GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 220
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06TH AUGUST, 2024

NEW AGRICULTURAL POLICY

*220. SMT. SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृिष एवं िकसान क ाण मं ी be pleased to state:

(a) the measures taken by the Government to address the policy lag in the agricultural sector;
(b) whether the new agricultural policy proposed by the Government aims at improving the
existing challenges faced by farmers in country and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken by Government to tackle climate change and promote sustainable farming
practices in the country?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृिष एवं िकसान क ाण मं ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the house.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 220 REGARDING “NEW AGRICULTURAL POLICY” FOR
REPLY ON 06TH AUGUST, 2024.

(a) & (b): Government of India is very concerned about agriculture and welfare of farmers
and it is consistently working in collaboration with the State Governments to address various
issues. A number of initiatives for welfare of farmers through policy measures and schemes/
programmes have been introduced whenever a need was felt for the welfare of farmers and to
make farming more remunerative and the farmers financially more secure. Details of the schemes
/ initiatives are given in annexure.

(c) : To address the issue of climate change, the Government is implementing National
Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) with the aim to make Indian agriculture more
resilient to the changing climate. The NMSA is one of the missions under National Action Plan
on Climate Change (NAPCC) which supports sustainable agricultural production in the country
through its various schemes. Initially NMSA was approved for three major components
comprising, Rainfed Area Development (RAD); On-Farm Water Management (OFWM); and Soil
Health Management (SHM). Subsequently, new programmes such as Soil Health Card (SHC),
Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North
Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), National Bamboo Mission
(NBM) etc. were also included.

To increase production and productivity of the field & commercial crops in the country,
Government of India is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on rice, wheat
pulses, coarse cereals, nutri-cereals and Commercial Crops (cotton, jute & sugarcane). Under this
scheme, assistance is being provided to farmers on cluster demonstrations, distribution of certified
seeds/ hybrids, improved and resource conservation farm implements/ machines, water saving
devices, plant protection chemicals, bio pesticides, cropping system based training to the farmers
and soil ameliorants etc. New initiatives like distribution of seed minikits of newer varieties free
of cost, production of quality seed (breeder and certified seed), creation of seed hubs at State
Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs), cluster demonstration by
KVKs have been included under NFSM for enhancing production and productivity of pulses and
nutri-cereals. The Commercial Crops (cotton/jute/ sugarcane) primarily focus on cropping system
approach for transfer of technology in the identified States.
 Annexure

Major achievements of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare since 2014

1. Unprecedented enhancement in budget allocation: In the year 2013-14 the budget

allocation of Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare was only 21933.50 crore. This
has increased by more than 5.5 times to Rs. 1,22,528.77 crore in 2024-25.

2. Income support to farmers through PM KISAN: Launch of PM-KISAN in 2019 -an

income support scheme providing Rs. 6000 per year in 3 equal installments. More than Rs. 3.24
lakh crore has been released so far to more than 11 crore farmers as of now.

3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) : Eight year (Provisional) - PMFBY
was launched in 2016 addressing problems of high premium rates for farmers and reduction in
sum insured due to capping. In past 8 Years of implementation – 62.60 crore farmer
applications enrolled and over 17.80 crore (Provisional) farmer applicants have received claims
of over Rs. 1,60,838 crore. During this period nearly Rs.32,280 crore were paid by farmers as
their share of premium against which claims over Rs.1,63,518.70 crore (Provisional) have been
paid to them. Thus for every 100 rupees of premium paid by farmers, they have received
about Rs. 498 as claims.

DigiClaim– For transparency in calculation and payment of claims, Claim Payment

Module for payment of claims directly to the farmer's account through National Crop
Insurance Portal (NCIP) using PFMS platform has been launched for implementation from
Kharif 2022 season claims onwards. All the claims are now been paid by insurance
companies directly to farmers through Digiclaim.

SARTHI – Sandbox for Agricultural & Rural Security, Technology & Insurance: It is
an innovative stride conceived by the Government. Its primary goal is to augment the
financial resilience of farming community against multifaceted Environmental, Social and
Governance (ESG) risks they encounter. This pioneering platform goes beyond traditional
crop insurance, aiming to provide a comprehensive suite of insurance products tailored
mainly for farmers and rural India.

KRPH – Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline has been launched to create efficient
grievance redressal mechanism for farmers under PMFBY. A dedicated Centralized Toll
Free Number 14447 has been launched to facilitate query resolution and grievance
redressal at national level. On registration of complaint, a unique ticket number is created,
through which complainant can track the progress of their complaint. Grievance is required
to be resolved within stipulated time frame. It will also help the State and Central
Government to monitor the grievances.

