Lok Sabha Question No. 2454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Farming in Darbhanga
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2454 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 th  MARCH, 2021

## FARMING IN DARBHANGA

2454 . SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether most of the area of Darbhanga, Bihar comprises of agriculture land;
- (b) whether farmers there produce their crops without any training;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to set up horticulture teaching and training institute in Darbhanga;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a):  The reporting area of Darbhanga is 2,54,077 hectare out of which agricultural land is 198415 hectare, which is 75.40% of the total reporting area.

(b)  to  (e):  Agriculture  is  a  state  subject  and  the  State  Governments  are  primarily responsible for the growth and development of agriculture sector in their respective States. However, the Government of India supplements the efforts of States through appropriate policy  measures  and  budgetary  support.  A  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  on  'Support  to State  Extension  Programmes  for  Extension  Reforms'  popularly  known  as  Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme is under implementation in 691 districts of 28 States & 5 UTs of the country including Darbhanga district of Bihar. The extension activities  under ATMA include Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools, etc. Also, Mission for Integrated Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH), a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  is implemented  w.e.f.  2014-15,  for  holistic  growth  of  the  horticulture  sector  covering  fruits, vegetables, root  and tuber  crops,  mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew,  cocoa  and  bamboo.  All  States/  UTs  are  covered  under  MIDH.  Under  HRD component  of  MIDH,  awareness  programmes,  farmers  training,  exposure  visit,  etc.  are being provided to aware farmers about the latest technologies being used in horticulture. Farmers  are  also  made  aware  of  the  processing  facilities/mega  food  parks  nearby  and processable varieties of horticulture crops.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a network of 722 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at the district level in the country mandated with Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development. Of these, a total 44 KVKs are based in the State of Bihar. KVKs organize demonstrations, training programs and skill  development programs for the  benefit of farmers and farm women, rural youth. The  network  of  KVKs  promote  various  modern  agricultural  technologies among farmers through demonstrations, training programs and awareness.

In  Darbhanga, Bihar,  during  2019-20, 6  on  farm  trials  (OFTs)  for  assessing  technologies and 6 front line demonstrations (FLD) showcasing potentials on improved varieties, modern technologies and practices were conducted on farmers' field to create awareness among farmers.  To  update  the  knowledge  and  skills  on  modern  agricultural  technologies,  training courses on various technologies were organized benefitting as many as 4611 farmers and farm women. 27913 farmers participated in various extension activities. In addition, 14.60 tons of seeds, 8690 planting materials were produced and distributed among farmers. Further, 167 soil, water, plant, manures samples were tested, and 3138 Mobile agro- advisory were provided  to farmers. Besides, KVKs, trainings are also provided  by the state  agricultural agencies.

No  proposal  is  pending  in  the  ICAR,  Government  of  India  for  setting  up  of Horticultural Teaching and training Institute in Darbhanga. Besides 44  KVKs, there are  a  total 13 agricultural institutions  including a Central Agricultural  University,  3  ICAR  Institutes,  1 Agricultural  Technology  Application  Research  Institute  (ATARI), 2 Agricultural Veterinary Universities and 6 Research Centers located in the state of Bihar. These institutions together with the KVKs are effectively catering the agricultural technology development needs of the state including Darbhanga.

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