Lok Sabha Question No. 4343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Natural farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4343

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  MARCH, 2022

## NATURAL FARMING

4343. SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR:

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

- (a) whether any scientific study has been conducted to modernize natural farming and if so, the details thereof along with the name of the country where natural farming is being done the most;
- (b) whether there is any provision to provide training to the farmers in foreign countries for advanced agriculture;
- (c) if so, the number of farmers who have been provided training in this regard during the last three years along with the locations of their training;
- (d) if not, whether the Government is likely to consider on it;
- (e) whether there is any policy to promote horticulture and if so, the details thereof;
- (f)  whether  it  is  necessary  to  provide  training  to  the  farmers  with  a  view  to  promoting horticulture and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether any financial assistance is provided to the farmers for floriculture and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Government  implements  Bhartiya  Prakritik  Krishi  Paddhati  for  the  promotion  of traditional  indigenous  practices  in  Agriculture.  The  scheme  mainly  emphasizes  on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major  stress  on  biomass  mulching;  use  of  cow  dung-urine  formulations;  plant-based preparations and time to time working of soil for aeration. Indian Council of Agricultural Research also operates a research scheme of All India Network Programme on Organic Farming with 20 cooperating centres covering 16 States to develop package of practices for  organic  production  of  crops  in  cropping  and  farming  systems  perspective.  The 'Fukuoka' method of natural farming is practiced in certain areas of Japan where it was introduced in 1975.

OIH

(b)  to  (d): Presently  there  is  no  provision  to  provide  training  to  the  farmers  in  foreign countries for advanced agriculture. Training and capacity building of farmers including in advanced farming techniques within the Country is undertaken by the Government through ICAR  Research  Institutes,  Agriculture  Universities,  National  Institute  of  Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) etc.

(e) To  promote  Horticulture  in  the  country,  Government  of  India  operates  several schemes.  These  include;  Technology  Development  and  Transfer  for  Promotion  of Horticulture;  Development  of  Commercial  Horticulture  through  Production  and  PostHarvest  Management  of  Horticulture  Crops;  Open  Field  Cultivation  for  Promotion  of Horticulture in NE Region, Hilly States and Scheduled areas; Protected Cover/ Cultivation, Post-Harvest  Management,  Capital  Investment  Subsidy  for  Construction/  Expansion/ Modernization of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticulture Products. Besides, Indian Council of Agricultural Research through its 23 Horticulture Research Institutes develops varieties and technologies for different horticultural crops and promotes Horticulture in the Country.

(f) For popularization of identified new technologies/ tools/ techniques for commercialization and  adoption  the trainings of  farmers  are  necessary.  National Horticulture Board (NHB) organises structured training on crop specific production, PostHarvest Management, processing and marketing for the farmers with the help of ICAR Institutes,  State  Agriculture  Universities,  KVKs  /ATMA  and  any  other  professional institutions.

(g) The  Government  of  India  through  National  Horticulture  Board  (NHB),  operates  a scheme on floriculture titled "Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops." During last three-year 2018-2019 to 2020-2021, following assistance was provided by NHB under this scheme.

| Year    |   No. of Projects |   Area Covered (Acres) |   Assistance provided (Rs. In Crores) |
|---------|-------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2018-19 |               153 |                 210.35 |                                 45.23 |
| 2019-20 |                47 |                  77.21 |                                 15.94 |
| 2020-21 |                53 |                  71.14 |                                 17.23 |

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