Lok Sabha Question No. 1217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Rainfed Dependency and Climate Adaptation in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1217

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## RAINFED DEPENDENCY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE

1217.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

(a) the percentage of agricultural land currently dependent on rainfall for irrigation along with the details of its evolution during last twenty years;

(b) whether the Government has set specific targets to reduce rainfed dependency, particularly in regions vulnerable to irregular monsoons and if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the  measures  being  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  decrease  reliance  on  rainfall  and promote alternative irrigation methods;

(d) whether the Government is actively promoting adaptation strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture; and

(e) if so, the details thereof if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): As  per  the  latest  'Land  Use  Statistics  at  a  Glance:  2022-23'  published  on  the  basis  of information furnished by States/UTs, the details of gross un-irrigated area from 2003-04 to 2022-23 at all India level is at Annexure.

As per the publication, gross un-irrigated area during 2003-04 was 111.619 million hectares which  has  been  decreased  to  97.063  million  hectares.  During  the  agriculture  year  2022-23, percentage of gross un-irrigated area over the gross cropped area is 44.2%, thus remaining 55.8 % gross cropped area achieved under irrigation.

(b) to (e): The  Government  has  implemented  several  initiatives  to  reduce  dependency  on rainfed, enhance irrigation infrastructure, promote sustainable water management practices, and develop climate-resilient  agricultural  systems  to  reduce  dependence on  rainfall  and  mitigate  the impacts  of  irregular  monsoons,  particularly  in  regions  vulnerable  to  irregular  monsoons.  Key measures include:

- I. Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY):  Launched  in  2015,  PMKSY  aims  to enhance irrigation coverage and water-use efficiency. It focuses  on providing irrigation to

every field, promoting water conservation, and improving water-use efficiency. The scheme includes components like Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani, which work towards expanding irrigation infrastructure.

- II. Atal Bhujal Yojana: This community-led groundwater management program seeks to improve groundwater management in seven Indian states with high rates of groundwater depletion. It focuses  on  sustainable  water  use  practices  and  aims  to  build  resilience  against  erratic monsoon patterns.
- III. Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY):  Under  RKVY,  state  governments  are  advised  to allocate 5 to 10% of the funds for interventions that minimize the adverse impact of aberrant monsoons on agriculture. This includes constructing water harvesting structures, promoting moisture conservation practices, and restoring irrigation infrastructure.
- IV. Promotion of Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties: The government has been developing and promoting climate-resilient seed varieties to withstand erratic weather patterns. For instance, in February 2025, a six-year program was announced to enhance the production of pulse crops  and  cotton,  focusing  on  reducing  reliance  on  imports  and  improving  resilience  to climate variability.
- V. Organic Farming Initiatives: Programs like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) encourage organic farming practices, which often require less water and are more resilient to  climate  variability.  This  initiative  supports  farmers  in  adopting  sustainable  agricultural practices.
- VI. Watershed  Development  Component  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  (WDCPMKSY) is for the development of rainfed and degraded lands in the country. The activities undertaken, inter-alia, include ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation,  rainwater  harvesting,  nursery  raising,  pasture  development,  livelihoods  for asset-less  persons  etc.  WDC-PMKSY,  through  these  interventions,  seeks  to  ensure sustainable  development  through  improved  natural  resource  management  and  better resilience of farmers to climate change. These initiatives collectively aim to enhance irrigation infrastructure,  promote  sustainable  water  management  practices,  and  develop  climateresilient agricultural systems to reduce dependence on rainfall and mitigate the impacts of irregular monsoons.

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1217 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/02/2025 REGARDING RAINFED DEPENDENCY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURE.

(Thousand Hectares)

| Year    |   Gross Cropped Area |   Gross Un-Irrigated Area |
|---------|----------------------|---------------------------|
| 2003-04 |               189661 |                    111619 |
| 2004-05 |               191103 |                    110025 |
| 2005-06 |               192737 |                    108458 |
| 2006-07 |               192381 |                    105629 |
| 2007-08 |               195223 |                    107165 |
| 2008-09 |               195328 |                    106433 |
| 2009-10 |               189188 |                    104101 |
| 2010-11 |               198128 |                    108810 |
| 2011-12 |               195546 |                    103614 |
| 2012-13 |               194455 |                    101675 |
| 2013-14 |               201300 |                    105030 |
| 2014-15 |               198285 |                    100439 |
| 2015-16 |               198122 |                    100368 |
| 2016-17 |               201158 |                    101538 |
| 2017-18 |               200876 |                     99409 |
| 2018-19 |               201179 |                     96469 |
| 2019-20 |               211359 |                     98916 |
| 2020-21 |               216107 |                     97173 |
| 2021-22 |               219158 |                     98778 |
| 2022-23 |               219357 |                     97063 |

Source: Land Use Statistics at a Glance: 2022-23

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