Lok Sabha Question No. 320 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Setting up of Millet Research Institute
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO: 320

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## SETTING UP OF MILLET RESEARCH INSTITUTE

*320.  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  a  Millet  Research  Institute  in Barmer district of Rajasthan and if so, the present progress in this regard and the time by which it is likely to be completed;
- (b) whether the Millet Research Institute has been announced and approved;
- (c) if so, the budget allocated and spent for the said purpose;
- (d) whether the  Government proposes to  set  up  a  cumin  seed  Mandi  in  Barmer  as Rajasthan produces 52 per cent of total cumin production in the country and out of which maximum  produced  i.e.  80  per  cent  is  from  Barmer  and  Jaisalmer  Parliamentary Constituency  of  western  Rajasthan  and  cumin  is  taken  to  Unja  Mandi,  Gujarat  for processing and selling this is 300 km away which involves an expenditure of Rs.2500/- to Rs.3000/- per quintal;
- (e) if so, the time by which the same will be set up and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to set up a cumin, isabgol processing unit in Barmer keeping in view the production capacity of cumin-isabgol and the requirments of farmers and if so, the time by which the same will be set up?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  IN  RESPECT  OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. 320 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH   DECEMBER,  2024  REGARDING 'SETTING UP OF MILLET RESEARCH INSTITUTE'

(a) to (c): The Government has announced and approved to set up a Regional Station of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research at Barmer district of Rajasthan. The Government of Rajasthan has allotted 98.8 acres of land at Gudamalani, District - Barmer (Rajasthan). A total budget of rupees 8.50 crores has been allocated during 15 th  Finance Commission period for establishing this Regional Center out of which Rs. 2.5 crores expenditure has been incurred on infrastructure development, equipment and farm implements, etc. Two scientists including a Center Head have been deployed at the Centre.

(d) & (e): As agri marketing is administered by the State, opening of new Mandis comes under the purview of the State Govt. As per the information received from the State Govt., a Cumin Mandi (Jeera mandi) is already established at Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti, Barmer by the Govt. of Rajasthan for which 77 plots have been allotted to Jeera Trader's/ Exporters/ Processers.

Establishment of Jeera Mandi is proposed by Govt. of Rajasthan at Jaisalmer, for which 20 plots are marked in main mandi yard of Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti, Jaisalmer.

(f): As per the information received from the State Govt., under the Rajasthan Food Processing Mission, a total of ten (10) applications have been considered for subsidy for setting up of export oriented processing units of Jeera and Isabgol in the Jodhpur Division.

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