Q.5. What is meant by ‘Technology Mission’ in Indian agriculture ? Discuss its objectives.

The ‘Technology Mission’ in Indian agriculture refers to focused initiatives aimed at harnessing modern technology to drive attention towards developing specific sectors within agriculture. These missions are characterized by clearly defined objectives, scope, and implementation timelines, and they are designed to achieve measurable outcomes and service levels through technological advancements.

Here are some key objectives of the Technology Missions in Indian agriculture:

• Increase Production and Productivity: The missions aim to boost the production and productivity of various crops, such as oilseeds, pulses, and maize, using modern technologies and improved farming practices.
• Improve Input Availability: They strive to enhance the availability of quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers at affordable prices.
• Develop Post-Harvest Technologies: Another objective is to develop post-harvest technologies to minimize losses and extend the shelf life of agricultural produce.
• Promote Research and Development: The missions also focus on promoting research and development in agriculture to improve crop quality and yield.

For example, the Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses, and Maize (TMOPM) was launched with the goal of increasing the production of these crops to reduce India’s dependence on imports of edible oils and meet the growing demand for food. Similarly, the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) aims to increase oilseed production and productivity, and the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture practices and enhancing the resilience of agriculture to climate change.

These missions represent a strategic approach to modernize Indian agriculture and make it more productive, sustainable, and resilient to challenges such as climate change.