4. Institutional credit for agriculture sector

Institutional credit target to Agriculture has increased more than 2.5 times since 2014-
15 from ₹ 8 lakh crores to ₹ 20 lakh crores in 2023-24.
Disbursement of easy and concessional crop-loan to help the farmers in accessing
short-term agriculture credit from institutional sources has increased more than
two times since 2014-15 from ₹ 6.4 lakh crore to ₹ 14.79 lakh crore in 2023-24.
 Interest subsidy given to farmers through KCC has increased 2.4 times since 2014-15
from ₹ 6000 crore to ₹ 14252 crores in 2023-24.
The number of accounts of Small and Marginal Farmers availing agriculture loans
increased from 57% in 2014-15 to 76 % in 2023-24.

5. Fixing of MSP at one-and-a half times the cost of production –

Government has increased the MSP for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other
commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted
average cost of production from 2018-19.
MSP for Paddy (common) has increased to Rs. 2300 per quintal in 2023-24 from Rs.
1310 per quintal in 2013-14.
MSP for Wheat increased from Rs. 1400 per quintal in 2013-14 to Rs. 2275 per quintal
in 2023-24.

6. (A) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): The Parampragat Krishi Vikas
Yojana (PKVY) is the first comprehensive scheme launched in 2015-16 by the Central
Government as a centrally sponsored programme (CSP) for promotion of organic farming in
the country.

Total fund released Rs 2078.67 Cr since 2015-16 (as on 30.06.2024).

Under PKVY Scheme 38043 clusters (20 ha each) formed, 8.41 lakh ha area covered
including LAC.

In addition to above under natural farming fund released for an area of 4.09 lakh ha
area to 8 states and Under Namami Gange Programme funds Rs 272.85 crore has been
released total 9551 clusters formed and 1.91 lakh ha area covered.

A dedicated online web portal- www.Jaivikkheti.in/ has been created to encourage, sale
of organic products directly by farmers to consumers farming by directly connecting
the consumers. On Jaivik-kheti portal total 6.23 lakh farmers have been registered.

Various Brands have been developed by the State for marketing of Organic Produce
under the PKVY Scheme.

Government has initiated Large Area Certification (LAC) programme since 2020-21 to
certify large traditional/default organic areas such as hills, islands, tribal or desert belt
with no past history of GMO and agro chemical uses.

Under this programme 14,445 ha area under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of
islands in Union Territory of A&N Islands have been certified to transform entire
territory of these islands to organic similar to Sikkim.
Proposal of 5000 ha area has been received from Ladakh under LAC and fund Rs
11.475 lakh has been released.
The entire cultivable land of 2700 ha area of Lakshadweep have been certified organic
under Large area certification
Under Large area certification fund Rs 96.39 lakh has been released for 60,000 ha area
to the State Government of Sikkim
B) Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
Scheme: The MOVCDNER scheme aims at development of commodity specific,
concentrated, certified organic production clusters in value chain mode to link growers with
consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds,
certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and
brand building initiative in Northeast Region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura). The main focus of the scheme is on
export of produce. The scheme was approved with an outlay of Rs. 400 crore for three years
during the year 2015-16. The scheme has completed two phases of three years each and is now
moving forward in Phase III.

Summary Achievements

Total fund released Rs 1150.09 Cr since 2015-16 (as on 30.06.2024).

379 FPO/FPCs created covering 189039 farmers and 172966 ha area

394 Collection, Aggregation, Grading units, Custom Hiring Centres, 123 processing and
pack house entities created under FPO/FPCs and private ownership

145 transportation vehicles provided to FPO/FPCs

7 states developed their own brands

Marketing facilitation of ginger, turmeric, pineapple and king chilli have been major
success and FPCs have been supported with buyback agreements

The export of king chilli sauce, pineapple (canned) and ginger flakes to UK, USA,
Australia, France and Swaziland have already started

Industry mentorship model with necessary infrastructure development with 3 FPCs

Contract production of Ginger and Turmeric with 100% buyback assurance finalized with
3FPOs in Arunachal Pradesh with Parvata Foods

Contract cultivation of other high value crops such as Perila, black thai ginger and
Calandula flowers is under process.

