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Agriculture,Rural & Environment

National Food Security Mission NFSM

National Food Security Mission was launched in 2007-08 to increase the production of rice, wheat and pulses. Later, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, commercial crops (sugarcane, jute, and cotton) were also added to the mission.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The scheme targets to provide following benefits: | 1) Enhance production and productivity of crops | 2) Promotion and extension of improved technologies and seed varieties through Cluster Demonstration, Cluster Frontline Demonstration, and Frontline Demonstration | 3) Assistance for quality / certified seeds production and distribution | 4) Support for nutrient management and pest management | 5) Provision of flexi component for Interventions covering farm implements/ machines, capacity building of farmers, water carrying pipes, post-harvest technologies like Dal Mill/de-stoning/ grading, etc.

Who can apply

All farmers can apply for the scheme. | Criteria for Identification of Areas and Beneficiaries | 1) In accordance with the decision of the GoI regarding implementation of Special Component Plan (SCP) for Scheduled Castes and Tribal SubPlan (TSP) for Scheduled Tribes, 16% of the total allocation for SCP and 8% for TSP will be earmarked. However, States will be allowed to make allocation to SC/ST farmers proportionate to their population in the States/districts. | 2) At least 33% allocation of the fund is to be made for small and marginal farmers. | 3) At least 30% allocation of the fund is to be made for women farmers. | 4) All the farmers are entitled to avail the assistance for various components of the Mission limited to 5 hectares in a season. | Criteria for selection of districts: | 1) Districts with area more than 50,000 ha and yield below State average yield under NFSM-Rice and NFSM-Wheat have been selected. | 2) All districts of north-eastern states (except Assam) with at least 5000 ha area under rice have been selected. | 3) Districts with at least 15000 ha area under rice or wheat in hill states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand have been selected. | 4) All districts of 29 states have been included under NFSM pulses. | 5) In case of coarse cereals (Maize and Barley), the districts covering 70% of the total coarse cereals area of the state have been selected. | 6) All States growing Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and Small Millets will be covered under the programme of NFSM-Nutri-Cereals (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and Small Millets). | For a Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) organised by ICAR, each cluster must be atleast 25 ha | For a Front Line Demonstration (FLD) organised by ICAR, each cluster must be atleast 1 ha | For a Demonstration organised by state government, each cluster must be atleast 100 ha (25 ha for Hilly and North East states)

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Is there any age criteria for availing scheme benefits?

Any farmer who owns the land can avail benefits under the scheme.

Is there a preference for certain gender /caste of farmers?

All farmers are to be considered under the scheme, however, as per GoI norms, women farmers, and SC/ST farmers may be given preference.

Is there a minimum education qualification for the scheme?

No, any farmer meeting requisite criteria may be considered under the scheme.

Is there a fee for availing the benefits?

No, there is no fee.