Sustainable Agriculture refers to a farming system that meets the food and nutritional needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

It emphasizes:

Conservation of natural resources,
Environmental protection,
Economic viability of farming, and
Social equity for farming communities.

Definition of Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that:

Maintains and enhances environmental quality and natural resource base
Promotes economic viability for farmers
Safeguards the health and welfare of farmers, farm workers, and society
Encourages resilience to climate variability by optimizing resource use efficiency and ecological processes

Thrust Areas under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

The NMSA focuses on five key thrust areas to promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming:

1. Natural Resource & Soil Health Management

Soil Fertility Improvement
- Soil testing & soil health cards for balanced nutrient application.
- Example: Soil Health Card Scheme used in Punjab to guide fertilizer use.
Organic & Biofertilisers
- Compost, vermicompost, Rhizobium, Azotobacter.
- Example: Use of biofertilizers in Sikkim (100% organic state).
Water Resource Management
- Micro-irrigation (drip, sprinkler), rainwater harvesting.
- Example: Drip irrigation in Maharashtra pomegranate orchards; check dams in Gujarat.

2. Agro-Ecological Intensification

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
- Linking crops, livestock, fisheries, agroforestry for multiple incomes.
- Example: IFS in Karnataka – crops + dairy + poultry.
Conservation Agriculture
- Zero tillage, residue management, contour farming.
- Example: Zero tillage in wheat fields after paddy in Haryana & Punjab.
Precision & ICT-based Agriculture
- Site-specific nutrient management, GIS-based mapping.
- Example: Use of drones for pesticide spraying in Andhra Pradesh.

3. Risk & Climate Resilience Management

Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties
- Drought, flood, heat-tolerant seeds.
- Example: Swarna-Sub1 rice variety in Bihar (flood tolerant).
Crop Insurance & Safety Nets
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana for risk coverage.
- Example: Compensation to farmers in Maharashtra for hailstorm damage.
Weather-Based Agro-Advisories
- ICT/mobile advisories, SMS alerts.
- Example: IMD’s Kisan SMS service giving rainfall alerts.

4. Energy & Resource Efficiency

Renewable Energy in Agriculture
- Solar pumps, biogas, bio-energy.
- Example: PM-KUSUM scheme promoting solar pumps in Rajasthan.
Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs)
- Precision farming, energy-efficient machinery.
- Example: Laser land leveller use in Haryana to save irrigation water.

5. Capacity Building, Credit & Research

Farmer Training & Extension
- Demonstrations, training through KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras).
- Example: KVK training programs on organic farming in Madhya Pradesh.
Institutional Support & Credit
- Linking sustainable agriculture with credit access.
- Example: NABARD financing watershed projects in semi-arid regions.
Research & Development (R&D)
- Public-private partnerships for climate-smart technologies.
- Example: ICAR developing drought-tolerant pulses under NMSA.

Strategies for Implementation of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

The NMSA, launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), seeks to promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices. The major strategies for its implementation are as follows:

(i) Soil Health Management (SHM)

Promotes soil test–based nutrient management.
Encourages organic farming, use of bio-fertilizers, and crop residue management.
Enhances soil organic carbon and fertility for long-term productivity.

(ii) Rainfed Area Development (RAD)

Improves productivity in rainfed regions through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS).
Promotes crop diversification, agroforestry, and conservation farming.
Ensures livelihood security by integrating crops, livestock, and fisheries.

(iii) On-Farm Water Management (OFWM)

Promotes micro-irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Encourages rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and efficient water use.
Reduces dependence on groundwater and enhances water productivity.

(iv) Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modelling & Networking (CCSAMMN)

Development of climate-resilient crop varieties and agro-advisories.
Establishes real-time weather and climate information systems.
Promotes decision-support systems for farmers.

(v) Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs)

Adoption of zero-tillage, precision farming, and energy-efficient equipment.
Minimizes input use while maximizing output.
Reduces soil erosion and resource degradation.