C) National Mission on Natural Farming

Natural Farming is way of chemical free farming based on the livestock and locally
available resources with no fertilizer and pesticides. GoI is promoting Natural
Farming since 2019-20 through a sub-scheme “BhartiyaPrakratikKrishiPaddhati –
(BPKP)” under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) in limited area.
Under BPKP, 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered in 8 states Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and
Tamil Nadu.
Prime Minister at various platforms has emphasized on the need to promote natural
farming as mass movement. Hon'ble Finance Minister in her budget speech also,
emphasized the need for promotion of agrochemical free natural farming.
 Therefore, to achieve the vision of Hon'ble PM and Budget Announcement, a dedicated
centrally sponsored schemes “National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)” is
being launched.
Committee of Secretaries (CoS) and Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has
recommended the launching of NMNF. A Cabinet Note to roll out NMNF is under
process.

7. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme launched during 2015-16 aims to increase water
use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies namely Drip and
Sprinkler Irrigation systems to benefit the farmers in the country.

During the year 2015-16 to 2021-22, the PDMC was implemented as a component of
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). From the year 2022-23, the PDMC
is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Micro Irrigation
helps in water saving as well as reducing fertilizer usage through fertigation, labour
expenses, other input costs and in overall income enhancement of the farmers.

Under the Scheme, financial assistance of 55% to Small & Marginal farmers and 45% to
Other farmers is provided for installation of Micro Irrigation systems. From the year 2015-
16 to 2022-23, an area of 78.4 lakh ha has been covered under Micro Irrigation in the
Country through the scheme which is about 81% higher as compared to the Pre-PDMC
eight years period. This is a significant achievement. Total of 89.87 lakh ha. area covered
till march 2024.

An evaluation study of PDMC Scheme was taken up by the NITI Aayog during 2020-21,
which reveals that the scheme is relevant in achieving national priorities such as
substantially improving on-farm water use efficiency, enhancing crop productivity,
generating employment opportunities etc.; Income of farmers has increased in the range of
10% to 69%; Water use efficiency has improved in the range of 30% to 70% and created
direct & indirect employment opportunities.

8. Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF): A Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) of initial corpus Rs 5000
crore has been created with NABARD with major objective to facilitate the States in
mobilizing the resources for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation. Under the funding
arrangement, NABARD lends to the States/UTs at 3% lower interest rate than the
corresponding cost of fund mobilized by NABARD from the market. The interest subvention
on the loan under MIF is borne by Centre under PDMC. Projects with loans under MIF worth
Rs 4724.74 crore have been approved so far. Loans amounting Rs. 3387.80 crore has been
disbursed to States. The Ministry provides interest subvention on the loan availed by the States
which is met from PDMC Scheme. As per the Budget Announcement of the year 2021-22, the
corpus of the fund is to be doubled to Rs.10000 crores.

9. Promotion of FPOs

i. A new Central Sector Scheme for Formation & Promotion of new 10,000 FPOs i.
launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 29th February, 2020 with budget
outlay of Rs i. 6,865 Crore till 2027-28.
 ii. As on 30th June 2024, 8,872 no. of FPOs have been registered under new FPO
scheme. ii. Equity Grant of Rs. 209.9 Crore has been released to 4,135 FPOs.
Credit Guarantee ii. Cover worth Rs. 349.28 Cr. issued to 1,542 FPOs.

10. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched in 2020 as a part of
the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, with an outlay of Rs.500.00 crores for three years i.e., 2020-
21 to 2022-23. The scheme has been extended for further three years, i.e., 2023-24 to 2025-26,
with the remaining budget of Rs.370.00 crores from the allocated budget of Rs.500.00 crores
for the overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping and to achieve the goal of
"Sweet Revolution".

11. Agricultural Mechanization : Agricultural mechanization is extremely vital to modernize

agriculture and reduce drudgery of farming operations. During the period from 2014-15 to
March, 2024 an amount of Rs.7265.00 crore have been allocated for agricultural mechanization.
18,16,221 numbers of machines and equipments have been provided to farmers on
subsidy. 25,527 custom hiring centers, 594 high-tech hubs and 23,538 farm machinery banks
have been established to make available agricultural machines and equipments to the farmers
on rental basis. During 2024-25, Rs.69.99 Crore have been released to States.

12. Namo Drone Didi: The Government has also recently approved Central Sector Scheme
for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261
Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing
rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of
the total 15,000 drones, first 500 drones will be procured by Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs)
in 2023-24, using their internal resources for distribution to selected SHGs. Remaining 14500
drones will be provided under this scheme and Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost
of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs will be provided
to the women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs
may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National
Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be
provided to the CLFs. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for
improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of
farmers. The scheme will also provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs
and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs. 1.0 lakh per annum.

