Lok Sabha Question No. 4339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Promotion of ZBNF
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4339

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2022

## PROMOTION OF ZBNF

4339:  SHRI NAMA NAGESWAR RAO:

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

- (a) whether the Government is committed to promote natural, chemical-free, organic and  credit  free  farming  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  of  Zero  Budget  Natural Farming  (ZBNF)  being  practised  in  the  country  and  the  area  of  land  covered  under ZBNF for the last three years, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b)        the details of farm output and income per hectare under ZBNF; and
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to evaluate the effectiveness of  ZBNF  in  increasing  farm  yield  and  ending  the  vicious  debt  cycle  of  small  and marginal farmers and of so, details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):          Government  is  committed  to  promote  natural,  chemical-free,  organic  and chemical  free farming in the country . Natural Farming through Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) introduced  during 2020-21 as a sub  scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  for  the  promotion  of  traditional  indigenous  practices  including Natural Farming. The scheme mainly emphasises 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 and other plant-based preparations.

Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis. Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09  lakh  ha  area  has  been  covered  and  a  total  fund  of  Rs.  4980.99  lakh  has  been released to 8 States while an area of 5.68 lakh ha have also been approved for 3 States namely  Andhra  Pradesh,  Rajasthan  &  Uttar  Pradesh.  The  Government  of  Andhra Pradesh is leading in terms of 1.0 lakh ha area under natural farming under BPKP.

The State -wise details of funds released, crops covered and area under BPKP is given at Annexure - I.

(b)  and  (c) Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  through  ICAR-Indian  Institute  of Farming  Systems  Research,  Modipuram  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 scheme involves 11 State Agricultural Universities, 8 ICAR institutes/centres and 1 special heritage university. Research on organic farming is  being  conducted  through  these  centres.  ICAR  has  initiated  study  on  evaluation  of natural farming in 8 major cropping system and the study in respect of yield, inputs cost, quality of produce and soil heath are in progress.

## Annexure- I

## The State -wise details of funds released and area covered and crops under Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhthi (BPKP)

| Sl. No .   | States           | Released date   |   Area in Ha |   Amount released (Rs in lakh) | Crops under natural farming                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|------------|------------------|-----------------|--------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.         | Andhra Pradesh   | 30.09.20        |       100000 |                         750    | Maize, Groundnut Cashew, Citrus, Palmoil, Tomato, Cotton, Paddy                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 2.         | Chhattisgarh     | 09.12.20        |        85000 |                        1352.52 | Rice,Wheat, Pulses                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 3.         | Kerala           | 30.09.20        |        84000 |                        1336.6  | Paddy, Banana, Leafy Vegetables, Cucurbits, Solanaceous varieties, Bhindi, Cool Season Vegetables, Spices and Condiments., Tubers Coconut based inter crops garden like fruit plans, cocoa, nutmeg, coffee, Cashew, Pepper, Coconut, Arecanut |
| 4.         | Himachal Pradesh | 24.12.20        |        12000 |                         286.42 | Wheat, Maize, Peas, Apple, Stone fruits, Pulses, paddy, coriander and other leafy vegetables                                                                                                                                                  |
| 5          | Jharkhand        | 02.12.20        |         3400 |                          54.1  | Paddy, Wheat, vegetables , pulses, oilseeds                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 6.         | Odisha           | 02.02.21        |        24000 |                         381.89 | Rice, Turmeric, Ginger and Pulses                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| 7.         | Madhya Pradesh   | 16.02.21        |        99000 |                         787.64 | Wheat, Rice, Pulses, Soyabean,                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 8.         | Tamil Nadu       | 16.02.21        |         2000 |                          31.82 | Vegetable crops                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Total      | Total            |                 |       409400 |                        4980.99 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

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