CROP DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMMES
Why in News?
- Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) under Pradhan Mantri-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), focusing on shifting from water-intensive paddy in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
- This ties into Budget 2026-27 announcements emphasizing rural diversification, high-value crops, and schemes like PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
About Programme
- Launched in 2013-14 as a centrally sponsored scheme under Pradhan Mantri-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
- Aims to promote sustainable farming by reducing groundwater depletion and soil degradation from rice-wheat monocropping.
- Provides farmer support for alternate crop demonstrations, farm mechanization, value addition, and organic farming.​
- Recent pilot project approved for 2023-24 to 2027-28 under National Food Security Mission (NFSM), led by ICAR-IIFSR Modipuram, with Rs 13.26 crore outlay.​
Objectives and Benefits
- Diverts paddy area to less water-intensive crops like pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and nutri cereals.
- Enhances farmer income stability, climate resilience, and nutritional security while cutting import reliance on pulses and oils.
