Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-19
Subject: Introduction of Zero Budget Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kirti Vardhan Singh, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

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

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 328 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH   NOVEMBER, 2019

## INTRODUCTION OF ZERO BUDGET FARMING

328.   SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry is contemplating the introduction of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) to enhance the financial position of Indian farmers, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the budgetary allocation for ZBNF;
- (c) whether sections of Agricultural scientists, as per newspaper reports, are opposed to ZBNF as it is not cost effective, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  there  is  any  scientific  evidence  regarding  the  efficacy  of  ZBNF,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  positive  that  ZBNF  will  aid  in  doubling  the  income  of farmers by 2022, if so, the details of all such schemes that will help achieve the target set?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (e): Government has been promoting organic farming under the dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) which  encourages all kinds of chemical free farming systems including Zero budget Natural Farming. The budget allocation for PKVY for 2019-20  is  Rs.  325  crores.  Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  Research  through  ICAR-Indian Institute  of  Farming Systems Research has initiated a study on Evaluation of Zero Budget Natural Farming practices in Basmati/ coarse rice-wheat system from Rabi Season 2017 at 4 locations namely Modipuram, Pantnagar, Ludhiyana, Kurukshetra .

National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) has also organized a brainstorming season on Zero Budget Natural Farming in August, 2019.

Government has been implementing several schemes aiming at meeting the target of doubling of farmer's income by 2022. The major schemes include:

-  National  Food  Security  Mission  -  for  improved  production  and  productivity  of  food grains and oilseeds.
-  Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH)- to enhance production and productivity of horticultural crops
-  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and  Mission organic Value Chain Development for North  East  Region  -to  reduce  cost  of  cultivation  and  ensure  chemical  free  quality products that can fetch premium prices to farmers
-  Soil  health  Cards-  Aims  at  promotion  of  judicious  use  of  fertilisers  through  soil  test based recommendations there by reducing excess use of fertilisers
-  PMKSY-PDMC  (Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana-Per  Drop  More  Crop)-    to promote  water conservation  and reduction in use of  inputs through drip and sprinkler irrigation
-  Bamboo Mission and  Agro forestry
-  e-NAM  -  for  transparent  competitive  markets  for  improved  remuneration  to  the farmers.
-  Crop loans-Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) , Kisan Credit Card(K CC)
-  Assured Prices-Minimum Support Price (MSP)
-  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN)

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