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Rajya Sabha

Qno

Min_name

Ans_date

Qtitle

Name

Qtype

522 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Effect of MGNREGA on

agriculture

T.N. SEEMA STARRED

529 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Drought in Maharashtra AJAY SANCHETI

STARRED

531 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Misuse of pesticides DEVENDER

GOUD T.

STARRED

535 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Action takes on complaints

lodged at Safal booths

A.A. JINNAH STARRED

537 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Labour problem in

agricultural sector

PRABHAKAR

KORE

STARRED

539 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Corporate farming PRABHAT JHA STARRED

4031 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Farming of soyabean MAHENDRA

SINGH MAHRA

UNSTARRED

4032 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Shrinking of agricultural

land

KANWAR DEEP

SINGH

UNSTARRED

4033 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Regulation of Bt. Cotton

prices

SMIRTI ZUBIN

IRANI

UNSTARRED

4034 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Introduction of new policy

for farmers

K. C. TYAGI UNSTARRED

4035 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Drought assistance to Kerala K.N.

BALAGOPAL

UNSTARRED

4036 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Insurance of fish ponds RAMACHANDRA

KHUNTIA

UNSTARRED

4037 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 MSP of paddy RAMACHANDRA

KHUNTIA

UNSTARRED

4038

AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Irrigation facilities GYAN PRAKASH

PILANIA

UNSTARRED

4039 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Price rise of vegetables PANKAJ BORA UNSTARRED

4040 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Group accident insurance

scheme for fishermen

RAJKUMAR

DHOOT

UNSTARRED

4041 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Involvement of youths in

agriculture sector

ANIL MADHAV

DAVE

UNSTARRED

4042 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Subsidy in organic farming ANIL MADHAV

DAVE

UNSTARRED

4043

AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Drought in Andhra Pradesh PALVAI

GOVARDHAN

REDDY

UNSTARRED

4044 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 National mission on crop

diversification

RAM

JETHMALANI

UNSTARRED

4045 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Food scarcity due to drought KIRANMAY

NANDA

UNSTARRED

4046 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Negative impact of chemical RAM UNSTARRED

fertilizers JETHMALANI

4047 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Implementation of National

Project for Cattle and

Buffalo Bread

CHANDAN

MITRA

UNSTARRED

4048 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Assistance to drought

affected States

RENUBALA

PRADHAN

UNSTARRED

4049 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Cold storage requirements MOTILAL VORA UNSTARRED

4050 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Development of high

yielding seeds

PARSHOTTAM

KHODABHAI

RUPALA

UNSTARRED

4051 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Development of dairy sector

in Gujarat

MANSUKH L.

MANDAVIYA

UNSTARRED

4052 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Welfare schemes for

agricultural workers

MOHD. ALI

KHAN

UNSTARRED

4053 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Compensation under crop

insurance scheme

MOHD. ALI

KHAN

UNSTARRED

4054 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Milk produced by indigenous

cows

RAVI SHANKAR

PRASAD

UNSTARRED

4055 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Supply of free seeds to

drought affected farmers

RAJKUMAR

DHOOT

UNSTARRED

4056 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Tissue culture in banana

plantation

TARUN VIJAY UNSTARRED

4057 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Revival package for poultry

industry

A. ELAVARASAN UNSTARRED

4058 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Post harvest losses of

agricultural products

PARIMAL

NATHWANI

UNSTARRED

4059 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Setting up of NDRC NARENDRA

KUMAR

KASHYAP

UNSTARRED

4060 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Assistance to Maharashtra

for addressing the drought

YOGENDRA P.

TRIVEDI

UNSTARRED

4061 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Assistance to small scale

farmers

RAM KRIPAL

YADAV

UNSTARRED

4062 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Sale of DMS milk VINAY KATIYAR UNSTARRED

4063 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Registration of seed

companies on false claims

C.M. RAMESH UNSTARRED

4064 AGRICULTURE 03.05.2013 Weather based crop

insurance

N.K. SINGH UNSTARRED

441 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Demand and consumption of

rice and wheat

AAYANUR

MANJUNATHA

STARRED

447 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Promoting indigenous

varities of cows

K.N.

BALAGOPAL

STARRED

454 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Development of quality

seeds

NARESH

CHANDRA

AGRAWAL

STARRED

456 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Impact of climate change on K.V.P. STARRED

crop yeilds RAMACHANDRA

RAO

459 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Assessment of drought

situation in Maharashtra

ISHWARLAL

SHANKARLAL

JAIN

STARRED

3411 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Protection of domestic cows PRABHAKAR

KORE

UNSTARRED

3412 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Growth rate of foodgrain

production vis a vis

population

P. RAJEEVE UNSTARRED

3413 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Selling of organs by farmers ARVIND KUMAR

SINGH

UNSTARRED

3414 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Compensation to farmers of

Vidarbha

ANIL DESAI UNSTARRED

3415 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Talks on agricultural issues

with former P.M. of New

Zealand

T. RATNA BAI UNSTARRED

3416 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Co ordination among

agricultural universities

PARSHOTTAM

KHODABHAI

RUPALA

UNSTARRED

3417 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Suggestion for alternative

crops

MOHD. ALI

KHAN

UNSTARRED

3418 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Drought situation in the

country

MOHD. ALI

KHAN

UNSTARRED

3419 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Disbursement of funds to

Chhattisgarh under

agricultural schemes

SHIVPRATAP

SINGH

UNSTARRED

3420 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Promotion of drip irrigation

system

SANJAY RAUT UNSTARRED

3421 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Price rise in NCAER report RAM

JETHMALANI

UNSTARRED

3422 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Food to poor VIJAY

JAWAHARLAL

DARDA

UNSTARRED

3423 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Complaints at Safal

Vegetable booths

A.A. JINNAH UNSTARRED

3424 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Profit margin of milk sold by

DMS

VINAY KATIYAR UNSTARRED

3425 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Increase in the price of milk RAVI SHANKAR

PRASAD

UNSTARRED

3426 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Over sowing of cash crops in

Maharashtra

RAJKUMAR

DHOOT

UNSTARRED

3427 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Availability of quality seeds BHARATKUMAR

RAUT

UNSTARRED

3428 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Increase in agricultural wage

rate

K.V.P.

RAMACHANDRA

UNSTARRED

RAO

3429 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Market intelligence to

farmers

V. MAITREYAN UNSTARRED

3430 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Promotion of organic

farming

K.P.RAMALINGA

M

UNSTARRED

3431 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Adoption of crop

diversification

ANIL DESAI

UNSTARRED

3432 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Proposal for managing DMS DILIPBHAI

PANDYA

UNSTARRED

3433 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Implementation of Micro

Irrigation Scheme in Andhra

Pradesh

T. SUBBARAMI

REDDY

UNSTARRED

3434 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Decentralising Agriculture

Schemes

BHAGAT SINGH

KOSHYARI

UNSTARRED

3435 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Implementation of

Kamdhenu Project in

Karnataka

RAJEEV

CHANDRASEKH

AR

UNSTARRED

3436 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Share of agriculture in GDP RAVI SHANKAR

PRASAD

UNSTARRED

3437 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 PPP in agriculture sector KIRANMAY

NANDA

UNSTARRED

3438 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Fodder crisis JAI PRAKASH

NARAYAN

SINGH

UNSTARRED

3439 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Revival of closed cold

storage

MAHENDRA

SINGH MAHRA

UNSTARRED

3440 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Assistance to Gaushalas JAGATPRAKASH

NADDA

UNSTARRED

3441 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Justification of amount paid

to Krishak Mitra

DHIRAJ PRASAD

SAHU

UNSTARRED

3442 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Production of foodgrains in

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

K. C. TYAGI UNSTARRED

3443 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Shabby condition of Safal

vegetable booths

A.A. JINNAH UNSTARRED

3444 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Low allocation to

agricultural sector

KIRANMAY

NANDA

UNSTARRED

3445

AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Allocation for drought relief SUKHDEV SINGH

DHINDSA

UNSTARRED

3446 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Farmers suicide in

Maharashtra

GYAN PRAKASH

PILANIA

UNSTARRED

3447 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Use of harmful pesticides C.M. RAMESH UNSTARRED

3448 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Decline in cotton products PERVEZ HASHMI UNSTARRED

3449 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Implementation of National

Policy on Farmers

PANKAJ BORA UNSTARRED

3450 AGRICULTURE 26.04.2013 Violating of water agreement

by Pakistan

AVINASH RAI

KHANNA

UNSTARRED

368 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Agricultural and non

agricultural land

AVINASH RAI

KHANNA

STARRED

375 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Cotton yield from Bt. Cotton

seeds

D. RAJA STARRED

376 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Warehousing facilities in

rural areas

SHADI LAL

BATRA

STARRED

377 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Shortage of manpower in

Kisan Call Centres

VASANTHI

STANLEY

STARRED

378 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Centres of Excellence with

help of Dutch Embassy

K.N.

BALAGOPAL

STARRED

2791 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Workshops on dairy

development

RAJEEV

CHANDRASEKH

AR

UNSTARRED

2792 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Shortage of farm labourers MANSUKH L.

MANDAVIYA

UNSTARRED

2793 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Schemes to make agriculture

profitable

ALOK TIWARI UNSTARRED

2794 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Installation of ineffective

anti hail guns in Shimla

PRADEEP

KUMAR

BALMUCHU

UNSTARRED

2795 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Oil palm farming CHANDAN

MITRA

UNSTARRED

2796 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Productivity of various crops

in the country

AAYANUR

MANJUNATHA

UNSTARRED

2797 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Reduction in area of

cultivation of pulses

PIYUSH GOYAL UNSTARRED

2798 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Assistance to drought and

flood hit farmers

KUMAR DEEPAK

DAS

UNSTARRED

2799 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Horticulture Technology

Mission in Floriculture

BAISHNAB

PARIDA

UNSTARRED

2800 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Training programmes on

seed production and seed

technologies

NAJMA A.

HEPTULLA

UNSTARRED

2801 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Production of edible oilseeds

in Rajasthan

GYAN PRAKASH

PILANIA

UNSTARRED

2802 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Status of proposals of

Chhattisgarh Government

BHUSHAN LAL

JANGDE

UNSTARRED

2803 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Creation of Drought Relief

Fund

PIYUSH GOYAL UNSTARRED

2804 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Functioning of ICAR RAJIV PRATAP

RUDY

UNSTARRED

2805 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Production of off season

crops

K.N.

BALAGOPAL

UNSTARRED

2806 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Assistance to farmers for

obtaining agricultural

implements

NAZNIN

FARUQUE

UNSTARRED

2807 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Houses for fishermen under

Fishermen Welfare Fund

NAZNIN

FARUQUE

UNSTARRED

2808 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Wastage of agro products PARVEZ

HASHMI:

UNSTARRED

2809 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Proposal for managing DMS SMIRTI ZUBIN

IRANI

UNSTARRED

2810 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Precarious condition of

farmers

ANIL KUMAR

SAHANI

UNSTARRED

2811 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Strategy for farm

mechanization

NAND KUMAR

SAI

UNSTARRED

2812 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Action plan to improve soil

health and productivity

T. SUBBARAMI

REDDY

UNSTARRED

2813 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Implementation of NHM in

Jammu and Kashmir

G.N. RATANPURI UNSTARRED

2814 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 National Saffron Mission in

Jammu and Kashmir

G.N. RATANPURI UNSTARRED

2815

AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Impact of climate change N.K. SINGH UNSTARRED

2816 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Twelfth Plan for agriculture

sector

HUSSAIN

DALWAI

UNSTARRED

2817 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Investment in agriculture

sector

P. RAJEEVE UNSTARRED

2818 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Development of hybrid crops

for drought prone areas

RAJKUMAR

DHOOT

UNSTARRED

2819 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Functioning of KVKs in

Maharashtra

RAJKUMAR

DHOOT

UNSTARRED

2820 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Steep fall in prices of

coconut

C.P.

NARAYANAN

UNSTARRED

2821 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Growth rate of agriculture

production

RAVI SHANKAR

PRASAD

UNSTARRED

2822 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Suicide by farmers RASHEED

MASOOD

UNSTARRED

2823 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Research and invention in

agriculture sector

RAVI SHANKAR

PRASAD

UNSTARRED

2824 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Introduction of GM crops for

commercial farming

RAGHUNANDAN

SHARMA

UNSTARRED

2825 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Use of banned pesticides PANKAJ BORA UNSTARRED

2826 AGRICULTURE 22.03.2013 Implementation of Grameen

Bhandaran Yojana

GUNDU

SUDHARANI

UNSTARRED

Effect of MGNREGA on agriculture

522 DR. T.N. SEEMA

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government is aware that introduction of MGNREGA has led to acute shortage of farm

labour across the country, not only affecting food production, but also increasingly forcing small

farmers to abandon agriculture;

(b) if so, the preventive steps taken by Government;

(c) whether guidelines for convergence of MGNREGA with programmes of his Ministry, issued by

Government, are not being followed; and

(d) what concrete steps are being taken to save farmers from prevailing agrarian distress apart from

notifying new works related to agriculture and allied activities under MGNREGA?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 522 FOR 03/05/2013 REGARDING EFFECT OF MGNREGA ON AGRICULTURE.

(a) to (d): Studies conducted on the impact of MGNREGA reveal that its implementation leads to

reduction in distress migration to urban areas as well as increase in wages in rural areas. Temporary

shortage of labour has also been reported in some regions during the peak agricultural season.

However, food production has not been affected due to implementation of MGNREGA and has

increased from 217.28 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 259.32 million tonnes in 2011-12. As per the

census results though the number of cultivators has decreased from 127.3 million in 2001 to 118.7

million in 2011, number of agricultural labourers has increased from 106.8 million in 2001 to 144.3

million in 2011.

In order to improve convergence of MGNREGA with other development programmes and to

strengthen its implementation, the fourth edition of MGNREGA operational guidelines 2013 have

been issued which have strengthened the synergy between MGNREGA and rural livelihoods,

particularly agriculture.

Government has taken several steps to revitalize agriculture sector and improve condition of

farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural

infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension, marketing, etc.

Various programmes/schemes for the development of agriculture sector are being implemented in a

decentralized manner with flexibility to State Government to formulate and implement appropriate

projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus of Government is primarily on expansion of

farm income, creation of non-farm income opportunities, improvement in productivity of rainfed

agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under protective irrigation and forging

appropriate backward and forward linkages. Other measures taken by the Government for the

benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities,

increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crops loan

etc.

Drought in Maharashtra

529 SHRI AJAY SANCHETI


(a) the details of the magnitude of drought in Maharashtra along with the number of districts and

villages affected by the drought;

(b) the details of the loss suffered by farmers of these districts;

(c) the amount of drought relief sought by Government of Maharashtra and provided by the Central

Government; and

(d) how this amount has been utilized by the State Government?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 529 FOR 03/05/2013 REGARDING DROUGHT IN MAHARASHTRA.

(a) to (d): Government of Maharashtra has declared drought in 125 talukas in 16 districts during

Kharif 2012 and in 3905 villages in 9 districts during Rabi-2012/13. As per assessment of Inter-

Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT), about 30.52 lakh hectare kharif area and 15.51 lakh hectare rabi

area had suffered crop loss of 50 per cent and above in these drought notified talukas/villages.

State Government had submitted memoranda seeking central assistance of Rs.3232.15 crore and

Rs.1801.32 crore for mitigating drought situation during Kharif-2012 and Rabi-2012/13

respectively against which Central Government had approved Rs.778.09 crore and Rs.807.84 crore

respectively from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Details of assistance approved from

NDRF are at Annexure-I.

The State Executive Committee constituted by the State Government under section 20 of the

Disaster Management Act, 2005, is responsible for ensuring that expenditure incurred out of the

funds received under the NDRF is in accordance with the items and norms of expenditure of

NDRF/State Disaster Fund (SDRF).

Misuse of pesticides

531 SHRI DEVENDER GOUD T.


(a) whether it has come to the notice of Government that the report of Centre for Science and

Environment (CSE) indicates blatant violations by Government agencies, such as, agriculture

universities, agriculture departments and other boards which have recommended use of pesticides

for crops and pests not approved by Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the action Government proposes to take to contain this misuse of pesticides?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 531 FOR 03/05/2013 REGARDING MISUSE OF PESTICIDES.

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The CSE report on ‘State of Pesticide Regulations in India’ has made several

observations on registration and use of pesticides and have stated that “the pesticide

recommendations made by State Agriculture Universities, Agriculture Departments and other

Boards for a crop do not adhere to the pesticides that the Central Insecticide Board and Registration

Committee (CIB&RC) has registered for these crops. The Agriculture Universities, Departments &

Boards have recommended many pesticides that have not been registered for some crops”.

All State Governments have been advised to ensure that the advisories on pesticides usage that are

issued by their Agriculture Universities and Agriculture Departments are strictly in accordance with

the terms under which these pesticides have been registered by CIB&RC. Government of India

promotes the safe and judicious use of pesticides and works with State Governments, State

Agriculture Universities, pesticide dealers, farmers etc. towards this end.

Action takes on complaints lodged at Safal booths

535 SHRI A.A. JINNAH


) whether complaints from consumers are being received in complaint books provided at Safal

Vegetable booths in Delhi/New Delhi in respect of poor quality vegetables/fruits/frozen items;

(b) if so, booth-wise number of complaints lodged in complaint books during the period from 1

January, 2012 till 28 February, 2013 along with name of complainant, date of complaint and date

on which reply was given by authorities to complainants in each case; and

(c) the details of action taken on each of such complaints by authorities concerned and remedial

steps taken to check the recurrence of such incidents?

ANSWER

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF THE RAJYA SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.535 FOR 03.05.2013 REGARDING ACTION TAKEN ON

COMPLAINTS LODGED AT SAFAL BOOTHS

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) and (c) Details of complaints lodged in complaint books at Safal Vegetable booths in respect of

poor quality vegetables/fruits/frozen items during the period from 1 January, 2012 till 28 February,

2013 including booth number with location in Delhi/New Delhi, name of complainant, date of

complaint, date of redressal of complaint and action taken on each of such complaints are given in

the Annexure. No specific reply has been sent to each of the complainant although appropriate

action has been taken by Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable (P) Ltd. for redressal of the complaint as

indicated in the Annexure. The following remedial steps have been taken to check recurrence of

incidents leading to complaints:

(i) Advising and educating the concessionaires operating the booths.

(ii) Regular inspections by Field Supervisors to check quality of products on sale.

