Lok Sabha Question No. 5462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: UN Report on Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5462

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022

## UN REPORT ON FARMERS

5462. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER :

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

- (a)  whether it is true that United Nations (UN) report says that India is a rare country that has been penalising its farmers instead of supporting them like most countries and if so, the details thereof; and

(b)  the details of the measures which the Government has taken or wishes to take to protect the farmers in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) No such report by the UN has come to the attention of this Ministry.

- (b) The  Government  has  launched  several  developmental  programmes,  schemes,  reforms and policies to protect the farmers in the country. Details of these are enclosed at Annexure I.

## Annexure I

## List of various interventions and schemes launched for the benefit of farmers

- (i) Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)  is  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  being  implemented since 1 st December, 2018.  The Scheme aims at providing financial assistance to  eligible  landholding  farmer  families  across  the  country,  subject  to  certain exclusion criteria, to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.  Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs. 6000/- per year is transferred in three 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/directly  into  the  bank  accounts  of  the  farmers  through  DBT.  Under  the  PMKISAN Scheme, so far,  funds amounting  to  more  than  1.82  lakh  crores  have been  disbursed  to  more  than  11.30  crore  eligible  farmer  families  in  various installments
- (ii) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)Pradhan Mantri Kisan MaanDhanYojna (PMKMY) is  a Central Sector Scheme  being implemented in order to provide social security net for the Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) by way of pension, as they have minimal or no savings to sustain their livelihood during  their  old  age  and  to  support  them  in  the  event  of  consequent  loss  of livelihood.   Under this scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs. 3,000/- will be provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion clauses,  on  attaining  the  age  of  60  years.   A  total  of  22,57,573  beneficiaries have  registered/enrolled under the Scheme.
- (iii) Pradhan Mantri Fasal  Bima Yojana (PMFBY)With a view to  provide better insurance  coverage  to  crops  for  risk  mitigation,  a  crop  insurance  scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched from Kharif 2016 season.  This scheme provides insurance cover for all stages of the crop cycle  including  post-harvest  risks  in  specified  instances,  with  low  premium contribution by farmers. In past 5 Years of implementation - 29.32 crore farmers applicants  enrolled  and  over  9.47  crore  (Provisional)  farmer  applicants  have received claims of over Rs. 1110666 crore.
- (iv) Minimum Support Price (MSPs)Giving a major boost for the farmers' income, the  Government  has  approved  the  increase  in  the  Minimum  Support  Price (MSPs) for all Kharif & Rabi crops. Government has increased the MSP for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from 2018-19.  MSP for Paddy has increased to Rs. 1940 per quintal in 2021-22 from Rs. 1310 per

quintal in 2013-14.MSP for Wheat increased from Rs. 1400 per quintal in 201314 to Rs. 2015 per quintal in 2021-22.

