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The Indian government has announced a significant investment in the country's agricultural and technological sectors, with the Union Cabinet approving seven schemes totaling nearly ₹13,966 crore. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing farmer incomes, modernizing agricultural practices, and bolstering India's position in the global semiconductor market.
A key element of the government's agricultural strategy is the Digital Agriculture Mission, which will receive an allocation of ₹2,817 crore. This mission seeks to build a robust digital public infrastructure (DPI) for farmers, with the Agri-Stack serving as the foundational data platform. The Agri-Stack will provide stakeholders with access to crucial data, enabling better decision-making and leading to improved farm incomes.
The Digital Agriculture Mission will develop digital tools such as a farmers' registry, village land maps, and a crop sown registry. The Krishi Decision Support System will offer valuable information to farmers, including geospatial data, drought and flood monitoring, weather and satellite data, groundwater tracking, and crop yield and insurance modeling. By leveraging technology, the mission aims to enhance farmers' lives by providing soil profiling, digital crop estimation, digital yield modeling, access to crop loans, and connections with buyers.
In addition to the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Cabinet also approved the Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security scheme, with an allocation of ₹3,979 crore. This scheme will focus on research and development in plant genetics, enhancing the productivity of food and fodder crops, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops.
Further strengthening the agricultural sector, the Strengthening Agriculture Education and Management scheme received ₹2,291 crore. This initiative aims to modernize agricultural research and education, aligning with the New Education Policy 2020. Other schemes include the Sustainable Livestock Health and Production scheme (₹1,702 crore), the Sustainable Development of Horticulture scheme (₹860 crore), Strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendra (₹1,202 crore), and Natural Resource Management (₹1,115 crore).
Beyond agriculture, the Union Cabinet also approved a proposal for a semiconductor testing unit by Kaynes Semicon in Gujarat's Sanand, with an investment of ₹3,307 crore under the Indian Semiconductor Mission. This unit, expected to produce 6.3 million chips per day, will cater to various sectors including industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and telecom. This project is a crucial step in India's ambition to become a leading semiconductor hub, further strengthening the country's technological capabilities.
The government's focus on both agriculture and technology reflects its commitment to economic growth and development. By investing in modernizing agricultural practices and developing a robust semiconductor ecosystem, India aims to improve farmer livelihoods, enhance technological innovation, and secure its place in the global economy.
Source: Cabinet approves ₹14,000-crore schemes for agriculture, food security