Labour problem in agricultural sector

537 SHRI PRABHAKAR KORE


(a) whether it is a fact that apart from successive deficient monsoons, there has been a negative

trend in agricultural labour force since 2004-05;

(b) whether the rolling out of MGNREGA has worsened the agricultural labour problem; and

(c) if so, the steps taken by Government to bring back rural labour to agricultural sector?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 537 FOR 03/05/2013 REGARDING LABOUR PROBLEM IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.

(a): No, Sir. As per the census results though the number of cultivators has decreased from 127.3

million in 2001 to 118.7 million in 2011, number of agricultural labourers has increased from 106.8

million in 2001 to 144.3 million in 2011.

(b) & (c): Studies on the impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA) have shown that its implementation leads to reduction in distress migration from

rural areas and substantial increase in rural wages. Temporary shortage of labour has also been

reported during the peak agricultural season.

Government has initiated steps for better convergence between MGNREGA, agriculture and other

development programmes. Operational guidelines of MGNREGA aim to strengthen the synergy

between MGNREGA and rural livelihoods, particularly agriculture.

Corporate farming

539 SHRI PRABHAT JHA


(a) whether Government has allocated funds to promote corporate farming in the country during

2013-14;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for promotion of corporate farming;

(d) the details of facilities that would be available for corporate sector to enter into corporate

farming; and

(e) the details of funds allocated for development of agriculture and making it profitable during the

current year?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 539 FOR 03/05/2013 REGARDING CORPORATE FARMING.

(a): No, Sir.

(b) to (d): Do not arise.

(e): A total plan outlay of Rs.21609 crore has been made for the agriculture sector during the

current year (2013-14) comprising Rs.11,655 crore for Centrally Sponsored/Central Sector

Schemes and Rs.9,954 crore for the State Plan Scheme, “Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana” (RKVY).

Farming of soyabean

4031 SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH MAHRA


(a) the substances in soyabean that prevent farmers to produce other crops in the same fields

immediately after continuous production of soyabean crops two-three times;

(b) whether Government has ever tried to ascertain the reasons therefor; and

(c) if so, the details of the substances which can maintain the fertility of soil and can help farmers to

produce other crops immediately after the farming of soybean?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) No scientific evidence is available which suggests that other crops cannot be grown after

continuous production of soybean in the same field.

(b) Question does not arise.

(c) Soybean is a leguminous crop and fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere, thus adding nitrogen to

the soil and maintains general soil health status. In order to ensure profitable yield of soybean and

subsequent crops in specific agro-climatic situation, remunerative soybean-based cropping systems

and integrated nutrient management practices have been developed by Directorate of Soybean

Research, Indore. Wheat, chickpea, mustard, potato etc., are being grown successfully after the

harvest of soybean with application of recommended doses of nutrients to respective crops.

Shrinking of agricultural land

4032 SHRI KANWAR DEEP SINGH


(a) whether it is a fact that agricultural land across the country has shrunk over the years;

(b) if so, the size of agricultural land across the country over the years during 2001—2013;

(c) the current status of agricultural land usages in Haryana;

(d) whether agricultural land in Haryana has reduced during 2001—2013;

(e) the details of agricultural land usages in Haryana over these years; and

(f) the corrective steps being taken to address the same?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING

INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): As per the latest Land Use Statistics data (LUS,2010-11) compiled by Directorate of

Economics and Statistics; Ministry of Agriculture, the agricultural land in the country has

marginally shrunk to 182.0 million hectares in 2010-11 as compared to 183.6 million hectares in

2001-02.

(c) to (e): As per LUS, 2010-11 the details of agricultural land usages in Haryana during 2001-2011

is tabulated below:

(in thousand hectares)

Classification of Agricultural land usages 2001-02 2010-11

Net area sown 3566 3518

Current fallows 173 122

Fallow lands other than current fallows 0 3

Culturable waste land 30 27

Land Under miscellaneous tree crops 7 11

Agricultural Land 3776 3681

It can be observed from the above table that agricultural land in Haryana has marginally shrunk to

3681 thousand hectares in 2010-11 as compared to 3776 thousand hectares in 2001-02.

(f): As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, Land falls under the purview of State

Government and therefore, it is for the State Governments to bring in suitable Policy/Act

Legislation to check the diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural Purposes. With a view

To prevent conversion of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes, Government of India has

also taken several steps, viz.

National Policy for Farmers 2007 (NPF 2007): National Policy for Farmers, 2007 has

recommended that “Prime farmland must be conserved for agriculture except under exceptional

circumstances, provided that the agencies that are provided with agricultural land for non-

agricultural projects should compensate for treatment and full development of equivalent

degraded/wastelands elsewhere. For non-agricultural purposes, as far as possible, land with low

biological potential for farming would be earmarked and allocated.” State Governments have been

advised to earmark lands with low biological potential such as uncultivable land, land affected by

salinity, acidity, etc. for non-agricultural development activities, including industrial and

construction activities.

National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 (NRRP, 2007): National Rehabilitation and

Resettlement Policy, 2007 formulated by Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Land

Resources has recommended that as far as possible, projects may be set up on wastelands, degraded

land or un-irrigated land. Acquisition of agricultural land for non agricultural use in project may be

kept to the minimum; multi-cropped land may be avoided to the extent possible for such purposes,

and acquisition of irrigated land, if unavoidable, may be kept to the minimum. These policies have

been sent to the States/UTs for implementation.

Further, to increase the agricultural land area in the country and for maintaining balance in different

types of land uses,, the Government is implementing various Programmes/Schemes, such as, (i)

National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA), (ii) Soil Conservation in

the Catchments of River Valley Projects and Flood Prone Rivers (RVP &FPR), (iii) Reclamation &

Development of Alkali and Acid Soils (RADAS) and (iv) Watershed Development Project in

Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA).

Regulation of Bt. Cotton prices

4033 SHRIMATI SMIRTI ZUBIN IRANI


(a) whether Government had reintroduced cotton seed in the list of essential

commodities from 22.12.2009;

(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(c) whether Government propose to deregulate cotton seeds prices;

(d) if so, reasons therefor and how it will help farmers;

(e) whether Government is willing to make rules to regulate cotton seeds prices

under provision of ECA;

(f) if not, why;

(g) whether reintroduction of cotton seeds under ECA is not against policies of

reforms, liberalization and market-led economy and WTO obligations; and

(h) whether Government would consider empowering States to regulate Bt.

Cotton prices if it is not doing so?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (f): Cotton seeds were brought under the purview of the Essential

Commodities Act, 1955 initially for six months by notifications issued by

Department of Consumer Affairs on 22.12.2009 & 18.06.2010 and permanently

since 22.12.2010 to protect the interest of cotton producing farmers by regulating

the production, supply, distribution of quality of cotton seeds and not regulating

seed price, as free and competitive market environment will spur the production

of quality seeds in the country.

(g): Re-introduction of cotton seeds under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955

is only to regulate production, supply, distribution and quality of cotton seeds and

not to regulate the prices of cotton seeds.

(h): There is no such proposal before the Government at present.

Introduction of new policy for farmers

4034 SHRI K. C. TYAGI


(a) whether Government proposes to introduce a new policy for farmers;


(c) whether small and marginal farmers are likely to get special benefits under the new policy; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): No, Sir.

(b) to (d): Question does not arise.

Drought assistance to Kerala

4035 SHRI K.N. BALAGOPAL


(a) whether Government has noticed the severe drought situation in Kerala;

(b) whether State Government of Kerala has made any request to Union Government for a special

drought assistance, considering the huge agrarian crisis caused due to severe drought in the State;

and

(c) if so, the details of action taken by Union Government thereon?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): During Kharif-2012, Government of Kerala had declared drought in 4 districts and

submitted a memorandum seeking financial assistance of Rs.1996.07 crore. Based on the

assessment of Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) and recommendation of Inter-Ministerial

Group (IMG), Government of India has approved a central assistance of Rs.62.61 crore to Kerala

from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for mitigating the situation.

During Rabi-2012-13, Government of Kerala has declared drought in 14 districts of the State and

sought central assistance of Rs.492.80 crore for mitigating drought situation. An Inter-Ministerial

Central Team (IMCT) has visited the State and assessed the situation.

Insurance of fish ponds

4036 SHRI RAMACHANDRA KHUNTIA


whether Government would impress upon the insurance companies to insure the fish ponds; and

(b) whether Government would give status to fisheries at par with Agriculture?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(DR.CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a): The existing Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National Scheme of Welfare of fishermen” does not

cover insurance of fish ponds and there is no proposal to include insurance of fish ponds during the

12th Five Year Plan.

(b): The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture had

requested Ministry of Finance to consider treating Aquaculture at par with Agriculture so that the

subsidy, income tax benefits and other incentives available to agriculture could be extended to

Pisciculture. The Ministry of Finance has informed that the income from fisheries does not qualify

as agricultural income under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and hence is subject to income tax.

However, some incentives are available for cooperatives and enterprises for fisheries activities

under section 80P, 80-IB (11A) and 35 AD of the Income Tax Act, 1961. In respect of provision of

loans at low interest rates, it has been clarified that the provision of interest subvention is available

for crop loans upto Rs. 3 lakhs to the farmers. Loans for the purpose of fisheries sector are not

covered under this scheme at present.

MSP of paddy

4037 SHRI RAMACHANDRA KHUNTIA


whether Government would consider to enhance MSP of paddy due to increase in cost of fertilizer,

power, labour and seeds for the current marketing season 2013-14?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

Commission for Agricultural Costs ad Prices (CACP) has submitted its Report on Price Policy for

Kharif Crops of 2013-14 Season recommending Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of kharif crops,

including paddy.

The Government finalises the MSPs recommended by CACP after consultation with the State

Governments and concerned Central Ministries/ Departments

Irrigation facilities

4038 DR. GYAN PRAKASH PILANIA


(a) the total land area of the country and how much out of this, is agricultural land under

cultivation, percentage thereof;

(b) out of this how much is rainfed, indicating the percentage thereof;

(c) out of cultivated land how much is irrigated, indicating the percentage thereof;

(d) out of irrigated land how much is fed by surface water and ground water, indicating the

percentage thereof;

(e) how much new land has been brought under irrigation during Eleventh Plan Period and what

was the target thereof; and

(f) whether developed countries depend very little on rains, statistics thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): As per the latest Land Use Statistics data (LUS, 2010-11) complied by Directorate of

Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, the details of total land area of the country,

agricultural land under cultivation, rainfed and irrigated land are given in the table below:

Table

Total land area/geographical area of the country in million hectare 328.7

Agricultural land under cultivation/Cultivated

Land (Net area sown + current fallows in million hectare) 155.8

Net area sown in million hectare 141.6

Net irrigated area out of Net area sown (percent) 44.9

Net irrigated area by surface water (percent) 38.6

Net irrigated area by ground water (percent) 61.4

Net Unirrigated/Rainfed area out of Net area sown (percent) 55.1

(e): Irrigation is a State subject and planning, funding and implementation of the irrigation projects

are primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. In the Eleventh Five Year Plan period

(2007-12) it was targeted to create 16 million hectares of irrigation potential. However, keeping in

view the performance reported by the States, the target was scaled down to 9.5 million hectares by

the Planning Commission at the time of Mid-Term Appraisal of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The

anticipated irrigation potential creation is 10.47 million hectares as reported by the State

Government.

(f): Agriculture in both developed and developing countries depends on rains, as rains determine

the water availability for irrigation and crop development. However comparable statistic across

countries on the same are not available.

Price rise of vegetables

4039 SHRI PANKAJ BORA


(a) whether Government is aware that there is massive difference in wholesale and retail prices of

vegetables;

(b) if so, whether Government has any mechanism to maintain rationality in wholesale and retail

prices;

(c) whether Government is prepared for applying those mechanism to contain price rise of

vegetables; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. With a view to maintain rationality in wholesale and retail prices of vegetables,

the Government has taken up a number of initiatives which includes the following:

Government has launched National Horticulture Mission (NHM) from 2005-06 for holistic

development of horticulture sector. Under NHM, financial assistance is provided for taking up

various activities relating to horticulture crops including vegetables.

Government has also launched a scheme on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC) during

2011-12 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Scheme.

In order to protect the growers of agricultural/horticultural crops which are not covered under Price

Support Scheme (PSS), the Government of India implements Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

on the request of States/UT Governments.

Procurement under MIS is made by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of

India Limited (NAFED) as central agency, and by State designated agencies.

(d): Does not arise.

Group accident insurance scheme for fishermen

4040 SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT


) whether Government is implementing any Group Accident Insurance Scheme for fishermen in the

country;


(c) the number of fishermen covered under the scheme in the State of Maharashtra and the number

of fishermen benefited therefrom in the State, so far?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) &(b): Yes, Sir. Under the component Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen of the

Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National Scheme of Welfare of fishermen”, an insurance cover for

Rs. 1,00,000/- against death or permanent total disability and Rs. 50,000/- for partial permanent

disability is provided. The annual premium payable is not more than Rs 30 per head, which is

shared by Centre and the State Government in the ratio of 50:50.

(c): Under the existing scheme 3,22,838 fishers have been covered in the State of Maharashtra and

45 families of the fishers have been benefitted from the scheme till date.

Involvement of youths in agriculture sector

4041 SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE


(a) whether it is a fact that very less people are interested in agriculture sector, specially youths;

(b) whether Government has any record of youths involved in the agriculture sector; and

(c) the steps taken by Government to motivate youths towards agriculture sector so as to provide an

alternate employment?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): No such information is available in the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

(DAC).

(c): Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers have been established by the Government since 2002

for creating gainful self employment opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates, agri

diploma holders etc. supporting agriculture development and supplementing the efforts of public

extension as well. The scope of the scheme has been expanded so as to harness the potential of

rural unemployed youth to start agri enterprises in rural areas for serving farming community.

National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur under the Department of Agriculture

& Cooperation offers two-year Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Agri-business Management

(PGDABM), which equip the youth with unique skills required for a career in Agri-business.

Besides, through various Central Sector/ Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State Plan Scheme of

the Ministry, the efforts of State Governments are supplemented to make agri sector an attractive

vocation so that youth are not tempted to leave agriculture.

Subsidy in organic farming

4042 SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE


(a) whether Government intends to promote organic farming;

(b) if so, the list of various schemes to promote organic farming in the country;

(c) whether Government provides subsidy in organic farming sector; and

(d) if so, the details of subsidy provided, State-wise and product-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): The Government is already promoting Organic farming through various schemes like

National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture

Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil

Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

(c): Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is provided as back

ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up/strengthening of existing Bio-fertilizer and /or Bio-

pesticide Production Units, assistance upto @ 25% of total financial outlay or Rs.40.00 lakh,

whichever is less; and for setting up of Fruit and Vegetables Wastes/Agro-Wastes Compost

Production Units @ 33% of total financial outlay or Rs. 60.00 lakh, whichever is less; National

Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States

(HMNEH) provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare

for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary, for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the

cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for organic farming certification @

Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares; National Project on

Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), financial assistance is provided @ Rs. 500

per ha for promoting use of organic manures; Assistance for promotion of organic farming on

different components are also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects

formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee.

(d) : Details of subsidy provided through various schemes are at Annexure- I to V.

Drought in Andhra Pradesh

4043 SHRI PALVAI GOVARDHAN REDDY


(a) whether it is a fact that recently a Central Team has visited Andhra Pradesh to assess the

damage caused due to drought in the State;

(b) if so, whether the Team has submitted its Report;

(c) if so, the details of the recommendations made by the Team; and

(d) the action taken/proposed to be taken on the recommendations of the Team?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): During Kharif-2012, Government of Andhra Pradesh has declared drought in 234

mandals spread over 9 districts of the State. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has visited

the State to assess crop damage/loss due to drought. Report of the IMCT is awaited.

National mission on crop diversification

4044 SHRI RAM JETHMALANI


(a) whether it is a fact that Government has implemented national mission on crop diversification in

the country;

(b) if so, whether a fund of Rs.500 crore has been set up under this mission;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the action plan Government has decided to implement under the said mission?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): An amount of Rs. 500 crore has been allocated in the Budget for 2013-14 to start a

programme of Crop Diversification in original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and

Western UP. The programme would promote technological innovation and encourage farmers to

choose crop alternatives to ensure long-term sustainability of agriculture in the North-West region

of the country.

Food scarcity due to drought

4045 SHRI KIRANMAY NANDA


(a) whether Government has any estimate of the food scarcity caused due to drought in the country;

(b) if so, the steps Government proposes to overcome the food scarcity caused due to drought; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): There is no shortage or scarcity of foodgrains in the wake of drought in some parts of the

country during 2012-13.

Government makes additional allocation of foodgrains to the States/ Union Territories (UTs) over

and above normal allocation under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), for relief in the

wake of natural calamities viz. floods, drought, earthquake etc. at economic cost or open sale rates

whichever is less, with immediate effect. Such allocations are made post event on the request of

States/UTs or the recommendation of Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) constituted by the

nodal Ministries after assessment of actual damage to the crops and requirement of foodgrains.

There is stock of 596.75 lakh tones of foodgrains (rice and wheat ) in the Central Pool as on

01.04.2013 which is sufficient to meet the requirement of TPDS, other welfare schemes and any

other special contingencies in the country.

Negative impact of chemical fertilizers



(a) whether it is a fact that usage of chemical fertilizers in agriculture in the country has negatively

effected the agriculture land and water utilization;

(b) if so, the reaction of Government thereto;

(c) whether a proposal of suggestions has been made by Government to save the farmers from this

negative effect; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): There is no scientific evidence of deterioration of land with judicious use of chemical

fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of

organic matter over years may result in to micronutrient deficiencies and deterioration of soil

health.

There is possibility of nitrate contamination in ground water due to excessive use of nitrogenous

fertilizers particularly in light textured soils.

The Government is promoting balanced use of fertilizers through soil test based judicious use of

chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures, use of customized fertilizers etc to

minimize adverse effect on the agricultural land and ground water.

(c) & (d): The Government is advocating soil test based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

envisaging conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients to sustain soil health,

higher crop productivities and prevent contamination of groundwater.

National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) has been taken up from

2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers through setting

up/strengthening of soil testing laboratories, trainings and demonstrations on balanced use of

fertilizers.

In addition, split application and placement of fertilizers, use of slow releasing nitrogenous

fertilizers, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are

advised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). ICAR also imparts training, organizes

frontline demonstrations to educate farmers on this aspect.

Implementation of National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Bread

4047 DR. CHANDAN MITRA


the total amount allocated, released and utilized for establishment of private Artificial Insemination

(AI) service under the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Bread to various States/UTs during

the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) the number of camps organised in Madhya Pradesh for treatment of animals for infertility and

also for training of workers for management of dairy animals during the said period; and

(c) the fresh steps taken by Government to strengthen the implementation of the project and deliver

breeding inputs at the farmer's doorstep all over the country?

