Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: Expenditure on Agriculture and Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Pritam Gopinath Munde

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 169

TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST   AUGUST, 2023

## EXPENDITURE ON AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS

- *169.    SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान काण मंी be pleased to state: (a)     whether the Union Government is spending more than Rs. 6.5 lakh crore yearly on agriculture and farmers and if so, the details thereof along with its break-up; (b)     whether there is a guarantee that every farmer gets Rs. 50,000 in various forms and if so, the details thereof along with its break-up; (c)    the extent to which the Union Government schemes are able to change the lives of farmers; (d)    whether the food security is limited to wheat and rice; (e)    if so, whether there is a need to include more items in the food security; and

- (f)     if so, the steps taken by the Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान काण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (f):        A statement is laid on the table of the house

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 169 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 1 ST  AUGUST, 2023.

(a) to (b): The Government of India is deeply committed to the welfare of farmers and has taken numerous measures to support agriculture across the country. A comprehensive range of schemes and programmes has been implemented to address various aspects of agriculture and benefit farmers across agriculture and allied sectors. Details of spending (Revised Estimate) by the Central Government during 2022-23 on agriculture and allied sectors are as follows;

| Spending by the Central Government on agriculture and allied sectors during 2022-23*   | Spending by the Central Government on agriculture and allied sectors during 2022-23*   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Item of Expenditure                                                                    | Amount (Rs in crore)                                                                   |
| Fertilizer subsidy                                                                     | 225220                                                                                 |
| Food subsidy                                                                           | 287194                                                                                 |
| Agriculture & allied activities (Excluding PM- KISAN)                                  | 76279                                                                                  |
| PM-KISAN                                                                               | 60000                                                                                  |
| Total                                                                                  | 648693                                                                                 |

Also, institutional credit for agriculture sector is increased from Rs. 7.3 lakh crore in 2013-14 with a target to reach Rs. 20 lakh crore in 2023-24.

- (c): The Government's dedicated efforts towards the positive implementation of these schemes have yielded remarkable results in augmenting farmers' income. As part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a  book,  which  contains  compilation  of  success  stories  of  75,000  farmers  out  of innumerable successful farmers who have increased their income more than two times.
- (d) to (f): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) across identified districts in 28

states  and  Union  Territories,  including  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Ladakh.  The  primary objectives  of  NFSM  are  to  increase  foodgrain  production,  encompassing  rice,  wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and nutri-cereals, through both area expansion and productivity enhancement measures. With a special focus on pulses and nutri-cereals, NFSM promotes their production through various means. This includes the distribution of seed minikits, promoting pulses in  rice  fallow  areas  and  rice  bunds,  and  encouraging  central/state  seed  agencies  to produce quality seeds for pulses and nutri-cereals Recognizing  the  significance  of  millets  in  nutrition,  the  Government  of  India classified millets as Nutri-Cereals in April 2018, thereby encouraging their production and consumption. Furthermore, the International Year of Millets, designated by the United Nations General  Assembly  (UNGA)  in  2023,  is  a  testament  to  India's  proposal  and  global recognition of the value of millets in addressing food security and nutritional challenges. Additionally,  the  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH), implemented by DA&FW, aims to boost horticulture production, improve farmers' income, and  strengthen  nutritional  security.  MIDH  adopts  a  comprehensive  approach  to horticulture development, incorporating regionally differentiated strategies based on the diverse agro-climatic features and comparative advantages of each state and region. It emphasizes research, technology promotion, extension services, post-harvest management, processing, and marketing to promote holistic growth in the horticulture sector. Through  these  initiatives,  the  Government  of  India  is  committed  to  enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food and nutritional security, and uplifting the livelihoods of farmers across the country.

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