Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Crop Diversification Programmes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Verma, Smt. Shambhavi, Dr. Lata Wankhede

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1649

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH   FEBRUARY, 2026

## CROP DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMMES

1649. SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

DR. LATA WANKHEDE:

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

- (a) the data on the area covered under crop diversification programmes since 2018 along with the percentage reduction in paddy/wheat cultivation area and the increase in area under oilseeds, pulses, and millets in water-stressed and high-input zones, State and year-wise;
- (b)  the  data  on  the  funds  allocated,  sanctioned,  disbursed  and  expended  for  the  crop diversification initiatives over the last five years, State and year wise;
- (c) the details of the key steps have been taken by the Government to promote horticulture, pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals in traditionally paddy/wheat-dominated areas;
- (d) the details of the key measures which have been undertaken by the Government to promote crop diversification as a strategy for sustainable agriculture and risk mitigation; and
- (e) whether the Government is considering to incentivize high-value crops like medicinal plants, floriculture, or organic vegetables in peri-urban and tribal regions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), which is a centrally sponsored scheme under the  Pradhan  Mantri-  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PM-RKVY)  in  the  Original  Green Revolution States viz; Haryana, Punjab & Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to divert the area of  water guzzling paddy crop to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri  cereals,  etc.  The  primary  objective of the scheme is to demonstrate and promote improved production technologies of alternate crops for diversion of paddy cultivation as well as to restore soil fertility through cultivation of leguminous crops that generate heavy biomass and consume lesser nutrients. Under CDP, assistance is given for alternative crop  demonstration,  farm  mechanization  and  value  addition  items,  for  site  specific activities and for awareness, training etc. CDP was extended for replacing tobacco crop in the  major  tobacco  growing  states  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Gujarat,  Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal from 201516. From 2018-19 to 2024-25, Alternate Crop Demonstrations were conducted over a total area of 186546 hectares for paddy and tobacco replacement under the CDP. Area diverted from paddy and tobacco under CDP through alternative crop demonstrations is enclosed at Annexure-I. The  financial  Assistance  under CDP  is  provided  & the  cost  norms are enclosed at Annexure-II.

Further, DA&FW has approved a pilot project on 'Crop Diversification' for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) under NFSNM through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (ICAR-IIFSR), Modipuram with a total outlay of Rs.1326.60 lakhs.

The Government of India is further encouraging crop diversification among farmers through the state governments to grow crops such as coarse cereals, nutri cereals (Shree Anna)  under  the  National  Food  Security  &  Nutrition  Mission  (NFSNM),  pulses  under Mission for Aatmanirbharata on Pulses, oilseeds under the National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)-Oilseeds and horticultural crops under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states, for state specific needs/priorities under the Pradhan Mantri - Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). The states can promote crop diversification under the PM-RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC). Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi  Yojana  (PMDDKY) scheme covers 100 selected aspirational districts across the country, through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, other State schemes  and  local  partnerships with the private  sector.  Under  PMDDKY,  Crop diversification is one of the main objectives which is addressed through their interventions and convergence policies. During the period 2018-19 to 2024-25, the area under food grains cultivation in the country had increased by 127.72 lakh ha. This includes the area under millets' cultivation, which had also increased by 5.13 lakh ha. Similarly, the area under Oilseeds in the country has also increased by 56.46 lakh ha during the said period.

To promote sustainable agriculture practices in the country, several schemes are being  implemented  to  encourage  farmers  such  as  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana (PKVY), National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), etc. The PDMC scheme increases water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies  i.e.  drip  and  sprinkler  irrigation.  PKVY  &  NMNF  are  implemented  for promotion of organic farming and natural farming respectively among the farmers.

## Area diverted through alternative crop demonstrations under Crop Diversification Programme during the year 2013-14 to 2024-25

| Year    |   Alternative Crop Demonstrations (ha.) |
|---------|-----------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 |                                  109723 |
| 2014-15 |                                  196821 |
| 2015-16 |                                   98537 |
| 2016-17 |                                   39406 |
| 2017-18 |                                   65014 |
| 2018-19 |                                   35345 |
| 2019-20 |                                   13604 |
| 2020-21 |                                   73758 |
| 2021-22 |                                   40593 |
| 2022-23 |                                    5747 |
| 2023-24 |                                   14019 |
| 2024-25 |                                    3480 |
| Total   |                                  696047 |

## Pattern of Assistance under Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)

## a)  CDP in Original Green Revolution States

| Sl. No.   | Component/Intervention                                                                             | Rate of Assistance                                                                                                                                                      |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.        | Alternate crop demonstrations                                                                      | Alternate crop demonstrations                                                                                                                                           |
| i.        | Pulses                                                                                             | Pulse Mission cost norms (Rs.10000/ha)                                                                                                                                  |
| ii.       | Oilseeds                                                                                           | NMEO-Oilseed norms (Groundnut @Rs.14,000/ha, Soybean@ Rs.10,000/ha, Sunflower @Rs.9,000/ha, Sesame/Castor/Niger @Rs.8000/ha)                                            |
| iii.      | Coarse/Nutri cereals                                                                               | NFSNM norms (i) For variety Rs.7500/ha (ii)For Hybrid of Maize Rs.11500/ha                                                                                              |
| iv.       | Cotton                                                                                             | NFSNM norms Demonstration on Integrated Crop Management (ICM)/ intercropping/ natural colour cotton @ Rs.8000/ha, on Desi & ELS Cotton @ Rs.9000/ha, on HDPS @10000/ha) |
| v.        | Agro forestry system as sole crop                                                                  | Rs. 10,000/ha                                                                                                                                                           |
| vi.       | Plantation of trees on farm bunds                                                                  | Cost of saplings limited to Rs.2000/ha                                                                                                                                  |
| vii.      | Inter cropping with agro forestry system                                                           | Rs. 5000/ha                                                                                                                                                             |
| 2.        | Farm Mechanization &Value Addition                                                                 | According to norms approved under Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization / any Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State scheme                                            |
| 3.        | Site Specific Activities (like underground pipe line, maize dryer, seeds for green manuring, etc.) | According to norms approved under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State scheme                                                                                         |
| 4.        | For awareness training, etc.                                                                       | According to norms approved under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State scheme                                                                                         |

## b)  CDP for replacing tobacco farming with alternate crops/cropping system

Tobacco growing States may take up suitable activities/interventions for replacing the tobacco to alternate crops/cropping system as per the cost norms approved under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme/State Scheme.

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