Lok Sabha Question No. 2523 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: New Policy Initiatives in Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2523

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## NEW POLICY INITIATIVES IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

## 2523.  SHRI T R BAALU:

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

- (a) is Ministry launched any new policy initiatives and corresponding new programmes for faster and wider development of agriculture in the country by the new Union Government tookover;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the deficiencies in previous policy framework;
- (c) the details of how the new policy would enhance the farmers' welfare;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  would  provide  financial  assistance  to  States  for  giving  free electricity to the farmers; and
- (e) 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 (c): Agriculture being a State subject, Government of India supports the efforts of States  through  appropriate  policy  measures  and  budgetary  allocation  under  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. For faster and wider development of agriculture in the country, in the new Government the Union Cabinet has approved following programmes:
- i. Clean plant Programme: The Union Cabinet, approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) on 09.08.2024 with outlay of Rs. 1765.67 crore. The CPP aims to enhance the quality  and  productivity  of  horticulture  crops  by  providing  disease  free  planting material and will benefit dissemination and adoption of climate resilient varieties, with yield enhancement.
- ii. Digital  Agriculture  Mission: The  Union  Cabinet  approved  the Digital  Agriculture Mission on 2.9.2024 with an outlay of Rs. 2817 Crore, including the central share of Rs. 1940 Crore. The Mission is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the

Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by  the  Central  Government,  State  Governments,  and  Academic  and  Research Institutions.

- iii. Progressive expansion of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme: The Union Cabinet approved the progressive expansion of Agriculture Infrastructure fund (AIF) on 28.8.2024 to enhance and strengthen the agricultural infrastructure in the country and support the farming community by expanding the scope of eligible projects and integrate additional supportive measures to foster a robust agricultural infrastructure ecosystem.  Expanded scope includes allowing individual eligible beneficiaries for creation  of  infrastructure  covered  under  'viable  projects  for  building  community farming assets', integrated processing projects, convergence of PM Kusum 'A'.
- iv. National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds ): The Union Cabinet approved  the  National  Mission  on  Edible  Oils  -  Oilseeds  (NMEO-Oilseeds)  on 3.10.2024 with total outlay of Rs.10,103 Crore. It is aims to boost domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance in edible oils. The Mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
- v. National Mission on Natural Farming: The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission  on  Natural  Farming  (NMNF)  on  25.11.2024  as  a  standalone  Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore (Government of India share - Rs.1584 crore; State share - Rs.897 crore).

Moreover, following significant programmes have also been initiated during 2024-25.

- i. National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)
- ii. AgriSURE - Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises
- iii. Krishi Nivesh Portal (Phase -I)
- iv. Krishi-DSS Portal - A Geospatial platform for Indian Agriculture
- v. Introduction of Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) for various sustainable agriculture practices
6. (d) & (e): There is no such proposal under consideration.

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