Lok Sabha Question No. 3466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-10
Subject: Damage to Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Deepak Baij

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3466

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2019

## DAMAGE TO CROPS

3466.  SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

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

(a) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  and  check  damage  to  crops  by wild/stray animals; and

(b) the mechanism to compensate the farmers for crop damage from such animals and the amount of compensation provided to the farmers under the same during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a):          Government  has  taken  various  steps  to  prevent  and  check  damage to crops by wild/stray animals in the country as follows:

(1) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) through its Centrally Sponsored  Schemes  (CSS)  namely  `Project  Tiger', ' Project Elephant'  and  'Development  of  Wildlife  Habitats  (DWH)'  provides  funds  to States  and  UTs  for  carrying  various  activities  for  habitat  improvement  works viz., restoration of natural water bodies, creation of artificial ponds, waterholes, augmenting food/fodder sources at various places within Protected Areas to minimize the crop damage.

(2) The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has approved a project for undertaking 'Immuno-contraceptive measures' for population management of wild animals.

(3) Construction/erecting  of  physical  barriers,  such  as  barbed  wire  fence, solar  powered  electric  fence,  bio-fencing  using  cactus,  boundary  wall  etc.  to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop field.

Besides, State Governments take steps to mitigate the crop damage by wild animals under their schemes.

(b): The  quantum  loss  of  crops  destroyed  by  Stray  and  wild  animals  are managed  by  concerned  State/Union Territories. The  assistance under the scheme includes compensation for crop damage by wild /stray animals as per   cost norms prescribed by State/ UTs Governments. The compensation paid by the states as reported time to time is given at annexure-I.

Further, Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under the revised guidelines  of  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  from  Rabi  2018-19,  states have been given liberty to consider providing add-on coverage for crop loss due to attack by wild animals wherever the risk is perceived to be substantial and identifiable.

Annexure-I Annexure as referred to in part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred question No. 3466

due for answer on 10.12.2019 Compensation provided to the farmers during the last three years

(Rs. In lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Compensation paid   | Compensation paid          | Compensation paid          | Compensation paid          |
|-----------|---------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Sl. No.   | States              | 2017-18                    | 2018-19                    | 2019-20 (As on date)       |
| 1         | Bihar               | 4.07                       | 2.37                       | 1.99                       |
| 2         | Karnataka           | 1369.16                    | 1028.13                    | -                          |
| 3         | Kerala              | 1446.88 (last three years) | 1446.88 (last three years) | 1446.88 (last three years) |
| 4         | Andhra Pradesh      | 34.96                      | 111.34                     | 117.2                      |
| 5         | Tamil Nadu          | 186.41                     | 215.51                     | 41.22 (as on 8.11.2019)    |
| 6         | Uttarakhand         | 78.75                      | 94.34                      | 59.90                      |
| 7         | Maharashtra         | 1306.74                    | 1410.17                    | 559.73 (as on October 19)  |

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