Page 26 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

Farmers Embrace
Technology

The Central Government has launched the Digital
Agriculture Mission. Digital agricultural infrastructure is
being created under this mission. This includes AgriStack,
agricultural decision support systems, comprehensive soil
fertility and profile mapping, and IT initiatives.

15,000 7.68 2,096

crore farmer IDs have agricultural startups have
drones procurement have received central been created in 14 states been provided technical and
government approval, of which 1,094 have already by December 4, 2025. financial assistance under
been distributed, along with comprehensive Farmer IDs have been the National Agriculture
training provided to “Drone Didis.” made mandatory for Development Scheme
registration under the from 2019-20 to 2025-26
PM Kisan Yojana in promoting innovation and
these states. agricultural entrepreneurship.

n 2.76 crore SVAMITVA card have been issued in 1.82
lakh villages under the SVAMITVA scheme. Drone
surveys have been completed in 3.28 lakh villages. The
target is to cover 3.44 lakh villages by March 2026.

n Agricultural Mechanization:
75% The average level of agricultural
mechanization varies across
different crops and their farming
operations in the country. The
of the cost is provided as a subsidy to Farmer
Producer Organizations (FPOs) for the purchase of level of mechanization is 70%
farmer drones. Cooperative societies, FPOs, and rural for seedbed preparation, 40%
entrepreneurs who provide drones on rent to farmers for sowing and planting, 33% for
are also given financial assistance at a rate of 40%, up weeding, and 34% for harvesting
to a maximum of ₹4 lakh, for the purchase of drones. and threshing. The resulting overall
average mechanization level is 45%.

DHAN DHANYA KRISHI YOJANA TO districts, similar regions have now been identified
BRING WEALTH AND PROSPERITY with an emphasis on agricultural development. The
To fulfill the vision of a developed India, efforts are design of the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana is such
being made to bring improvement in every field. The that it can be customized according to the specific
result of this thinking is the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi needs of each district. The second initiative is the
Yojana. As a result of this vision, two new schemes Pulses Self-Reliance Mission. This mission is not only
worth ₹35,000 crore were launched in 2025 to aimed at increasing pulse production but is also an
support farmers. These include the PM Dhan-Dhanya effort to empower future generations.
Krishi Yojana. This scheme draws inspiration from the Under PM Modi’s leadership, the central govern-
success of the Aspirational Districts Programme. Just ment has opened and supported numerous avenues
as the central government focused on 112 backward for farmers beyond agriculture. From animal hus-

24 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || February 1-15, 2026