ANSWER

ANSWER


(DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) The details of the funds released and utilized for establishment of private Artificial Insemination

Service (AI) under National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB) during each of the

last three years and current year State wise and year wise is given at Annexure-I.

(b) The details of the camps organized in Madhya Pradesh for treatment of animals for infertility

and workers trained in AI are presented in the following table:

Particular Year

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Fertility camps 1042 1058 NIL

Private AI workers trained 580 480 1029

(c) The National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding was evaluated by an independent agency

(NABARD Consultancy Services - NABCONS) in 12 States, which had substantially completed

implementation of Phase-I. Phase-II of the project incorporated the recommendations of the

evaluating agency. Implementation of the project is also reviewed at regular intervals by the senior

officers in the Department during the various meetings with State officials and videoconferencing.

Further Advisories have been issued to the States to train and establish private AI worker as

multipurpose worker for improving viability of AI workers and delivery of quality breeding inputs

at farmers’ doorstep.

Assistance to drought affected States

4048 SHRIMATI RENUBALA PRADHAN


(a) how many States have been declared drought affected in 2012-13;

(b) the name of the States and the drought affected districts thereof;

(c) the quantum of Central assistance provided to these drought affected States; and

(d) the details thereof, State-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): During 2012-13, States of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra

Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have declared drought. State-wise details of drought affected districts are

at Annexure-I. Quantum of central assistance approved so far from National Disaster Response

Fund (NDRF) to the States in the wake of drought-2012-13 are at Annexure-II.

Cold storage requirements

4049 SHRI MOTILAL VORA


(a) whether Government is aware that barring potato, there are no arrangements for storage of other

horticultural products;

(b) whether it is a fact that the country has only 3 crore tonnes of cold storage capacity against the

required 23 crore tone capacity;

(c) whether it is also a fact that despite Government incentive, private sector is unresponsive in this

regard;

(d) if so, whether Government would provide a hundred per cent assistance to gram panchayats for

constructing cold storage based on latest technique and for maintenance thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): About seventy five percent of cold storage capacity in the country is used to store potato, while

twenty five percent falls in multi-chamber, multi-product category which includes storage of

horticulture crops in different temperature ranges.

(b): As per National Spot Exchange (NSE) study (2010) on Cold Chain Grid in India, the

requirement (on the basis of peak season production and highest arrival/harvesting of storable fruit

and vegetables in a month) was 61.00 million MT cold storage capacity against which capacity of

24.30 Million MT was available at that time. The present cold storage capacity available in the

country is 30.3 million MT.

(c) to (e): The pattern of assistance for cold storage component under the schemes of National

Horticulture Mission and National Horticulture Board was enhanced from twenty five percent to

forty percent in general areas and fifty five percent in scheduled areas during 2010. The assistance

for establishment of cold storage has been linked to adoption of technical standards which includes

establishment of multi-chamber, multi-product cold storages. An additional capacity of 3.68 million

metric tones has been created in private sector since 2010 under these schemes. The construction of

cold storages is entrepreneur driven for which credit linked back ended subsidy is available.

Government agencies, cooperatives, growers’ associations, farmers groups, self-help groups,

women farmers groups are also entitled to avail assistance for establishment of cold storage to the

same extent.

Development of high yielding seeds

4050 SHRI PARSHOTTAM KHODABHAI RUPALA


(a) whether Government is aware that farmers are suffering from huge financial losses due to

inferior quality of seeds;

(b) if so, the action taken by Government in this regard; and

(c) whether Government has advised State Governments and ICAR to conduct detailed study with

latest scientific techniques for development of various varieties of seeds which can yield more in

prevailing conditions?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): This Department has not received any specific complaint about huge financial losses due

to inferior quality of seeds supplied to the farmers. Moreover, under the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed

Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, the State Governments are empowered to check

the sale of fake/inferior/spurious seeds.

(c): The ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities regularly conduct studies with latest

scientific techniques for the development of new varieties of different crops. The new varieties are

evaluated under different agro-climatic conditions through multi-locational trials over the years for

abiotic and biotic stresses; nutritional value and yield potential before being recommended for

cultivation to the farmers after the varieties are duly approved by the Central Seed Committee

constituted under the Seeds Act, 1966 and notified.

Development of dairy sector in Gujarat

4051 SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA


the amount of fund provided to cooperative diaries of Gujarat under improved infrastructure

facilities for quality milk production during last five years including the details thereof; and

(b) the amount of fund from recent World Bank finance has been allocated to Gujarat for

development of dairy sector?

ANSWER

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(DR CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) An amount of Rs 2522.38 lakh was released to 11 Cooperative milk unions of Gujarat during

the last five years under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality

and Clean Milk Production” by the Department Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. The

details of funds provided are as under;

(Rs in lakh)

S No. Name of Cooperative Milk Union 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 TOTAL

1 Surat Milk Union 75.00 53.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 128.69

2 Baroda Milk Union 100.87 25.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 126.40

3 Ahmedabad Milk Union 100.00 100.00 77.69 0.00 0.00 277.69

4 Mehsana Milk Union 68.40 113.65 50.00 61.75 0.00 293.80

5 Panchmahal Milk Union 0.00 60.00 100.00 0.00 40.18 200.18

6 Valsad Milk Union 0.00 40.00 0.00 93.00 0.00 133.00

7 Banaskantha Milk Union 85.17 60.00 60.00 63.91 0.00 269.08

8 Sabarkantha Milk Union 0.00 144.45 138.45 0.00 92.70 375.60

9 Amreli Milk Union 0.00 50.00 0.00 114.37 47.54 211.91

10 Rajkot Milk Union 0.00 50.00 44.88 0.00 100.00 194.88

11 Surendranagar Milk Union 0.00 0.00 90.00 221.15 0.00 311.15

TOTAL 429.44 697.37 561.02 554.18 280.42 2522.38

(b) Under the National Dairy Plan Phase- I (NDP-I) being implemented with the World Bank

assistance, 17 sub projects from 6 End Implementing Agencies(EIAs) of Gujarat have been

approved with a total outlay of Rs. 14351.77 Lakh during 2012-13. The details of the approved sub

projects are as below:

Sr. No. Activity EIA Name Grant Assistance EIA Contribution Total Approved Outlay

(Rs. Lakh) (Rs. Lakh) (Rs. Lakh)

1 Progeny Testing Banaskantha Milk Union: Mehsana 1211.49 0.00 1211.49

2 Progeny Testing Mehsana Milk Union: Mehsana Buffalo 1265.36 0.00 1265.36

3 Progeny Testing SAG, Bidaj: CB HF 2175.63 0.00 2175.63

4 Progeny Testing SAG, Bidaj: Murrah 1061.7 0.00 1061.7

5 Pedigree Selection Banaskantha Milk Union: Kankrej 527.96 0.00 527.96

6 Pedigree Selection SAG Bidaj: Gir 743.99 0.00 743.99

7 Pedigree Selection SAG Bidaj: Jaffarabadi 743.99 0.00 743.99

8 Strengthening Semen Station Mehsana Milk Union: Jagudan Semen Station 687.77 0.00 687.77

9 Strengthening Semen Station SAG, Bidaj 2160.38 0.00 2160.38

10 Fodder Development Sabarkantha Milk Union 73.93 0.00 73.93

11 Fodder Development Surat Milk Union 111.28 0.00 111.28

12 Ration Balancing Programme Banaskantha Milk Union 351.61 0.00 351.61

13 Ration Balancing Programme Mehsana Milk Union 362.7 0.00 362.7

14 Ration Balancing Programme Sabarkantha Milk Union 365.85 0.00 365.85

15 Ration Balancing Programme Surat Milk Union 364.92 0.00 364.92

16 Village based Milk Procurement System Panchmahal Milk Union 422.78 248.58 671.36

17 Village based Milk Procurement System Sabarkantha Milk Union 790.88 680.97 1471.85

Total 13422.22 929.55 14351.77

Welfare schemes for agricultural workers

4052 SHRI MOHD. ALI KHAN


(a) whether incidence of suicides by farmers have come down in some States, including Andhra

Pradesh due to implementation of some welfare schemes for agricultural workers and their related

works; and

(b) if so, the details thereof during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise, particularly in

Andhra Pradesh?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir. Incidence of suicides by farmers have come down in most of the States, including

Andhra Pradesh, as compared to previous years since 2006. The Government has initiated several

measures for mitigation of farmers’ distress. The major steps taken by the Government are as

follows:

(i) Effective implementation of the rehabilitation package for mitigation of agrarian distress in 31

identified farmer’s suicide prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.

(ii) Other schemes/programs such as, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Food

Security Mission (NFSM), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), National Horticulture

Mission (NHM), Agriculture Extension, National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) etc. are

being implemented to rejuvenate agriculture sector, improve productivity, production & viability of

farm operations, increase income of farmers and thereby ameliorate agrarian distress.

(iii) Other measures taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers include enhancement in

minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector,

debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crop loans, etc.

(b): State-wise, year-wise, details regarding incidence of suicide by farmers due to agrarian reasons

during last five years since 2006, as reported by respective State Governments, including

Government of Andhra Pradesh, are at Annexure.

Compensation under crop insurance scheme



(a) whether Government has not released compensation under Agriculture Crop Insurance Scheme

to lakhs of acres in the Kharif and Rabi seasons in some States including Andhra Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof for the current year, State-wise; and

(c) the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Compensation under Crop Insurance Schemes is worked out and settled by the concerned

insurance companies as per provisions of the respective scheme.

The settlement of compensation is sometimes delayed due to delays in providing matching share in

premium subsidy and claims liability by implementing States, verification of farmers etc.

Details of compensation for Rabi 2011-12 and Kharif 2012 are given in Annexure-I & II.

Milk produced by indigenous cows

4054 SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD


(a) whether it is a fact that indigenous cow milk produced in India is lower than the average per

cow milk production at international level;

(b) if so, the facts in this regard;

(c) the details of quantum of milk production per cow, per day in India and average milk produced

per cow, per day at international level;

(d) whether it is also a fact that Indian cow is capable of producing 56.17 litre milk per day in

Brazil; and

(e) if so, the details in this regard?

ANSWER

ANSWER


(Dr. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a)&(b) The information related to indigenous cow milk produced for comparability at international

level is not available in the FAOSTAT reports published by Food and Agriculture Organisation of

United Nation. However, in India the average estimated daily milk production of exotic/crossbred

cow and native Indigenous/ non-descript cows is 6.97 kg and 2.27 kg respectively during 2011-12.

(c) As per the FAOSTAT reports for quantum of milk production, the yield of cow milk, whole,

fresh in India and the world are 11693 Hectogram /Animal and 23935 Hectogram /Animal

respectively in 2011.

(d)&(e) The FAOSTAT report does not contain the specific information on production of milk of

Indian cow in Brazil.

Supply of free seeds to drought affected farmers



(a) whether it is a fact that Government is implementing Seed Bank Scheme (SBS) to meet the

requirement of seeds during natural calamities;


(c) whether Government proposes to provide seeds to the drought affected farmers of Maharashtra

free of cost for the ensuing crop season from SBS;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Seed banks are in operation in States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,

Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab,

Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In Kerala Seed Bank is operated by

Kerala State Seeds Development Authority while in Tamil Nadu through State’s Department of

Agriculture. National Seeds Corporation and State Farms Corporation of India also operate Seed

Banks at national level. The objective of the Seed Banks is to meet requirement of seed arising due

to natural calamities and other unforeseen conditions like drought, floods etc. The certified and

Foundation seeds of location specific varieties including local varieties, which are suitable for such

situations are generally kept in the Seed Bank.

(c): Seed bank scheme for supply of seed to the farmers during contingency situation in

Maharashtra is being implemented through Maharashtra State Seed Corporation. Presently, there is

no such proposal with Maharashtra Government to provide seeds to the drought affected farmers of

Maharashtra free of cost, for the ensuing the crop season from the Seed Bank Scheme.

(d) & (e): In view of (c) above, question does not arise.

Tissue culture in banana plantation

4056 SHRI TARUN VIJAY


(a) whether banana tissue culture plants are more resistant to viral diseases; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by Government to promote tissue culture in banana

plantations?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) Tissue culture generated planting material ensures freedom from viral diseases but tissue culture

plants are not more resistant to viral diseases.

(b)

• The planting material produced through tissue culture are free from virus (though it does not

prevent infection of virus during growth), hence tissue cultured plants are promoted in banana

cultivation.

• Tissue culture protocols are standardized in Cavendish group. Cultivar G-9 is most popular and

lakhs of seedlings are supplied through different companies who obtained the technology from

research carried out through research institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research/State

Agriculture Universities.

• Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme

“National Horticulture Mission” and “Horticulture Mission for North-East and Himalayan State”

for holistic development of horticulture including promotion of tissue culture banana plantations in

India, under which subsidy is provided for taking up area expansion of Tissue Culture Banana.

Support is also provided for setting up of tissue culture units for mass multiplication of tissue

culture banana plants.

Revival package for poultry industry

4057 SHRI A. ELAVARASAN


whether the National Egg Coordination Committee has urged Government to extend a revival

package of ` 57,000/- crore for poultry industry, as the poultry industry is facing the worst crisis

due to an unprecedented rise in the price of poultry feed raw materials, soya meal and maize;


(c) whether it is a fact that maize prices increased from ` 1170/- per quintal to ` 1630/- per quintal

and the price of soya meal increased from ` 1821/- per quintal a year ago to ` 3512/- per quintal;

and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to extend revival package to this sector to overcome

the crisis?

ANSWER

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES


(a) & (b) The Government has received a petition from National Egg Coordination Committee

(NECC) citing severe crisis due to abnormal increase of prices of Maize and Soya, which are the

main poultry feed ingredients. No amount is mentioned in the petition.

Various measures are sought in the representation of NECC, like moratorium for a period of one

year on repayment of term loans availed by the poultry industry, rescheduling of outstanding term

loans, grant of 6% interest subvention for 2-3 years, additional working capital loans, allocation of

damaged wheat and rice by Food Corporation of India for exclusive use of poultry farmers, and

import of soya meal by farmers at zero rate of customs duty.

(c ) & (d) 1. The prices of both soya and maize have fluctuated during the last year and as per the

Price Monitoring Cell, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, wholesale

Mandi rates as on last week of April (25th April 2013) current prices for maize and soybean seed

show increase of around 5% and 21% respectively over last year. In August and September, 2012,

to bring down the cost of feed ingredients, Government of India has brought the standard rates of

import duty to nil upto 31st March, 2013 in case of de-oiled soya extract, groundnut oil cake/ oil

cake meal, sunflower oil cake/ oil cake meal, canola oil cake/ oil cake meal, mustard oil cake/ oil

cake meal. Import duty on maize bran has also been waived. Further, Government of India in July

2011, has included State Departments and agencies having poultry feed manufacturing plants to be

eligible for open bidding (tender/ auction) for feed category stocks of the FCI, provided that they

confirm to having feed stock manufacturing plants and/or poultry feed manufacturing plants.

Post harvest losses of agricultural products

4058 SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI


(a) whether the Central Institute for Post Harvest Engineering Technology (CIPHET) has made an

assessment of post harvest losses of agricultural products in 2010;

(b) if so, the outcome of the study; and

(c) the details of policies formulated and schemes implemented to reduce wastage and increase

value addition in the food chain?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) Yes, Sir. A study of the quantitative harvest and post harvest losses of major crops and livestock

produce was carried out by All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Technology,

Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, India Council of Agricultural

Research during 2005-07 on the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on

Agriculture (PSCA). The final report of the study has been submitted to PSCA in September, 2010.

(b) & (c): The survey on estimation of post harvest losses was undertaken in 106 districts of India

with respect to 46 crops and commodities comprising 5 cereals, 4 pulses, 6 oilseeds, 8 fruits, 8

vegetables, 8 plantation crops and spices, 6 livestock produce and jaggery. The data collected by

enquiry and by observations in the field were scrutinized and statistically analyzed to arrive at the

overall estimates of quantitative harvest and post harvest losses at national level.

The losses in selected cereals, pulses and oilseeds were found in the ranges of 3.9-6%, 4.3-6.1%

and 2.8-10.1%, respectively. The losses in selected fruits and vegetables were observed in the range

of 5.8-18%. The average losses in inland and marine fisheries were 6.9% and 2.9% respectively.

The losses in milk sector were 0.8% and, meat and poultry sectors were 2.3% and 3.7%

respectively.

The suggested interventions for reduction of wastage and increase value addition in the food chain

are (i) Development and popularization of technologies for reduction in post-harvest losses; (ii) Use

of latest scientific methods in preservation of food grains; and (iii) Proper storage for Horticultural

produce.

Setting up of NDRC

4059 SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR KASHYAP


(a) whether Government is considering to set up National Drought Relief Commission (NDRC) on

the lines of National Water Commission (NWC);


(c) by when this Commission is likely to be set up?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Agriculture is not contemplating any proposal for establishing a National

Drought Relief Commission (NDRC) on the lines of National Water Commission (NWC).

Assistance to Maharashtra for addressing the drought

4060 DR. YOGENDRA P. TRIVEDI


(a) whether Government of Maharashtra has demanded for additional amount in order to deal with

the severe drought in the State;

(b) if so, the date of such demand and the amount of money sought by Government of Maharashtra;

(c) whether Central Government has taken any decision on this demand;

(d) if so, the amount Central Government is going to provide to Maharashtra State; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (e): Government of Maharashtra had submitted memoranda dated 13.08.2012 and 15.02.2013

seeking central financial assistance of Rs.3232.15 crore and Rs.1801.32 crore from National

Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for mitigating drought situation during Kharif -2012 and Rabi

2012-13 respectively.

Based on the report/assessment of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team’s (IMCT) that visited the

State, Government of India has approved Rs.778.09 crore and Rs.807.84 crore from National

Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Maharashtra for mitigating drought situation of Kharif-2012

and Rabi-2012-13 respectively. Besides, Central Government has also approved Rs.400 crore

during 2012-13, for implementing a special package for rejuvenation of horticulture crops in

drought affected districts of Maharashtra.

Assistance to small scale farmers

4061 SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV


(a) the amount spent by Government in current financial year for providing improved high yield

variety seeds and fertilizers to the small scale farmers in the country to increase their crop-yield,

Statewise;

(b) whether Government has any plan to provide tools and training programmes to the farmers to

increase production at the local level;



ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Government provides assistance to farmers for improved high yielding variety seeds and

fertilizers to increase crop yield. However, for the current year, the season has just started as such

the amount spent cannot be stated. The rates at which assistance is provided is at Annexure I & II.

