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Agriculture Schemes & Policies
Central and state agricultural schemes, PM-KISAN, crop insurance, e-NAM, soil health card, and organic farming in UP for UPSSSC AGTA exam.
Introduction
Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh is supported by a dense network of central and state government schemes covering income support, credit, insurance, marketing, mechanization, and infrastructure. For the UPSSSC AGTA exam, knowing the key features, eligibility, and benefits of each major scheme is essential.
Central Government Schemes Operating in UP
1. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | February 2019 |
| Benefit | ₹6,000 per year in 3 equal instalments of ₹2,000 |
| Eligibility | All land-holding farmer families |
| Transfer mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank account |
| UP beneficiaries | ~2.6 crore farmers (highest of any state) |
UP has the largest number of PM-KISAN beneficiaries in India, reflecting its massive farming population.
2. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Short-term crop loans at subsidized rates |
| Loan limit | Up to ₹3 lakh at 4% interest (with timely repayment) |
| Extended to | Dairy, fisheries, poultry farmers (since 2019) |
| KCCs issued in UP | Over 2.5 crore |
| Interest subvention | 2% from centre + 3% prompt repayment bonus = net 4% p.a. |
3. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — Crop Insurance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2016 (replaced NAIS and MNAIS) |
| Premium | Kharif: 2%, Rabi: 1.5%, Horticulture: 5% (farmer share) |
| Balance premium | Shared equally by central and state government |
| Coverage | All food crops, oilseeds, commercial and horticultural crops |
| Technology used | Satellite imagery, drones, smartphones for crop loss assessment |
| UP penetration | ~25-30% of farmers enrolled |
PMFBY is voluntary for loanee farmers since 2020 (earlier it was mandatory for crop loan borrowers).
4. e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2016 |
| Purpose | Unified national market for agricultural commodities |
| Platform | Online trading portal connecting APMC mandis |
| UP mandis on e-NAM | 100+ mandis integrated |
| Benefits | Price transparency, reduced middlemen, wider buyer base |
5. Soil Health Card Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2015 |
| Purpose | Soil testing and nutrient-based recommendations |
| Cycle | One card per farmer every 2 years |
| Tests | 12 parameters — pH, EC, organic carbon, N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B |
| UP distribution | Crores of cards distributed |
The scheme promotes balanced fertilization by telling farmers exactly what nutrients their soil needs, reducing overuse of urea.
6. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (Income Support)
This is the same as PM-KISAN mentioned above — sometimes referred to differently in exam papers. Remember: ₹6,000/year in 3 instalments of ₹2,000 each.
State Government Schemes (UP-Specific)
1. UP Krishi Yantra Subsidy Yojana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Subsidy on agricultural machinery |
| Subsidy range | 50-80% depending on category and equipment |
| Target | SC/ST, small & marginal farmers get higher subsidy |
| Equipment covered | Tractors, rotavators, laser levellers, seed drills, sprayers |
| Application | Online through DBT agriculture portal |
2. Mukhyamantri Kisan Sarvhit Bima Yojana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Accident and disability insurance for farmers |
| Coverage | ₹5 lakh for accidental death |
| Disability cover | Up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| Medical reimbursement | Up to ₹2.5 lakh for hospitalization |
| Eligibility | Farmers aged 18-70, annual income up to ₹75,000 |
| Premium | Fully paid by state government |
3. Kisan Pathshala
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Farmer training programme at block level |
| Content | Modern techniques, organic farming, IPM, water management |
| Frequency | Regular sessions through KVKs and agriculture department |
| Extension | Links farmers with agricultural scientists |
4. Mukhyamantri Khet Suraksha Yojana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Solar fencing around farms to protect crops from wild/stray animals |
| Grant | ₹1.43 lakh per beneficiary (60% subsidy) |
| Technology | Solar-powered fence generating 12V non-lethal shock to deter animals |
| Allocation | ₹50 crore |
| Target | Farmers affected by crop damage from nilgai, wild boar, and stray cattle |
5. UP Agris Scheme (UP Agriculture Resilient & Inclusive Systems)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | World Bank-assisted, ₹200 crore |
| Purpose | Promote climate-resilient agriculture in Uttar Pradesh |
| Focus areas | Climate adaptation, sustainable farming practices, resilient crop varieties |
6. PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Solarizing agricultural pumps |
| UP Allocation | ₹449.45 crore |
| Components | Solar pumps for irrigation, solarization of grid-connected pumps, solar power plants on barren land |
7. Diesel-to-Solar Pump Conversion (State Scheme)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Converting diesel-powered irrigation pumps to solar pumps |
| Allocation | ₹638 crore (UP Budget 2026-27) |
| Goal | Reduce diesel dependency, lower input costs for farmers |
8. Power Subsidy for Agriculture
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Private tubewell power subsidy | ₹2,400 crore |
| Total power subsidy (agriculture) | ₹21,500 crore in UP Budget 2026-27 |
| Purpose | Affordable electricity for irrigation and farm operations |
9. Seed Parks & Crop Diversification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Seed Park | Proposed in Lucknow for high-quality seed production and research |
| Pulses & Oilseeds Mission | Diversification mission to boost production of pulses and oilseeds, reduce import dependency |
| Goal | Strengthen domestic seed supply chain and promote crop diversification away from wheat-rice dominance |
10. Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Subsidy on boats for fisheries and inland fishing communities |
| Target | Nishad (fishermen) community engaged in riverine/pond fishing |
| Benefit | Financial assistance for purchase of fishing boats and equipment |
Agricultural Infrastructure Schemes
| Scheme | Purpose | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) | Post-harvest infrastructure | ₹1 lakh crore fund for cold stores, warehouses, processing |
| PM Kisan SAMPADA | Food processing | Mega food parks, cold chain, backward-forward linkages |
| Kisan Rail | Transport | Refrigerated rail coaches for perishables |
| Warehouse Development | Storage | FCI, CWC, state warehousing network |
| PM Micro Food Processing (PMFME) | Micro enterprises | One District One Product integration for food processing |
UP has the largest network of FCI godowns and cold storage units in India, supporting both procurement and storage of wheat, rice, and potato.
Organic Farming and Sustainability
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) | Cluster-based organic farming — ₹50,000/hectare over 3 years |
| Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) | Promoted in Bundelkhand and eastern UP |
| National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) | Certification standards for organic exports |
| Organic corridor | UP developing organic farming clusters in Bundelkhand |
| Namami Gange + Organic | Organic farming promoted along Ganga banks |
Agriculture Export
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Key export items | Basmati rice, mango, potato, processed foods |
| Basmati export | Western UP (Saharanpur, Bijnor) major source |
| Agriculture Export Policy (2018) | State cluster approach for export promotion |
| Mango export | Dasheri and Langra exported to Gulf, EU, USA |
| GI-tagged products | Dasheri Mango, Allahabad Surkha Guava, Banarasi Langda Mango |
Agriculture Policy 2013 (UP)
The UP Agriculture Policy 2013 set long-term goals for the sector.
| Aim | Target |
|---|---|
| Growth rate | 5.1% per annum in agriculture |
| Food grain production | Reach 65 million MT |
| Irrigation | 100% coverage for all cultivable land |
| Mechanization | Increase farm mechanization to 40% |
| Organic | Promote organic farming in 10% of cultivable area |
Key Takeaways
- PM-KISAN: ₹6,000/year in 3 instalments — UP has ~2.6 crore beneficiaries (highest in India)
- KCC: Up to ₹3 lakh at 4% effective interest with timely repayment
- PMFBY: Farmer premium is 2% (kharif), 1.5% (rabi), 5% (horticulture)
- Soil Health Card: Tests 12 parameters, issued every 2 years
- State schemes: Krishi Yantra Subsidy (50-80%) and Kisan Sarvhit Bima (₹5 lakh accidental death cover)
- UP has India’s largest FCI godown and cold storage network
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Scheme | Key Number |
|---|---|
| PM-KISAN benefit | ₹6,000/year (3 x ₹2,000) |
| PM-KISAN beneficiaries in UP | ~2.6 crore |
| KCC interest rate (effective) | 4% p.a. |
| PMFBY kharif premium | 2% |
| PMFBY rabi premium | 1.5% |
| Soil Health Card cycle | Every 2 years |
| Soil Health Card parameters | 12 |
| Krishi Yantra Subsidy | 50-80% |
| Kisan Sarvhit Bima death cover | ₹5 lakh |
| PKVY organic support | ₹50,000/ha over 3 years |
| Khet Suraksha Yojana | ₹1.43 lakh grant (60% subsidy), 12V solar fence |
| UP Agris Scheme | World Bank-assisted, ₹200 crore, climate-resilient |
| PM-KUSUM (UP allocation) | ₹449.45 crore |
| Diesel-to-solar pump conversion | ₹638 crore (2026-27) |
| Private tubewell power subsidy | ₹2,400 crore |
| Total agri power subsidy (2026-27) | ₹21,500 crore |
| Seed Park | Lucknow |
| Nishadraj Boat Subsidy | Fisheries boat subsidy |
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