13. Providing Soil Health Cards to farmers : Soil Health Card Scheme was introduced in
the year 2014-15 to optimize usage of nutrients. The following number of cards have been
issued to farmers.

Cycle-I (2015 to 2017) – 10.74 crore

Cycle-II (2017 to 2019)- 12.19 crore
Model Village Programme (2019-20)- 23.71 lakh
In the year 2020-21– 14.57 lakh
In the year 2021-22 – No fund for Soil Samples were allocated to States/UTs.
In the year 2022-23 – 36.73 lakh
In the year 2023-24 – 36.76 lakh
In the year 2024-25 – 1.99 lakh
 Regulations for promotion of biostimulants is issued. Nano urea is included under fertilizer
control order.

14. Setting up of E-NAM extension Platform

· The Department has integrated 1389 mandis with e-NAM across 23 States &4 UTs.

· As on 30th June 2024, 1.77 crore Farmers & 2.59 Lakh traders have been registered
on e· -NAM portal. Total volume of 9.94 Crore MT & 36.39 Crore numbers
(bamboo, betel · leaves, coconut, lemon & sweet corn) collectively worth
approximately Rs. 3.59 lakh · crore of trade has been recorded on e-NAM platform.

15. Launch of the National Mission for Edible Oils – Oil Palm: A new Centrally Sponsored
Scheme namely, National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been
launched during August,2021 with the aim to enhance the edible oils availability in the country
by harnessing Oil Palm area expansion, increasing CPO production and to reduce the import
burden on edible oil. The Mission will bring additional area of 6.5 lakh ha under Oil Palm
plantation with 3.28 lakh ha in North-Eastern States and 3.22 in Rest of India with a total outlay
of Rs. 11,040 crore in next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

16. Agri Infrastructure Fund : A one Lakh Crore, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
scheme was launched with an objective to mobilize a medium - long term debt financing facility
for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community
farming assets through incentives and financial support in order to improve agriculture
infrastructure in the country. Following supports are being provided under Agri Infra Fund.

17. Improvement in farm produce logistics, Introduction of Kisan Rail: Kisan Rail has
been launched by Ministry of Railways to exclusively cater to movement of perishable agrihorti
commodities. First Kisan Rail was started in July 2020. Till 28th February, 2023, 2359 services
on 167 routes have been operated.

18. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): Details of physical

progress under the major components of NHM/HMNEH scheme of MIDH from 2014-15 to
2023-24 is as under:

Area Expansion: - An additional area of 13.79 lakh ha. of identified horticulture crops
has been covered.
Nurseries: - 905 nurseries have been established for production of quality planting
material.
Rejuvenation: - An area of 1.48 lakh ha. of old and senile orchards has been rejuvenated.
Organic Farming: - An area of 52259 ha. been covered under organic practices.
Protected Cultivation: - An area of 3.04 lakh ha. has been covered under Protected
Cultivation.
Water Resources: - 54630 water-harvesting structures have been created.
Beekeeping: - 16.30 lakh bee colonies with hives have been distributed.
Horticulture Mechanization: -2.73 lakh horticulture mechanization equipment have been
distributed.
Post-Harvest Management Infrastructures: - 1.27 lakh post-harvest units have been
established.
 Market Infrastructures: - 15923 market infrastructures have been set up.
Training of Farmers: - Under HRD, 9.73 lakh farmers have been trained under various
horticulture activities.

19. Creation of a Start-up Eco system in agriculture and allied sector: So far, 1708 Start-
ups working in agriculture & allied sector have been selected during FY 2019-20 to 2023-24
by different Knowledge Partners (KPs) and Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs). Rs. 122.50
crore as grants-in-aid has been released in installments to the respective KPs & R-ABIs for
funding to these selected start-ups under RKVY Agri-startup Programme of Department of
Agriculture & FW.

20. Achievement in Export of Agri and Allied Agri- Commodities: The country has witnessed
emphatic growth in export of agri and allied commodities. The major commodities which posted
significant growth as compared to previous year have been Rice Basmati 21.92% (4787.65 to
5837.13 Million USD), buffalo Meat 17.11% (3193.69 to 3740.16 Million USD), Spices12.17%
(3785.36 to 4245.99 Million USD), cotton raw incld. Waste 55.13% (781.43 to 1115.49 Million
USD), Fresh Fruits 32.46% (864.62 to 1145.24 Million USD), misc processed items 37.88%
(1421.64 to 1652.22 Million USD) etc.
*****