Lok Sabha Question No. 1955 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Crop Diversification
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1955

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## CROP DIVERSIFICATION

## 1955.   SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL:

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

- (a) whether there is a huge need for crop diversification in Punjab to save water and soil;
- (b) if so, the total amount of funds given to the States for crop diversification, State-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to encourage farmers to opt for crop diversification?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is already implementing a Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) for replacing paddy crop with less water consuming alternative crops to save water and protect soil in the state of Punjab.
- (b): State-wise  allocation  (central  share)  under  CDP  for  replacing  paddy  /  tobacco crops during 2019-20 is given below:

(Rs. in lakh)

| S.I No.             | State                          | Budget Allocation (central share)   |
|---------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| A.                  | CDP for replacing paddy crop   |                                     |
| 1.                  | Punjab                         | 705.76                              |
| 2.                  | Haryana                        | 301.73                              |
| 3.                  | Uttar Pradesh                  | 320.51                              |
| Sub Total           | Sub Total                      | 1328.00                             |
| B.                  | CDP for replacing tobacco crop |                                     |
| 1                   | Andhra Pradesh                 | 212.96                              |
| 2                   | Bihar                          | 17.80                               |
| 3                   | Gujarat                        | 201.23                              |
| 4                   | Karnataka                      | 160.08                              |
| 5                   | Maharashtra                    | 0.00                                |
| 6                   | Odisha                         | 2.45                                |
| 7                   | Tamil Nadu                     | 5.33                                |
| 8                   | Telangana                      | 10.47                               |
| 9                   | Uttar Pradesh                  | 38.21                               |
| 10                  | West Bengal                    | 18.47                               |
| Sub Total           | Sub Total                      | 667.00                              |
| C.                  | Contingency                    | 5.00                                |
| Grand Total (A+B+C) | Grand Total (A+B+C)            | 2000.00                             |

(c): Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is being implemented in Original Green Revolution States to divert the area of paddy crop to alternate crops and in tobacco growing states to encourage tobacco farmers to shift to alternate crops/cropping system. Under CDP for replacing paddy crop, assistance is provided for  four  major  interventions  viz.,  alternate  crop  demonstrations,  farm  mechanization  &  value addition, site-specific activities & contingency for awareness, training, monitoring, etc. However, for replacing tobacco crop, tobacco growing states have been given flexibility to take suitable activities/interventions for growing alternative agricultural/horticultural crops.

Government of India also provide flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under RKVY. The state can promote crop diversification under RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.

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