Lok Sabha Question No. 3534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Punjab
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3534

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES IN PUNJAB

3534. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

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

- (a) whether there is an urgent need to address the ecological impact of the rice-wheat crop cycle, which is straining water resources in Punjab and shifting focus to alternative crops like oilseeds, pulses, millets and medicinal plants could offer more sustainable options suited to the region's conditions, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  investing in advanced  agricultural technologies such  as  hydroponics, aquaponics, and organic cultivation could enhance productivity and sustainability, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  initiatives  proposed  to  promote  these  alternative  crops  and  modern farming techniques, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is considering for establishing efficient export channels to deliver perishable produce within 24-48 hours overseas and increasing research in poultry, piggery,  floriculture,  and  cattle  farming,  along  with  investments  in  food  storage  and processing, would be invaluable, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government is exploring  the  opportunities  for ethanol  production  as  a promising venture for regional farmers and special budget for technologies, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY)  in  original  Green  Revolution  States  including  Punjab  to  divert  the  area  of  water guzzling paddy to alternative crops viz; pulses, oilseed, coarse cereals, nutri cereals (Shree Anna),  cotton  etc.  The  aim  of  CDP  is  to  demonstrate  and  promote  improved  production technologies  of  alternate  crops  for  paddy  cultivation  and  to  restore  soil  fertility  through cultivation  of  leguminous  crops.  Further,  Government  of  India  is  also  supplementing  the efforts of state governments to encourage farmers to grow low water intensive crops such as pulses,  coarse  cereals,  nutri  cereals  (under  National  Food  Security  &  Nutrition  Mission (NFSNM),  oilseeds  under  National  Mission  on  Edible  Oil  (NMEO)-Oilseeds,  horticultural crops under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  conducts  research  on  crop diversification for irrigated conditions with the participation of State Agricultural Universities(SAUs) in 21 States/ Union Territory. Alternate cropping systems with diversified crops  have  been  identified  for  these  states.  Further,  package  of  practices  for  organic production of crops have been developed for 72 cropping systems suitable for 16 states. Also,  eight  integrated  organic  farming system  models  for  7  states  have  been  developed. Punjab Agriculture  University(PAU),  Ludhiana  and  ICAR-Central Institute of  Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Regional Station, Abohar works on various aspects of hydroponics, aquaponics, and protected cultivation. Research on Poultry, Piggery (Meat) and  Cattle  (Milk)  on  value-added  product  development,  increasing  their  shelf  life,  quality control and safety aspect is being conducted under Animal Science Division of ICAR. The Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  is  implementing  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs) scheme including in the State of Punjab for dissemination of latest agricultural technologies on crop diversification.

The Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) supports bank financing of key post-harvest infrastructures.  It  helps  the  integration  of  advanced  technologies  like  precision  farming, drones,  IoT  systems,  smart  irrigation,  and  modern  machinery.  AIF  also  supports  agrientrepreneurs and start-ups by providing bank loans, promoting innovative practices, and fostering  collaboration  between  entrepreneurs  and  farmers.  This  initiative  covers  various advanced agricultural techniques, including hydroponic, vertical, and aeroponic farming, as well  as  the  use  of  specialized  sensors  and  remote  sensing  applications  to  increase productivity

(e): Government is implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme wherein Oil Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  sell  petrol  blended  with  ethanol.  Under  EBP  Programme, Government fixed the target of 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2025-26. Under the National Policy on Biofuels-2018, Government has allowed the production of ethanol from a variety of feed-stocks like agricultural residues (rice straw, cotton stalk, corn cobs, saw dust, bagasse  etc.);  starch  containing  materials  such  as  maize,  cassava,  rotten  potatoes  etc.; damaged food grains like wheat, rice etc. apart from sugarcane and other sugar containing crops  like  sugar  beet,  sweet  sorghum  etc.  Further,  production  of  ethanol  has  also  been allowed from feed-stocks such as Residual Sugar/ Sugar Syrup/ Sweeteners/ Best Before Date (BBD) Products (beverages, juices etc.). Government is also promoting the use of maize as a feedstock for ethanol production.

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