Lok Sabha Question No. 2954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Utilization of Cultivable Land
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Virendra Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2954

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 th  MARCH, 2026

## UTILIZATION OF CULTIVABLE LAND

2954. SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a)  whether  in  several  States  including  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Madhya  Pradesh  and Odisha agricultural fields remain fallow from April to July and large number of farmers are  unable  to  utilized  their  cultivable  land  due  to  a  lack  of  resources  and  awareness during this period;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any specific scheme to ensure the productive use of such land during the said period to enhance farmers income;

(c) if so, the details and if not, the reasons therefore;

(d) whether the crops of farmers are severely damaged by wild animals such as Blue Bulls (Neelgai), Wild Boar, Porcupines and stray cattle;

(e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  compensation  for  crop  damage caused by such wild animals under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY); and

(f) if so, the details of the compensation amount fixed and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Land and agriculture are the state subjects, as per Entry No. 18 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, land falls under the jurisdiction of State Governments, which are responsible for taking appropriate measures to increase the area  under  cultivation  and  ensure  optimal  use  of  agricultural  lands.  However,  the Government  of  India  supports  these  efforts  through  policy  initiatives  and  budgetary assistance.

To ensure productive use of land, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has  implemented  several  initiatives  to  promote  crop  diversification,  increase  cropping intensity and enhance farmers income. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Crop Diversification Programme, States are supported to adopt region-specific high-value crops, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops, thereby reducing reliance on mono-cropping systems. Schemes such as Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F), Mission for Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH),  National  Mission on  Edible  Oils (NMEO)-Oil  Palm,  National  Mission  on  Edible  Oils  (NMEO)-Oilseeds,  Mission  for Atmanirbharta  in  Pulses,  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  for  organic  and sustainable farming, Rainfed Area Development (RAD) to further encourage farmers to adopt climate-resilient, high-value and diversified crops.

The  expansion  of  irrigation  facilities  under  PMKSY  and  the  promotion  of  microirrigation under Per Drop More Crop help optimize water availability during lean periods, supporting efficient cropping patterns and judicious use of water resources. Additionally, the  Government  facilitates  the  use  of  climate-resilient  seed  varieties,  soil  moisture conservation practices, and timely agro-advisories through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and  digital  platforms  such  as  m-Kisan,  enabling  farmers  to  make  informed  decisions regarding crop selection and land use.

(d) to (f): The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to non-preventable natural risks from  pre-sowing  to  post-harvest  for  the  crops/areas  notified  by  the  State  Government concerned.  The  losses  to  crops  due  to  wild  animals,  being  preventable  in  nature,  were therefore  not  covered  earlier.  However,  at  the  request  of  Ministry  of  Environment, Forest  and  Climate  Change  (M/o  EFCC)  and  State  Governments,  States  have  been allowed to notify the losses by wild animals on individual assessment as add on cover at the  cost  of  State  Government.    Detailed  protocol  for  such  coverage  are  given  in  the Operational Guidelines of the scheme.

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