Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Agricultural Input Assistance
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2904

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH   MARCH, 2026

## AGRICULTURAL INPUT ASSISTANCE

2904. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

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

- (a) whether Government is aware that the initial cost of horticulture crops like orange, kinnow and cash crops like cumin, Isabgol etc. is very high but agricultural input assistance is very low comparatively;
- (b) whether Government of India has received any proposals from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other States to increase the input of such crops and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Government intends to increase the limit of agricultural input grant from Rs.22,500 per hectare to a minimum of Rs.50,000 per hectare in case of failure of horticultural crops like orange, kinnow and cash crops like cumin, Isabgol by amending the SDRF rules; and
- (d) if so, when the rules are likely to be amended in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): The cost of cultivation of horticultural crops such as orange, kinnow and cash crops like  cumin  and  isabgol,  is  input  and  labour  intensive  due  to  requirement  of  quality  planting material, fertilizers, irrigation systems and post-harvest infrastructure. On the requests received from various stakeholders and considering the increase in prices of various inputs and materials in the horticulture sector, operational guidelines of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme were revised in 2025. Under the revised guidelines, the cost norms of  various  horticultural  crops  were  enhanced,  along  with  the  introduction  of  the  latest technologies used in the horticulture sector. A comparative statement on enhanced support is as per Annexure .

(c) & (d):  As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures on ground level in the wake of notified calamities. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities from funds available in the form of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance  with  the  Government  of  India  approved  items  and  norms.  Additional  financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of 'severe nature' and is approved on the basis of a Memorandum received from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures. The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not as compensation. The detailed items and norms are available on the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs website: ndmindia.mha.gov.in.

Annexure Comparative table of Old vs New Guidelines under Mission for Integrated Development

## of Horticulture (MIDH) support for Orange, Kinnow, Cumin and Isabgol cultivation:

| Crop/ Category under MIDH                       | Old Guidelines (2014)                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | New / Revised Guidelines (2025)                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Fruit Crop (Citrus) including Orange and Kinnow | Under high density, the Cost norms is ₹1.00 lakh/ha without integration and ₹1.50 lakh/ha with drip integration for orchard establishment. The subsidy given is @40% (general areas) and @50% (NE/hilly areas). Max area: 4 ha/beneficiary. | Higher cost norms for orchard establishment (without drip) and for Regular spacing - ₹1.25 lakh/ha) Support for high-density - ₹2.00 lakh/ha and for Ultra- high density - ₹3.00 lakh/ha with same subsidy pattern (40-50%). |
| Seed Spice including Cumin                      | Cost norm: ₹30,000/ha with subsidy @40% in general areas and @50% in NE/hilly areas. Max area: 4 ha/beneficiary .                                                                                                                           | Cost norms was revised upward to ₹50,000/ha for improved seed, INM, IPM, and scientific cultivation practices.                                                                                                               |
| Medicinal & Aromatic Plants including Isabgol   | Medicinal plants were not included in the earlier guidelines .                                                                                                                                                                              | Cost norm is ₹1.50 lakh/ha with subsidy @ 40-50% depending on region for support of quality planting material, cultivation, and value-chain development.                                                                     |

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