Lok Sabha Question No. 509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Wardha
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 509

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026

## PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN WARDHA

509. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the steps being taken to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the  Wardha  Parliamentary  Constituency  and  the  manner  in  which  farmers  are  being encouraged to adopt these practices;

(b) the manner in which the Government proposes to enhance irrigation infrastructure in the  Wardha  Parliamentary  Constituency  keeping  in  view  crisis  of  water  scarcity  in  the region;

(c) the details of the measures taken to assist farmers in Wardha district facilitating their easy access to market and improving their market linkages; and

(d) the manner in which the Government proposes to address soil health issues in the said  district  mind  the  initiatives  being  taken  to  promote  organic  farming  practices  in  the region?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Government  is  implementing  National  Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture (NMSA),  to  promote  sustainable  agriculture  practices  in  the  country  including  State  of Maharashtra. Several schemes have been initiated under NMSA to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices. As reported by State Government of Maharashtra, following  schemes  are  being  implemented  in  District  of  Wardha  promoting  sustainable practices:

- i. Nanaji  Deshmukh  Krishi  Sanjeevani  Project  Phase  2.0  (POCRA)  to  promote climate resilient agriculture.
- ii. Chief Minister's Sustainable  Agriculture  Irrigation  Scheme  promoting  micro

O.I.H.

irrigation.

- iii. Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0 promoting soil and water conservation.
- iv. Chief Minister's Sustainable Agriculture Irrigation Scheme promoting creation of Farm Ponds.
- v. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Krushi Swavlamban Yojna and
- vi. Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana assisting farmers for creation of wells.

Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,  Department  of  Water  Resources  has  been  implementing Pradhan Mandi Krishi Sinchay Yojana (PMKSY) to expand cultivable area under assured irrigation.    The  Scheme  has two components- Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP),  and  Har  Khet  Ko  Pani  (HKKP).  Lower  Wardha  Project  benefitting  Wardha Parliamentary  Constituency  has  been  included  under  PMKSY-AIBP.  Under  this  project, irrigation Potential of 63.33 thousand hectare has been created. Further, a Special Package for  Irrigation  Projects  in  Maharashtra  was  approved  in  2018.  Shirur  Minor  Irrigation  Tank benefitting Wardha district has been included under Special Package. Irrigation potential of 1065 hectare has been created under this project. The Government also implements Per Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC)  scheme  for  promoting  water  use  efficiency  through  drip  and sprinkler irrigation systems.  In Wardha District till date, 23,297 hectares has been covered under micro irrigation under PDMC Scheme.

Government is providing support to farmers  to facilitate their easy access to markets and to strengthen market linkages through its schemes of 'Formulation and Promotion of 10000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM). In Wardha District, 15 FPOs have been formed facilitating farmers to sell their produce at fair price through these FPOs.  Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare also conducts weekly webinars facilitating direct interaction between FPOs and large institutional buyers for  exploring  business  opportunities.  FPOs  also  market  their  produce  online  through  the Open  Network  for  Digital  Commerce  platform,  enabling  wider  market  access  and  better price realization for farmers. e-NAM is an online portal which provides  real time wholesale prices  of agricultural  produce to facilitate  farmers in informed  decision making for sale  of their  produce.  As  on  date,  4  mandis  of  Wardha  district  -  Arvi,  Hinganghat,  Sindi  and Wardha are integrated on e-NAM platform.

Government is addressing the issue of soil health through the scheme of Soil Health & Fertility scheme. The scheme promotes Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. 32651 Soil Health Cards have been issued in Wardha District from 2023-24 to 2025-26. Besides, Government is also promoting organic through the schemes of   Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). From 2016-17 to 2025-26, a total of 105 organic farming clusters have been sanctioned in Wardha district under PKVY, covering an area of 3,144 hectares and benefiting 2,813 farmers.

*****