Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 124

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

*124.  SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

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

- (a) the details of steps being taken to promote sustainable agriculture practices in Akola and Washim districts and the manner in which farmers being encouraged to adopt these practices;
- (b) the manner in which the Government plans to enhance the irrigation infrastructure in Akola and Washim, considering the region's water scarcity issues;
- (c)  the  details  of  measures  taken  to support  farmers  in  Akola  and Washim in accessing markets and improving their market linkages; and
- (d) the manner in which the Government plans to address the issue of soil health in Akola and Washim along with the initiatives being taken to promote organic farming practices in the region?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI  SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

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

## STATEMENT IN  RESPECT OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  124  DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  09 TH   DECEMBER,  2025  REGARDING 'PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE'

(a): Government is implementing National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), to  promote  sustainable  agriculture  practices  in  the  country  including  in  the  State  of Maharashtra.  Several  schemes  under  NMSA  encourage  farmers  to  adopt  sustainable agriculture practices. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme increases water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation. Till date, 30,962.44 ha in Akola district and 40,171 ha in Washim district have been covered under micro-irrigation under PDMC.  For promotion of organic farming and natural farming, Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY),  and  National  Mission  on  Natural  Farming (NMNF) are implemented respectively. Till date, 2,760 ha in Akola district and 2,160 ha in Washim district have been covered under PKVY. Further, 1,750 ha in Akola and 1,000 ha in  Washim  have  been  covered  under  NMNF  so  far.  State  of  Maharashtra  is  also implementing State scheme 'Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Naisargik Sheti Mission (DPDNSM)' to promote natural farming. Till date, 4000 ha in Akola district and 3500 ha in Washim district have been covered under DPDNSM.

(b): Water is a State subject. Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by State Governments as per their own resources and priority. Government of  India  provides  technical  and  financial  assistance  to  State  Governments  to  encourage sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of  water  resources  under  various ongoing schemes.

Lower Pedhi Project  with  ultimate  irrigation  potential  of  16,000  hectare  has  been included  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  -  Acceleration  Irrigation  Benefits Programme This will benefit Akola district. In 2018, a Special Package for Irrigation Projects was approved for Maharashtra to complete 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation Projects in drought prone districts.  02 medium irrigation projects and 07 surface minor projects with ultimate irrigation potential of 23,009 hectare in Akola district and 18 surface minor irrigation projects with ultimate irrigation potential of 13,398 hectare in Washim district have been included under this package.

(c): Government  is  providing  financial  support  to  farmers  in  Akola  and  Washim  for marketing, branding, and value addition through schemes, such as, the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and  Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Naisargik Sheti Mission,  improving their access to markets and strengthening market linkages.  To ensure access to markets and improving their market linkages, 25 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have also been formed in Akola and Washim districts of Maharashtra, facilitating farmers to sell their produce at fair price through these FPOs.  Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare conducts weekly webinar  facilitating  direct  interaction  between  FPOs  and  large  institutional  buyers  for

exploring business opportunities. (d):

Government is addressing soil health issues in Akola and Washim primarily through the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme where soil health cards are issued to farmers. Soil Health Card assists farmers in promoting integrated nutrient management through judicious use of chemical fertilizers along with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and productivity. Since 2023-24, till date, total of 1,25,667 SHCs have been generated in Akola and 27,939 SHCs in Washim district of Maharashtra.

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