Lok Sabha Question No. 4112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: High-value Crop Diversification
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4112

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2026

## High Value Crop Diversification.

4112:  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SINDE:

SMT BHARTI PARDHI:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

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

- (a) whether the record allocation of Rs.1.40 lakh crore for agriculture in Budget 2026-27 reflects a comprehensive strategy to drive high-value crop diversification under the vision of "Viksit Bharat";
- (b) whether the targeted promotion of crops such as walnuts, sandalwood and coconut is aimed at enhancing  farmers'  income  and  strengthening  India's  agri-export  competitiveness  particularly  in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether the dedicated Coconut Promotion Scheme and Plantation rejuvenation measures are expected to improve productivity and sustainability in the plantation sector;
- (d) whether the record Rs.1.70 lakh crore fertilizer subsidy ensures input cost stability during the transition towards diversified, high-value agriculture; and
- (e) whether these combined measures balance food security with export growth while improving the long-term income prospects of farmers?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The record allocation of Rs.1.40 lakh crore for agriculture in Budget 2026-27 reflects a comprehensive strategy to drive high-value crop diversification under the vision of "Viksit Bharat" as the said budget focuses on diversifying farm outputs, increasing productivity, enhancing farmers' incomes,  and  creating  new  employment  opportunities  and  supports  high  value  crops  such  as coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in our coastal areas, Agar trees in North East and nuts such as, almonds, walnuts and pine nuts in hilly regions.
- (c) Coconut Promotion Scheme and Plantation rejuvenation measures rejuvenation measures are expected to improve productivity and sustainability in the plantation sector as the Coconut Promotion scheme aims to revitalize coconut sector in coconut growing states through production of Quality Planting  Material,  Replanting  and  Rejuvenation,  Area  Expansion,  Holistic  Health  Management practices, Value Addition and Export Promotion in coconut.
- (d):  The  fertilizer  subsidy  of  Rs.1.70  lakh  crore  ensures  input  cost  stability  during  the  transition towards diversified, high-value agriculture as the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of urea has remained unchanged since 2018 and is currently Rs. 242 per 45 kg bag. Similarly, the MRP of DAP is Rs.1350 per 50 kg bag, which has remained constant during the last three years (2023-24 to 2025-26). These measures help ensure price  stability  and  availability  of  fertilizers  to  farmers,  thereby  supporting agricultural productivity and facilitating diversification towards high-value agriculture.
- (e): These combined measures balances food security with export growth while improving the long-term income prospects of farmers.

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