Lok Sabha Question No. 3168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Increasing Agricultural Production under NFSM
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3168

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 08 TH  AUGUST, 2023

## INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION UNDER NFSM

3168. SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) that aims at increasing the production  of  rice,  wheat,  pulses,  coarse  cereals  (maize  and  barley),  nutri-cereals (jowar, bajra, ragi and small millets) and oilseeds and oil palm through area expansion and productivity enhancement is fulfilling its unique objective of restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level, enhancing farm level economy to restore confidence amongst farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to assist farmers to encourage water use efficiency; and
- (d) the details of the proportion of increase in land under irrigation planned by the Government under the said Mission?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b) In  order  to  increase  the  production  and  productivity  of  rice,  wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (maize and barley), nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) and to fulfil the objectives of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), assistance is being provided to the farmers through States/Union Territories for interventions like cluster demonstrations  on  improved  package  of  practices,  demonstrations  on  cropping system, seed production and distribution of high yielding varieties/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, processing &

post-harvest equipment, cropping system based trainings etc. Initiatives like distribution of seed minikits of newer varieties of pulses, production of quality seed, creation  of  seed hubs  at Indian Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR) Institutes/ State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), technological demonstrations by KVKs have also been included under NFSM.

To  meet  the  objectives  of  NFSM-Oilseeds,  incentives/  subsidies  are  being provided for purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation seeds & certified seeds,  distribution  of  certified  seeds,  distribution  of  seed  mini  kits,  demonstrations (block demonstrations /front line demonstrations /cluster front line demonstrations), farmers  field  school,  training,  supply  of  water  carrying  devices,  plant  protection equipments, soil ameliorates, micro-nutrients, weedicides, insecticides, biofertilizer/bio agents, etc.

Government of India has launched a separate Mission i.e. National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in August 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation with the  aim  to  augment  the  availability  of  edible  oil  in  the  country  by  harnessing  area expansion,  increasing  crude  palm  oil  production  and  productivity  with  the  aim  to reduce the import burden. (c)  &  (d)  Per  Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC)  is  being  implemented  from  2015-16  in  the country  to  focus  on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed cost effective, location specific scientific technologies viz.  rainwater  harvesting  and  recycling,  precision  technologies  for  irrigation  and farming  practices,  adoption  of  modern  agronomic  practices,  diversifying  cropping pattern from water guzzling crops like low land rice and sugarcane to pulses, oilseeds, maize  and  agro-forestry  etc.  Further,  ICAR  imparts  training  and  organizes  field demonstrations to educate farmers in these regard.

Under  the  Command  Area  Development  &  Water  Management  (CADWM) programme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), lined field channels are constructed and wherever possible underground pipeline network is laid for providing last-mile connectivity to the irrigation system to enhance irrigation efficiency. The DoWR, RD & GR has set up Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) on 20.10.2022 for promotion, regulation and control of efficient use of water in irrigation, industrial and domestic sector. The Bureau facilitates promotion of  improving water use efficiency across various sectors namely irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation, industries etc. in the country. National Water Mission (NWM) launched the 'Sahi Fasal' campaign in 2019 to nudge farmers in water stressed areas to grow crops which are not water intensive but use water efficiently and are economically  remunerative,  healthy  and  nutritious  and  suited  to  the  agro-climatichydro characteristics .

The net irrigated area in the country has increased from 692.70 lakh hectare in the year 2016-17 hectare to 777.29 lakh hectare in the year 2020-21.

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