Daily Current Affairs : 28-December-2024

The Operation Greens scheme, launched by the Indian government to support farmers and stabilize crop prices, has made slow progress in the 2024-25 financial year. A recent parliamentary report reveals that only 34% of the allocated budget for this year has been spent so far. While the scheme’s objectives are commendable, the current pace of expenditure raises concerns about its effectiveness.

What is Operation Greens?

Operation Greens is part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, a central sector scheme aimed at benefiting farmers by reducing price fluctuations and improving their income. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) oversees the scheme, which was launched in November 2018 with an initial budget of ₹500 crore.

Main Objectives

The scheme has several key goals, including:

  • Stabilizing Crop Prices: It aims to prevent large price swings in the market for essential crops.
  • Improving Farmer Welfare: By ensuring better income and reducing market volatility, the scheme strives to improve the financial situation of farmers.
  • Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses: It works towards reducing the loss of crops after they are harvested, which is a significant issue in agriculture.
  • Enhancing Farm-to-Market Linkages: Strengthening infrastructure to help farmers connect directly with markets and improve their profit margins.
Crops Covered

Initially, Operation Greens focused on Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP), but in 2021, it was expanded to include 22 perishable crops, such as:

  • Mango
  • Banana
  • Apple
  • Guava
  • Ginger
  • Shrimp
Key Features of the Scheme

To achieve its goals, Operation Greens has several long-term interventions, including:

  • Strengthening Production Clusters: Encouraging the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to ensure better collective bargaining and resource sharing.
  • Farm-Gate Infrastructure: Building facilities for storage, processing, and transportation to reduce wastage and ensure better value for crops.
  • Enhancing Food Processing Capacities: Focusing on improving food processing and adding value to agricultural products to ensure higher income for farmers.
Slow Spending: A Concern

Despite the scheme’s promising objectives, the fact that only 34% of the budget has been spent so far in 2024-25 is concerning. This slow pace suggests potential issues in implementing the scheme effectively, such as delayed infrastructure projects or challenges in setting up necessary facilities.

Why In News

The government’s flagship Operation Greens scheme, designed to stabilize crop prices and benefit farmers, has spent just 34% of its allocated budget for 2024-25, according to a parliamentary report. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of fund utilization and whether the scheme will achieve its intended outcomes in a timely manner.

MCQs about Government’s Operation Greens Scheme
  1. What is the main purpose of the Operation Greens scheme?
    A. To provide direct financial assistance to farmers
    B. To stabilize crop prices and improve farmers’ welfare
    C. To promote large-scale farming
    D. To introduce genetically modified crops
    Correct Answer: B. To stabilize crop prices and improve farmers’ welfare
    Explanation: The primary aim of the Operation Greens scheme is to stabilize crop prices and benefit farmers by reducing price volatility, improving farmers’ income, and minimizing post-harvest losses.
  2. When was the Operation Greens scheme launched?
    A. January 2015
    B. November 2018
    C. August 2020
    D. December 2021
    Correct Answer: B. November 2018
    Explanation: Operation Greens was launched in November 2018 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana to support farmers and stabilize agricultural markets.
  3. Which of the following crops was initially covered under the Operation Greens scheme?
    A. Mango, Banana, Apple
    B. Tomato, Onion, Potato
    C. Guava, Ginger, Shrimp
    D. Cotton, Wheat, Barley
    Correct Answer: B. Tomato, Onion, Potato
    Explanation: The scheme initially focused on three crops known as **TOP** — **Tomato, Onion, and Potato**. It was later expanded to include 22 other perishable crops like mango, banana, and apple.
  4. What is a key feature of the Operation Greens scheme for improving farmers’ income?
    A. Providing subsidies for farmers’ education
    B. Strengthening production clusters and building infrastructure
    C. Importing foreign agricultural products
    D. Promoting organic farming in all states
    Correct Answer: B. Strengthening production clusters and building infrastructure
    Explanation: A major feature of Operation Greens is strengthening **production clusters** and creating **farm-gate infrastructure**, such as storage and processing facilities, to reduce post-harvest losses and help farmers earn higher incomes by connecting better with markets.

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