Backgrounder: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Next story · 9 MayAdvanced Agni with MIRV flight-tested
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
A PIB backgrounder of 9 May 2026 reviews the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, launched in 2014-15 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Rainfed Area Development has released ₹2,119.84 crore for 8.50 lakh hectares. Per Drop More Crop has covered about 109 lakh hectares. Over 25.79 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated.
- Launched
- 2014-15, under NAPCC
- Now under
- PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (from 2022-23)
- RAD
- ₹2,119.84 crore since 2014-15; 8.50 lakh ha; 14.35 lakh farmers
- PDMC
- ~109 lakh ha since 2015-16; ₹26,325 crore central aid
- Soil Health Cards
- 25.79 crore generated (to February 2026)
- Climate varieties
- 2,996 released, 2014 to 2025
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: what happened?
Rainfed land is nearly 60% of India’s net sown area and gives about 40% of food output. It is the land most hurt by bad monsoons. NMSA is the main scheme to make such farming climate-resilient.
- Micro-irrigation target: 100 lakh ha over 2025-26 to 2029-30, so at least 20 lakh ha a year.
- In 2025-26, 97.53 lakh soil samples were collected and 92.87 lakh tested.
- NITI Aayog’s 2025 evaluation found SHC cut excess urea use; 68.5% of surveyed farmers saw clear soil health gains.
- Soil fertility maps: done in 2,023 of 6,954 model villages.
How has NMSA moved between umbrella schemes?
- 2014-15: launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change
- 2018-19: sub-mission of Green Revolution–Krishonnati Yojana
- 2022-23: placed under PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY)
What does NICRA add?
- ICAR’s National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (2011) assessed 651 districts using IPCC protocols; 310 were found highly or very highly vulnerable.
- Climate Resilient Villages: 448 villages in 151 vulnerable districts across 28 States/UTs.
What are NMSA’s main components?
| Component | What it does | Key figure |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfed Area Development (RAD) | Integrated Farming Systems by agro-climatic zone | ₹343.86 crore in FY 2025-26; 96,013 farmers trained |
| Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) | drip and sprinkler micro-irrigation | ~109 lakh ha covered |
| Soil Health Management (SHM) | balanced nutrients, Soil Health Cards | 25.79 crore cards |
| NRAA | expert body for rainfed and dry-land farming | knowledge inputs |
Why does the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Climate | Adaptation for drought, flood and heat (SDG 13). |
| Water | Micro-irrigation saves water at farm level (SDG 6). |
| Food security | Rainfed land feeds a large share of output (SDG 2). |
| Soil | Balanced fertiliser use through Soil Health Cards. |
What are the challenges in the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture?
- Micro-irrigation must speed up to at least 20 lakh ha a year to hit the target.
- Soil fertility maps are done in only 2,023 of 6,954 model villages.
- 310 districts remain highly or very highly vulnerable.
What should be done next on the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture?
- Scale IFS models from ICAR in rainfed districts.
- Link SHC advice with fertiliser purchase and extension.
What can Prelims ask on the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture?
- NMSA launched 2014-15 under NAPCC; now under PMRKVY.
- Components: RAD, PDMC, SHM (with Soil Health Card); NRAA advises.
- NICRA (ICAR, 2011): 651 districts assessed; 310 highly vulnerable.
How to write about the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): How does the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture address the vulnerability of rainfed farming to climate change?
- Intro: rainfed share and risk.
- RAD and IFS.
- PDMC and water.
- SHC and soil.
- Gaps and way forward.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-09): since 2014-15, ₹2,119.84 crore was released under Rainfed Area Development covering 8.50 lakh ha and 14.35 lakh farmers; about 109 lakh ha came under PDMC (micro-irrigation) with ₹26,325 crore central assistance since 2015-16.
- It supports farming that can withstand climate shocks.
Quotable data pointSince 2014-15, ₹2,119.84 crore was released under Rainfed Area Development covering 8.50 lakh ha and 14.35 lakh farmers.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: NMSA, 9 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NAPCC missions.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
NMSA was launched under which framework?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 9 May 2026.
Per Drop More Crop mainly promotes
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 9 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
When was NMSA launched?
In 2014-15, under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Which umbrella scheme does NMSA fall under now?
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, since 2022-23.
How many Soil Health Cards have been generated?
25.79 crore, up to February 2026.
What share of net sown area is rainfed?
Nearly 60%, contributing about 40% of food production.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: NMSA, 9 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending