Facilitating accessibility to agricultural schemes in selected areas of Gujarat

Introduction

Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Indian economy, providing livelihoods for nearly half of the country's population and playing a critical role in ensuring food security (GOI, 2023) [2] . However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including fragmented land holdings, limited access to modern technology, poor irrigation infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices (NABARD, 2022) [7] . In response, both the central and state governments have introduced various agricultural schemes aimed at improving productivity, enhancing rural incomes, and promoting sustainable farming practices. These schemes focus on a range of areas such as crop insurance, irrigation, mechanization, and the adoption of modern agricultural techniques. Despite the availability of these schemes, their successful implementation depends heavily on farmers' awareness and utilization (Sharma, 2022) [13] . The introduction of digital platforms like the i-Khedut portal in Gujarat has revolutionized the way farmers access government subsidies and support. However, disparities in digital literacy, resource availability, and local agricultural practices often hinder the effective utilization of such platforms (Patel & Mehta, 2023) [8] . This research paper aims to assess the awareness and utilization of government agricultural schemes in selected areas of Gujarat, examining both the barriers that limit access and the factors that promote scheme adoption.

Indian Scenario of Agricultural Schemes

Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing approximately 17-18% to the country's GDP and employing nearly 50% of the workforce. However, the sector faces persistent challenges such as low productivity, soil degradation, and water scarcity, which is further worsened by fragmented landholdings and limited access to modern farming technologies. The Indian government has introduced a series of national agricultural schemes aimed at improving farm productivity and farmers' socio-economic conditions. Key schemes like the Pradhan Matri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) which provide direct benefit transfer of Rs 6000 to all farmers, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides crop insurance, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), focusing on improving irrigation efficiency, have been instrumental in addressing these challenges (Press Information Bureau, 2023) [12] . Additionally, initiatives like the Soil Health Card Scheme and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) have been pivotal in promoting sustainable farming practices, while schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) have improved access to credit facilities (Kumar & Sharma, 2022) [4] . However, the effectiveness of these programs varies significantly across states and regions (Singh, 2023) [14] . Many farmers in remote or less-developed areas remain unaware of these schemes, leading to suboptimal utilization (Patel & Mehta, 2023) [8] . Therefore, enhancing awareness and creating a robust support system are critical to ensuring that these schemes reach their full potential (Rao, 2023) [15] .

Gujarat Scenario of Agricultural Schemes

Gujarat, with its diverse agro-climatic zones ranging from www.extensionjournal.com the fertile plains of central Gujarat to the arid regions of Kutch, presents a unique agricultural landscape that requires region-specific policies and schemes (Government of Gujarat, 2023). The state has made significant strides in promoting modern agricultural practices, with a proactive introduction various schemes to support farmers. One of the flagship initiatives is the i-Khedut portal, a digital platform designed to streamline farmers' access to government schemes related to crop insurance, farm mechanization, irrigation, and more. Launched by the Gujarat government, the portal aims to increase transparency and reduce hurdles farmers often face in accessing subsidies and support services (Sharma & Patel, 2023) [16] . Despite the availability of such platforms, factors such as digital literacy, internet connectivity, and local support and guidance significantly impact the adoption of these schemes (Patel & Desai, 2023) [9] . In areas with limited access to digital resources or inadequate infrastructure, farmers struggle to benefit from these government initiatives (Trivedi, 2023) [18] . On the other hand, regions where NGOs and local authorities actively engage with farmers to raise awareness and provide technical support have seen higher participation rates (Mehta & Shah, 2023) [6] . Deepak Foundation is a registered non-government organisation working over four decades to promote holistic development of rural and tribal vulnerable communities. The Foundation initiated a project entitled Sangaath in 2019 to support the communities to assess and avail benefits of Central and State Government schemes in several areas of Gujarat.

Rationale

The linkage between agricultural schemes and their implementation in specific areas has been a subject of research, particularly in agrarian regions like Gujarat. Studies in the field explore how government policies and schemes align with the socio-economic and environmental needs of local farmers, ensuring improved agricultural practices, sustainability, and rural development.

Research by Kumar et al. (2018) [5] highlights that national programs like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are essential in mitigating risks associated with farming, such as crop failure and water scarcity. According to a study by Patel (2016) [11] , districts like Vadodara and Bharuch have benefited significantly from targeted government schemes that focus on irrigation efficiency and soil health improvement. The study observed that the linkage of these schemes to local agricultural practices has led to better crop productivity and enhanced income for farmers. Research in Chhotaudepur, a tribaldominated region, has shown that tribal farmers have gained access to modern agricultural tools and financial assistance through programs like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme. Meanwhile, Morbi, being a drought-prone district, relies heavily on irrigation schemes, and the implementation of PMKSY has contributed to increased water-use efficiency. Agricultural extension services are integral to the success of government schemes, as noted by Sharma and Singh (2017) [17] . Their research suggests that strong extension linkages between agricultural schemes and local farming communities are key to improving knowledge dissemination and technology adoption. In regions like Bharuch and Morbi, the presence of extension workers has helped bridge the gap between the government's intent and farmers' understanding of how to implement these schemes effectively. Despite these benefits, studies such as that of Desai and Mehta (2019) [1] have highlighted challenges in the linkage of agricultural schemes, particularly in underdeveloped areas like Chhotaudepur. Issues like lack of awareness, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate infrastructure often hinder the full realization of these schemes' potential. For instance, access to crop insurance through PMFBY in Vadodara and Morbi remains limited due to delayed claim settlements and complicated application processes. Research by Joshi (2020) [3] suggests that stronger policy interventions and tailored strategies are necessary to improve the linkage between agricultural schemes and regional needs. In particular, the study advocates for localized adaptation of national schemes, ensuring that they address the unique agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions of districts like Vadodara, Bharuch, and Chhotaudepur. It recommends improving infrastructure for irrigation, financial inclusion, and better integration of digital platforms like the i-Khedut app, which provides scheme-related information to farmers in Gujarat. While national schemes have provided substantial support, district-specific strategies and strong extension services are crucial in maximizing the impact of these programs in regions like Vadodara, Chhotaudepur, Morbi, and Bharuch. The present study highlights the awareness and utilization of agricultural schemes in selected areas of Gujarat, including regions like Naswadi, Nandesari, Savli, Dahej, and Morbi, which are characterized by diverse agricultural practices and socio-economic conditions. Deepak Foundation facilitated the access to schemes through corporate support from Deepak Group of Companies. By analysing the level of engagement with platforms like the i-Khedut portal and the factors influencing scheme utilization, this study aims to provide insights into how these schemes can be made more accessible and effective for all farmers across Gujarat. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an increasingly important tool in driving rural development and enhancing the agricultural sector in India. These efforts are particularly significant in regions where government reach may be limited due to infrastructure challenges or lack of awareness among farmers. The above table shows the details of the study area and total number of households and beneficiaries covered in the selected areas of 4 districts. Further this paper majorly discusses about the agricultural schemes in the selected areas.

Objectives

Study Methodology

Project Sangaath focuses on strengthening government service utilization and empowering communities. The Project has developed a model called Jan Suvidha Kendra, and introduced Adhikar for beneficiaries' which will enable access and tracking of government schemes and services at the village level, ensuring benefits are reached to eligible beneficiaries. Deepak Foundation through Project Sangaath aims to optimize the utilization of government schemes and services for sustainable development.

The Sangaath project is implemented at field level which is being mentored and monitored centrally for optimum output.

The key activities of the project are listed below. 1. Baseline survey for household profiling and identification of eligible beneficiaries for various schemes and Pre-Requisite documents.

Identification of local resource for rapport building in

the village, awareness on schemes among the community and making application through home-tohome visits.

Setting up and operationalization of Jan Suvidha

Kendra a hub for knowledge on schemes and facilitation centres within the village panchayat. 4. Awareness programs in identified villages with various government stakeholders along with village level stakeholders.

Results and Discussion

This section highlights the results of the study especially with related to agricultural schemes facilitated by the Foundation vis-a-viz schemes from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, i-Khedut Portal such as Tractor Sahay Yojana, Automatic Seed cum Driller, Tadpatri Sahay Yojana, and Rotavator. In fig 1 .1 shows the number of applications related to agriculture submitted and benefitted among the selected sites. It can be seen from the graph that Bharuch has the highest number of applications submitted, which is 1635 out of which 1114 (68%) of the submitted applications were approved followed by Naswadi, and Morbi. Naswadi shows 1,598 applications submitted, with 1,388 applications, achieving 87% approved applications, indicating strong participation of farmers having agricultural land. Morbi records 1,473 applications submitted, with 1,438 approvals, yielding a 98% success rate, the highest among all regions majorly because of the facilitation of scheme named Krushi Sahay Yojana (Krishi Rahat Package). Nandesari has 953 applications submitted, with 488 approved applications, leading to a 51% success rate. Savli demonstrates high efficiency, with 1,034 applications and 938 approvals, achieving a 91% success rate, reflecting a well-functioning system. Morbi records 1,473 applications submitted, with 1,438 approvals, yielding a 98% success rate, the highest among all regions majorly because of the facilitation of scheme named Krushi Sahay Yojana (Krishi Rahat Package). From the above description it can be said that Morbi and Naswadi has the scope for more agricultural schemes compared to Bharuch, Nandesari and Savli. Among all the agricultural schemes, the major scheme covered for the linkages was Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhin Yojana. This explains that farmer beneficiaries look forward to schemes which do not require any pre investment. Therefore, such schemes are appreciated and more taken up.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central government program fully funded by the Government of India and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers receive annual financial support of ₹6,000, which is transferred directly into their bank accounts in three installments of ₹2,000 each. Initially, the scheme targeted small and marginal farmers with up to two hectares of land but was later expanded to include all farmers across the country, regardless of the size of their landholding. To ensure equitable access and maximize the impact of these schemes, efforts must focus on strengthening digital infrastructure, simplifying application processes, and improving awareness among farmers. Continued collaboration between the government, CSR initiatives, and NGOs will be crucial in addressing regional challenges and ensuring that all farmers, especially those in underserved areas, can fully benefit from agricultural schemes. By refining policies and expanding outreach, Gujarat can further enhance its agricultural potential, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable rural economy.

Policy implications

Investing in digital infrastructure and training farmers will enhance their ability to access and utilize platforms like the i-Khedut portal, ensuring wider reach and effective use of technology. Simplifying application processes and expanding single-window systems will help reduce delays and errors, making it easier for farmers to benefit from www.extensionjournal.com various schemes. Conducting region-specific awareness campaigns with the involvement of NGOs and CSR initiatives will ensure that underserved areas receive necessary information and support. Improving administrative efficiency by deploying adequate personnel and resources, especially in high-application regions, will streamline implementation and prevent bottlenecks. Strengthening agricultural extension services will provide on-ground technical support tailored to local needs, ensuring farmers receive relevant guidance. Customizing national schemes to address unique agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions will enhance their effectiveness and applicability. Leveraging data from digital platforms will help identify underserved areas and introduce targeted interventions, optimizing resource allocation. Establishing regular evaluation mechanisms will allow for continuous assessment of scheme effectiveness and adaptation of policies based on feedback, ensuring sustained impact and better outcomes for beneficiaries.

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