National Mission For Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
The Context and Objectives
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) represents a pioneering effort within India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aiming to revolutionize agricultural practices towards sustainability and resilience. Focused particularly on rainfed areas, NMSA integrates Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) as a central theme, advocating for the remunerative coexistence of diverse agricultural activities like crop-livestock farming, agro-forestry, and fish farming. It emphasizes soil health management, improved water use efficiency, and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies to mitigate climate risks and sustain agricultural productivity. Through community-based approaches and tailored agronomic practices, NMSA supports farmers in adapting to climate variability while enhancing their incomes and livelihoods.
Activities
- Rainfed Area Management: To pilot models for improving productivity of rainfed farming by mainstreaming technologies and integrating multiple components of farming such as crops, horticulture, livestock, fishery, forestry with agro based income generating activities and value addition.
- Agro Forestry: To encourage tree plantation on farm land, along with local cropping system.
- National Bamboo Mission: To boost domestic cultivation of quality and appropriate species of Bamboo for supply to our industry, rejuvenating the rural economy and doubling farmers’ income.
- Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: To pilot climate change adaptation/mitigation research projects in the domain of climate smart sustainable management practices and integrated farming system suitable to local agro-climatic conditions.
Key Pre-Requisites
- Tailored resource allocation based on agro-ecological needs, prioritizing vulnerable regions
- Implementation of an online-based beneficiary registration system for transparency and inclusion
- Development of a robust Management Information System (MIS) for real-time monitoring
- Engagement of Specific Nodal Agencies (SNAs) for effective program implementation and Synergy with Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities
- Integration of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) to enhance agricultural resilience
A Case Study on Integrated Aqua Horticulture: Odisha, India with support from NMSA
The case study is based on Baladuan village in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India, predominantly inhabited by SC, ST, and OBC communities. The initiative promotes integrated aqua horticulture on pond dikes and adjacent areas.
Mr Purnachandra Das, a farmer with education up to the 10th standard, was inspired to implement this scheme in his pond. He cultivated papaya seedlings and planted 25 of them on his dike area, achieving an average yield of 1.0 to 1.2 quintals per plant. He earned Rs. 38,000 by selling papayas in local markets.
In addition to papayas, he also grew intercrops such as bitter gourd, poi, and cucumber, which further contributed to his enhanced income. This successful implementation has set a benchmark for other farmers in the region, demonstrating the potential for sustainable livelihood improvement through integrated freshwater aquaculture, livestock management, and horticulture.
