote climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for specific agro-climatic situations.
• Interventions: NMSA aims to disseminate and implement rainfed technologies in underserved areas. Coordination, convergence, and leveraging investments from other schemes such as MGNREGS, National Food Security Mission, National Mission for Agricultural Extension & Technology, and so on are planned.

Components of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

Rainfed Area Development (RAD)

• Rainfed Area Development (RAD) will take an area-based approach to natural resource development and conservation, as well as farming systems.
• This component has been developed in a 'watershed plus framework,' i.e., to investigate the potential utilisation of natural resource base/assets available/created through watershed development and soil conservation activities/interventions funded by MGNREGS, NWDPRA, RVP&FPR, RKVY, IWMP, and others.
• This component will introduce appropriate farming systems by integrating multiple agricultural components such as crops, horticulture, livestock, fishery, and forestry with agro-based income generation and value addition.
• This component will also promote soil test/soil health card based nutrient management practises, farmland development, resource conservation, and crop selection that is conducive to local agro-climatic conditions.

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF)

• In 2016-17, a Sub-Mission on Agroforestry was launched to encourage tree planting on farm land "Har Medh Par Ped," along with crops/cropping system.
• The scheme is being implemented in states where transit regulations for specific tree species have been liberalised.
• The implementation of the sub-mission will result in increased income opportunities for farmers, increased tree cover, which will complement national initiatives on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and trees grown on farm land will help enrich soil organic matter.

National Bambo Mission (NBM)

• Bamboo is a versatile plant that can provide people with ecological, economic, and livelihood security.
• India has the most bamboo area (13.96 million ha) and is the second richest country in terms of bamboo diversity, after China, with 136 species (125 indigenous and 11 exotic).
• The annual production of bamboo in India is approximately 14.6 million tonnes, with annual yields ranging from 1 to 3 tonnes per ha, which is a major issue that must be addressed. As a result, India is a net importer of bamboo.
• It means there are more opportunities to capitalise on market potential by increasing production and ensuring the establishment of a proper value chain system.
• Bamboo is used as a building material/construction material in most of the country's hilly states, as well as having a niche as a basic raw material in other countries, with various traditional and an ever-increasing range of contemporary uses/applications in industries such as paper and pulp, construction, furniture, textile, food, energy production, and so on.
• This is particularly significant given the potential for bamboo-based livelihoods and employment to revitalise the rural economy and double farmers' income.
• The restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has been approved for implementation across the country, with the goal of increasing domestic cultivation of quality and appropriate species for supply to our industry.

Soil Health Management (SHM)

• Soil Health Management (SHM) will promote both location-specific and crop-specific sustainable soil health management, including residue management, organic farming practises through the creation and linking of soil fertility maps with macro-micro nutrient management, appropriate land use based on land capability, judicious fertiliser application, and soil erosion/degradation reduction.
• This component will also support the reclamation of problem soils (acid/alkaline/saline).
• The State Government, the National Center for Organic Farming (NCOF), the Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute (CFQC&TI), and Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) will implement this component.

Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling and Networking (CCSAMMN)

• Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling, and Networking (CCSAMMN) will create and disseminate bidirectional climate change information and knowledge by piloting climate change adaptation/mitigation research/model projects in the domain of climate smart sustainable management practises and integrated farming systems appropriate to local agro-climatic conditions.
• Comprehensive pilot blocks will be supported to demonstrate functional mechanisms for rainfed technology dissemination, planning, convergence, and coordination with flagship schemes/missions such as MGNREGS, IWMP, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), RKVY, NFSM, NHM, NMAET, and so on.
• This component will also support climate change monitoring, feedback, knowledge networking, and skill development.

Interventions under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

• Soil Health Card (SHC)
• Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development in the North-Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
• Rain-fed Area Development (RAD)
• National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
• Agroforestry Sub-mission (SMAF)

Conclusion

Sustainable agricultural production is essential for ensuring food and livelihood security, and this would necessitate a multi-functional/multi-tier institutional mechanism to ensure convergence and linkage at all levels. As a result, the Mission proposes that the National Development Council form policies of national importance in consultation with the states. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was created to increase agricultural productivity, particularly in rainfed areas, by focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management, and resource synergy.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is the main goal of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?

A) To increase the use of chemical fertilizers
B) To promote sustainable farming practices
C) To reduce agricultural subsidies
D) To promote industrial farming

2. Under NMSA, which practice is emphasized for improving soil health?

A) Monocropping
B) Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
C) Intensive chemical use
D) Mechanized farming

3. Which of the following practices is NOT promoted by the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture?

A) Organic farming
B) Use of bio-fertilizers
C) Monocropping
D) Soil health management

4. What is the role of organic farming under NMSA?

A) To increase dependency on chemical pesticides
B) To promote sustainable agricultural practices
C) To discourage biodiversity
D) To increase industrial farming

5. How does NMSA address water conservation in agriculture?

A) By promoting rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation
B) By using large-scale irrigation projects
C) By increasing water usage
D) By reducing water tariffs for farmers

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the objectives of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and its importance in India's agricultural strategy.

Answer: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is focused on promoting sustainable farming practices that improve productivity while conserving natural resources. Its key objectives include enhancing soil health, promoting organic farming, efficient water use, and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. NMSA is crucial for India as it aims to reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming practices, address soil degradation, and mitigate the effects of climate change. This mission aligns with India's goal to achieve sustainable development while meeting the food security demands of a growing population. Additionally, NMSA can help farmers adopt environmentally friendly techniques that ensure the viability of agriculture in the long run, thus contributing to the economy's overall sustainability.

Q2: How does the NMSA contribute to the reduction of environmental degradation in the agricultural sector?

Answer: NMSA contributes to reducing environmental degradation by promoting practices that focus on soil health, water conservation, and the reduction of chemical inputs in farming. The adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), organic farming, and bio-fertilizers helps maintain soil fertility while minimizing the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides. NMSA also encourages efficient water use, promoting techniques like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, which reduce water wastage and prevent the over-extraction of water resources. By shifting towards more sustainable practices, NMSA ensures that agricultural production does not come at the cost of environmental health, thus supporting the long-term productivity of the sector.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced in implementing the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and suggest measures to overcome them.

Answer: The implementation of NMSA faces several challenges, including the lack of awareness among farmers, insufficient technical support, and inadequate infrastructure for soil and water management. Many farmers still rely on conventional farming practices, making it difficult to adopt sustainable methods. Moreover, the initial investment required for organic farming and efficient irrigation systems can be a barrier. To overcome these challenges, the government can increase awareness through training programs and extension services, provide financial incentives for adopting sustainable practices, and strengthen the infrastructure for water conservation and soil health management. Furthermore, fostering partnerships with NGOs and the private sector can enhance the reach and impact of NMSA, ensuring its successful implementation across India.

Previous Year Questions on National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Explain the role of sustainable agricultural practices in addressing environmental concerns in India. How does the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture contribute to this goal?"

Answer: Sustainable agricultural practices are vital for preserving soil health, reducing water wastage, and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, all of which are crucial for maintaining the environment. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) supports this by promoting techniques like organic farming, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), and efficient irrigation practices. These practices reduce environmental degradation, improve soil health, and ensure the long-term productivity of agricultural land, thus contributing to environmental conservation in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Discuss the initiatives under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture that aim to promote climate-resilient farming in India."

Answer: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes climate-resilient farming by focusing on techniques such as drought-resistant crops, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation methods. NMSA also advocates for organic farming, which improves soil health and water retention capacity, making agriculture more resilient to climate change. The mission's focus on organic inputs and water conservation helps farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions, reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events like droughts and floods.