- (v) Soil  Health  Management & Soil Health Card (SHC) sub-schemes are being implemented  under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility. National Project on Soil Health and Fertility is a continuing scheme with aim to promote soil test based lntegrated Nutrient Management  (lNM) through conjunctive use of chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers. The following  number  of  cards  have  been  issued  to  farmers.In  Cycle-I  (2015  to 2017),10.74 crore grid based soil health cards have been distributed to farmers. In Cycle-II (2017 to 2019), 11.97 crore grid based soil health cards have been distributed to farmers. In Model Village Programme (2019-20), 19.64 lakh land holding  based  soil  health  cards  have  been  distributed  to  farmers  across  the country.
- (vi) 'Per  drop  more  crop' initiative  under  which  drip/sprinkler  irrigation  is  being encouraged  for optimal utilization of water,  reducing cost of inputs  and increasing productivity. Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai  Yojana  (PMKSY\_PDMC) aims to increase  water  use  efficiency  at  the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies, i.e., drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Under  the scheme,  an area of 62.4 lakh hectare has been covered and about 57.3 lakh farmers were benefitted under micro irrigation from the year 2015-16 to 2021-22 (till date).
- (vii) Micro  Irrigation  Fund -  A Micro  Irrigation  Fund  of  Rs 5000 crore has  been created with NABARD.  In the Budget for 2021-22, the corpus of the fund has been  increased  to  Rs.10000  crores.  Projects  worth Rs 3970.17 crore covering 12.83 lakh hectares have been approved.
- (viii) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) - Paramparagat Krishi VikasYojana (PKVY)  was  initiated  in  2015-16  to  promote  organic  farming  in  the  country. 30934 clusters have been formed and an area of 6.19 lakh ha has been covered benefitting 15.47 lakh farmers Government also proposes to promote sustainable  natural  farming  systems  through  the  scheme  Bhartiya  Prakratik Krishi  Padhati  (BPKP).  The  proposed  scheme  aims  at  cutting  down  cost  of cultivation, enhancing farmer's income and ensuring resource conservation and, safe  and  healthy  soils,  environment  and  food.  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain Development  in  North  East  Region  (MOVCDNER)  has  been  launched.  170 Farmer Producer Companies have been formed comprising of 153116 farmers and  covering  155495  ha  area.  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain  Development  in North  East  Region  (MOVCDNER)  has  been  launched.  170  Farmer  Producer Companies  have  been  formed  comprising  of  153116  farmers  and  covering 155495 ha area.
- (ix) National  Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme - Launch of e-NAM initiative to provide  farmers  with  transparent  and  competitive  online  trading  platform.  In 18 states  and 03 UTs,  1000 mandis  have  already  been  integrated  with  the  ENAM Platform.
- (x) Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) - Giving a major boost to the pro-farmer initiatives, the Government has approved a new Umbrella Scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA)'.  The  Scheme  is  aimed  at  ensuring  remunerative  prices  to  the farmers for the produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018.  This is an unprecedented step taken by Govt. of India to protect the farmers' income which is expected to go a long way towards the welfare of farmers.
- (xi) Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)  and  National Beekeeping &Honey Mission (NBHM) -

Bee keeping has been promoted under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to increase the productivity of crops through pollination and increase the honey production as an additional source of income of farmers. A National  Beekeeping &Honey Mission (NBHM) has been launched in 2020 as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Rs.500 crore for the period 2020-2021 to  2022-2023  has  been  allocated  for  beekeeping  sector.  70  projects  for assistance of about Rs. 118.00 crores, approved/ sanctioned for funding under NBHM during 2020-21 & 2021-22 till date.

- (xii) MIDH - Cluster Development Programme -

The Cluster Development Programme (CDP) is designed to leverage geographical specialisation of horticulture clusters and promote integrated and market-led  development  of  pre-production,  production,  post-harvest,  logistics, branding,  and  marketing  activities.  MoA&FW  has  identified  55  horticulture clusters, of which 12 have been selected for the pilot phase of the CDP. On the recommendation  of  State  Government,  Cluster  Development  Agencies  have been appointed for all the clusters.

- (xiii) Institutional Credit  for  Agriculture -  To  ensure  flow  of  adequate  credit, Government sets annual target for  the  flow  of  credit  to  the  agriculture  sector. Increased from Rs. 7.3 lakh crore in 2013-14 with a target to reach Rs. 16.5 lakh crore in 2021-22. Benefit of concessional institutional credit through KCC at 4% interest  per  annum  has  also  now  been  extended  to  Animal  Husbandry  and Fisheries farmers for meeting their short-term working capital needs
- (xiv) Interest  Subvention  SchemeExtending  the  reach  of  institutional  credit  to more and more farmers is priority area of the Government and to achieve this

goal,  the  Government  provides  interest  subvention  of  2%  on  short-term  crop loans up to Rs. 3.00 lakh. Presently, loan is available to farmers at an interest rate of 4% per annum on prompt repayment.

- (xv) Kisan Credit Card (KCC)The Government has extended the facility of Kisan Credit  Card  (KCC)  to  the  farmers  practicing  animal  husbandry  and  fisheries related  activities.  All  processing  fee,  inspection,  ledger  folio  charges  and  all other services charges have been waived off for fresh renewal of KCC.
- (xvi) Farmers'  Producer  Companies  (FPOs)A  new  Central  Sector  Scheme  for Formation & Promotion of new 10,000 FPOs launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 29 th February, 2020 with budget outlay of Rs 6865 Crore till 2027-28. So far, 2257 FPOs already registered under new FPO scheme.
- (xvii) Promotion of Agri Start up -

646 start-ups in the agriculture and allied sectors have been selected for funding of  a  sum  of  Rs.  69.92  crore  in  instalments  and  Rs.  33.94  crore  have  been released to respective KPs and RABIs for funding these start-ups. These startups were trained for two months at various agribusiness incubation centres i.e. Knowledge Partners (KPs) &RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators (RABIs).

