Why is this in news? The Government of India highlighted the achievements of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), a major scheme that helps farmers deal with problems like:
  • drought,
  • floods,
  • poor soil,
  • water shortage, and
  • climate change.
The mission focuses on making Indian agriculture more sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient.

SIMPLE MEANING OF NMSA

  • The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was launched in 2014-15 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Its main goal is: “To help farmers continue farming successfully even during climate change and extreme weather conditions.” It especially supports:
  • rainfed farming areas,
  • better water use,
  • healthy soil,
  • climate-resilient crops, and
  • modern farming methods.

WHY IS NMSA IMPORTANT?

  • Around 60% of India’s farmland depends on rainfall.
  • Rainfed farming contributes nearly 40% of total food production.
  • Climate change is increasing:
    • droughts,
    • heat waves,
    • floods,
    • irregular rainfall.
So, India needs farming systems that can survive changing weather conditions.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF NMSA

1: RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE explained for UPSC

WHAT IS IT?

  • This scheme helps farmers in rain-dependent areas adopt Integrated Farming Systems (IFS).
  • Integrated Farming System (IFS) means:
Instead of depending on only one crop, farmers combine:
  • crops,
  • vegetables,
  • livestock,
  • fisheries,
  • horticulture, etc.
This reduces risk and increases income. Benefits
  • Better income stability
  • Less dependence on one crop
  • Protection during bad weather
  • More employment opportunities
Key Achievements
  • ₹2,119.84 crore released since 2014-15
  • 5 lakh hectares covered
  • 35 lakh farmers benefited
  • In 2025-26:
    • ₹343.86 crore allocated
    • 96,013 farmers trained

2: PER DROP MORE CROP

NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE explained for UPSC

Main Aim:

  • To save water in farming through micro-irrigation.
Types of Micro-Irrigation (a) Drip Irrigation
  • Water is supplied directly to plant roots drop by drop.
(b) Sprinkler Irrigation
  • Water is sprayed like rainfall through pipes and nozzles.

Why is it important?

  • Saves water
  • Reduces wastage
  • Increases crop productivity
  • Useful in water-scarce areas
Achievements
  • Started in 2015-16
  • Around 109 lakh hectares covered
  • ₹26,325 crore central assistance released
Future Target Government plans to cover:
  • 100 lakh hectares more between 2025-26 and 2029-30

3: SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Aim:

  • To improve soil fertility and encourage balanced use of fertilizers.
Focus Areas
  • Soil testing
  • Organic farming
  • Reducing excessive fertilizer use
  • Preventing soil erosion
Healthy soil leads to:
  • better crop production,
  • lower farming costs,
  • long-term sustainability.

SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

What is it? Farmers receive a Soil Health Card after soil testing. The card tells:
  • which nutrients are lacking,
  • how much fertilizer is needed,
  • which crops are suitable.
Benefits
  • Balanced fertilizer use
  • Reduced overuse of urea
  • Better productivity
  • Improved soil quality
Achievements
  • Started in 2015
  • 79 crore Soil Health Cards generated
  • In 2025-26:
    • 53 lakh soil samples collected
    • 87 lakh samples tested
NITI Aayog Findings
  • 5% farmers saw major improvement in soil health
  • Excessive urea use reduced
Soil Fertility Maps
  • The government is also preparing village-level soil fertility maps.
Purpose These maps help farmers know:
  • nutrient condition of their land,
  • proper fertilizer requirements.
Progress
  • 6,954 model villages identified
  • Mapping completed in 2,023 villages

ROLE OF ICAR & NICRA

ICAR

  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research conducts agricultural research in India.

NICRA

  • The National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme was launched in 2011.
Main Work
  • Develop climate-resilient farming technologies
  • Train farmers
  • Prepare for extreme weather events
Achievements
  • Vulnerability studies conducted in 651 districts
  • 310 districts found highly vulnerable
  • Climate Resilient Villages created in:
    • 448 villages
    • across 151 districts
CLIMATE RESILIENT CROP VARIETIES Between 2014 and 2025:
  • 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties were released.
These crops can better tolerate:
  • drought,
  • heat,
  • floods,
  • changing climate conditions.
CONNECTION WITH SDGs
SDG Contribution
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger Improves food production
SDG 6 – Clean Water Saves water through micro-irrigation
SDG 13 – Climate Action Helps farmers adapt to climate change