Lok Sabha Question No. 2578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: National Farmers Policy
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mukesh Rajput

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

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2578 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  JULY, 2019

## NATIONAL FARMERS POLICY

2578.  SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  the  Rashtriya  Kisan  Yojana/  National Farmers Policy;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that kharif crops are also being grown in zaid crop season due to which the ground water level has been falling drastically;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) & (b): No Sir as no new formation of Rashtriya Kisan Yojana/National Farmers Policy is under consideration.

(c) to (e): A programme on additional area coverage of pulses during Rabi/summer 201819 through area expansion has been launched in 15 States covered under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) Pulses. No report on depletion of ground water for this reason has been received.

Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing  Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of  Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana  (PMKSY)  which  focuses  on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at  farm  level  through Micro Irrigation technologies viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems.

Besides,  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  developed  inter-alia cost effective, location specific modern agronomic practices like alternate furrow irrigation, crop  diversification  and  varieties  which  require  less  water  to  ensure  improved  water productivity together with higher crop productivity in the country. Assistance is given to the States through various schemes of DAC&FW for water conservation techniques and tools.

A Jal Shakti Abhiyan- a campaign for water conservation and water security in 1592 stressed blocks in 256 districts has been launched throughout the country in which Ministry of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  is  participating  for  increasing  awareness  about  micro irrigation,  changing  cropping  pattern,  promotion  of  alternate  crops,  mechanization,  among others.

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## Annexure

## Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2578 due for 09.07.2019 Statement in respect of Part (a) and (b)  of the Question  regarding 'Recommendations of Swaminathan Committee Report'

The Policy provisions in NPF-2007 include, inter-alia,

| (i)    | Asset reforms in respect of land, water, livestock, fisheries and bio- resources;                                               |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (ii)   | Supply of good quality seeds and disease-free planting material,                                                                |
| (iii)  | Issue of soil health passbooks to the farmers and integrated pest management system;                                            |
| (iv)   | Region and crop specific implements and machinery;                                                                              |
| (v)    | Support services for women;                                                                                                     |
| (vi)   | Timely, adequate and easy reach of institutional credit at reasonable interest rates and farmer-friendly insurance instruments; |
| (vii)  | Support services and inputs like application of frontier technologies;                                                          |
| (viii) | Agricultural bio-security system;                                                                                               |
| (ix)   | Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and setting up of farm schools to revitalize agricultural extension;      |
| (x)    | Coverage of farmers under a comprehensive national social security scheme;                                                      |
| (xi)   | Effective implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) across the country and establishing community food grain banks;         |
| (xii)  | Development of agricultural market infrastructure and terminal markets for agriculture;                                         |
| (xiii) | Curriculum reforms in agricultural universities;                                                                                |
| (xiv)  | Special categories of farming like organic farming and contract farming;                                                        |
| (xv)   | Rural non-farm employment initiative for farm households; and                                                                   |
| (xvi)  | Integrated approach for rural energy, etc.                                                                                      |

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