- (xviii) Promoting Use of Drones in Agriculture -

The adoption of Drone technologies in agriculture have a potential to revolutionize the Indian agriculture and ensure country's food security. Accordingly,  looking  into  the  unique  advantages  of  Drone  technologies  in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the Standard  Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  for  use  of  drones  in  pesticide  and nutrient application in public domain 21.12.2021, which provide concise instructions  for  effective  and  safe  operations  of  drones.  In  order  to  make  this technology  affordable  to  the  farmers  and  other  stakeholders  of  this  sector, financial  assistance  @  100  %  cost  of  drone  together  with  the  contingent expenditure  is  extended  to  ICAR/SAU/  State  governments/  State  government Institutions  under  Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  for  its demonstration  on  the  farmer's  fields.  In  order  to  provide  agricultural  services through drone application, financial assistance @ 40% of the basic cost of drone and  its  attachments  or  Rs.4  lakhs,  whichever  less  is  also  provided  for  drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and Rural entrepreneurs. The agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% or up to Rs.5 lakhs.

- (xix) Sub  Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  Sub  Mission  on Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  is  being  implemented  w.e.f  April,2014 through States/UTS Governments. The scheme aims at 'reaching the unreached' by bringing to the  small and marginal farmers  in the core and giving the  benefits  of  farm  mechanization,  by  Promoting  'Custom  Hiring  Centers'  ,

creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipments, distribution of various agricultural equipments, creating awareness among  stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities, and ensuring performance testing and certification at designated testing centers located all over the country.

- (xx) Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme - A special Scheme to support the efforts of the Governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and the NCT of Delhi to address air pollution due to stubble burning and to subsidize machinery for  the  farmers  for  in-situ  management  of  crop  residue,  a  new  Central  Sector Scheme on 'Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi (CRM) has been introduced wef 2018-19.
- (xxi) Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Materials (SMSP)Department of Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  Sub-Mission  on  Seeds  & Planting  Materials  (SMSP)  from  the  year  2014-15  to  promote  production  and multiplication of quality seeds  of  agricultural crops, so  that the required quantities  of  seeds  could  be  made  available  to  farmers  in  the  country.  The financial assistance is available /provided for distribution of foundation/ certified seeds at 50% subsidy for cereal crops and 60% subsidy for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops, Creation of Seed Infrastructure facilities (seeds processing and storage godowns of various types), National Seed Reserve (to meet  requirement of  seeds  of  short  &  medium  duration  crop  varieties  to  the farmers during natural calamities and unforeseen conditions) and Strengthening of Seeds Quality Control (seed testing including DNA finger Printing facilities for testing of genetic purity etc.) to the States and public sector Seed organizations through various schemes/components of SMSP.
- (xxii) Launch of the National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm NMEO has been approved with a total outlay of Rs 11040 crore. This  will bring additional area of 6.5 lakh ha under Oil Palm plantation with 3.28 lakh ha in north-eastern states and 3.22 in Rest of India in next 5 years. The major focus of the Mission is to provide Viability Prices of  FFBs to the farmers linked with assured procurement by  the  industry  with  simple  price  fixing    formula.  Central  Government  will compensate farmers through viability  gap  payment if  price  paid  by  industry  is below viability price up to October, 2037.

## (xxiii) Agri Infrastructure Fund -

Since  the  inception  of  AIF,  the  scheme  mobilized  Rs.13000+  Crore  worth agriculture infrastructure in the country for more than 18000+ projects.  With the support of the scheme, various agriculture infrastructure was created and some of  the  infrastructure  is  at  the  final  stage  of  completion.  These  infrastructures include 5515 warehouses, 842 custom hiring centers, 156 assaying units, 960

- primary processing  units,  449  sorting  &  grading  units,  354  cold  store  projects and  around  2406  other kinds  of  post-harvest  management  projects  and community farming assets.
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