Lok Sabha Question No. 313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Preserve the Agricultural Land
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 313

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## PRESERVE THE AGRICULTURAL LAND

313.   PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state: (a) the details of steps taken so far to preserve the 'virginity' of agricultural land in the country; (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  project  for  implementing  sustainable  farming practices, enacting and enforcing regulations that protect farmland from conversion to other uses, and promoting awareness about the importance of land conservation; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) the  steps  taken  so  far  to  minimize  the  use  of  synthetic  pesticides  by  integrating biological control methods and other sustainable pest management strategies; and (e) the projects to promote efficient irrigation techniques, like drip irrigation and microsprinklers, to conserve water resources and reduce waterlogging in agriculture sector of the

- country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी ( SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (d):

- The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 25.11.2024 to promote Natural Farming across the country. Natural Farming is a  chemical  free  farming,  involving  livestock  integrated  natural  farming  methods  and diversified crop systems rooted in the Indian traditional knowledge. It aims to improve soil health, restoring ecosystems and reducing input cost to the farmers.

The mission target is 15,000 clusters to initiate Natural Farming in 7.5 Lakh Ha area covering 18.75 lakhs farmers and to make 1 crore farmers aware of Natural Farming. Till date, over 15 lakh farmers have been enrolled under the Mission. For easy availability of natural farming bio-inputs like  Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, etc., the  Mission  provides  for  10,000 need-based Bio-input Resource Centres for natural farming farmers.

Natural  farming  is  integrated  with  livestock  involves  use  of  on-farm  inputs  like Beejamrut, Jeevamrut,  Ghan  Jeevamrut,  Neemastra,  Dashparni,  etc.,  multi-cropping systems, Pre-monsoon dry sowing, biomass based mulching, use of traditional varieties of seeds,  integration  of  trees  on  buffer  zones  of  farm,  etc.  By  combining  biological  control, habitat management, and eco-friendly formulations, Natural Farming reduces dependence on chemical pesticides while maintaining crop health and productivity.

(e): Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW)  is  implementing  Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) in the Country from 2015-16. PDMC focuses  on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation  namely Drip  and  Sprinkler  Irrigation  Systems.  The  Government  provides  financial  assistance  @ 55% for small and marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems under the PDMC. Besides some State Government also provide Top-up subsidy to farmers from their State Budget. Total area of 106.75 lakh ha. has been covered under micro irrigation through PDMC scheme as on 31.10.2025.

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