Lok Sabha Question No. 610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Promotion of Chemical Free Natural Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 610

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## PROMOTION OF CHEMICAL FREE NATURAL FARMING

## 610. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

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

(a) whether the Government is formulating any action plan to promote Chemicals-Free Natural farming in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to promote the use of drones for agriculture and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether  funds  have  been  arranged  for  the  farmers  through  National  Bank  for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी

(SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a): Government is promoting natural farming as chemical free farming since 2019-2020 through a sub-scheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). So far 4.09 lakh ha area has been sanctioned and Rs. 70.13 Crore has been released for natural farming in 8 states under BPKP across the country. An area of 1.48 lakh ha have also been sanctioned for promotion of natural farming  along  the  Ganga  Corridor.  To  motivate  farmers  to  adopt  natural  farming  and  to enhance the reach of natural farming, the Government has formulated National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a separate and independent scheme by up scaling the BPKP.

(b): For the benefit of farmers, Government of India is promoting Drones in the field of Agriculture  which  will  help  in  infusing  advanced  technology,  improve  efficiency,  enhance crop yield and reduce cost of operation.

Under  Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  financial  assistance @100% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs per drone is provided for its purchase and demonstration on the farmers' fields by the institutes under Indian Council of

O.I.H.

Agricultural Research (ICAR), Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of Government  of  India engaged  in  agricultural activities.  The  Farmers  Producers Organizations  (FPOs)  are  provided  grants  up  to  75%  of  the  cost  of  Kisan  Drone  for  its demonstrations on the farmers' fields. A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare is provided to these implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire drones  for  demonstrations  from  Custom  Hiring  Centres  (CHCs),  Hi-tech  Hubs,  Drone Manufacturers and  Start-Ups.  The  contingent  expenditure  to  implementing  agencies  that purchase drones for drone demonstrations is limited to  Rs.3000  per  hectare.  In  order  to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance @ 40% up to a  maximum  of  Rs.  4.00  lakhs  are  provided  for  purchase  of  drones  by  CHCs  under Cooperative  Society  of  Farmers,  FPOs  and  Rural  entrepreneurs.  Agriculture  graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% of the cost of drone up  to  a  maximum  of  Rs.5.00  lakhs  per  drone.  For  purchase  of  drones  on  individual ownership basis, the Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, Women and North Eastern State farmers are provided financial assistance @ 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs.

Under SMAM, funds amounting to Rs. 141.39 crores have been released towards Kisan Drone promotion which includes Rs. 52.50 crores released to the ICAR for purchase of  Kisan  Drones  and  organizing  their  demonstrations  on  the  farmers'  fields  through  100 KVKs,  75  ICAR  institutions  and  25  SAUs.  The  funds  have  been  provided  to  the  State Governments for supply of 461 Kisan Drone to farmers on subsidy and establishment of 1585 Kisan Drone CHCs to provide drone services to the farmers. 263 Agri-Drones have been procured by 193 Institutions of ICAR across the country. 260 personnel from these institutions have undergone Drone Pilot Training. With a view to create awareness on the advantages  of  drone  in  agriculture,  these  Institutions  have  carried  out  15,075  drone demonstrations  on  nutrients,  fertilizers,  chemicals  (insect  &  pest)  applications  following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering 16,471 hectare area.

The  Government  has  also  recently  approved  Central  Sector  Scheme  "NAMO DRONE DIDI' for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of the total 15,000 drones, first 500 drones will be procured by Lead Fertilizer Companies  (LFCs)  in  2023-24,  using  their  internal  resources  for  distribution  to  selected SHGs. Remaining 14500 drones will be provided under this scheme during 2024-25 and 2025-26 and Central Financial Assistance @  80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary  charges  up  to  a  maximum  of  Rs.  8.0  lakhs  will  be  provided  to  the women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of  farmers.  The  scheme  will  also  provide  sustainable  business  and  livelihood  support  to SHGs  and  they  would  be  able  to  earn  additional  income  of  at  least  Rs.  1.0  lakhs  per annum.

(c): As  informed  by  National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD) they  have  initiated  JIVA  programme  under  Watershed  &  Tribal  Development  Funds  to promote  an  agro-ecological  approach  through  chemical-free  Natural  Farming  in  the completed  Watershed  &  Tribal  Development  Projects  on  a  pilot  basis.  Incidentally,  the NGOs  who  have  implemented  Watershed  &  Tribal  Development  Projects  are  acting  as implementing agencies of JIVA agro-ecology programme (Natural Farming).

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