Page 24 - NIS English 01-15 Aug, 2026

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Independence Day Special
Cover Story

7 Agriculture and

Rural Development

Agriculture and rural development form the bedrock of the nation’s economic and social
progress. The government is prioritizing the modernization of farming, the provision of
basic amenities, and the creation of new employment opportunities...
52

Soil Health Card Scheme
n Under Soil Health Management,
97.53 lakh soil samples were
collected, and 92.87 lakh samples
were tested in 2025-26.
n Approximately 26 crore Soil
Health Cards have been issued
50 since 2015 to guide balanced
nutrient management.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman
Nidhi Scheme 53 Export of Agricultural Produce
An amount exceeding n Total exports of agricultural and allied commodities
₹4.46 stood at US$ 51.9 billion in 2024-25.

exports increased from 13.7 percent in 2014-15 to
lakh crore has been distributed n The share of processed food products in agricultural
since the scheme's launch in 2019. 20.4 percent in 2024-25.
n Over 9.44 crore farmers received financial
assistance under this installment; of these, 2.18
crore are women farmers.

51

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

More than n Claims worth 54 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
approximately ₹2 n Approval granted to
lakh crore were paid
4 between 2016 and continue Pradhan Mantri
crore farmers have 2025. Gram Sadak Yojana-III
beyond March 2025 up to
benefited from the March 2028. 3,81,135 KM 7,87,520 KM
PM Fasal Bima n 4.06 lakh kilometers of rural
Yojana. roads were constructed in By March 2014 By December 2025
less than 12 years; 99% of
villages are connected by
paved roads.

22 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || Aug 01-15, 2026