Lok Sabha Question No. 1374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-09
Subject: MoU between ICAR and Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Sudheer Gupta, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Bidyut Baran Mahato

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1374 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/02/2021

## MoU BETWEEN ICAR AND BUREAU OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

1374.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  an  MoU  was  signed  between  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR)  and  Bureau  of  Energy  Efficiency  (BEE),  Ministry  of  Power  regarding  energy efficiency;
- (b) if so, the details of the MoU along with the terms and conditions thereto;
- (c) the benefits that will be derived therefrom by the farmers;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to focus on creating awareness for farmers across the country for energy efficient pump sets and other equipment through this MoU and if so, the result thereof;
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  operational  practices  so  as  to adopt energy and resource efficiency under this MoU; and
- (f) whether the MoU proposes any training programmes at Krishi Vigyan Kendras for farmers across the nation and if so, the details therof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) An MoU was signed between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Bureau  of  Energy  Efficiency  (BEE),  Ministry  of  Power, to  create  awareness  for  energy efficient  pumpsets  and  operational  practices  so  as  to  adopt  energy  and  resource  efficient approaches. The MoU was effective from 25th July 2018 to 31 March 2020.

- (c) The following benefits were derived by the farmers:
- a. Awareness on energy efficiency and conservation in agricultural practices, particularly in using agriculture pumpsets, tractors and other machines.
- b. Improving fuel efficiency and water resource use efficiency thereby reducing the cost of  cultivation  so  as  to  increase  farmers'  income  in  harmony  with  strategies  of  "Per drop more crop" and "Doubling Farmers' income".
- (d) Yes, Sir. The details are given in the reply to question (f).

(e) The  steps  being  taken  by  the  government  are  to  coordinate  with  State  Designated Agencies  (SDAs)/  Distribution  Companies  (DISCOMs)  for  successfully  organizing  the farmers training sessions and to provide training materials to SDAs/ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)  for  effectively  imparting  training  to  farmers  and  to  provide  financial  support  to KVKs through SDAs for organizing the same.

(f) Yes,  Sir . As  part  of  MoU,  ICAR  has  facilitated  in  identifying  suitable  KVKs  for organizing  training sessions in each  of the enlisted states i.e.  Punjab,  Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala. Facilitation was done for organizing Farmers Training Sessions and creating awareness at identified KVKs located in selected States.

KVKs  engaged  suitable  officers  from  regional/state  agriculture  department  for imparting the training to farmers on related subject. Also, KVKs mobilizes local farmers and other stakeholders for participation in training sessions.

During  2018-19  and  2019-20,  49  KVKs  organized  training  programs  on  energy efficiency (BEE), in which 3644 farmers participated.

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