Lok Sabha Question No. 284 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: Development of Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 284

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE SECTOR

- *284.  SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Union  Government  has  fixed  goals  and  priorities for all  round development  of  agricultural  sector  and  improvement  of  the  economic  conditions  of  the farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  initiatives  for  raising  the  income  of  farmers, induction of appropriate marketing of agricultural products, elimination of malnutrition/starvation and unified development of agriculture; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (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. 284    DUE FOR REPLY ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2016.

- (a): Government has initiated a wide-ranging agricultural development programme for  improvement  of  economic  conditions  of  the  farmers.  The  programme  is  primarily focused on: improvement of land, water resources, livestock, fisheries; conservation of flora and fauna wealth and animal genetic diversity; better support services related to science  and  technology  application,  agricultural bio-security,  weather  forecasting, climate change; farm input service management; effective credit and insurance support; strengthening extension, training and knowledge connectivity; assured and remunerative marketing opportunities; better agricultural and animal science, education and research;  promoting special  categories  of  farmers,  special  categories  of  farming, special  regions  of  farming  and  group  farming;  attracting  youth  to  farming  profession; and developing enabling public policies and institutions.

(b)  &  (c):      Agriculture  is  a  state  subject,  and  primary  responsibility  of  the  state government.  Union  Government,  however,  supplements  their  efforts  through  various schemes  and  programmes  that,  inter-alia;  aim  at  removing  market  imperfections, increasing production and productivity.

An  important  recent  initiative  in  this  regard  include  launching  of  National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) portal enabling a pan-India electronic trading, which seeks to  network  the  existing  APMCs  and  other  market  yards  to  create  a  unified  national market  for  agri-commodities.  About  250  markets  of  10  states  have  already  been integrated  with  e-NAM  and  tradable  parameters  for  69  agri-commodities  have  been formulated and uploaded on e-NAM portal to assist e-trading.

To  address  the  issue  of  malnutrition,  Government  is  providing  subsidized foodgrains to the weaker and vulnerable sections through PDS under the National Food Security Act.

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