Lok Sabha Question No. 2488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Challenges in Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Tirath Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FAREMRS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2488 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## CHALLENGES IN FARMING

2488.  SHRI TIRATH SINGH RAWAT:

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

- (a) whether any scheme has been formulated by the Government to construct check dam to stop the loss of agricultural land due to flood and soil erosion near river banks in the Himalayan States especially in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  any  committee  has  been  formed  by  the  Government  to  study horticulture farming in the hilly regions, if so, the details of the same;

(c) whether the Government has prepared any scheme for the conservation of dwindling agricultural land in the country; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a): As  per  Schedule-I  of  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment Guarantee Act,  Public  works  relating  to  Natural  Resource  Management,  water conservation  and  water  harvesting  structures  to  augment  and  improve  ground water like underground dykes , earthen dams, stop dams, check dams and  roof top  rain  water  harvesting  structures  in  Government/Panchayat  buildings  with focus on recharging ground water including drinking water sources are permissible activities. In the State of  Uttarakhand, 764 check dams have been completed with the total expenditure of Rs. 1271.97lakh in the year 2020-21.

Besides,  Department  of  Land  Resources  is  implementing  Watershed Development  Component  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana    in  27 States  and  Union  Territories  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Ladakh.  The  activities undertaken inter  alia include ridge  area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, rain water harvesting, nursery raising, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, livelihoods for assetless persons, etc. In the

State of Uttrakhand, 99 Water harvesting structures have been created/rejuvenated under the schemein the year 2020-21.

(b): The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States a sub-scheme of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for overall  development  of  Horticulture  in  North  East  and  Himalayan  states/Union Territories. The Mission addresses entire spectrum of horticulture from production to consumption through backward and forward linkages.

(c)& (d) : The DAC&FW is implementing Rainfed Area Development (RAD) and  Soil  Health  Management  /  Card  Schemes    as    components  of  National Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture.  The  RAD  focuses  on  Integrated  Farming System for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability.  Under  RAD,  an  area  of  4.9  lakh  ha  has  been  covered  so  far.  Soil Health Management aims at promoting Integrated Nutrient Management through judicious  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  including  secondary  and  micro  nutrients  in conjunction with organic manures and biofertilizers for improving soil health and its  productivity.In  Cycle-I  (2015  to  2017),  10.74  crore  soil  health  cards  were distributed  to  farmers.  In  Cycle-II  (2017  to  2019),11.93crore  soil  health  cards were distributed to farmers. In Model Village Programme (2019-20), 18.74 lakh soil health cards were distributed to farmers across the country.

Government  is  implementing  Accelerated  Irrigation  Benefit  Programme, HarKhetKoPani,    Watershed  Development  as    components  of  Pradhan  Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. Interventions of these schemes help in enhancing the physical access of water on the farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, integration of  water source, distribution and its  efficient use, to make best use of water through appropriate technologies and practices, and integrated development of rainfed areas using the watershed approach towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of ground water, arresting runoff.

The  Department  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga Rejuvenation is implementing 'Flood Management and Border Areas Programme' for works related to river management, flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, anti-sea erosion, flood proofing etc. in critical regions and restoration of damaged flood control/ management works.

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