NMSA & Climate Adaptation

 

1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was launched in 2014–15 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to promote climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.

2. From 2018–19, NMSA was operationalised as a sub-mission under the Green Revolution–Krishonnati Yojana umbrella scheme.

3. Since 2022–23, NMSA has been implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY).

4. Rainfed agriculture accounts for nearly 60% of India’s net sown area and contributes around 40% of the country’s total food production.

5. Under the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) component, ₹2,119.84 crore has been released since 2014–15, covering 8.50 lakh hectares and benefiting 14.35 lakh farmers.

6. In FY 2025–26, ₹343.86 crore was allocated to States and Union Territories under RAD, and 96,013 farmers received training.

7. The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) functions as an expert body for promoting and managing dryland and rainfed agriculture in India.

8. The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme has covered about 109 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation since 2015–16.

9. A total central assistance of ₹26,325 crore has been released under PDMC to promote drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

10. The Government has set a target of bringing 100 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation during the period 2025–26 to 2029–30.

11. Under Soil Health Management (SHM), 97.53 lakh soil samples were collected and 92.87 lakh samples were tested during FY 2025–26.

12. Since 2015, a cumulative 25.79 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated under the Soil Health Card Scheme.

13. Soil fertility mapping has been completed in 2,023 model villages out of 6,954 identified model villages across India.

14. Under NICRA, vulnerability assessments were conducted in 651 agricultural districts, of which 310 were identified as highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

15. Between 2014 and 2025, the National Agricultural Research System led by ICAR released 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties to strengthen agricultural resilience.

 

 

Must Know Terms :

 

1.NationalMissionForSustainableAgriculture (NMSA)

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was launched in 2014–15 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change to promote climate-resilient agriculture. The mission focuses on sustainable farming, efficient water use, soil health improvement, and risk reduction from climate variability. Since 2022–23, it has been implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) framework.

2. RainfedAreaDevelopment (RAD)

Rainfed Area Development (RAD) is a component of NMSA that promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in rainfed regions. It combines crop cultivation with horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and allied activities to increase income and reduce risks. Since 2014–15, ₹2,119.84 crore has been released under RAD, covering 8.50 lakh hectares and benefiting 14.35 lakh farmers across India.

3. PerDropMoreCrop (PDMC)

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) is a micro-irrigation programme that promotes efficient water use through drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Implemented since 2015–16, it aims to increase crop productivity while reducing water wastage. About 109 lakh hectares have been covered under the scheme with central assistance of ₹26,325 crore. The government has targeted another 100 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation by 2029–30.

4. SoilHealthCard (SHC)

The Soil Health Card Scheme was launched in 2015 to provide farmers with crop-specific nutrient recommendations based on scientific soil testing. It helps promote balanced fertilizer use and sustainable soil management. Up to February 2026, 25.79 crore Soil Health Cards had been generated. During 2025–26, 97.53 lakh soil samples were collected and 92.87 lakh samples were tested under the programme.

5. NationalRainfedAreaAuthority (NRAA)

National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) is an expert advisory body that supports the development and management of dryland and rainfed agriculture in India. It provides technical guidance, policy inputs, and coordination among various agencies working in rainfed areas. The authority focuses on improving productivity, resource conservation, and climate resilience through knowledge-based interventions and scientific planning.

6. NICRA

NICRA stands for National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture, launched by ICAR in 2011. It develops and demonstrates technologies that help farmers adapt to droughts, floods, heat waves, and other climate-related risks. Under NICRA, vulnerability assessments were conducted in 651 agricultural districts, and Climate Resilient Villages were established in 448 villages across 151 vulnerable districts. Between 2014 and 2025, 2,996 climate-resilient crop varieties were released.

 Key Takeaways

• Since 2014-15, ₹2,119.84 crorehas been released under Rainfed Area Development, covering 50 lakh hectares and benefiting 14.35 lakh farmers through Integrated Farming System.
• Implemented since 2015-16, about 109 lakh hectareshave been covered under the PDMC scheme with ₹26,325 crore released as central assistance.
• Under the Soil Health Management, 53 lakhsoil samples were collected and 92.87 lakh tested in 2025-26, while 25.79 crore Soil Health Card have been generated since 2015 to guide balanced nutrient management.
• Between 2014 and 2025, 2,996 climate-resilient cropvarieties were released under the National Agricultural Research System.

MCQ :

1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture was launched in:

A. 2011–12
B. 2014–15
C. 2018–19
D. 2022–23

2. NMSA was launched under which framework?

A. National Food Security Mission
B. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
C. National Action Plan on Climate Change
D. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

3. From 2018–19, NMSA was operationalised as a sub-mission under:

A. Green Revolution–Krishonnati Yojana
B. National Mission on Natural Farming
C. PM-KISAN
D. Mission Organic Value Chain Development

4. Since 2022–23, NMSA has been implemented under:

A. National Food Security Mission
B. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
C. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
D. National Horticulture Mission

5. Rainfed agriculture accounts for nearly what percentage of India’s net sown area?

A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 70%

6. Rainfed agriculture contributes around what percentage of India’s total food production?

A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 50%

7. Under Rainfed Area Development, how much amount has been released since 2014–15?

A. ₹1,119.84 crore
B. ₹2,119.84 crore
C. ₹3,119.84 crore
D. ₹4,119.84 crore

8. Rainfed Area Development has covered how many hectares since 2014–15?

A. 6.50 lakh hectares
B. 7.50 lakh hectares
C. 8.50 lakh hectares
D. 9.50 lakh hectares

9. The Per Drop More Crop scheme primarily promotes:

A. Crop insurance
B. Micro-irrigation
C. Organic certification
D. Market price support

10. About how much area has been covered under PDMC since 2015–16?

A. 79 lakh hectares
B. 89 lakh hectares
C. 99 lakh hectares
D. 109 lakh hectares

11. The Government has set a target of bringing how much area under micro-irrigation during 2025–26 to 2029–30?

A. 50 lakh hectares
B. 75 lakh hectares
C. 100 lakh hectares
D. 125 lakh hectares

12. The Soil Health Card Scheme was launched in:

A. 2014
B. 2015
C. 2016
D. 2017

13. How many Soil Health Cards have been generated cumulatively since 2015?

A. 15.79 crore
B. 20.79 crore
C. 25.79 crore
D. 30.79 crore

14. Under NICRA, vulnerability assessments were conducted in how many agricultural districts?

A. 451
B. 551
C. 651
D. 751

15. Between 2014 and 2025, how many climate-resilient crop varieties were released by the National Agricultural Research System?

A. 1,996
B. 2,496
C. 2,996
D. 3,496