Lok Sabha Question No. 1965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Promotion of Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1965

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH   MARCH, 2017

## PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURE SECTOR

1965.      SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is fact that due priority is not given to the agriculture sector in the country, so far and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  agriculture  sector  to  bridge  the  gap between urban and rural areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is a need to incorporate and promote silviculture and pisciculture along with the agriculture sector and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the small scale industries in the agriculture sector is playing an important role in boosting local income/ economy and enhancing the prospects of the farming sector and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in  the  interest  of  the  farmers  in  the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): No  Madam.  Agriculture  plays  a  vital  role  in  the  country's  economy  and  given  the importance  of  agriculture  sector,  the  Government  has  substantially  enhanced  the  budget allocation for the agriculture sector from Rs. 35,983.69 crore BE (including Rs. 20,400.00 crore for Plan) during 2016-17 to Rs. 52,655.00 crore BE during 2017-18.
- (b): Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  &  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  various programmes/ schemes to improve the farm productivity, reduce cost of cultivation and ensure remunerative prices on farm produce, thereby enhancing farmers' income and strengthening the rural economy, which helps to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas .

- (c): Yes,  Madam.  During  XII  Plan,  with  effect  from  2014-15  Department  of  Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers  Welfare has launched Mission for Integrated Development  of Horticulture  (MIDH)  by  subsuming  schemes  on  horticulture  including,  inter-alia,  National Bamboo Mission (NBM) renamed as National Agro Forestry & Bamboo Mission (NABM).

Department  of  Animal  Husbandry,  Dairying  &  Fisheries  (DADF)  in  the  Ministry  of Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  has  restructured  the  Fisheries  scheme  as  Blue  Revolution: Integrated  Development  and  Management  of  Fisheries,  2016  which  encompasses  following components:-

- i)  National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB);
2. ii) Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture;
3. iii) Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations;
4. iv) National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen
- v) Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector; and
6. vi) Issuance of Biometric Identity Cards to Coastal Fishermen.

The  Blue  Revolution,  with  its  multi-dimensional  activities,  focuses  mainly  on  increasing production from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine. Blue Revolution visualizes  'Creating  an  enabling  environment  for  an  integrated  and  holistic  development  and management  of  fisheries  keeping  in  view  the  sustainability,  bio-security  and  environmental concerns '.

The main objectives of the scheme are:-

- i)   To increase the overall fish production in a responsible and sustainable manner for economic prosperity;
2. ii)  To modernize fisheries with special focus on new technologies;
3. iii) To ensure food and nutritional security;
4. iv) To generate employment and export earnings;
- v)  To ensure inclusive development and empower fishermen and aquaculture farmers.
6. (d): Agro  produce  based  industries,  and  those  engaged  in  manufacture  of  inputs  of agricultural production, and farm implements as well as providing various services for farming activities have preponderance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and therefore, have a major role in boosting the farming sector, and improving the local economy .
7. (e): The focus of the Government is on farmers' welfare by making farming viable.   Farm viability is possible, when cost of cultivation is reduced, yields per unit of farm are increased and farmers  get  remunerative  prices  on  their  produce.    The  Department  has  been  implementing various  schemes  to  meet  this  objective,  viz.  Soil  Health  Card  Scheme  (SHC),  Neem  Coated Urea,  Paramparagat Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY),  The  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana (PMKSY),  National  Agriculture  Market  scheme  (e-NAM),  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana (PMFBY).

In addition, the Government provides interest subvention of 3% on short-term crop loans up to Rs.3.00 lakh.  Presently, loan is available to farmers at an interest rate of 7% per annum, which gets reduced to 4% on prompt repayment.  Further, under Interest Subvention Scheme 2015-16, in order to provide relief to the farmers on occurrence of natural calamities, the interest subvention of 2% shall continue to be available to banks for the first year on the restructured amount.    Further, the Government is implementing several Centrally Sponsored Schemes viz. National  Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM);  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture (MIDH); National Mission on  Oilseeds & Oilpalm (NMOOP); National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture  (NMSA);  National  Mission  on  Agricultural  Extension  &  Technology  (NMAET)  and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

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