National Food Security Mission

Let’s start from the basics.

Think of a nation as a large family. The first and foremost duty of any responsible family head is to ensure that no one sleeps hungry. Similarly, for any government, ensuring food security—that every citizen has access to adequate, nutritious, and affordable food—is not just a policy goal, it’s a constitutional and moral responsibility.

Now, with a population as massive and diverse as India, achieving this is a mammoth task. That’s where the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) comes in—a focused, mission-mode programme launched in 2007-08 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

NFSM: The Origin and Evolution

🟡 Launched: 2007-08
🟡 Renamed in 2024: National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)

Initially, NFSM aimed at increasing the production of rice, wheat, and pulses—the basic food staples in Indian diets. Over time, its scope expanded to include nutri-cereals and even commercial crops, eventually integrating nutrition goals as well, hence the 2024 renaming.

The mission is not just about food production; it’s about making agriculture sustainable, restoring soil health, increasing farm incomes, and most importantly, securing the future of food for India.

Mission Objectives: What Is NFSM Trying to Do?

Let’s understand the core objectives—think of these as layers of intent, starting from immediate needs to long-term goals:

1. Increase Crop Production
   Target crops include:
   • Rice
   • Wheat
   • Pulses
   • Coarse cereals
   • Nutri-cereals
2. Reduce Import Dependence
   Self-reliance in food production = lesser burden on the exchequer + greater food sovereignty.
3. Input Support to Farmers
   Farmers receive:
   • High-yielding seed varieties
   • Fertilizers
   • Irrigation support
4. Restore Soil Health
   Soil is like the soul of farming. Restoring soil fertility ensures long-term sustainability of agriculture.
5. Promote Eco-Friendly Practices
   Balanced fertilization, integrated pest management, and water conservation are promoted to maintain ecological balance.
6. Employment Generation
   By encouraging agriculture-based livelihoods, especially in rural India.
7. Ensure Food Security
   The ultimate goal—make sure India is always self-sufficient in food grain availability.

Targets Set by the Mission (Quantitative)

For better understanding, here’s a simple table:

Plan Period	Crop Target
Eleventh Plan (2007–12)	Rice: +10 MMT, Wheat: +8 MMT, Pulses: +2 MMT
Twelfth Plan (2012–17)	Additional 25 MMT across all crops

MMT = Million Metric Tonnes

Implementation and Reach

✅ Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
✅ Operational in: 638 districts across India
✅ Implemented by: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in partnership with State Governments

This is not a fully central or state scheme—it follows a cooperative federal structure.

Thrust Areas of NFSM

1. Area Expansion & Productivity Enhancement
   Increasing both the land under cultivation and the yield per hectare.
2. Soil Fertility Restoration
   Use of organic manures, balanced fertilisers, and soil testing.
3. Increase in Farm-Level Net Income
   Not just production—focus on profitability of farmers.

Components of NFSM (Sub-Missions)

1. NFSM–Rice
2. NFSM–Wheat
3. NFSM–Pulses
4. NFSM–Coarse Cereals
5. NFSM–Nutri-Cereals
6. NFSM–Commercial Crops

Each sub-mission has tailored strategies and funds allocation.

Who Benefits?

✅ All Categories of Farmers:
Small, marginal, and large-scale farmers—all are eligible. No caste, class, or land-holding discrimination. That’s inclusiveness in true spirit.

Major Initiatives Under NFSM

Here’s where the mission becomes dynamic, not just static policy:

1. On-field Demonstrations – Showing farmers how new techniques work.
2. Distribution of High-Yield Seeds – Certified, tested seeds improve output.
3. Training and Capacity Building – Seasonal workshops and local training.
4. Balanced Fertilisation – Avoiding overuse of urea, encouraging micro-nutrients.
5. Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management – Science-led and eco-safe practices.

How Can Farmers Apply?

Farmers can apply via:

🔹 Rural Agriculture Extension Officers (local level)
🔹 e-Krishi Yantra Grant Portal – digital platform for easy access to benefits and subsidies

A Word About the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

NFSM is about increasing production, whereas NFSA is about distributing that food to the people who need it most. Think of them as two wheels of the same cart.

Key Provisions of NFSA:

• Covers 75% of rural and 50% of urban population.
• 5 kg food grains/month per person at subsidised rates.
• Special provisions for:
  • Pregnant women (nutritional & financial support)
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families
• Gender Progressive: Eldest woman is the head of household for ration card issuance.

We will dive deeper into this later on.

Conclusion: Why NFSM Matters?

To wrap it up, remember this: NFSM is not just a scheme—it’s a safety net for India’s future. It ensures that:

✔️ No child sleeps hungry
✔️ Farmers are productive and profitable
✔️ Food sovereignty remains intact

And by expanding into nutrition, sustainability, and rural employment, the mission aligns well with India’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) commitments and our constitutional dream of a welfare state.