Lok Sabha Question No. 1159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Lowering the Cost of Agri-Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, PASHUPATI NATH SINGH, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1159

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## LOWERING THE COST OF AGRI-PRODUCTION

1159.  SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  measures  to  lower  the  cost  of  agricultural production;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  schemes  and  equipments  by  means  of  which  it  is  proposed  to  achieve  the  said objective; and
- (d) the details thereof, scheme-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (d): The strategy of the Government is to focus on farmers' welfare by making farming viable.    The  Government  is  realigning  its  interventions  to  move  from  production-centric  to farmers'  income-centric  platform.    In  order  to  realise  net  positive  returns  for  the  farmer, schemes  as  follows,  are  inter-alia  being  promoted  and  implemented  to  lower  the  cost  of agricultural production:-

(i) Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme by which the farmers can know the major and minor  nutrients  available  in  their  soils  which  will  ensure  judicious  use  of  fertilizer application and thus save money of farmers bringing down the cost of Agri-production.

(ii) Neem Coated Urea (NCU) is  being  promoted to  regulate use of urea, enhance availability  of  nitrogen  to  the  crop  and  reduce  cost  of  fertilizer  application,  NCU  slows down the release of fertilizer and makes it available to the crop in an effective manner making Agri-production cheaper.

(iii) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was  launched  on  1 st July, 2015 with the motto of 'Har Khet Ko Paani' for providing end-to-end  solution in irrigation supply  chain, comprising water sources, distribution network and farm level applications. Continue…2/-

(iv) The Government provides total interest  subvention up to  5%  (inclusive  of  3% prompt repayment incentive) on short-term crop loans up to Rs. 3.00 lakh. Thus, loan is available  to  farmers  at  a  reduced  rate  of  4%  per  annum  on  prompt  repayment.    This reduced rate helps in keeping Agri-production costs in check.

(v) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is being implemented with a view to promote  organic  farming  in  the  country.  The  scheme  is  implemented  by  the  State Government on per hectare basis for 500-1000 hectare area in each cluster. A group of farmers having a total area of 20 hectare as far as possible in contagious patch within a village. The farmer within a group can avail benefit to a maximum of 2 hectare and the limit of assistance is Rs.50, 000 per hectare.

(vi) A Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is being implemented from 2014-15 to provide a suitable  platform for converging all activities for inclusive growth of agricultural  mechanization  by  providing  a  'single  window'  approach  for  implementation with a special focus on Small & Marginal farmers with the following objectives:-

- a) Increasing the reach  of farm mechanization to small  and marginal farmers and to the   regions where availability of farm power is low;
- b) Promoting 'Custom Hiring Centres' to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership;
- c) Creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipments;
- d) Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities;
- e) Ensuring performance testing and certification at designated testing centres located all over the country.

(vii) With  a  view  to  provide  better  insurance  coverage  to  crops,  Government  has launched  a  new  crop  insurance  scheme  namely  Pradhan Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana (PMFBY) from Kharif 2016 season. This scheme provides insurance cover for all stages of the crop cycle including post-harvest risks in specified instances.

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