(vi) Capacity Building and Extension Support

Farmer training and awareness campaigns on sustainable practices.
Strengthening institutional mechanisms and convergence of schemes.
Promoting farmer-producer organizations for collective action.

Committees and Reports

Mihir Shah Committee – Focused on sustainable water management and watershed development.
Ashok Dalwai Committee – Provided strategies to double farmers’ income and focus on climate-resilient agriculture.
Ramesh Chand Committee – Analyzed doubling farmers’ income and strategies for agricultural growth.
National Commission on Farmers – Recommended farmers’ welfare, price support, and insurance schemes.
Shanta Kumar Committee – Reviewed minimum support price (MSP) policy and procurement strategies.
Swaminathan Committee – Proposed measures for farmers’ income security and sustainable farming.
Committee on Doubling Farmers’ Income – Suggested multi-sectoral approaches to increase farm income.
Committee on Agricultural Marketing Reforms – Recommended reforms for better price realization and market access.

Farmer Organizations and Institutional Terms

Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) – Groups of farmers organizing collectively for better input access and market linkages.
Self Help Groups (SHGs) – Small voluntary groups for mutual financial support, often women-led.
Cooperative Societies – Member-owned institutions supporting credit, input supply, and marketing.
Agriculture Extension Services – Services that provide farmers with new knowledge, technologies, and techniques.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) – Agricultural extension centers for frontline technology transfer to farmers.
Agricultural Universities – Institutions specializing in agriculture education and research.
Agro-Industry Clusters – Grouping of agro-based industries to add value and increase efficiency.

Agricultural Missions and Schemes

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) – Promotes sustainable and climate-resilient farming.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) – Aims at efficient irrigation coverage through micro-irrigation.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – Supports organic farming through farmers’ clusters.
Soil Health Card Scheme – Provides farmers with soil nutrient status for balanced fertilization.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) – Crop insurance scheme to protect farmers against natural calamities.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) – Supports state agricultural development plans.
e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) – Online platform for transparent agricultural trading across markets.
Operation Green – Focuses on the development of the agribusiness of perishables.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Aims at increasing production of rice, wheat, and pulses.
Millets Mission – Promotes production and consumption of climate-resilient millet crops.

Key Concepts in Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture – Farming that maintains productivity while conserving resources and environment.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture – Practices that help farmers adapt to climate change impacts.
Integrated Farming System (IFS) – Combining crops, livestock, and other enterprises for better income and resource use.
Crop Diversification – Growing different crops to reduce risks and improve soil health.
Precision Agriculture – Use of technology to apply inputs accurately as per crop needs.
Micro-Irrigation – Efficient irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler to save water.
Soil Health Management – Practices that maintain or improve soil fertility and structure.
Organic Farming – Cultivation without synthetic chemicals using natural inputs.
Agroforestry – Integration of trees with crops and/or livestock on the same land.
Conservation Agriculture – Minimal soil disturbance, residue retention, and crop rotation to improve sustainability.
Water-Use Efficiency – Optimal use of water for irrigation to save and conserve water resources.
Nutrient Management – Balanced and judicious use of fertilizers to optimize crop growth.
Agroecology – Applying ecological principles to agricultural production for sustainability.
Food Processing and Value Addition – Enhancing food products to increase shelf life and market value.
Post-Harvest Management – Techniques to reduce losses and maintain quality after harvest.
Agricultural Credit – Financial support to farmers for purchasing inputs and investments.
Agricultural Marketing – Activities involved in moving agricultural products from farm to consumers.

Water and Irrigation Related

Water User Associations (WUA) – Farmer groups managing local irrigation water resources.
Groundwater Management – Sustainable use and recharge of underground water sources.
Watershed Management – Integrated management of land, water, and vegetation in a watershed.
Sustainable Water Use – Using water resources in ways that do not deplete them.
Irrigation Potential – The area that can be irrigated using available water resources.
Drip Irrigation – Slow application of water near plant roots to minimize waste.
Rainfed Agriculture – Farming dependent mainly on rainfall without supplemental irrigation.

Risk and Finance

Crop Insurance – Financial protection against crop loss due to natural disasters and pests.