(b) to (d): Government provides tools and training to the farmers under various crop development

programmes. Field Demonstration, Front Line Demonstration, Farmer’s Field School on latest

improved crop production technologies, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Pest

Management, Integrated Resource Conservation Technology etc., are organized to enhance

capacity of farmers in increasing agricultural production. In addition, an institutional arrangement

for technology dissemination in the form of an Agricultural Technology Management Agency

(ATMA) at district level have been put in place for capacity building of the farmers for achieving

higher production.

Sale of DMS milk

4062 SHRI VINAY KATIYAR


the number of concessional sale booths of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) in Delhi, as on date;

(b) whether Government proposes to increase the number of DMS milk booths;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether it is a fact that sale of DMS milk has gone down at present;

(e) if so, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether Government has made any plans to increase the sale of DMS milk;and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

ANSWER


( DR.CHARAN DAS MAHANT )

(a) As on date, 521 DMS milk booths are in operation in Delhi/New Delhi.

(b)&(c) DMS has proposed to set up 20 new milk booths in slum areas of Delhi. The details are

enclosed in Annexure-I.

(d)&(e) The sale of DMS milk has gone down at present on account of market competition and

increased availability of milk of other brands.

(f)&(g) DMS is taking up sale of milk in new areas through appointment of distributors to increase

sale of DMS milk.

Registration of seed companies on false claims

4063 SHRI C.M. RAMESH


(a) whether seed companies in Andhra Pradesh are registering their seeds by falsely claiming

before State Seed Registration Authority informing that seeds have been produced after carrying

out extensive farming in hundreds of acres and are selling the same to farmers;

(b) whether indulgence of three seed companies in unscrupulous practices in Mahaboobnagar,

Nizamabad and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh have come to light; and

(c) if so, the action Government has taken action against these companies to protect the interest of

farmers?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that no seed companies have been

registered in Andhra Pradesh on false claims. Moreover, under the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed

Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, the State Government is empowered to check the

unscrupulous practices if any, by the seed companies in supply of certified/quality seeds to the

farmers.

Weather based crop insurance

4064 SHRI N.K. SINGH


(a) whether there is any provision for weather based crop insurance in the country;


(c) the details of the number of subscribers to any weather based crop insurance policy and the

number of insurance claims;

(d) whether Government is proposing any measures to mitigate the effects of weather variations in

the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. With a view to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in

the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of adverse weather conditions, a Weather

Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) is under implementation from Kharif 2007 on pilot basis.

WBCIS was initially approved to implement in 3 States and further extended in more States. It was

approved to implement in 20 States from Rabi 2008-09. State of Jammu & Kashmir has also been

allowed from Rabi 2010-11.

It provides insurance protection to the farmers against adverse weather incidence, such as

deficit/excess rainfall, un-seasonal rainfall, low/high temperature, frost, relative humidity etc.

which are deemed to impact adversely the crop production. It has the advantages to minimize moral

hazards; lowering of administrative costs; speedy settlement of claims etc. All farmers both, loanee

and non-loanee in the notified area/crop are eligible for coverage under the pilot. However,

insurance is compulsory for loanee and optional for non-loanee farmers.

(c): During the period of the last eleven crop seasons i.e. from Kharif 2007 to Kharif 2012, 3.25

crore farmers have been covered and out of them 1.92 farmers have been paid claims.

(d) & (e): The WBCIS provides support to the farmers in the event of major weather variations.

Demand and consumption of rice and wheat

441 SHRI AAYANUR MANJUNATHA


(a) whether Government has assessed the likely demand and consumption pattern of rice and wheat

for the next five years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State and Union Territory-wise;

(c) whether the current production of rice and wheat is sufficient to meet the growing demand in

the country; and

(d) if not, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by Government to increase the production of these

staple crops to feed the growing population of the country?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 441 FOR 26/04/2013 REGARDING DEMAND AND CONSUMPTION OF RICE AND

WHEAT.

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The “Working Group on Crop Husbandry, Demand and Supply Projections,

Agricultural Inputs and Agricultural Statistics for the Twelfth Five Year Plan” set up by the

Planning Commission has projected the demand, including demand for exports, of rice at 110

million tonnes in the terminal year i.e. 2016-17 of the Twelfth Plan against which between 98 to

106 million tones is projected to be produced. The demand for wheat has been projected at 89

million tonnes against which between 93 to 104 million tonnes is projected to be produced by the

terminal year i.e. 2016-17 of the Twelfth Plan. The Group has not estimated State-wise and Union

Territory-wise demand and consumption pattern of these commodities.

(c): The production of rice and wheat is sufficient to meet the domestic demand keeping in view

that the country has been exporting sizable quantities of these commodities during the last few

years.

(d): In order to increase production of rice and wheat in the country, Government has been

implementing several Crop Development Scheme/Programmes such as National Food Security

Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern

India (BGREI) under RKVY, etc. Under these schemes, funds are provided to States for

implementation of State specific agricultural strategies including incentives to farmers for

production/use of quality seeds, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest

Management (IPM), farm mechanization etc. Besides, Frontline Demonstrations are also organized

by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)/State Agriculture Universities on the

farmers’ fields to popularize frontier technologies among farmers. Further, to ensure remunerative

price to farmers, the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of paddy and wheat have also been increased

from time to time.

Promoting indigenous varities of cows



Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware that the practice of cross breeding Indian cows with imported

bulls and semen, that started in 1960s, has set off a systematic destruction of the indigenous Indian

cows, which includes precious breeds developed over a millennium;

(b) if so, whether Government will bring amendments to legalize the possession of indigenous desi

bulls along with other measures to promote the desi varieties of cows;



ANSWER

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)


******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA

STARRED QUESTION No. 447 PROMOTIING OF INDIGENOUS VARIETIES OF COWS TO

BE ANSWERED ON 26th APRIL 2013.

(a) to (d) As per 18th Livestock Census 2007, the country has 166.015 million indigenous cattle as

compared to 160.495 million as per livestock census 2003. Indigenous cattle population constitutes

about 83.39% of total cattle population. Although formulation of breeding policy for development

of cattle and buffalo population is within the purview of the State Government, Government of

India supplements the efforts of States by providing necessary assistance to States for improving

productivity through genetic upgradation of bovine breeds including development and conservation

of indigenous cattle. Crossbreeding is generally undertaken for non-descript cattle in areas having

better resources of feed and fodder and limiting the exotic inheritance as per the breeding policy of

the respective States.

Currently, about 7 million semen doses of indigenous cattle bulls and 20 million semen doses of

indigenous buffalo bulls are produced at the semen stations maintained by the States, Milk

Federations, NGOs and NDDB for development of indigenous bovine breeds. Development and

conservation of indigenous bovine breeds is promoted under the schemes of National Project for

Cattle and Buffalo Breeding and National Dairy Plan. States can also avail resources from

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna for this purpose. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying &

Fisheries is also implementing the Schemes viz. Central Cattle Breeding Farms, Central Frozen

Semen Production & Training Institute and Central Herd Registration Scheme for development of

bovine population including indigenous breeds.

Development of quality seeds

454 SHRI NARESH CHANDRA AGRAWAL


(a) whether Government has taken any steps to increase development of high quality seeds of rice,

wheat and pulses;


(c) whether Government has taken any steps to provide these high quality seeds to farmers at low

cost;



ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) of RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/04/2013 REGARDING “DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY

SEEDS”

___________________________________________________________

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) A total of 157 varieties/hybrids of rice (68), wheat (28) and pulses (61) have been notified

during the last three years based on the research work conducted by National Agricultural Research

System (NARS) comprising of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes and All

India Coordinated Research Projects of ICAR located in State Agricultural Universities.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DoAC) of the Ministry of Agriculture

provides assistance for production and distribution of quality seeds of rice, wheat and pulses under

the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), thus making quality seeds of these crops available to

farmers at low cost.

(e) Question does not arise.

Impact of climate change on crop yeilds

456 SHRI K.V.P. RAMACHANDRA RAO


(a) whether it is a fact that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted

climate change impact assessment studies using the crop simulation models;


(c) what reduction in crop yields has been projected?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) of RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 456 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/04/2013 REGARDING “IMPACT OF CLIMATE

CHANGE ON CROP YIELDS”

___________________________________________________________

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted climate change

impact analysis on crop yields using crop simulation models (INFO-CROP and HAD CM3)

incorporating future projections for 2020, 2050 and 2080.

(c) Simulation studies projected reduction in yields of irrigated rice by about 4% in 2020, 7% in

2050 and by 10% in 2080 scenarios. On the other hand, rainfed rice yields in India are likely to be

reduced by nearly 6% in 2020 scenario, but in 2050 and 2080 scenarios, they are projected to

decrease only marginally (<2.5%).

Similarly, climate change is projected to reduce timely sown irrigated wheat production by about

6% in 2020 from the existing values. In case of late sown wheat, the projected reduction levels are

to the extent of 18, 23 and 25 percent in 2020, 2050 and 2080 respectively.

The yields of irrigated kharif maize are projected to reduce by about 18% in 2020 and 2050

scenarios and about 23% in 2080 due to climate change. Rainfed sorghum yields are projected to

marginally (2.5%) decline in 2020 scenario and about 8% in 2050.

Assessment of drought situation in Maharashtra

459 SHRI ISHWARLAL SHANKARLAL JAIN


(a) whether Government has taken stock of the drought situation in Maharashtra or whether any

Committee has been set up to keep a watch over the situation;

(b) whether State Government has sent a proposal recently demanding special fund to deal with this

situation;

(c) whether Government has paid attention towards availability of fodder and water, particularly for

cattle in Maharashtra;

(d) whether cattle are dying due to unavailability of fodder and water in the State;

(e) whether Government has given any special fund to the State Government for providing fodder

and water to cattle; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 459 FOR 26/04/2013 REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF DROUGHT SITUATION IN

MAHARASHTRA.

(a) to (f): Yes, Sir. Government has constituted an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) to

assess and monitor drought situation and take timely decisions on policy issues including approval

of new/innovative schemes for effective management of drought/rainfall deficit situation in the

affected States including Maharashtra. In view of rainfall deficit in several parts of the country

during Monsoon-2012, the EGoM has approved several schemes viz. (i) diesel subsidy scheme (for

providing protective irrigation in rainfall deficient areas), (ii) enhancement of ceiling on seed

subsidy (to partially recompense farmers for re-sowing/purchasing drought tolerant varieties of

seeds), (iii) up-scaling the central sector scheme on feed & fodder, (iv) waiver of import duty on oil

cakes, (v) additional allocation of funds under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme

(AFDP), (vi) providing assistance for feed and fodder supplements under National Mission for

Protein Supplements (NMPS), (vii) introducing drought impact mitigating interventions for

perennial horticulture crops, (viii) reducing interest on rescheduled crop loans to mitigate drought

conditions, and (ix) implementation of a special package for rejuvenation of orchards in drought

affected districts of Maharashtra.

Besides, additional wage employment upto 50 days per household beyond 100 days under

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in drought notified

areas, interim assistance under calamity component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme

(NRDWP) and fast tracking release of instalments under NRDWP and Integrated Watershed

Management Programme etc. were also approved by EGoM as drought relief measures.

Contd…2/-

-2-

Government of Maharashtra had submitted memoranda seeking central assistance of Rs.3232.15

crore and Rs.1801.32 crore for mitigating drought situation during Kharif-2012 and Rabi -2012/13

respectively, against which Central Government had approved Rs.778.09 crore and Rs.807.84 crore

respectively from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Details of assistance approved from

NDRF are at Annexure-I.

No report of cattle dying due to unavailability of fodder and water has been received from Govt. of

Maharashtra. An Inter-Ministerial Crop Weather Watch Group takes stock of drought situation in

the country, including in Maharashtra, on a weekly basis.

Protection of domestic cows

3411 SHRI PRABHAKAR KORE


whether it is a fact that India is importing cows from Europe and other western countries for

increasing the production of milk;

(b) if so, whether it has any impact on the Indian society and its agrarian economy;


(d) whether Government is taking any measure to preserve and protect the domestic animals; and


ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) to (c) Government is not importing dairy cows from European and other western countries to

increase the production of milk.

(d) and (e) In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the States in development

and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds Government of India is implementing the following

schemes for genetic upgradation of bovine population with a focus on development and

conservation of indigenous breeds:

(i) National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB)

(ii) National Dairy Plan-I (NDP-I)

(iii) Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBFs)

(iv) Central Herd Registration Scheme (CHRS)

(v) Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute (CFSP&TI)

Growth rate of foodgrain production vis a vis population

3412 SHRI P. RAJEEVE


(a) whether it is a fact that the growth rate of foodgrain production is lesser than the growth rate of

population in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the both growth rates during the last three years; and

(c) the steps taken by Government to address this issue?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): As per data of Population Census 2001 and the provisional figures for Census 2011, the

decadal growth rate of population in the country during 2001-2011 has been 17.64% i.e. an average

annual growth rate of 1.76%. As against this, the average annual growth rates of foodgrain

production in the country during the last three years i.e. 2009-10 to 2011-12 has been 3.73%.

(c): In order to increase the production of foodgrains in the country, Government is implementing a

number of Crop Development Schemes/Programmes, namely: National Food Security Mission

(NFSM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) and Rashtriya

Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) through State Governments. In addition to above schemes, during

2010-11, two new programmes viz. Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India and Integrated

Development of 60,000 Pulses and Oilseeds Villages in Rainfed Areas have been initiated under

RKVY. Further, a new programme “Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P)” in the form

of block demonstrations has also been started in 16 pulses growing States of the country.

Selling of organs by farmers

3413 SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SINGH


(a) whether Government is aware of the recent report regarding selling of organs by farmers in

Andhra Pradesh to escape debt trap;


(c) the number of farmers who have sold their organs to escape debt trap and the number of farmers

committed suicide during last three years, State-wise;

(d) the reasons for the same;

(e) whether Government would take fresh steps to redress the problems of farmers in view of the

above;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): No, Sir.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): The Government has no reports about the farmers who have sold their organs to escape debt

trap. However, State-wise information regarding the number of farmers who have committed

suicide due to agrarian reasons during the last three years is annexed.

Contd…2/-

-2-

(d): Loan for the purpose of capital or current expenditure in farm business combined with

successive crops failure, loan for meeting health, marriages and other social ceremonies related

expenses have been identified as major reason for suicide by the farmers in the country.

(e) & (f): Government announces each season minimum support prices for major agriculture

commodities to ensure remunerative prices to the growers taking into consideration the relevant

factors including the cost of production and changes in the input prices and organizes purchase

operations through public and cooperative agencies. Besides, to raise farm income and to improve

agriculture production and productivity, Government is implementing various schemes like

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National

Horticultural Mission (NHM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize

(ISOPOM), Agriculture Credit Initiatives, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), Crop Insurance etc.

In order to reduce dependence of farmers on private money lenders, Government has taken several

measures to increase institutional credit flow and bringing more and more farmers including small

and marginal farmers within the institutional credit fold. These measures, inter alia, include fixation

of annual targets for improving agricultural credit flow, provision of crop loans upto Rs.3.00 lakh

@ 4% per annum to such farmers who repay their loan as per the repayment schedule fixed by the

banks, extention of benefit of interest subvention scheme to small & marginal farmers having Kisan

Credit Card for a further period upto six months for storing their produce in warehouses against

negotiable warehouse receipts, collateral free loan upto Rs.1.00 lakh, scheme for financing of Joint

Liability Group (JLGs) etc.

(g): Does not arise.

Compensation to farmers of Vidarbha

3414 SHRI ANIL DESAI


(a) whether farmers of Vidarbha have not received compensatory fund for the loss of crops for the

year 2011-12;

(b) if so, the extent of amount still pending; and

(c) by when, the amount will be paid to farmers?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): During Rabi- 2011-12, Government of Maharashtra declared drought in 15 districts

including 5 districts of Vidarbha region viz. Nagpur, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Amravati and Buldhana.

Based on the recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that visited the State

for assessment of crop loss, Central Government had approved Rs.574.71 crore from National

Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Government of Maharashtra for mitigating drought situation.

This amount was fully released to the State.

Talks on agricultural issues with former P.M. of New Zealand

3415 SHRIMATI T. RATNA BAI


(a) whether former Prime Minister of New Zealand visited Hyderabad and held talks with State

Government officials on technology to be adopted by small and marginal farmers, water

management, strengthening of co-operative societies, crops to be adopted in the rainfed areas and

other issues; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the outcome therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir. The former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. James B. Bolger visited Hyderabad

in November last year, in the capacity of Chairman, Advisory Board, World Agricultural Form

scheduled to be organized on 4th to 7th November, 2013 at Hyderabad.

(b): In his address to the State Agricultural Ministers, in the Conference held on 24.11.2012, he

emphasized importance of agriculture sector in fighting the challenge of hunger facing developing

countries. To increase production and productivity he discussed the increasing role of science and

technology, investment in research for better seed, fertilizer, better infrastructure, improving

management of co-operatives to improve the future of the smaller and marginal farmers, role of

gender in agriculture sector etc. He also outlined the role of trade policy, International Trade Policy

and WTO to have fair-trade environment.

Co ordination among agricultural universities

3416 SHRI PARSHOTTAM KHODABHAI RUPALA


(a) whether it is a fact that due to lack of proper co-ordination among all agricultural universities,

the useful information and technological development are not being shared for development of

agriculture sector as a result of which farmers are not getting benefits of new research taking place

in the farming sector; and

(b) if so, the action taken by Government for proper co-ordination among various agricultural

universities?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. Useful information and technologies are being shared for development of

Agricultural Sector by Agricultural Universities through various mechanisms. These are:-

(a) All India Coordinated Research Projects and Network projects (79 numbers in operation)

coordinated and funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Information is shared

during annual workshop.

(b) Krishi Vigyan Kendras (631 Nos.) all over the country and majority are under Agricultural

Universities. The co-ordination is being done through 8 (eight) Zonal Project Directorates and

national workshop are also held.

(c) Summer Schools and Winter Schools organized by agricultural Universities through funding

support from ICAR, where scientists from all over country are participants.

(d) Symposium/conferences in specific areas are also organized where participation is across the

Universities.

(e) Annual Conference of Vice Chancellors of all Agricultural Universities sharing their

achievements, problems, new technologies etc. on common platform.

(f) Accreditation of Agricultural Universities for quality in higher agricultural education,

uniformity in academic and course standards curricula, monitored by ICAR.

