Lok Sabha Question No. 3075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Industry Status to Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3075

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2023

## INDUSTRY STATUS TO AGRICULTURE

3075.  SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

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

- (a) whether it is true that agriculture plays a vital role in the economic development of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any demand for granting industry status to agriculture so as to push it further in all respects from its stakeholders; and
- (d) the benefits that were provided to the industry and agriculture during the period of ten years and the decision taken thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (d): Agriculture  being  a  State  Subject,  the  State  Governments  take  appropriate measures  for  development  of  agriculture  in  the  State.  However,  Government  of  India supplements the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support and various schemes/ programmes. The various schemes/ programmes of the Government of India are meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to farmers.

Agriculture plays a vital role in the country's economy and giving the importance to agriculture sector, the Government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation for the agriculture sector from Rs. 30,223.88 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,25,035.79 crore BE during 2023-24.

There  have  been  demands  to  accord  industry  status  to  the  agriculture  sector. Agriculture  and  industry  supplement  each  other.  Government  seeks  to  bestow  on  the agriculture sector as many benefits as available to those in the manufacturing sector, such as, easy availability of credit and other inputs like quality seeds, fertilizers, electricity, etc. and creation  of  infrastructure  facilities,  such  as  assistance  to  FPO's/cold  storages,  etc.  for development of agriculture sector, including marketing and post-harvest management. List of various  initiatives  and  schemes  implemented  by  Government  for  the  development  of agriculture and welfare of farmers are as under:

- i. Income support to farmers through PM KISAN
- ii. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
- iii. Institutional Credit for agriculture sector
- iv. Fixing of Minimum Support Price (MSP) at one-and-a half times the cost of production
- v. Promotion of organic farming in the country
- vi. Per Drop More Crop
- vii. Micro Irrigation Fund
- viii. Promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- ix. National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
- x. Agricultural Mechanization
- xi. Providing Soil Health Cards to farmers
- xii. Setting up of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) extension Platform
- xiii. Launch of the National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm
- xiv. Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
- xv. Improvement in farm produce logistics, Introduction of Kisan Rail.
- xvi. MIDH - Cluster Development Programme:
- xvii. Creation of a Start-up Eco system in agriculture and allied sector
- xviii. Achievement in Export of Agri and Allied Agri- Commodities

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