Lok Sabha Question No. 642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-25
Subject: Production of Organic Agricultural Inputs
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.642

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  25 TH  JUNE, 2019

## PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL INPUTS

642.   SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is taking any steps to promote production of organic inputs including bio-fertilizers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government will provide financial assistance  to farmers to  produce  biofertilizers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of farmers benefited under the programme in the State of Karnataka;
- (d) the details of the funds spent for the purpose in the State of Karnataka; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  a  need  to  further  encourage  the programme to reach out to more people and regions with adequate financial support and if so, the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a)   & (b) : Government  of  India  has  initiated  a  number  of  steps  for    promoting  organic inputs  ( bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, vermi-compost, botanical extracts  etc)  and has been providing assistance/ incentives for  production/ procurement  under various schemes viz:
-  Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PKVY):   assistance of RS 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years is given, out of which Rs. 31,000 (61%) is provided to the farmers directly through DBT, for inputs  (bio  fertilisers,  biopesticides,  vermicompost,  botanical  extracts  etc)  production/ procurement, post harvest infrastructure etc.

-  Under  Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) farmers are given assistance of Rs 7500/ha/3 years for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, production/ procurement.
-  Soil Health Cards (SHCs): 100% assistance is provided to State Government / Government agencies for setting up of liquid/ carrier based Bio-fertilizer/ Bio-pesticide units to up to a maximum limit of Rs.160.00 lakh / unit for Government agencies and up to Rs.40 lakh/unit (up to 25% project cost) for individuals/ private agencies through NABARD.
-  National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): financial assistance@ 50% subsidy to  the  tune  of  Rs.  300/-  per  ha  is  being  provided  for  different  components  including  biofertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/ Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi compost.
-  National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha.

(c) & (d): Total  1,35,000  farmers    have    benefitted by  the  use  of  bio-fertilizers  during 2018-19 under departmental distribution programmes in Karnataka  The funds spent for the purpose under the programmes are as follows:

| Scheme                     |   Funds spent (in lakhs) |
|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| Central Govt. Schemes      |                   118.4  |
| State Govt. Sector Schemes |                   163.73 |

(e): Realising the importance of organic farming as a sustainable agriculture practice for reducing the cost of cultivation and ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers as well as health of humans and environment, Government is constantly supporting States and farmers in their endeavor to being more area under organic agriculture.

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