The Planning Commission’s working group on Agricultural Research and Education for XII Plan

had constituted a sub-group on Agricultural Education. Adequate State Funding, University

governance, faculty strength and inbreeding, faculty and students development programmes,

demand-driven curriculum and its delivery, quality assurance and modern infrastructure for

education and research are the areas needing attention.

Based on existing concerns and emerging scenario, a national Agricultural Education Project is

being developed imbibing the suggestions of the various stakeholders for improving quality and

higher agricultural education in the country.

Suggestion for alternative crops



(a) whether Government is suggesting farmers for alternative crops in some States including

Andhra Pradesh to benefit them; and

(b) if so, the details thereof including the status of alternative crops in each State and the results

yielded so far?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Government is implementing various crop development schemes in the States, including

Andhra Pradesh for promoting cropping patterns and scientific agronomic practices that are most

suited to the agro-ecological conditions of the State/region for providing maximum benefits to the

farmers; these schemes include National food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

(RKVY), Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP), Special

Programme on Oil Palm Area Expansion (OPAE), National Horticulture Mission, Technology

Mission on Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Technology

Mission on Cotton (TMC), Jute Technology Mission (JTM), etc.

Drought situation in the country



(a) whether farmers are facing difficulties due to drought situation in the country, particularly in

Andhra Pradesh; and

(b) if so, the details thereof comparatively during the last five years and the amount released to each

State Government to help the farmers, year-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): During Kharif- 2012, Governments of Karnataka (142 talukas in 26 districts), Rajasthan (12

districts), Gujarat (132 talukas in 17 districts), Maharashtra (125 talukas in 16 districts), Kerala (4

districts), Andhra Pradesh (234 mandals in 9 districts) and Tamil Nadu (31 districts) have notified

drought. In addition, Government of Maharashtra (3905 villages in 9 districts) and Kerala (14

districts) have also declared drought during Rabi- 2012-13.

(b): Details of central assistance approved from National Calamity Contingency Fund

(NCCF)/National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to drought affected States during last five years

are at Annexure-I.

Disbursement of funds to Chhattisgarh under agricultural schemes

3419 SHRI SHIVPRATAP SINGH


(a) the amount of funds disbursed to the State of Chhattisgarh under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana,

Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), National Mission on

Micro-irrigation scheme;

(b) the details thereof; and

(c) by when the second installment of funds will be released?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): The funds released to the State of Chhattisgarh during 2012-13 under Rashtriya Krishi

Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) and

National Mission on Micro-Irrigation (NMMI) scheme are as under:

Name of Scheme Amount released

(Rs. In crore)

RKVY 571.22

ISOPOM 7.55

NMMI 31.72

(c): Funds for the year 2012-13 have already been disbursed against the above scheme.

Promotion of drip irrigation system

3420 SHRI SANJAY RAUT


(a) whether it is a fact that sugarcane crop and rose plants consume a lot of water;

(b) whether it is also a fact that cultivating these crops regularly is one of the reasons for drought

situation in Maharashtra;

(c) whether Government of Maharashtra has made it mandatory for sugarcane growers to use drip

irrigation system over the next three years for sugarcane crop; and

(d) if so, whether Government would encourage drip irrigation system across the country?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Sugarcane consumes relatively more water for realizing optimum crop yields as

compared to many other crops like wheat, pulses and coarse cereals. However, Maharashtra is

witnessing consecutive drought situation beginning from Rabi-2011-12 and continuing through

Kharif-2012 and Rabi-2012-13, primarily on account of deficit rainfall in several parts of the State

during intervening period; there is no empirical evidence to suggest that the drought situation in

Maharashtra is due to cultivation of sugarcane and rose.

(c) & (d): For judicious use of water, Government of India is promoting implementation of drip and

sprinkler irrigation system for both horticulture and agriculture crops including sugarcane and rose

in the country, including Maharashtra under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on

Micro Irrigation.

Price rise in NCAER report



(a) whether as per the quarterly agricultural outlook report prepared by the National Council of

Applied Economic Research (NCAER) of the department of Agriculture the prices of wheat, rice

and onion will continue to remain increased upto March 2013;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether the grounds of rise in inflation have also been mentioned in this report; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) has sponsored a Project to National

Council of Applied Economic Research (an independent body and not a part of DAC) on

“Agriculture Outlook and Situation Analysis for Food Security” under National Food Security

Mission. As per “The Quarterly Agricultural Outlook Report” December, 2012 submitted by

NCAER under the project, wheat price is to stabilize at the current high level and expected to

decline from April, 2013. The price increase scenario is seen to be a concern in the next few

months in the case of wheat, pulses and onion also. In general, for the food sector as a whole, the

prices would remain a concern until the rabi harvest 2012-13 produce begins to come into the

market.

(c) & (d): As mentioned in the report, the factors affecting the price scenario in the report are the

poor production of wheat and coarse cereals globally in 2012-13 because of weather related adverse

conditions particularly in the USA, Ukraine and Russia; weak monsoon in India affecting kharif

production and the increase in minimum support price of rice and wheat.

The projections for the next few months are based on models that incorporate seasonal and trend

patterns for each food commodity and extend the estimated patterns for the short term future. The

two alternative approaches were applied i.e. one approach that used the data on wholesale prices of

food commodities in Delhi and second that used Wholesale Price Index at the All India basis. The

projections of Delhi market prices of food commodities were provided until April 2013 and the

Wholesale Price Index analysis was provided upto February 2013. The analysis indicates continued

price pressure until April 2013.

Food to poor

3422 SHRI VIJAY JAWAHARLAL DARDA


(a) whether India observes 'October 16' annually as World Food Day;

(b) if so, whether on this day, an appraisal is made to know whether our poor and hunger

countrymen are able to afford one square meal a day;

(c) whether due to resource constraints, co-operations of philanthropic organizations like Indian

Food Banking Network is being solicited and they are actively helped to evolve a modality to

systemically acquire donated food and make it available to needy persons through community

agencies; and

(d) whether Government would stress upon FICCI, CII etc., to motivate their members to discharge

their corporate social responsibility to support such a noble cause?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): World Food Day is celebrated by all the member countries of United Nations Food and

Agriculture Organization. Thematic discussions are organized on this day to give focus to specific

food security related issues. In year 2012, the theme, dedicated for the purpose was “Agricultural

Cooperatives-key to Feeding the World.” Government is committed to ensuring food and

nutritional security for all its citizens. Several welfare schemes and programmes are implemented

throughout the country.

(c): Indian Food Banking Networking is understood to be a recent, ‘not for profit’ non-government

organization, aiming to connect corporate groups and other stakeholders in supporting the country

level efforts for achieving food and nutritional security. It is a welcome initiative supplementing the

governmental efforts.

(d): Activities under corporate social responsibilities are essentially voluntary in nature. FIICI, CII,

etc. are free to motivate their members to discharge their corporate social responsibility in this

regard.

Complaints at Safal Vegetable booths



(a) whether Government is aware that Safal Vegetable booth authorities expect that complaints be

lodged by consumers in complaint books provided at Safal booths;

(b) if so, the action taken on such complaints lodged by consumers; and

(c) what are the detailed reasons that the officers in management of Safal do not try to contact the

complainant what to talk of giving any written reply to consumers about the action taken?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) Complaints if any by customers can be lodged in the Suggestion Book available at the booths or

through telephone or e-mail.

(b) & (c) Action is taken to address the complaints by communicating the complainant through

phone/email or in person and then a report is submitted to the superior officer.

Profit margin of milk sold by DMS

3424 SHRI VINAY KATIYAR


(a) whether it is a fact that Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) is purchasing unprocessed milk at Rs.28.5

per litre on the basis of fat and SNF (Solid Non Fat) and selling it at Rs.41.5 litre;

(b) whether it is also a fact that there is a profit of Rs.13 per litre which is Rs. 7 higher compared to

last two years;

(c) if so, the purchase price and sale price of milk during each month of the last two years; and

(d) whether Government would reduce the sale prices of DMS milk so that consumers may be

benefited?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) is purchasing milk at the rate of Rs.29.50 per kg. on the basis of Fat

and Solid Not Fat (SNF). However, current selling prices for DMS milk for Double Toned Milk,

Toned Milk and Full Cream Milk are Rs.26.00, Rs.30.00 and Rs.39.00 per litre respectively, which

includes retailer margin of Rs. 0.90 per litre.

(b) No, in view of (a) above.

(c) The monthly purchase price and sale price of DMS milk during the last two years is annexed.

(d) There is no proposal at present to reduce the sale prices of DMS milk.

Increase in the price of milk



(a) whether it is a fact that the milk production in the country has become highest in the world in

the year 2012-13;

(b) if not, the facts in this regard;

(c) the annual average growth rate of milk production assessed in the country since the last one

decade;

(d) whether the milk prices have also increased annually during the said decade; and

(e) if so, the annual average price-hike thereof?

ANSWER

ANSWER


(Dr. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) & (b) As per FAOSTAT, India has become the largest milk producing country in the world in

1997 and her status has been counting since then. During year 2011-12, the estimated Milk

production in India is 127.9 million tonnes.

(c) The Annual Average Growth Rate in milk production in India between 2001-02 to 2011-12 was

4.29 percent. However, The estimated production of milk and annual growth rate since 2001-02 is

given below:

Year Milk Production Annual Growth

(March to February) (million tonnes) (Year-wise)

2001-02 84.4 4.71

2002-03 86.2 2.13

2003-04 88.1 2.20

2004-05 92.5 4.99

2005-06 97.1 4.97

2006-07 102.6 5.66

2007-08 107.9 5.17

2008-09 112.2 3.99

2009-10 116.4 3.74

2010-11 121.8 4.64

2011-12 127.9 5.01

(d) & (e) The Wholesale Price Index of milk (base year 2004-05=100) stood at 208.1 in 2012-13.

The annual growth rate of Wholesale Price Index of milk from 2005-06 is given below:

Yearly Wholesale Price Index (Base Year 2004-05 = 100)

Financial Year 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06

Index 208.1 194.01 175.88 146.41 123.24 114.58 108.98 101.01

Annual Growth (%) 7.26 10.31 20.13 18.80 7.56 5.14 7.89 1.01

Over sowing of cash crops in Maharashtra



(a) whether experts have opined that the present worst drought in Marathwada and other parts of

Maharashtra is the result of over sowing of cash crops such as water guzzling sugarcane and fruits

instead of traditional Jower-Bajra over the past decade resulting in depletion of groundwater level;

(b) if so, the reaction of Government in this regard; and

(c) the action Government propose to take to convince the farmers to go for traditional crops

instead of water consuming cash crops to avoid droughts?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Compared to many crop particularly coarse cereals, crops like sugarcane consume

relatively more water for realizing optimum yields. However, the current drought situation in

Maharashtra is primarily on account of deficit rainfall in several parts of the State in Rabi-2011-12

and 2012-13; there is no empirical evidence to suggest that the drought situation in Maharashtra is

due to cultivation of sugarcane and fruits.

Government of India is promoting cultivation of rainfed crops that require less water, like millets

including jowar and bajra in various States including Maharashtra through Initiative for Nutritional

Security through Intensive Millets Promotion, a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

Availability of quality seeds

3427 SHRI BHARATKUMAR RAUT


(a) the details of source from where farmers can get quality seeds;

(b) whether there are reports of non-availability of quality seeds in several States of the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for shortage of good quality seeds; and

(d) the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras in enlightening farmers for getting quality seeds?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Farmers can get quality seeds from the sales depots of National Seeds Corporation Ltd, State

Farms Corporation of India Ltd., State Agricultural Universities, State Seeds Corporations in the

public sector and from the authorized sale depots of private seed producing organisations.

(b): No, Sir.

(c): Question does not arise.

(d): The following activities are carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs) in enlightening the

farmers in getting quality seeds

i) Providing the farmers with sources and availability of quality seeds and importance of use of

quality seeds.

ii) Providing technical knowhow on quality seed production.

iii) Capacity building of farmers in technical skills for quality seed production.

iv) Popularise new improved varieties of different crops by Front line Demonstration on farmers

field.

v) Encouraging the farmer’s participation in participatory seed production programmes.

vi) Production of quality seeds and planting materials on KVK farms for distribution to the farming

community.

Increase in agricultural wage rate

3428 SHRI K.V.P. RAMACHANDRA RAO


(a) whether the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP) has pointed that the

agricultural wage rate has recorded a perceptible increase from 2006-07 onwards;


(c) the steps being taken to reduce its impact on the overall inflationary conditions in the country?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has pointed out that during 2008

to 2011, the increase in wage rate in second half of 2011 over that of 2008 has been estimated at 74

per cent at all India level; with states recording the highest wage being Odisha at 101.56 per cent,

Tamil Nadu at 93.64 per cent, Maharashtra at 93.54 per cent, Andhra Pradesh at 88.00 per cent,

Punjab at 75.36 per cent.

(c): Several schemes have been launched by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase production and

productivity in agriculture to increase of the supply of agricultural commodities in order to meet the

rising demand for food and agricultural commodities. Important programmes implemented in

agriculture sector include National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

(RKVY), Grameen Bhandaran Yojana, Development of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure,

Micro Irrigation, Integrated Scheme of Oilseed, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) and

National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Market intelligence to farmers

3429 DR. V. MAITREYAN


(a) whether Government provides market intelligence to farmers to help them get remunerative

prices for their agricultural produce;


(c) whether the Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) Scheme ‘AGMARKNET’

provides computer connectivity to all important wholesale markets in the country and to the central

portal; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated to States/UTs for development and connectivity

of all APMCs in various States under one roof for the benefit of farmers across the country?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Agriculture has launched the Information and Communication

Technology(ICT) based Central Sector Scheme of ‘Marketing Research and Information Network’

in March, 2000 to provide electronic connectivity to important wholesale markets in the country for

collection and dissemination of price and other market related information. Out of a total of 7190

markets, more than 3200 markets from all over the country have been linked to a central portal

(http://www.agmarknet.nic.in). Of these, more than 2100 market are reporting prices and arrivals

information in respect of more than 300 commodities and 2000 varieties covering all major

agricultural produce.

There is no state wise allocation of funds under the scheme. Computers with internet connectivity

and training are provided, based on the proposals received from the State Marketing Boards,

through National Informatics Centre (NIC) and Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee

(APMC) personnel are incentivised to provide regular data reporting on AGMARKNET portal.

Besides market led extensive activities and marketing research studies are also conducted under the

Scheme.

This Ministry is also implementing another scheme viz. ‘Marketing Information Service for

Horticulture Crops’ with the objective to generate information on wholesale and retail prices,

arrivals and trends in various markets of the country for important fruits, vegetables & flowers etc.

The information is displayed on the website of National Horticulture Board (NHB),

www.nhb.gov.in on daily basis. Comparative analysis in the form of weekly, monthly and annual

bulleting is also made available on the NHB website for use by the farmers. NHB also publishes a

monthly Market Information Bulletin under the scheme.

Promotion of organic farming

3430 DR K.P.RAMALINGAM


(a) whether it is a fact that Government is considering to promote organic farming in the country in

a big way;

(b) whether Government is also considering to grant subsidy to farmers who cultivate through

organic manure;


(d) whether it has been reported in many parts of the country that organic manure provides better

yield?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): The Government is already promoting Organic farming in big way through various

schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM),

Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on

Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is being provided as

credit linked back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up of fruit/vegetable waste/agro-

waste compost unit @ 33% of the total financial outlay of project or Rs. 60.00 lakh per unit

whichever is less; National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East

and Himalayan States (HMNEH) provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @

Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary, for setting up of vermi-

compost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for

organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50

hectares; National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), financial

assistance is provided @ Rs. 500 per ha for promoting use of organic manures ; Assistance for

promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under Rashtriya Krishi

Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning

Committee.

(d): Preliminary results under a Network project on organic farming with lead center Project

Directorate for Farming System Research, Modipuram of Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) indicates higher crop yields with organic nutrient system in several crops/cropping systems

tested. Use of organic manure/compost improves soil physical, chemical & biological health to

sustain higher agricultural productivity.

Adoption of crop diversification

3431 SHRI ANIL DESAI


(a) whether Government went whole hog to encourage farmers to adopt the rice-wheat monoculture

in the 70s;

(b) whether Government is planning to come to the rescue of farmers to encourage them to adopt

crop diversification;

(c) if so by when; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir. Farmers adopted rice-wheat cropping system on a large scale due to advent of high

yielding, disease resistant, irrigation and fertilizer responsive varieties of rice and wheat in 70s.

(b) to (d): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing various schemes, viz., National

Food Security Mission, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P); Rashtriya

Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), including its sub-schemes, Bringing Green Revoluation to Eastern

India (BGREI) & initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP),

Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP), Special Programme on Oil Palm Area

Expansion (OPAE), Vegetable Clusters, National Horticulture Mission, Technology Mission on

Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Technology Mission on

Cotton (TMC), and Jute Technology Mission (JTM) etc. for promotion of cultivation of crops

suited to different agro- ecologies.

Besides, Rs.500 crore has been announced in the budget 2013-14 for crop diversification in original

Green Revoluation States to promote technological innovation and to encourage farmers to choose

crop alternatives. It will be implemented as sub-scheme of RKVY.

Proposal for managing DMS

3432 SHRI DILIPBHAI PANDYA


(a) the milk production and packaging capacity of Delhi Milk Scheme per day;

(b) whether it is a fact that Government has been looking for a partner to manage DMS as it is not

doing well;

(c) whether Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells milk and

other Dairy products under Amul brand has submitted any proposal to Ministry of Agriculture in

managing Government owned Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS); and

(d) if so, the details thereof and Government’s reaction thereon ?

ANSWER



(a) The present installed milk production and packaging capacity of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) is

5.00 lakh litres per day.

(b) No, Sir.

(c)&(d) The Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) has written to

the Government proposing to take up the operation of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS). However,

GCMMF has been requested to submit a comprehensive and detailed proposal covering various

aspects of the matter including the proposed valuation and monetization of assets of DMS, pending

legal disputes and liabilities of DMS, infusion of equity and terms of engagement of employees of

DMS etc. Such proposal has not been received from GCMMF.

Implementation of Micro Irrigation Scheme in Andhra Pradesh

3433 DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY


(a) the details of the works carried out under Micro Irrigation Scheme in Andhra Pradesh during the

Eleventh Five Year Plan along with the achievements thereof; and

(b) the amount of funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh under the said scheme during the last three

years and the current year?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): The details of works and achievements under Micro Irrigation scheme in Andhra Pradesh

during the Eleventh Five Year Plan including funds allocated during the last 3 years and the current

year are annexed.

