Lok Sabha Question No. 4 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Diversification of Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## DIVERSIFICATION OF CROPS

4. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- (a) the  measures  taken/to  be  taken  by  the  Government  towards  educating  farmers  to look for diversifying crops instead of the routine summer and winter crop plantation; and
- (b) the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to spread awareness amongst farmers about farming, harvesting, packaging and selling, vital for society?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) has been encouraging diversified production of crops such as rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, nutri  cereals,  commercial  crops  &  oilseeds under  National  Food Security  Mission  (NFSM). Horticultural  crops  are  promoted  under  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture (MIDH).  In  addition,  Crop  Diversification  Programme  (CDP),  a  sub  scheme  of  Rashtriya Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY),  is  being  implemented  in  original  green  revolution  states  viz. Punjab,  Haryana  and  western  Uttar  Pradesh  to  diversify  paddy  area  towards  alternative crops and shifting of tobacco farming to alternative crops/cropping system in tobacco growing states.

Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  conducts  extensive  research  and technology  validation  through  farmers'  participatory  research  on  cropping  systems  under AICRP-Integrated  Farming  Systems  (AICRP-IFS)  in  25  States/Union  Territory  with  the participation of 34 State Agricultural Universities, 6 ICAR Institutes and 1 Central University. Training of farmers and awareness on crop diversification is also undertaken through on-farm research centres in 32 districts of 21 States under the scheme. The studies carried out under the aegis of AICRP-IFS at research farms of 37 centres, representing different agro-climatic regions of the country, during past two decades have indicated that under assured irrigated conditions there is ample scope to include pulses, vegetables, oilseeds and other high value crops.

The  farmers  are educated  on  latest crop production technologies, harvesting, marketing  etc  to  choose  appropriate  crops/cropping  system  through  demonstrations  at farmers field, farmer field school, training, kisan melas, conferences, seminars and electronic mass media. Beside, crop related advisories are sent to the registered farmers through Short Message  Service  (SMS)  on  mKisan  Portal.  Information  on  weather,  market,  various  farm operations, outbreak of pest and disease incidence and their control measures are also given to farmers through SMS.

Further,  DAC&FW  has  launched  Agriculture  Infrastructure  Fund  (AIF),  a  Central Sector Scheme, under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for creation of infrastructure at the farm gate through investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.

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