Lok Sabha Question No. 1539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Subsidy Support for Crops destroyed by Pests and Diseases
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1539

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## SUBSIDY SUPPORT FOR CROPS DESTROYED BY PESTS AND DISEASES

1539. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that there is no clear guidance or uniform mechanism for providing agricultural input subsidy support in cases where 33 per cent or more of farmers' crops are destroyed due to pests and diseases, leaving a large number of small and marginal farmers uncertain about their entitlement to relief;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to formulate clear and binding guidelines under the relief assistance framework, so that pest and disease affected farmers can also get relief at par with farmers affected by drought, flood or other natural calamities; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a)  to  (c):    As  per  the  National  Policy  on  Disaster  Management  (NPDM),  the  State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures on ground level in the wake  of  notified calamities  which  includes  Pest Attack.  The  State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities from funds available in the form of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with the Government of India approved items and norms. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of 'severe nature' and is approved on the basis of a Memorandum received from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures. The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation.

On  receipt  of  Memorandum  from  the  State  Government,  an  Inter-Ministerial Central  Team  (IMCT)  is  constituted  and  deputed  for  an  on-the-spot  assessment  of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations, as per the extant items and norms. The  report  of  the  IMCT  is  considered  by  the  Sub  Committee  of  National  Executive Committee  (SC-NEC)  headed  by  the  Secretary  (Ministry  of  Home  Affairs)  /Secretary (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare).  Thereafter, the High Level Committee (HLC) headed by Home Minister comprising Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister and Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog considers the request of the State Government based on the recommendations of SC-NEC. The HLC approves the quantum of additional assistance from NDRF which is made available to the State and is subject to the adjustment of the balance available in the State's SDRF.

As per Sl. No. 5(B) of Revised Items & Norms of assistance from SDRF and NDRF, issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, letter No.33-03/2020-NDM-I dated 11.07.2023, relief is provided as input subsidy (where crop loss is 33% and above) for agriculture crops, annual plantation crops and horticulture crops to affected farmers (up-to 2 hectare) due to notified calamities, which are given as under:

(i) Rs.8500/- per ha in rainfed areas (which is subject to minimum assistance of not less than Rs. 1000/- per farmer and restricted to sown areas).

(ii)  Rs.17000/-  per  ha.  in  assured  irrigated  areas  (which  is  subject  to  minimum assistance of not less than Rs.2000/- per farmer and restricted to sown areas).

(iii)  Rs.22500/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops/trees including agroforestry (plantation in own farmland) and restricted to sown areas.

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