Lok Sabha Question No. 2154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-20
Subject: Knowledge to Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mahua Moitra

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2154

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## KNOWLEDGE TO FARMERS

## 2154.     SHRIMATI MAHUA MOITRA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the efforts made by the Government to ensure that farmers have data, knowledge and knowhow about what crop to grow on their lands given the soil and weather conditions and market demand and best way to grow it Training and methodology and mechanisation benefits  along  with  ensuring  that  overuse  and  incorrect  use  of  fertiliser  especially subsidised urea does not take place; and
- (b) the schemes which are available to create cold storage and refrigerated logistics in rural areas to improve yield on crops?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Government  of  India  is  according  high  priority  for  welfare  of  the  farmers  and  is implementing various schemes viz; National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana -Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation  (RKVYRAFTAAR)  etc  for  increasing  production  and  productivity  of  crops  and  enhancing  the economic  condition  and  livelihood  of  farmers.  Under  these  schemes,  assistance  is provided for various inputs such as distribution of improved seeds/hybrids, improved farm implements/machines, water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, soil ameliorants etc.  Further,  Government  of  India  and  states  ensure  promoting  farmers'  awareness  on judicious,  timely  and effective  use of  inputs,  adoption  of better  agronomic  practices  and improved production technologies etc through crops demonstrations, trainings, extension, capacity  building  programmes  and  advisories  on  farm  activities  etc    by  ICAR  and stakeholder institutes.

In  order  to  avoid  excessive  use  and  to  promote  balanced  and  integrated  use  of fertilizers,  Soil  Heath  Card  scheme  had  been  introduced  in  2015  to  assist  State

Governments  to  issue  Soil  health  cards  to  farmers  in  the  country.  Soil  Health  Card provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. The  ICAR  also  imparts  training,  organizes  Front  Line  Demonstrations  (FLDs)  etc.  to educate farmers on all these aspects as and when required. Soil health data is available on soil  health  card  portal  (http://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/)  which  is  uploaded  by  States upto farm land holding level in villages.

(b) Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)  for  holistic  development  of  horticulture sector throughout the country including setting up of cold storage and refrigerated vehicles for perishable horticulture produce.

Government  of  India  also  provides  flexibility  to  the  states  for  state specific needs/priorities under RKVY. The states can promote these activities under RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the respective states.

Agri Infra Fund launched under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package is a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure  and  community  farming  assets  through  interest  subvention  and  credit guarantee  support.  Under  the  scheme,  Rs.1  Lakh  Crore  will  be  provided  by  banks  and financial  institutions  as  loans  with  interest  subvention  of  3%  per  annum  and  credit guarantee  coverage  under Credit Guarantee  Trust  for Micro &  Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs.2 Crores.

Warehouse Infrastructure Funds (WIF) created in NABARD envisages extension of loans  to  public  and  private  sectors  for  construction  of  Warehouses,  cold  storages  and other cold chain infrastructure.

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