Revamping Indian Agriculture: Centre’s Initiatives for Distinct Crop Clusters

Current Context: The Centre has been actively working on various initiatives and schemes to improve the agricultural sector in India.

• Here are some of the recent developments:
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched new initiatives and programs for the welfare of farmers.
• These schemes are closely monitored and reviewed at higher levels regularly.
• The government has launched a new Central Sector Scheme titled "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs)".
• This scheme aims to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs in the country with a budgetary provision of Rs 6865 crore.
• The Prime Minister launched a financing facility under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore.
• This scheme will support farmers, PACS, FPOs, Agri-entrepreneurs, etc. in building community farming assets and post-harvest agriculture infrastructure.
• These schemes are designed to empower farmers, protect their livelihoods, and transform the agricultural sector.
• They include income support programs, crop insurance, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
• The Centre’s continuous efforts in this direction are aimed at creating distinct clusters for various crops around the nation.

Question:

Q.1 What is the aim of the “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs)” scheme?
a. To provide crop insurance to farmers
b. To form and promote 10,000 new FPOs in the country
c. To modernize agricultural infrastructure
d. To promote sustainable farming practices