Decentralising Agriculture Schemes

3434 SHRI BHAGAT SINGH KOSHYARI


(a) whether Government is contemplating to decentralise Agriculture Schemes allowing thereby the

States to prepare need based programmes under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana;


(c) by when this programme is likely to be implemented?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Decentralized planning of agricultural development by way of formulation of

comprehensive District Agriculture Plans and State Agriculture Plans is mandated to the states

under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

RKVY launched during 2007-08 provides complete flexibility to the States to plan and execute

interventions across agriculture and allied sectors as per their priorities based on agro-climatic

conditions, availability of technology and natural resources.

Implementation of Kamdhenu Project in Karnataka

3435 SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR


(a) whether it is a fact that NABARD has recently launched a Kamdhenu Project in the country;


(c) the status of the implementation of Project Kamdhenu in Karnataka?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) and (b) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has informed that

the Kamdhenu Scheme is implemented by Government of Andhra Pradesh with the financial

support from banks at the Farmer level and to Mandal Mahila Samakhyas (MMS). NABARD has

also informed that during December 2010, they had sanctioned the livelihood project under

Umbrella Programme for Natural Resource Management (UPNRM) in the State of Andhra Pradesh

with a total project outlay of Rs.1.09 crore per Mandal Mahila Samakhyas (MMS) for financing

their members for procurement of milch animals and providing support services like Veterinary

Services, supply of Motorized Chaff cutters, Azolla Cultivation, capacity building of farmers,

organizing fertility camps etc. Support at the Farmer level is provided to existing milk pourers for

two animals along with soft loan for feed and fodder.

(c) Does not arise, in view of (a) above.

Share of agriculture in GDP



(a) whether the share of agricultural production was 56 per cent in the Gross Domestic Product of

the country in 1950 which has now come down to less than 14 per cent;

(b) if so, the facts in this regard;

(c) whether a large portion of population is dependent on agriculture sector for their livelihood even

now as was in 1950; and

(d) if so, whether income of farmers has decreased constantly in comparison to that of people

working in other sectors during 1950 to 2013?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): As per the latest estimates released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) the share of

Agriculture & Allied Sectors in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country was 51.9 per

cent in 1950-51 which has now come down to 13.7 per cent in 2012-13 at 2004-05 prices.

(c): As per Census 2001, population dependent on agriculture sector (agriculture including allied

activities) is 61.7 per cent.

(d): The decrease in share of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in the GDP of the country in

comparison to other sectors is on account of structural changes due to a shift from a traditional

agrarian economy to a service dominated one. This phenomenon is generally expected in the

normal development of an economy. However, Government has launched several schemes to boost

agricultural production and productivity and to ensure remunerative prices/ income to farmers such

as, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM),

Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure facilities for Production and Distribution of

Quality Seed, National Horticulture Mission(NHM), Rainfed Area Development Programme

(RADP), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Gramin

Bhandaran Yojana etc. In addition, Government has substantially improved the availability of farm

credit; implemented a massive programme of debt waiver; introduced better crop insurance

schemes; increased Minimum Support Price (MSP), improved marketing infrastructure, etc.

PPP in agriculture sector



(a) whether Government has some plans to increase Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Agriculture

sector;


(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the reasons for not making any remarkable impact of PPP in Agriculture sector in the country?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has issued a “Framework for Public Private

Partnership for Integrated Agricultural Development (PPPIAD)”, which is essentially a set of

guidelines for the benefit of interested States to leverage resources of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas

Yojana for encouraging private sector in agricultural development projects. PPPIAD framework

aims to facilitate integrated projects led by corporates in the agriculture & allied sectors. A copy of

the scheme guideline is annexed.

Fodder crisis

3438 SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN SINGH


a) whether there is large gap between demand and supply of feed and fodder for live stock in the

country;

b) if so, the details thereof;

c) whether country is now envisaging rapid growth in milk production and meat production in the

next one year; and

d) if so, the steps being proposed to enhance the seed output to beat the fodder crisis?

ANSWER

ANSWER



a & b) Yes, Sir. The shortage of fodder as estimated by NABARD consultancy services

(NABCONS) in 2007 is as under:

Dry matter in million tones

Sr No. Feed Demand Availability Gap

1 Dry Fodder 416 253 163 (40%)

2 Greens 222 143 79 (36%)

3 Concentrate 53 23 30 (57%)

c) The country is envisaging growth in milk production and meat production in the next one year

d) Government of India is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Fodder and Feed Development

Scheme, under which 75 % Central Assistance is provided to the States for fodder seed

procurement and distribution. In addition, the National Dairy Plan, the Accelerated Fodder

Development Programme, and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana also provide funds for enhancing

seed output to beat the fodder crisis. The regional fodder stations of Government of India also assist

the States in augmenting production of fodder and fodder seeds by way of demonstrations,

trainings, and supply of fodder seeds.

Revival of closed cold storage

3439 SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH MAHRA


(a) the number of cold storages in the country including in the State of Uttarakhand which have

been established after 1980 in the agricultural sector;

(b) whether the cold storage constructed in Champawat district of Uttarakhand is being used for

storage of fruits and vegetables produced by farmers;

(c) if not, the time since when this cold storage is not in operation;

(d) whether Government has ever paid attention to the closed cold storages in the country; and

(e) if not, the steps to be taken by Government to make these closed cold storages operational

again?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (e): There are 4222 cold storages in the country including the State of Uttarakhand, which

have been established after 1980.

As informed by the Government of Uttarakhand, the cold storage constructed in Champawat

district has been given on lease to Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora

under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research for research purposes.

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing schemes namely National Horticulture

Mission and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States for overall development of

horticulture sector including establishment of cold storages in the country. Under these schemes,

assistance is provided for construction, expansion and modernization of cold storages. In addition,

National Horticulture Board provides assistance for establishment and modernization of cold

storages.

Assistance to Gaushalas

3440 SHRI JAGATPRAKASH NADDA


whether Central Government has prepared any scheme to give assistance to Gaushalas;


(c) the details of the Gaushalas in the country, State-wise;

(d) the details of funds provided to the States during the last three years, Statewise;

(e) whether any Board has been constituted in Jammu and Kashmir at State level for assistance to

Gaushala; and


ANSWER

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF THE STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING

INDUSTRIES


(a) & (b): There is no scheme in the Deptt. of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to provide

assistance to Gaushalas. However, Ministry of Environment & Forest provides financial assistance

through Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs)

recognized by AWBI under the scheme for the provision of construction of shelter houses for the

welfare of animals. The board is also providing financial assistance under the scheme for provision

of Ambulance Services for the animals in distress in which Gaushalas are also beneficiaries. The

regular grant under AWBI plan schemes provides financial assistance to AWOs including

Gaushalas for maintenance of animals and animal shelter

(c): State-wise details of Gaushalas in the country, is given at Annexure-I.

(d): Details of the funds released by Ministry of Environment and Forests during each of the last

three years, State wise, has been tabulated and is given at Annexure-II to VII.

(e) & (f): No Sir. However, State has constituted Jammu & Kashmir State Implementing Agency

(J&K SIA) for Implementation of National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding.

Justification of amount paid to Krishak Mitra

3441 SHRI DHIRAJ PRASAD SAHU


(a) whether it is a fact that a 'Krishak Mitra' has been appointed for every two villages in different

States of the country particularly in Jharkhand and they are paid an amount of Rs. 4000 every year

for meetings and office work etc.;


(c) whether the amount being paid to Krishak Mitra is justified; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): The Guidelines of Modified ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension

Reforms’ Scheme, 2010 (popularly known as ATMA Scheme) provides for identification of

progressive farmers as Farmer Friends at Village level at the rate of one Farmer Friend (FF) per

two villages in all the States including Jharkhand. A sum of Rs.4000 per annum (shared equally

between State and Central Governments) has been provided for under the Scheme to meet

contingent expenditure by every Farmer Friend in assisting fellow farmers. There is no provision of

any remuneration to these Farmer Friends who are expected to be progressive farmers and expected

to lead by example to activate the much-needed village-based, bottom-up planning process and

serve as vital link, between extension system and farmers at village level. A total of 1,13,158

Farmers Friends have been identified till now in all the States including 15,255 Farmer Friends in

Jharkhand.

(c) & (d): The amount of Rs.4000 per Farmer Friend per year is provided to meet contingent

expenditure for assisting fellow farmers by disseminating their upgraded skills. This amount is not

a remuneration to these farmers who are otherwise earning reasonably good livelihood from

agricultural activities.

Experienced, progressive and practicing farmers are selected as Farmer Friends. These Farmer

Friends are also provided special opportunities for up-gradation of their skills through trainings,

study tours and exposure visits to State Agriculture Universities and other Institutes, by utilizing

funding support available under the scheme for these activities.

Production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

3442 SHRI K. C. TYAGI


(a) the details of production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the last three years,

crop-wise;

(b) the total demand of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the said period;

(c) the current trend of production of foodgrains in the country, specially in Uttar Pradesh and

Bihar; and

(d) the steps taken by Government to increase the acreage and production of foodgrains in the said

States?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Crop-wise details of production of foodgrains in the States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during

the last three years, i.e., 2009-10 to 2011-12 are as under:

(Lakh Tonnes)

Crop Uttar Pradesh Bihar

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Rice 108.1 119.9 140.2 36.0 31.0 71.6

Wheat 275.2 300.0 302.9 45.7 41.0 47.3

Coarse Cereals 29.7 32.2 35.7 15.1 14.8 16.5

Pulses 19.0 20.4 24.0 4.7 5.4 5.1

Food-grains 432.0 472.5 502.8 101.5 92.2 140.5

Contd…2/-

-2-

(b): As per Working Group of Planning Commission for the 11th Five Year Plan, the demand of

foodgrains in the country during 2009-10 to 2011-12 had been estimated at 224.04 million tonnes,

229.12 million tonnes and 234.26 million tonnes respectively. State-wise assessment of demand

was not done by the Working Group.

(c): State-wise details of production of foodgrains in the country during 2012-13 (2nd Advance

Estimates) are given in the Annexure.

(d): To increase the production of foodgrains in all States/UTs of the country including Uttar

Pradesh and Bihar through area expansion and enhancement in the productivity, Government is

implementing a number of Crop Development Schemes/Programmes, namely: National Food

Security Mission (NFSM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM)

and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) through State Governments. In addition to above

schemes, during 2010-11, two new programmes viz. Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India

and Integrated Development of 60,000 Pulses and Oilseeds Villages in Rainfed Areas have been

initiated under RKVY. Further, a new programme “Accelerated Pulses Production Programme

(A3P)” in the form of block demonstrations has also been started in 16 pulse growing States of the

country.

Shabby condition of Safal vegetable booths



(a) whether it is a fact that Safal Vegetable booths have been opened in Delhi/New Delhi;

(b) if so, the number of Safal Vegetable Booths, where whitewash/distemper work have not been

done for more than three years and due to this, booths are in a very shabby condition ;

(c) if so, the officials responsible for not taking care of such booths; and

(d) by when work relating to whitewash/distemper will be got done in such booths ?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) There are no booths which have not been painted for more than three years. As per policy the

booths are painted after every three years. This year the process to repaint 92 booths, which were

painted in 2010 and are due for repainting, has been initiated.

(c) Question does not arise in view of (b) above.

(d) The process of repainting of these 92 booths is expected to be completed by December 2013

Low allocation to agricultural sector



(a) whether it is a fact that more than 70 per cent Indian population depend upon agricultural sector

where very small fraction of investment of our GDP is allocated to it which is unjustified; and

(b) if so, the details of measures Government proposes to take to strengthen this sector?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): As per Census 2001, population dependent on agriculture sector (agriculture including allied

activities) is 61.7 percent. Further, as per the latest estimates released by the Central Statistics

Office (CSO), the fraction/share of Agriculture and Allied sectors in the GDP of the country is 13.7

percent in 2012-13 at 2004-05 prices. The small fraction of Agriculture and Allied sectors in the

GDP of the country is on account of structural changes due to a shift from a traditional agrarian

economy to a service dominated one. This phenomenon is generally expected in the normal

development of an economy.

(b): Government has launched several schemes to strengthen this sector such as, Rashtriya Krishi

Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Development and Strengthening

of Infrastructure facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seed, National Horticulture

Mission (NHM), Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds,

Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Gramin Bhandaran Yojana etc. In addition, Government

has substantially improved the availability of farm credit; implemented a massive programme of

debt waiver; introduced better crop insurance schemes; increased Minimum Support Price (MSP),

improved marketing infrastructure, etc.

Allocation for drought relief

3445 SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA


(a) whether it is a fact that some State Governments have represented to the Central Government

for denying them adequate allocations for "drought relief" from the Calamity Relief Fund;

(b) if so, the details of complaints received from each State Government during the last two years;

and

(c) the status of the requests made by States in this regard?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): States are empowered to undertake drought relief measures with funds available in the

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). If the severity of the calamity is such that balances in SDRF

are insufficient to meet the expenditure on relief measures, States can submit memorandum to

Central Government seeking additional assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is then deputed to visit the State and assess the

situation. Government of India approves assistance from NDRF based on the assessment of IMCT

and recommendation made by Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG).

So far none of the States has sent any representation for denying them adequate assistance for

drought relief from NDRF.

Farmers suicide in Maharashtra



(a) whether according to Maharashtra's Law and Order Department, 860 farmers committed

suicides in Maharashtra in the year 2011, the highest figure in last four years, which included 435

suicides in Marathwada, 276 in Vidarbha and 133 in Khamdesh;

(b) whether in 2010, this figure was 244 in Vidarbha, 82 in Marathwada and 6 in Western

Maharashtra;

(c) whether the reason for this desperation was the failure of BT cotton crop due to lack of

irrigation, scanty rainfall, and massive debt; and

(d) if so, Government's reaction to above horrendous scenario?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): As per information provided by the Government of Maharashtra, the number of farmers

in the State who committed suicide due to agrarian distress declined from 1035 in 2006 to 485 in

2011. Similarly, the number of farmers in the six identified suicide prone districts of Vidarbha

region who committed suicide due to agrarian distress declined from 565 in 2006 to 346 in 2011,

and is 228 during the last ten months till 31.01.2013.

Government has taken several steps to further revitalize the agriculture sector and improve

condition of farming community on sustainable basis. Various programme/schemes are being

implemented in a decentralized manner with flexibility to State Governments to formulate and

implement appropriate projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus is primarily on

enhancing farm incomes, creating non-farm income opportunities, improvement in productivity of

rainfed agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under protective irrigation and forging

appropriate backward and forward linkages. Other measures taken by the Government for the

benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities,

increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crop loans

etc.

Use of harmful pesticides

3447 SHRI C.M. RAMESH


(a) whether it is a fact that it is the objective of Government to reduce pesticides as much as

possible;

(b) if so, whether it is also a fact that Government's own agencies such as National Horticulture

Board, Tea Board, Spices Boards are promoting the use of harmful pesticides among farmers as per

the Report of the Centre for Science and Environment; and

(c) if so, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): The objective of Government is to promote integrated pest management, which includes the

judicious and need based use of pesticides, as the cardinal principle covering plant protection.

(b): National Horticulture Board, Spice Board and Tea Board have informed that they do not

promote the use of harmful pesticides. Further, farmers are advised through Farmers Field Schools

to adopt integrated pest management, which includes the judicious and need-based use of pesticides

as per their recommended dosages, etc.

(c): Does not arise.

Decline in cotton products

3448 SHRI PERVEZ HASHMI


(a) whether it is a fact that production of cotton in the country has come down;


(c) the total production of cotton in the country during last three years, year-wise;

(d) whether Government has any plan to encourage production of cotton in the country; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): The details of production of cotton in the country during the last three years and the

current year, i.e., 2009-10 to 2012-13 are given in the table below:-

Year Production

(Million bales of 170 Kg each)

2009-10 24.02

2010-11 33.00

2011-12 35.20

2012-13* 33.80

*2nd Advance Estimates

It may be observed that after achieving ever highest production of 35.20 million bales, cotton

production in the country has marginally declined to 33.80 million bales during 2012-13.

(d) & (e): To improve production, productivity and quality of cotton, assistance is provided to

farmers under Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) for seeds, agriculture implements, water-

saving devices, bio-agents/bio-pesticides, integrated pest management, demonstrations, trainings

etc. Further, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton is being implemented by

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to develop new high yielding varieties/hybrids and

production technologies in cotton. Central Institute for Cotton Research at Nagpur is also

conducting basic and strategic research on cotton.

Implementation of National Policy on Farmers



(a) whether it is a fact that the Apex Court has asked Government to implement the National Policy

on Farmers as farmers, inspite of spiralling agricultural products prices, are found to commit

suicide and are debt-ridden;

(b) if so, the steps Government proposes to take to check the suicides by farmers; and

(c) the details thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): While no direction from the Apex Court is available, National Commission on Farmers

(NCF) under the Chairmanship of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan submitted its final report on 4.10.2006.

The Commission also submitted a ‘Draft National Policy for Farmers’ containing important

recommendations made by it.

Based on ‘Draft National Policy for Farmers’, and after consultation with State Governments,

National Policy for Farmers (NPF), 2007, was finalized and approved by Government and was laid

on Table of Rajya Sabha on 23.11.2007. An inter-ministerial committee finalized Plan of Action

for Operationalisation of NPF, 2007 which was circulated to all State Governments as well as

Central Ministries/Departments concerned for appropriate action.

The number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons during 2012 has not risen in comparison

to previous years. No State Government has so far reported any case of suicide by farmers due to

agrarian reason during 2013.

However, Government continues to take several steps to revitalize agriculture sector and improve

condition of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm

practices, rural infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension

marketing etc. Various other programmes /schemes for the development of agriculture sector are

also being implemented in a decentralized manner with flexibility to State Governments to

formulate and implement appropriate projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus of

Government is primarily on expansion of farm income, creation of non-farm income opportunities,

improvement in productivity of rainfed agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under

protective irrigation and forging appropriate backward and forward linkages. Others measures

taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support

prices of agriculture commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief,

interest subvention on crop loans etc.

Violating of water agreement by Pakistan

3450 SHRI AVINASH RAI KHANNA


(a) whether it is a fact that the land/crops of Distt. Fazilaka, Punjab has been destroyed as Pakistan

has stopped the water going from India, by violating an agreement, for passing of the water

between the two countries;

(b) if so, the steps Government is taking to save the land/crop of farmers or whether any

compensation will be granted, if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether it is a fact that due to non passing of water, the drinking water has started polluting; and

(d) if so, the steps taken/will be taken by Government to solve this problem permanently?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): No, Sir. There is no occurrence of violation of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 between

India and Pakistan that has been reported by the Government of Punjab.

