Lok Sabha Question No. 696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Growth in Agriculture Sector
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 696

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2015 / SHRAVANA 2, 1937 (SAKA)

## GROWTH IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

† 696. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of growth rate in agriculture sector during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the aforesaid sector has experienced slump in growth rate, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to give boost to agriculture sector by providing maximum tax benefit, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the other steps taken by the Government to augment growth in agriculture sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  As  per  New  Series  of  National  Accounts    released  on  30.01.2015  and  further  latest estimates released on 29 th May, 2015 by Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices and growth rate of agriculture & allied sectors at 2011-12 prices are tabulated below:

| GVA at basic prices at 2011-12 prices (Rs. in Crore)   | GVA at basic prices at 2011-12 prices (Rs. in Crore)   | GVA at basic prices at 2011-12 prices (Rs. in Crore)   | Growth Rate (%)                 |
|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Year                                                   | Total Economy                                          | Agriculture, forestry & fishing                        | Agriculture, forestry & fishing |
| 2011-12                                                | 8195546                                                | 1505580                                                | -                               |
| 2012-13                                                | 8599224                                                | 1523470                                                | 1.2                             |
| 2013-14                                                | 9169787                                                | 1579290                                                | 3.7                             |
| 2014-15                                                | 9827089                                                | 1582851                                                | 0.2                             |

In India, the agricultural production is highly dependent upon weather, rainfall situation etc. As, 52.4 %  of  area  (2012-13)  under  cultivation  is  still  rainfed,  monsoon  rainfall  has  significant  role  in production of crops and also on the output of other allied sectors to certain extent. Climate change has also emerged as an important factor causing serious impact on output of crop sector.

(c)  &  (d):  The  Government  has  taken  various  initiatives  under  different  crop  development schemes/programmes to increase output of agriculture and allied sector. In order to minimize the impact of delayed/deficient rainfall, long dry spells etc, the ICAR has prepared contingency plans for more than six hundred districts of the country. To minimize the adverse impact of climate change, the  government  has  taken  important  initiative  in  the  form  of  National  Mission  on  Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Further, the Government has also taken several measures to improve growth in the agriculture sector that, inter-alia, include an ambitious Soil Health Card Scheme to improve soil fertility on a sustainable basis; In order to improve soil health, support to organic farming scheme 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana';  Pradhanmantri Gram Sinchai Yojana aimed at irrigating the field  of  every  farmer  and  improving  water  use  efficiency;  allocation  of   Rs  5,300  crore  to  support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.

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