- 2015 was the second consecutive year of
hardships for farmers owing to drought and inclement weather in several parts
of the country highlighting the urgency to address the issues of climate
change.
- Southwest monsoon was 14% below normal of
the long period average in 2015.
- The Northwest monsoon played havoc in Tamil
Nadu with unprecedented floods wiping out entire paddy and cash crops.
- Nine States have declared drought hit
districts in 2015.
- Some of the fund from “Price Stabilization
Fund” was released this year for subsidized sale of pulses for states that came
up with innovative schemes to provide pulses at affordable prices to public
distribution system beneficiaries.
- To mitigate the suffering from drought,
Government came up with several measures including taking 50% of the damaged
crop area into consideration rather than mere 33% and raising the relief amount
by 50%.
- Maharashtra’s Marathwada region saw the highest
number of suicides by distressed farmers in 2015.
- The Government of India launched
“Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” which encourages cluster farming.
- The Government launched the “Prime
Minister’s Krishi Sinchai Yojana” which is meant to ensure that more hectares
are brought under irrigation.
- The Government moved towards setting up National Agriculture market which will enable farmer to offer his produce to any market through e-marketing.