Lok Sabha Question No. 1682 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Assistance to Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1682

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND   JULY, 2019

## ASSISTANCE  TO AGRICULTURE  SECTOR

1682.   SHRI  N. K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government proposes to compensate the farmers who lost their farming due to natural calamities;
- (b) if so, the action plan formulated by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether it has come to the notice  of the Government that farming has become a loss making occupation due to hike in prices of seeds and fertilizers;
- (d) if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the Government  for  ensuring  the  supply  of good  quality seeds  and  fertilizers  at reasonable prices;
- (e) the details of action taken by the Government  to  ensure  the  supply  of various types of seeds in different States considering the special kind of farming in each State; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to introduce subsidy for fertilizers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b):    In the eventuality of natural calamities, the State Governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is readily available with them. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), on receipt of Memorandum from State Governments and  in accordance  with  extant  norms  and  procedures.  The  financial  assistance  under SDRF/NDRF  in  the  wake  of  notified  natural  disasters  is  given  by  way  of  relief  and  not  for compensation of loss as suffered/claimed
- (c) to (e):    No, Sir. However, for making available various types of good quality seeds to the farmers at reasonable/subsidized price, the  Government is already providing financial assistance/  subsidy  to  different  States  and  implementing  agencies  for  seed  related  activities under  various  ongoing  Crop  Development  Progammes/Schemes  viz.  National  Food  Security Mission (NFSM),    Bringing Green Revolution   in Eastern India (BGREI), Mission on Integrated Contd..2/

Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH),  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojna  (RKVY),  Sub  Mission  on Seeds  and  Planting  Material  (SMSP)  under  National  Mission  on  Agricultural  Extension  & Technology (NMAET) etc., which help in enhancing productivity of various crops in the country, including that of special requirement areas.

(f): Subsidy for fertilizers has been a part of fertilizer policy of the Government. Government is  making  available  fertilizers,  namely,  Urea  and  21  grades  of  Phosphatic  &  Potassic  (P&K) fertilizers  to  farmers  at  subsidized  prices  through  fertilizer  manufacturers/  importers.  Urea  is being  provided  to  the  farmers  at  a  statutorily  notified  Maximum  Retail  Price  (MRP).  The Department  of  Fertilizers  is  implementing  Nutrient  Based  Subsidy  (NBS)  Scheme  for  P&K fertilizers  with  effect  from  01.04.2010.  Under  the  NBS  scheme,  a  fixed  amount  of  subsidy decided on annual basis, is provided on each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers, depending upon its nutrient content. Boron and Zinc are also included under the NBS and are eligible for additional subsidy of Rs 300 per tonne and Rs 500 per tonne respectively. The approved rates of subsidy under the NBS scheme for the year 2018-19 for Nitrogen was Rs. 18.901 per kg, for Phosphorus Rs. 15.216 per kg, whereas for Potash and Sulphur, it was Rs. 11.124 per kg and Rs. 2.722 per kg respectively.

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