Lok Sabha Question No. 3507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Assessment of impact of Crop Diversification
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri P P Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3507

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION

3507.  SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether any  assessment  has  been  conducted  regarding the impact of agricultural interventions, particularly crop diversification with salt-tolerant varieties and well desilting, if so, the findings thereof particularly for Pali district, Rajasthan;
- (b) the number of farmers benefited from these interventions during the last three years along with the improvements observed in crop yield and soil quality thereof in Pali district;
- (c)      whether  any  specific  financial  assistance  has  been  provided  to  farmers  for  sustainable agriculture practices, if so, the details thereof and utilization achieved in Pali district; and
- (d)       whether these successful interventions from Pali district, which are being replicated in other districts with similar agro-climatic conditions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k jkT; ea=h (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  assessment  was  carried  out  regarding  the  impact  of  agricultural  interventions, particularly crop diversification with salt-tolerant varieties in Pali districts. On farm testing (OFT) were conducted using salt tolerant varieties of wheat (KRL-210) and mustard (CS-54) at different locations of Pali districts. The average yield of wheat and mustard was 36.8 and 17.3 q/ha, respectively. A total of 319 demonstrations were conducted on salt-tolerant crops including wheat, barley and mustard during 2021-23, resulting in yield improvements of 25.3, 20.3 and 32.3 percent, respectively. Crop diversification through salt tolerant varieties like green gram (Virat), cluster bean (RGC-1033), moth bean (CZM-2) and sorghum (CSV-27) showed on average 10-15 percent improvement in the crop yields as compared to farmer's local varieties. Additionally, the improvement in soil health was also observed in the demonstration plots. Further, the local existing practices for well desilting followed by farmers were encouraging.

During  the  last  three  years,  a  total  of  582  farmers  got  benefited  through  technology demonstrations and 849 farmers got benefited from the capacity building programs like training, exposure visits, and field days etc.

- (c) & (d):   Yes, National Mission for sustainable Agriculture - Rainfed Area Development (NMSARAD) Scheme is operated in Pali District. The progress of financial assistance and budget utilization during three years is as under: -

2021-22: Rs. 3.45 lakh

2022-23: Rs. 7.02 lakh

2023-24: Rs. 16.53 lakh

The districts of similar agro-climatic conditions have also benefited under NMSA-RAD.

******