Agricultural and non agricultural land

368 SHRI AVINASH RAI KHANNA


(a) whether Government has conducted a survey to know the status of agricultural and non-

agricultural land in the country;

(b) if so, when the said survey was done and the outcome thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) by when the said survey is likely to be conducted and completed; and

(e) the steps Government is taking to protect the agricultural land so that it may not decrease?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 368 FOR 22/03/2013 REGARDING AGRICULTURAL AND NON-AGRICULTURAL

LAND.

(a) to (d): State wise and district wise Land Use Statistics (LUS) comprising agricultural and non-

agricultural land are furnished annually by State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA) of each

State/UT. These are compiled and posted on the website of Directorate of Economics & Statistics,

Ministry of Agriculture at http://eands.dacnet.nic.in. As per the data supplied by SASA, agricultural

land in the country was 182 million hectares and non-agricultural land comprising forests, area

under non-agricultural uses, barren and unculturable land and permanent pasture and other grazing

land was 123 million hectares in 2009-10.

(e): With a view to prevent the use of agriculture land for non-agricultural purposes and sustaining

food security of the country, the National Policy for Farmers 2007 has recommended that prime

farmland must be conserved for agriculture except under exceptional circumstances, provided that

the agencies that are provided with agricultural land for non-agricultural projects should

compensate for treatment and full development of equivalent degraded/wastelands elsewhere. For

non-agricultural purposes, as far as possible, land with low biological potential for farming would

be earmarked and allocated. State Governments have been advised to earmark lands with low

biological potential such as uncultivable land, land affected by salinity, acidity, etc., for non-

agricultural development activities, including industrial and construction activities.

In addition, the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 formulated by Ministry of

Rural Development, Department of Land Resources came into effect on 31.10.2007. The policy

provides that only the minimum area of land commensurate with the purpose of a project may be

acquired. Also, as far as possible, projects may be set up on wasteland, degraded land or un-

irrigated land. Further, acquisition of agricultural land for non-agricultural use in the project may be

kept to the minimum; multi-cropped land may be avoided to the extent possible for such purposes

and acquisition of irrigated land, if unavoidable, may be kept to the minimum. The Policy has been

sent to the States/UTs for implementation.

Cotton yield from Bt. Cotton seeds

375 SHRI D. RAJA


(a) whether it is a fact that the cotton yield from boll worm-resistant Bt. Cotton seeds has been

falling since 2006 after it was introduced in 2002;

(b) if so, the details of the acreage, production and yield since 2002; and

(c) the reasons for the falling yield and Government’s reaction thereto?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) of RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION

NO. 375 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/03/2013 REGARDING “COTTON YIELD FROM Bt.

COTTON SEEDS”

_______________________________________________________

(a) No, Sir. The yield per unit area has increased from 421 kg per hectare in 2006-07 to 491 kg per

hectare in 2011-12.

(b) The area, production and yield of cotton in the country are given in Annexure-I.

(c) However, the reasons for yield fluctuations noticed during the period (2008-10) are unfavorable

weather conditions, including delayed onset of monsoon and erratic distribution. Integrated water

management strategies, remunerative cotton-based cropping systems besides location-specific

cotton crop management practices are advocated in order to realize profitable cotton yields even

under adverse climatic conditions.

Warehousing facilities in rural areas

376 SHRI SHADI LAL BATRA


(a) whether Government proposes to create warehousing facilities in rural areas;


(c) the total number of rural godowns constructed till 1 March, 2013 and the number of farmers

benefited, State-wise, including Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh; and

(d) how the creation of storage facility would be utilized for agriculture and food processing

industry?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 376 FOR 22/03/2013 REGARDING WAREHOUSING FACILITIES IN RURAL AREAS.

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. Government is implementing ‘Grameen Bhandaran Yojana’ since 01.04.2001

for creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas.

Under the Scheme, subsidy is given @ 33.33% for (i) North Eastern States, Sikkim and Hilly areas

with a maximum ceiling of Rs.3.33 crores, and (ii) for Women Farmers/ SC/ST entrepreneurs and

their Self Help Groups/Co-operatives with a maximum ceiling of Rs.3.00 crores. Subsidy is given

(iii) @ 25% for farmers, agriculture graduates, cooperatives & CWC/SWCs with a maximum

ceiling of Rs. 2.25 crores, and (iv) @ 15% for all other categories of individuals, companies and

corporations with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 1.35 crores.

The normative cost for creation of storage capacity per metric tonne (MT) is Rs.3500/- for godowns

up to 1000 MT, Rs.3000/- for godowns exceeding 1000 MT, Rs.4000/-, irrespective of capacity, for

godowns in North Eastern, Sikkim & Hilly areas and Rs.750/- for renovation of godowns for

cooperatives only. The maximum size of the godown eligible for subsidy is 25000 MT in North

Eastern States, Sikkim and Hilly areas and 30000 MT in other areas. The subsidy, which is back

ended, is calculated based on the project cost as appraised by the financing Bank or actual cost or

normative cost given above, whichever is the lowest.

As on February, 2013, 30,923 godowns with a capacity of 391.16 lakh tonnes had been sanctioned

under the scheme, as per State-wise details in the Annexure.

The creation of storage capacity would meet various requirements for storing farm produce,

processed farm produce, agricultural inputs, etc.

Shortage of manpower in Kisan Call Centres

377 SHRI VASANTHI STANLEY


(a) whether there is an acute shortage of manpower in the extension services for farming

community;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) how many farmers are currently being taken care of by one extension worker under the Kisan

Call Centre Scheme;

(d) whether Government plans to increase the manpower under the said Scheme; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the timeframe to cover all farmers under the Scheme?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 377 FOR 22/03/2013 REGARDING SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN KISAN CALL

CENTRES.

(a) & (b): In order to augment manpower for agricultural extension, Government is implementing a

scheme for Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA) under which

28 States have been provided assistance for creation of 18558 posts, out of which 12256 posts have

been filled as per details at Annexure-I.

(c) to (e): Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) have been established to provide extension support on

telephone to farmers in all States and Union Territories using a nation-wide toll free number. The

average number of calls per day handled by each KCC agent is 57. Call flow in KCCs is regularly

monitored to assess the requirement of increase in number of agents. With the improvement in the

quality of KCC services due to state of the art infrastructure and new technological features such as

Voice Media Gateway, Dedicated Internet Bandwidth, 100% Call Recording, Call Barging Facility,

Provision of Voice Mail during call waiting period and SMS to farmers (conveying gist of

advisories given), number of calls flowing in to the KCCs has increased during the last 10 months.

Therefore, number of seats have been increased from 144 in January, 2012 to 278 in October,

2012.

Centres of Excellence with help of Dutch Embassy



(a) whether it is a fact that the Dutch Embassy in India, through Ministry of Agriculture is

establishing Centres of Excellence covering vegetables, floriculture and fruit ripening in Kerala;


(c) whether formal orders of approval have been given by the Government for the purpose?

ANSWER


(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)



NO. 378 FOR 22/03/2013 REGARDING CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE WITH HELP OF

DUTCH EMBASSY.

(a) to (c): Kerala is one of the States identified for cooperation under the Indo-Dutch Joint

Agriculture Action Plan (2012-15). Two Centres of Excellence (CoEs) feature under this

cooperation agreement, one for demonstration of production technologies in flowers & vegetables

and the other for demonstration of latest technologies for banana ripening. Government of Kerala

has been advised to finalize the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for identified CoEs and seek

approval thereof from within their annual allocation under NHM.

Workshops on dairy development

2791 SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR


WORKSHOPS ON DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

2791. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRA SEKHAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE

be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) holds

orientation workshops in various parts of the country to promote dairy development;


(c) the number of workshops held so far by NDDB in the State of Karnataka?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a)&(b) NDDB has been organizing workshop and meetings with the potential End Implementing

Agencies(EIAs) in states that have fulfilled or commit to fulfill the regulatory measures within a

specified time frame for preparation of Sub Project Proposals under National Dairy Plan (Phase-I).

As on date, 48 EIA level workshops/meetings and 15 state level workshops/meetings have been

organized in 13 major milk producing states.

(c) In Karnataka, as on date, 10 EIA level workshops/meetings and one state level

workshop/meeting have been organized.

Shortage of farm labourers

2792 SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA


(a) the action taken by Government in consultation with State Governments to enhance the use of

agro machineries and modern techniques for farm related works as farmers are facing severe

shortage of farm labourers;

(b) whether Government is going to enhance research work for development of agro-machineries

according to geophysical requirement and increase their use to overcome the shortage of farm

labourers; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Agriculture is implementing two Central Sector Schemes, namely, Promotion

and Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstrations

and Post Harvest Technology and Management for Promotion of Agro Machinery & Modern

Technology by their training and demonstration to the farmers through State Governments to

overcome the shortage of labour.

Research and Development is an ongoing activity in the field of agricultural machinery.

Development of agro-machineries are carried out as per the requirement of various crops and

commodities, agro-climatic regions, socio economic conditions of farmers and availability of farm

power in various agro-physical regions. These are conducted through prototype feasibility testing,

prototype manufacturing, front-line demonstrations, on-farm trails in farmers’ field and prototype

refinement based on feedback obtained from users. The Central Institute of Agricultural

Engineering, Bhopal with its regional station at Coimbatore and the 24 Cooperating Centres of All

India Coordinated Research Project on Farm Implements and Machinery are mandated to address

these issues for the requirements of the country.

Schemes to make agriculture profitable

2793 SHRI ALOK TIWARI


(a) the details of schemes announced/to be announced to make agriculture profitable during 2013-

14;

(b) the details of funds allocated for the same, scheme-wise and year-wise;

(c) the details of the schemes announced and implemented to make agriculture profitable during

2012-13; and

(d) the details of funds allocated, released and spent on these schemes during 2012-13, scheme-

wise and State-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): Details of major schemes/programmes to make agriculture economically viable, funds

allocated, released and spent state-wise during financial year 2012-13 are annexed. As against

budget provision of Rs. 17,867.32 crore (Revised Estimates 2012-13), the amount released as on

11.3.2013 is Rs. 16,666.45 crore.

These schemes would be continued, rationalized into five missions, five central sector schemes and

one state plan scheme in order to improve focus and to avoid overlap. An allocation of Rs. 21,609

crore has been proposed for these schemes for the year 2013-14.

Installation of ineffective anti hail guns in Shimla

2794 DR. PRADEEP KUMAR BALMUCHU


(a) whether it is a fact that ineffective Anti hail guns have been installed in apple belt of Shimla in

Himachal Pradesh without scientific evaluation and against the norms;

(b) if so, the reasons for installing such hail guns which is not a trust worthy technique and action

taken against the concerned officials who have misused public money;

(c) whether Government will remove these guns in near future and provide Anti-Hail Nets to the

apple growers on subsidised rates; and

(d) if so, whether State Government had sent any proposal in this regard?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): Government of Himachal Pradesh had sought assistance for installing Anti-hail guns for

protecting apple crop from hailstorm during 2008-09. Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

approved Rs.3.00 crore for installation of Anti hail guns on pilot basis. Consequently, State

Horticulture Department installed Hail Control System at 3 selected sites viz. Deori Ghat (Tehsil

Rohru), Kathasu (Tehsil Jubbal) and Tumru (Khara Pathar) in Shimla district during 2010-11.

Further, Government of Himachal Pradesh sought assistance of Rs. 284 crore for installing 300 anti

hail guns and 30 radars during 2011-12. After receipt of the proposal, Department of Agriculture &

Cooperation constituted a committee comprising of members from Department of Agriculture &

Cooperation, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Meteorological Department,

Government of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture &

Forestry(UHF) and representative of apple growers association to assess the effectiveness of the

existing anti hail guns in Himachal Pradesh. Based on the observations of the committee,

Government of Himachal Pradesh has been suggested to take action on the following points:-

(i) to designate a Nodal Officer to monitor the existing hail control system;

(ii) to provide uninterrupted power supply to the system besides deploying 24X7 manpower at the

sites;

(iii) to undertake a study by the scientists of UHF, Solan, Himachal Pradesh and Department of

Horticulture jointly, and

(iv) to continue the prevalent method of protecting apple crops from hail by using anti hail nets.

Contd…2/-

-2-

As reported by Government of Himachal Pradesh, the orchardists in these areas have shown mixed

reaction on the effectiveness of the anti hail guns.

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Horticulture Mission for North East and

Himalayan States (HMNEH), under which assistance is provided for anti hail nets@50% of the cost

of Rs.20 per sq. m limited to 5000 sq.m per beneficiary to protect horticulture crops including apple

from hails.

Oil palm farming

2795 DR. CHANDAN MITRA


(a) whether it is a fact that interventions by the Technology Missions on Oil Seeds have failed to

keep pace with demand of oil seeds production over the last 25 years;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the concrete steps taken by Government to push oil palm farming in the country for enhancing

edible oil production?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Due to the interventions under Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMOP), the production

of oilseeds increased from 112.70 lakhs tonnes in 1986-87 to 324.80 lakhs tonnes in 2010-11. The

productivity of oilseeds increased from 605 kg. per ha. to 1193 kg. per ha. during the same period.

Consequently, the domestic production of edible oils also increased from 33.19 lakhs tonnes in

1986-87 to 97.82 lakhs tonnes in 2010-11. However, growth in production has not matched growth

in consumption, which has increased from 5.0 Kgs. of edible oil per capita per year in 1986-87 to

13.6 Kgs. in 2010-11.

(c): In order to promote Oil Palm cultivation in the Country, Government of India is implementing

the Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize (ISOPOM)

since 2004-05. In 2011-12, Government of India launched Oil Palm Area Expansion (OPAE) under

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in 8 potential states. Under these Schemes, support is

provided for new Oil Palm plantations, maintenance of existing plantations and for other

components like, installation of drip irrigation systems, diesel pump sets, bore wells, construction

of vermi-compost units, development of wastelands and transfer of technology through

demonstrations, trainings and publicity etc.

Productivity of various crops in the country

2796 SHRI AAYANUR MANJUNATHA


(a) whether productivity of various crops like paddy, wheat, pulses, etc. in the country is far less in

comparison to the neighbouring countries and the research activity in the field of agriculture has

also slowed down to a great extent;

(b) if so, the details of productivity of different crops, country-wise;

(c) whether Government proposes to strengthen research activity in the country so as to ensure that

farmers are benefited to a large extent; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Details of productivity of major crops in India vis-a-vis other neighbouring countries

during 2011 are given in the Annexure. There is no slowdown of agricultural research activity in

India. During the last five years (2008-2012), 645 high yielding crop varieties/hybrids that have fair

degree of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses have been released. In addition, 4.34 lakh quintal

of breeder seeds of different crops were also produced and supplied to different seed producing

agencies so that quality seeds of improved varieties/hybrids could reach to the farmers for

cultivation.

(c) & (d): There are 99 institutes, 5 deemed universities and 79 All India Coordinated Research

Projects (AICRPs) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) engaged in conducting basic

and applied research to cater to needs of farmers across the country. 631 Krishi Vigyan Kendras

(KVKs) in the country have been established for fine-tuning and transfer of the technologies

developed at these institutes for the farmers. Further, Consortia Research Platform including

climate resilient agriculture have been identified in XII Plan to carry out research on the new

frontier areas in enhancing yield and value addition for the overall benefit of farmers and the

country.

Reduction in area of cultivation of pulses

2797 SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL


(a) whether it is a fact that there is a gap in demand and supply of pulses in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the demand and supply of pulses in the country for past five years, State-

wise;

(c) the reasons for the wide gap in demand and supply of pulses;

(d) whether it is a fact that cultivation area for pulses has shrunk in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the reasons for reduction in area of cultivation of pulses?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): The domestic demand for pulses is higher than the domestic supply and the gap is met

through import of pulses. The domestic production of pulses and the net imports of pulses during

the last five years are as under:

(Million Tonnes)

Year Domestic Net Imports

Production

2007-2008 14.76 2.67

2008-09 14.57 2.34

2009-10 14.66 3.41

2010-11 18.24 2.49

2011-12 17.09 3.13

State wise details of demand and supply are not maintained.

(d) to (f): The total pulses area under cultivation during the last five years are as under:

Year Area

(Million Hectares)

2007-08 23.63

2008-09 22.09

2009-10 23.28

2010-11 26.40

2011-12 24.46

Area under cultivation of a crop including pulses depends upon, inter alia, the weather situation,

farmers' perception about the risk factors and comparative profitability of different crops.

Assistance to drought and flood hit farmers

2798 SHRI KUMAR DEEPAK DAS


(a) whether Government has any plan of action to help the drought hit poor farmers;

(b) if so, the details thereof and total allocated funds utilized in last five years, State-wise;

(c) whether Government has given any compensation to the flood hit poor farmers who have lost

their lives, land and crops; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and total fund utilized so far during last five years, State-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): Government of India provides financial assistance in the form of input subsidy to farmers

who suffer crop loss of 50% or more due to natural calamities (including drought & flood) from

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per extant norms and procedures. Financial assistance

from NDRF is provided towards relief and is not to be construed as compensation for crop loss.

The objective of NDRF is to assist affected farmers to commence farming operation by way of

providing agriculture input subsidy etc. State-wise details of central assistance released from NDRF

in the wake of natural calamities including drought & flood during each of last five years are at

Annexure-A.

In view of rainfall deficit in several parts of the country during Monsoon-2012, Government of

India introduced several schemes to mitigate sufferings of farmers such as (i) Diesel Subsidy

Scheme (for providing protective irrigation in drought declared areas), (ii) enhancement of subsidy

on seeds (to partially recompense farmers for re¬sowing/purchasing drought tolerant varieties of

seeds), (iii) up-scaling the Central Sector Scheme on Feed and Fodder, (iv) waiver of import duty

on oil cakes, (v) additional allocation under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP),

(vi) providing assistance for feed and fodder supplements under National Mission for Protein

Supplements (NMPS), (vii) introducing drought impact mitigating interventions in perennial

horticulture crops and (viii) reducing interest on rescheduled crop loans.

Besides, additional wage employment upto 50 days per household beyond 100 days under

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), interim assistance

under calamity component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), fast tracking

release of installments under NRDWP and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

were extended to drought affected areas.

Horticulture Technology Mission in Floriculture

2799 SHRI BAISHNAB PARIDA


(a) the status of Horticulture Technology Mission in Floriculture;

(b) whether this technology has helped in a great measure to the farmers of North East region;


(d) the status of the above Mission in Odisha region;

(e) how far has it helped in production of cash crops and fruits in NE and other States of the

country; and

(f) the status of export of flowers from NE region to other countries?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (f): The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation implements two schemes viz. (i)

Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and (ii) National Horticulture

Mission (NHM) under which assistance is provided for development of horticulture including

floriculture. As per the latest estimates, the total area covered under floriculture in the country

including North Eastern Region and Odisha is 2.72 lakh ha with production of 16.77 lakh tones of

loose flowers and 7541 million cut flowers.

