Lok Sabha Question No. 4078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Progress of Agricultural Schemes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4078

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2026

## PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES

4078. Shri Rahul Gandhi:

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

- (a) whether the schemes announced for Pulses, Cotton Technology, Vegetables and Fruits, Hybrid Seeds and the proposed Makhana Board in Bihar have been operationalised, if so, the scheme-wise progress made so far and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred for each of these schemes during the last financial year;
- (c) the timelines fixed for implementation of each scheme and the production, value-addition, and farmer coverage targets set thereunder;
- (d)  the  current  production  and  productivity  levels  of  pulses,  cotton,  vegetables,  fruits  and hybrid seeds in the country as compared to the levels at the time of announcement of these schemes; and
- (e) whether the Government has finalised the location of the Makhana Board in Bihar, if so, the details of the location thereof and the criteria adopted for its selection?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a): The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses and the National Makhana Board have been sanctioned. Proposals for the Cotton Mission, Vegetables & Fruits and National Mission on High Yielding Seeds are under process.
- (b) & (c): To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, the Government of India has launched the Mission  for  Aatmanirbharta  in  Pulses,  aimed  at  strengthening  domestic  production  and reducing dependence on imports while ensuring nutritional security. With a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore over a six-year period, the mission places special emphasis on the promotion of Tur (Arhar), Urad and Masoor. The programme seeks to increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes, expand the cultivation area by 35 lakh hectares-particularly in rice fallows and through intercropping systems and to enhance productivity to 1,130 kg per hectare through improved seed availability, better agronomic practices and strengthened extension support. The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has been launched in 2025-26 with an allocation of ₹483.625 crore (Central Share) for FY 2025-26.

Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana has total outlay of ₹476.03 crore for a period of five years (2025-26 to 2030-31) with the objective of holistic development of makhana  sector.  The  scheme  aims  at  the  development  of  makhana  sector  by  covering production, post-harvest management, value addition, research and development, marketing, branding and export promotion, and capacity building. It is proposed to implemented by the National Makhana Board in coordination with makhana-producing states. During FY 202526, an amount of ₹26.62 crore has been released to Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Uttarakhand through National Makhana Board under Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana for various activities such as seed production, area expansion,  frontline  demonstrations,  capacity  building  of  farmers,  micro  level  processing units,  packhouses,  research  and  development  of  Makhana, exposure  visit,  buyers-sellers meets, seminars, etc.

- (d) The production and productivity levels of Pulses, Cotton, and Fruits & Vegetables in FY 2024-25 are as follows:
- (e): The location of Makhana Board is under finalization.

|                     |   Production (in Million MT) |   Productivity (Kg/ha) |
|---------------------|------------------------------|------------------------|
| Pulses              |                       25.68  |                  926   |
| Cotton              |                       29.72  |                  440   |
| Fruits & Vegetables |                      334.443 |                17716.3 |

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