Lok Sabha Question No. 2279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Low Production of Fruits and Vegetables
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2279 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 th  MARCH 2022

## LOW PRODUCTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

2279. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the production of vegetables and fruits has not increased in ratio to the production of food grains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the low availability of water for irrigation has caused adverse impact on the production of vegetables and fruits in the country; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  corrective  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष और कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b) The  production  of  food  grains  in  the  country  has  increased  by  12.95% over  the  last  five  years  from  275.11  LakhMetric  Tonne  in  2016-17  to  310.74  Lakh Metric Tonnein 2020-21.The production of fruits and vegetables over the same period recorded  a  growth  of  10.76%  from  271.09  Lakh  Metric  Tonnein  2016-17  to  300.26 Lakh Metric Tonne in 2020-21 (3rd Advance Estimate). The details are given below:

O.I.H.

| Year      | Production (in Lakh Metric Tonne)   | Production (in Lakh Metric Tonne)   | Production (in Lakh Metric Tonne)   | Production (in Lakh Metric Tonne)   | %growth over previous year   | %growth over previous year   |
|-----------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|           | Food grains*                        | Fruits #                            | Vegetables #                        | Fruits & Vegetables #               | Food grains                  | Fruits & Vegetables          |
| 2016-17   | 275.11                              | 92.92                               | 178.17                              | 271.09                              | -                            | -                            |
| 2017-18   | 285.01                              | 96.45                               | 184.04                              | 280.49                              | 3.60                         | 3.47                         |
| 2018-19   | 285.21                              | 97.97                               | 183.17                              | 281.14                              | 0.07                         | 0.23                         |
| 2019-20   | 297.50                              | 102.08                              | 188.28                              | 290.36                              | 4.31                         | 3.28                         |
| 2020-21 $ | 310.74                              | 103.03                              | 197.23                              | 300.26                              | 4.45                         | 3.41                         |

(c) & (d) No report of adverse impact on production of fruits and vegetables due to low availability of water for irrigation has been received so far.

The D epartment  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  Per  Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) which  is  operational  from  2015-16  in  the  Country.  The  PMKSY-Per  Drop  More  Crop mainly focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System).

With a  view  to  provide  impetus  to  the  Micro  Irrigation  in  the  country,  Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) with a corpus of Rs. 5000 Crore was created with NABARD during 2018-19.  The  major  objective  of  the  fund  is  to  facilitate  the  States  in  mobilizing  the resources  to  provide  top  up/additional  incentives  to  farmers  for  incentivising  micro irrigation  beyond  the  provisions  available  under  PMKSY-PDMC.  States  may  also access MIF exclusively for innovative integrated projects (like high water duty crops like sugarcane/solar linked systems/Micro  irrigation in command  area  etc.)  including projects in PPP mode depending on State specific requirements.

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