Important Indian Schemes · Agriculture & Environment

PM-PRANAM Scheme

Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management — restoring soil health.

Approved 2023 · Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers · State-incentive based
Approved
2023
Type
Incentive scheme
Target
States/UTs
Focus
Cut chemical fertilisers

Overview

PM-PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) is a scheme approved in 2023 to incentivise states and Union Territories to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and promote alternate, natural and organic fertilisers. The aim is to restore soil health, reduce the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers, and encourage balanced and sustainable use of nutrients.

Key Objectives

  • Reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and the related subsidy burden
  • Promote alternate, natural, organic and bio-fertilisers
  • Restore and improve soil health across the country
  • Encourage balanced and sustainable fertiliser use

Salient Features

The scheme has no separate budget of its own; instead, it is financed through the savings of existing fertiliser-subsidy schemes. States that reduce their chemical-fertiliser consumption are rewarded with a share of the subsidy savings, which can be used for asset creation, adoption of alternate fertilisers and awareness generation related to sustainable farming and soil health.

Key Facts at a Glance

Full Form PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment & Amelioration of Mother Earth
Approved 2023
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Funding From savings of existing fertiliser-subsidy schemes
Incentive States rewarded for reducing chemical fertiliser use
Goal Soil health, sustainable & balanced fertiliser use
EXAM FOCUS  Note the full form, that it incentivises states to cut chemical fertiliser use, has no separate budget (funded from subsidy savings), and is under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

Practice Questions

Five multiple-choice questions for revision

1. PM-PRANAM scheme aims to promote:
a)More chemical fertilisers
b)Alternate / natural fertilisers and soil health
c)Imported pesticides
d)Genetically modified seeds only
2. PM-PRANAM was approved in which year?
a)2020
b)2021
c)2022
d)2023
3. PM-PRANAM is funded through:
a)A large separate budget
b)Savings of existing fertiliser-subsidy schemes
c)Foreign loans
d)Disinvestment proceeds
4. PM-PRANAM incentivises which entities to reduce chemical fertiliser use?
a)Farmers individually
b)States and UTs
c)Banks
d)Universities
5. PM-PRANAM is implemented under which ministry?
a)Ministry of Agriculture
b)Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
c)Ministry of Environment
d)Ministry of Rural Development
Answer Key
1. (b) Alternate / natural fertilisers and soil health2. (d) 20233. (b) Savings of existing fertiliser-subsidy schemes4. (b) States and UTs5. (b) Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers