Lok Sabha Question No. 287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 287

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AGRICULTURE SECTOR

## 287.   SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

- (a): the  details  of  overall  impact  of  COVID-19and  the  consequent  lockdown  on  the agricultural sector of the country;
- (b): the details of quantum of downturn in the rate of agricultural growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal as compared to the same period in the past five years i.e. 2015-2020;
- (c): the details of impact of COVID-19 on the incomes of small and marginal farmers due to nation wide lockdown;

(d): the details of increase in the incidence of agriculture/ farm debt as a consequence of COVID-19 and lockdown in the first quarter of the current fiscal; and

- (e): the  details  of  monetary  value  of  the  relief  provided  by  the  Government  to  farmers especially small and marginal farmers to combat the economic downturn of the continuing COVID -19 pandemic and the economic downturn and its impact on the ground?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): During the lockdown situation, the agriculture sector is functioning smoothly as there  has  been  no  shortage  of  foodgrains,  vegetables  and  dairy  products.  Government  of India  has  taken  all  necessary  measures  to  ensure  smooth  sowing  operation  during  premonsoon and monsoon (June-September) period.

As per the Provisional Estimates of National Income 2019-20 released by the Central Statistics  Office  (CSO),  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation    on  31 st August, 2020, the  growth rate of  real  Gross Value Added  (GVA ) of Agriculture & Allied sectors is 3.4 percent in the  First Quarter (April - June), 2020-21. The growth rate of GVA of Agriculture & Allied sectors during the first quarter of the current fiscal as compared to the same period in last five years i.e., 2015-16 to 2019-20 is given as under:

( in percent)

| Quarter 1(April June)/ Year   |   Growth rate of GVA of Agriculture and Allied sectors at Constant (2011-12) prices |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Q1 of 2015-16                 |                                                                                 2.4 |
| Q1 of 2016-17                 |                                                                                 4.9 |
| Q1 of 2017-18                 |                                                                                 5.6 |
| Q1 of 2018-19                 |                                                                                 3.8 |
| Q1 of 2019-20                 |                                                                                 3   |
| Q1 of 2020-21                 |                                                                                 3.4 |

Source: Central Statistics Office (CSO), M/o Statistics & PI

(c) to (e): Government  of  India  issued  consolidated  guidelines  on  the  measures  to  be taken  for  containment  of  Covid-19.  Agriculture  related  exemptions  were  allowed  in  the guidelines. This ensured smooth functioning of agricultural operations. Timely interventions and exemptions resulted in good results. The Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) were communicated  to  farmers  for  their  safety  and  keeping  social  distancing  while  undertaking farm related activities. As a result of the proactive steps taken, both harvesting activities of the  Rabi  crop,  and  sowing  activities  of  summer  crops  were  undertaken  in  a  systematic manner.  National  Conference  on  Agriculture  for  Kharif  Campaign-2020  was  organized through  Video  Conference  on  16.04.2020  to  discuss  with  the  States  on  challenges  & strategies  for  crop  management  during  Kharif  cultivation.  There  has  been  satisfactory progress of sowing area coverage under Kharif crops.

Under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)  Scheme  during  the period of COVID 19 pandemic, about 10.46 crore farmer families have been benefitted and an  amount  of  Rs.  20926.64  crore  was  released.  Under  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Maandhan Yojana, the small and marginal farmer of age group of 18 to 40 years with the contribution of Rs. 55/- to Rs. 200/-per month get the amount of Rs. 3000 per month after attaining the age of  60  years.  So  far  more  than  20.00  lakhs  beneficiaries  have  been  registered  under  this scheme.

The Government had provided the facility of Kisan Credit Card to the farmers to invest in  crops  and  animal  husbandry  and  fisheries.  Now  the  beneficiary  farmers  of  PM-KISAN Scheme are also getting the facilities of Kisan Credit Card. There is no mortgage required to avail loan up to Rs1.60 lakh.

Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), total claims of  Rs 5,326.7 crores were paid during lockdown period.  PMFBY was made more efficient and farmer friendly and made voluntary for all farmers. Government of India will now bear 90% of premium subsidy liability  for  North  Eastern  States  instead  of  50%  earlier.  Further  benefit  of  2%  Interest Subvention (IS) to Banks and 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) to all farmers for all crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakh given by banks was extended till 31/8/2020.

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