Discuss the recent initiatives taken to help farmers to increase productivity levels in agriculture.
In short
Recent initiatives raise farm productivity through research and extension, credit via Kisan Credit Cards and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, market reform through e-NAM, and water and soil management under PMKSY and NMSA. In Andhra Pradesh, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras trained over 58 lakh farmers between 2021 and 2024.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 259 words
Technology and Extension Services
Krishonnati Yojana and SAME promote high-yield seeds, bio-fertilisers, and precision farming; Andhra Pradesh’s KVKs trained over 58 lakh farmers between 2021-24, enhancing adoption of modern practices.
Market Reforms and Digital Integration
The electronic National Agriculture Market3 (e-NAM) integrates mandis, including those in Andhra Pradesh, enabling farmers to bypass intermediaries and secure better prices, thus incentivizing productivity improvements.
Yield Improvements
Adoption of improved seeds, bio-fertilisers, and integrated pest management under RKVY and SAME increased yields by 20-25%; MIDH boosted horticulture productivity by 35% in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting effective research and extension.
Market and Price Benefits
e-NAM’s mandi integration reduces intermediaries, improving price realization; Andhra Pradesh’s mandis’ inclusion expanded market access for crops like chillies and aquaculture, increasing farmer incomes.
Expand digital extension services like the Digital Agriculture Mission to provide real-time advisory and market information, especially targeting small farmers in Andhra Pradesh.
Promote Farmer Producer Organisations to improve collective bargaining, input procurement, and market access, building on the success of over 2,500 registered FPOs mobilizing more than 5.87 lakh farmers.
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Agricultural Development (India)16 questions
Asked in 7 of 8 sittings since 2008
Most tested: Agricultural credit and market regulation/price policy.
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- 2025Explain the role of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act in Agricultural Price Policy in regulating the agricultural market in India. What are the issues that have been observed by policy makers regarding the functioning of the APMC Act?
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Question from the official APPSC Group-I Mains 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.