These Missions have helped the farmers in adoption of improved production systems to ensure

better returns per unit area. This has also helped in improving the production of cash crops like

tomato, capsicum, potato, roses, orchids, anthurium, gerbera, carnations, tulip, lilium and fruits like

apple, banana, mandarin, kiwi, grape, strawberry, etc. The production of horticulture crops in the

country has increased from 146 million tonnes in 2001-02 to 257.27 million tonnes in 2011-12. The

estimated production of horticulture crops during 2012-13 is 265.88 million tones.

Under NHM, an additional area of 6804 ha has been brought under floriculture in Odisha during

last three years. Detail of fund released for area expansion of flowers in Odisha is as under:

Year Rs. In lakh

2009-10 739.33

2010-11 182.32

2011-12 460.70

2012-13 182.49

During 2012-13, 21325 metric tonnes of flowers have been exported from the country including

North East Region.

Training programmes on seed production and seed technologies

2800 DR.(SMT.) NAJMA A. HEPTULLA


(a) whether training programmes on seed production and seed technologies for farmers are

organized by Government throughout the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the number of farmers including women farmers benefited under the scheme during the last

three years and the current year, State-wise including Madhya Pradesh; and

(d) the details of the financial assistance provided and utilized by the States for conduction of such

training programmers during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): Government organises training programmes for farmers on Seed Production and Seed

Technologies under the Seed Village Programme. Trainings are imparted in different stages of crop

growth. The state wise details of training including Madhya Pradesh, the funds released and

number of farmers including women farmers benefited under Seed Village Programme during the

last three years and current year are enclosed at Annexure-I.

Production of edible oilseeds in Rajasthan



(a) the production of edible oilseeds in Rajasthan during last three years, yearwise;

(b) whether it is a fact that Rajasthan has the potential of growing edible oilseeds;


(d) the incentives being given or proposed to be given by Government to farmers to tap the

potential and promote cultivation of these oilseeds in the State?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Details of production of edible oilseeds in Rajasthan during last three years i.e., 2009-10 to

2011-12 are as under:

(Lakh Tonnes)

Year Production of edible oilseeds

2009-10 43.21

2010-11 63.94

2011-12 53.35

(b) & (c): Rajasthan has the potential of growing edible oilseeds. The agro-climatic conditions of

Rajasthan favour cultivation of edible oilseeds particularly, rapeseed & mustard, groundnut and

sesamum. Rajasthan has been contributing to almost half of the national acreage of rapeseed &

mustard. The sesamum also has substantial area and production in the State. To tap the potential of

these edible oilseed crops in Rajasthan, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has

established Directorate of Rapeseed & Mustard Research in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan which

is known as the mustard bowl of the country. The All India Coordinated Research Projects

(AICRPs) on rapeseed & mustard, groundnut, soyabean and sesamum of ICAR have eight

cooperating centres in different agro-ecologies of the State under the jurisdiction of the two State

Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to cater to research needs of edible oilseeds in the State.

(d): To increase production and productivity of oilseed crops in the country, a centrally sponsored

Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) is being implemented in 14

major oilseed growing States of the country including Rajasthan.

Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for purchase of breeder seed, production of

foundation seed, production and distribution of certified seed, distribution of seed minikits,

distribution of plant protection chemicals/equipments, weedicides, supply of micro nutrients &

improved agricultural implements, supply of rhizobium culture/phosphate solubilising bacteria,

distribution of gypsum/pyrite/liming/dolomite, distribution of sprinkler sets and water carrying

pipes, training, publicity, etc. to encourage farmers to grow these crops. Further to incen1tivise

farmers, the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of oilseed crops have also been increased

significantly.

Status of proposals of Chhattisgarh Government

2802 DR. BHUSHAN LAL JANGDE


(a) whether a proposal has been sent by Government of Chhattisgarh regarding second installment

of funds under Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize Scheme and National

Mission on Micro Irrigation covered under RKVY;

(b) if so, by when the said funds are to be released;

(c) whether inspite of a letter written by Government of Chhattisgarh, Central Government has not

released second installment of funds to strengthen 41 veterinary hospitals and 98 veterinary

dispensaries for ensuring health of live stocks and prevent them from diseases; and

(d) if so, by when the said funds are to be released?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): The funds allocated to States under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) including its

sub-schemes are released on the basis of projects approved by State Level Sanctioned Committee

(SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary and pace of utilization reported by the State Government.

The allocation for Chhattisgarh under RKVY (including sub-schemes) for 2012-13 is Rs.581.12

crore and an amount of Rs.571.22 crore has already been released to the State after adjusting the

unspent balance of Rs.9.90 crore out of funds released in 2011-12.

Creation of Drought Relief Fund

2803 SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL


(a) whether any assistance has been provided for development of agriculture and improvement of

land in drought prone areas in various States;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last five years, State-wise;

(c) the resultant achievements thereof during the above period;

(d) whether Government has any proposal to create an exclusive Drought Relief Fund; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the fund is likely to be created?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (e): Government of India is implementing Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) with an

objective to minimise the adverse effects of drought on production of crops and livestock and

productivity of land, water and human resources finally leading to drought proofing of the affected

areas. From 26.02.2009, DPAP has been subsumed under Integrated Watershed Management

Programme (IWMP). State wise details of financial and physical achievements under DPAP in last

five years is annexed.

State Governments are empowered to initiate appropriate relief measures in the wake of

loss/damage to crops due to natural calamities including drought from funds readily available under

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which consists of contributions from the Centre and State in

the ratio of 75:25 in case of General category States & 90:10 ratio in case of Special Category

States. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from National Disaster

Response Fund (NDRF), upon receipt of detailed memorandum from the State Government

following which Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed for assessing the situation and

recommending central assistance as per established procedure and extant norms. Ministry of

Agriculture is, at present, not contemplating any proposal for creating an exclusive Drought Relief

Fund.

Functioning of ICAR

2804 SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY


(a) the details of various research activities and the number of research projects carried at

institutions of ICAR;

(b) the details of number of students/fellows/scholars and degrees offered;

(c) whether posts are lying vacant at ICAR;

(d) if so, the details thereof including the time since when they are lying vacant and the reasons

therefor; and

(e) the measures taken by Government to fill them up?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) The number of research projects in Crop Science Division, Animal Science Division, Fisheries

Division, Agricultural Extension Division, Agricultural Engineering Division, National

Agricultural Innovation Project, Natural Resource Management Division, Education Division,

Horticulture Division are 1198, 738, 283, 30, 289, 191, 28, 15 and 729 respectively. The total

research projects in ICAR are thus 3501.

(b) The total number of students/fellows/scholars at Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New

Delhi; Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar; Central Institute of Fisheries Education,

Mumbai; National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal are 719, 671, 129 and 816 respectively. Thus

the total number of students are 2335.

The degrees offered in different disciplines in agricultural sciences at IARI, New Delhi; IVRI,

Izatnagar; CIFE, Mumbai; NDRI, Karnal are 24, 42, 22 and 26 respectively. Thus the total number

of degrees offered are 114.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) Presently 23% of the positions in the scientific category (1475 posts) are vacant comprising of

367 Scientists, 725 Senior Scientists and 383 Principal Scientists and Research Managers.

Recruitment of Scientists is a continuous process and vacancies are filled up through an established

procedure subject to availability of appropriately qualified candidates in the required areas of

specialization.

(e) Steps have been initiated to get these vacancies filled up on priority through the Agricultural

Scientists’ Recruitment Board (ASRB).

Production of off season crops



(a) whether Government is promoting the use of Shade Nets, Plastic/poly houses and Green houses

to produce off season/ high value crops for local consumption and export;


(c) whether Government has done the cost-benefit analysis of the above kind of Agri-Technology

and the change of productivity; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Government is promoting the use of plasticulture applications such as green houses, poly

houses and shade net houses under the centrally sponsored schemes of National Horticulture

Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and through

the schemes of National Horticulture Board (NHB) for cultivation of vegetables and flowers, and

for nursery raising, including hardening of tissue culture plants.

(c) & (d): Studies conducted on the cost-benefit analysis of protected cultivation indicate that

cultivation in green houses is profitable. Depending on the type of structure and crops, yield

increase of 92 to 338% has been reported in comparison to open field cultivation.

Assistance to farmers for obtaining agricultural implements

2806 SHRIMATI NAZNIN FARUQUE


(a) the number of farmers below poverty line in the country, particularly in Assam;

(b) whether Government proposes to provide special assistance to farmers for obtaining agricultural

implements and machineries; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): According to Planning Commission the number of persons below poverty line during 2009-10

in the country and in Assam were as under:

(No. in Lakhs)

Rural Urban Total

All India 2782.1 764.7 3546.8

Assam 105.3 11.2 116.4

Occupation wise information on poverty is not maintained.

(b) & (c): The Government is providing financial assistance to the farmers including farmer below

the poverty line from the 25% to 50% on the procurement of agricultural implements in the country

including Assam under Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme (MMA).

Houses for fishermen under Fishermen Welfare Fund

2807 SHRIMATI NAZNIN FARUQUE


HOUSES FOR FISHERMEN UNDER FISHERMEN WELFARE FUND

2807. SHRIMATI NAZNIN FARUQUE:



(a) the details of the number of houses provided to fishermen, under Fishermen Welfare Fund being

sponsored by the Central Government, State-wise;

(b) whether Government of Assam has submitted a proposal to Central Government for

construction of houses for fishermen of the State under Fishermen Welfare Fund;


(d) by when the sanction would be accorded and fund would be released according to the proposal?

ANSWER

ANSWER



(a): The details of the number of houses approved for fishermen, state-wise under the Centrally

Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen are given at the Annexure.

(b)to(d): A proposal from Government of Assam for release of Rs 27 lakh towards Central Share

was received under this scheme. The proposal could not be considered as the State Government has

not provided the progress report for the amount released earlier to the State.

Wastage of agro products

2808 SHRI PARVEZ HASHMI:


(a) whether it is a fact that agro products got wasted on a large scale due to lack of cold storage and

transit facilities;

(b) if so, the details thereof for last three years;

(c) whether there is any deficiency in the present system of storing agro products cereals;


(e) the steps taken by Government for making effective arrangement to store/ preserve food

products from insects, rats and weather?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): As per the report of Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology

(ICAR), published in September, 2012, based on nationwide sample survey, conducted during 2005

to 2007, the losses for selected cereals are in the range of 2.8% to 4.7%, while in the case of pulses,

it is 3.4% to 5.0%. The annual wastage of fruits and vegetables is estimated in the range of 5.8% to

18%.

(c) & (d): Long and fragmented supply chains, inadequate post-harvest infrastructure such as cold

storages and cold chain logistics, lack of proper transport facilities and poor road connectivity,

translate into wastages of agricultural produce in the country. Fruits and vegetable, being perishable

in nature, are prone to higher percentage of losses than foodgrains.

(e): The Government has taken a number of steps to address the problem of storage and

preservation of food products. These include encouraging reforms in agricultural marketing sector

to facilitate private sector investments, implementation of Central Sector Schemes, namely,

Development/ Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardization

(AMIGS), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and

Himalayan States (HMNEH). Further, another scheme ‘Grameen Bhandaran Yojana’ is also being

implemented under which rural godowns are bein

Proposal for managing DMS

2809 SHRIMATI SMIRTI ZUBIN IRANI


PROPOSAL FOR MANAGING DMS

2809. SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI:

SHRI NATUJI HALAJI THAKOR:



(a) the milk production and packing capacity of Delhi Milk Scheme(DMS) per day;

(b) whether it is a fact that Government has been looking for a partner to manage DMS as it is not

doing well;

(c) whether the proposal of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) to take up

the operation of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) has been examined by Government.;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the Government’s reaction thereto; and

(e) if not, by when the proposal is likely to be examined and finalized?

ANSWER

ANSWER


( DR.CHARAN DAS MAHANT )

(a) The milk processing and packing capacity of DMS is five lakh litre per day.

(b) No Sir.

(c) to (e) The Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) has written

to the Government proposing to take up the operation of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS). However,

GCMMF has been requested to submit a comprehensive and detailed proposal covering various

aspects of the matter including the proposed valuation and monetization of assets of DMS, pending

legal disputes and liabilities of DMS, infusion of equity and terms of engagement of employees of

DMS etc. Such proposal has not been received from GCMMF.

Precarious condition of farmers

2810 SHRI ANIL KUMAR SAHANI


(a) the steps taken by Government to improve the financial condition of farmers;

(b) whether it is a fact that heavy flood is a main reason behind precarious financial condition of

farmers;

(c) if so, whether Government has any scheme to deal with such natural calamities; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Disproportionate pressure of population on agriculture resulting inter-alia in low per

capita income in farm sector, disparity between per capita income in farm sector and non-farm

sector and other constraints such as preponderance of small & marginal holdings, imperfect market

conditions and lack of backward and forward linkages adversely affect income levels of farmers.

Natural calamities including heavy floods also adds to the miseries of the farmers.

In addition to various developmental interventions such as National Food Security Mission,

National Horticulture Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Technology Mission on Horticulture

for North Eastern States, Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India, etc., Government has taken

several steps for improving financial condition of farmers including enhancement in Minimum

Support Prices of agricultural commodities, interest rate subvention for timely repayment of crop

loans, debt waiver/debt relief, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector etc.

(c) & (d): In the event of notified calamity, financial assistance is extended from the State Disaster

Response Fund (SDRF)and National Disaster Response Fund(NDRF) in accordance with the

Government of India approved norms of scheme. As per existing scheme of financing relief

expenditure, the State Governments are primarily responsible for undertaking relief and

rehabilitation measures in the areas affected by natural calamities. The distribution of relief on

ground is the responsibility of the concerned state. The Government of India supplements the

efforts of the State Government by providing financial and logistic support, wherever necessary.

Strategy for farm mechanization

2811 SHRI NAND KUMAR SAI


(a) whether there is any proposal to formulate a new strategy for farm mechanization through

various schemes and programmes of Agriculture during the Twelfth Five Year Plan;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aim and objectives thereof;

(c) whether small and marginal farmers in various parts of the country will be able to obtain their

own appropriate farm equipments after the introduction of such strategy;


(e) the time by which such new strategy for farm mechanization will be finalized?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The aims & objectives of the proposed Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

under National Mission on agricultural Extension & Technology are as under:

? Increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers;

? Establishment of ‘Custom Hiring Centre’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to

small landholding and high cost of individual ownership.

? Passing on the benefit of hi-tech, high value and hi-productive agricultural machinery to farmers

through creating hubs for such farm equipment;

? Promotion farm mechanization through demonstration and capacity building activities ; and

? Ensuring quality control of newly developed agricultural machinery.

(c) to (e): It is expected that the small and marginal farmers would avail the benefits under the

scheme to acquire farm implements of their use.

Action plan to improve soil health and productivity

2812 DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY


(a) whether Government has assessed the health of soil including the quality after continued use of

chemical fertilizers, pesticides etc. and its likely impact on the overall food production;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the plan of action initiated to improve soil health and

productivity;

(c) whether Government proposes to promote sustainable growth in agriculture in the country;

(d) if so, the steps taken by Government in this direction;

(e) the number of soil testing laboratories in each State/UT at present; and

(f) the steps taken by Government to set up more such laboratories?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research under All India Coordinated

Research Project on ‘Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments’ has assessed the soil health and quality in

different soil types (fixed locations) under dominant cropping systems. The investigation over the

last few decades indicated that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone produced the highest

decline in crop yields at almost all the locations showing deficiencies of other nutrients. Even in

NPK fertilized system, the deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients surfaced after few years

affecting crop productivity. Only integrated use of optimal dose of NPK and organic manure

maintained soil health/quality with higher crop productivity.

Similarly, increased use of pesticides may cause decline in beneficial agriculturally useful soil

organisms (earthworms, microbflora).

The Council is advocating soil test based integrated nutrient management and integrated pest

management to sustain good soil health and higher crop productivity in the country.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The Government of India is implementing various schemes/programmes,

namely, Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY),

National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI),

National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses & Maize

(TMOPM), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), National Project on

Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and National Mission on Micro Irrigation

(NMMI) to promote sustainable growth in agriculture in the country.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is providing requisite technology support,

training and extending improved agro-advisories on real time weather data for appropriate

agronomic interventions. The Council has completed contingency plans for 400 districts out of the

572 target districts of the country. A Network Project entitled ‘National Initiative on Climate

Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) has also been initiated to cope up with climatic vulnerability.

(e) Given in Annexure-I.

(f) The Government under National Project for Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSHF)

has made provision for setting up soil testing laboratories (STLs) in the country. The ICAR has also

proposed setting up of soil testing facilities in 156 more Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) during XII

Plan.

Implementation of NHM in Jammu and Kashmir

2813 SHRI G.N. RATANPURI


(a) the details of projects undertaken, progress on these projects and amount spent so far under

National Horticulture Mission (NHM), State-wise;

(b) the details of fiscal and physical achievements of National Horticulture Mission in Jammu and

Kashmir, projectwise;

(c) the reasons for deficit, if any, in achievements in Jammu and Kashmir; and

(d) whether Government proposes to extend the duration and enhance the grounds of the mission

activities in Jammu and Kashmir?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d): The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation implements Horticulture Mission for

North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in

remaining States/UTs of the country. Under these missions, assistance is provided for establishment

of nurseries & tissue culture units, area expansion of horticulture crops, rejuvenation of old and

senile orchards, creation of water resources, protected cultivation, bee keeping for pollination

support, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, organic farming,

establishment of cold storages, creation of marketing infrastructure, setting up of processing units,

human resource development, etc. Detail of funds released so far under these missions are given at

Annexure-I.

State of Jammu and Kashmir covers under HMNEH, which comprises of four mini missions i.e.

Mini Mission-I (Research), Mini Mission-II – (Production and Productivity), Mini Mission-III

(Post harvest Management & Marketing) and Mini Mission-IV(Processing). The scheme is being

implemented during the 12th plan. The details of financial and physical achievements on major

components are given at Annexure-II.

National Saffron Mission in Jammu and Kashmir

2814 SHRI G.N. RATANPURI


(a) the details of National Saffron Mission and projects undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir;

(b) the details of targets and achievements made under the mission;

(c) the percentage of allocation expended so far, year-wise and activity-wise;

(d) the expected date of completion of projects undertaken under the mission; and

(e) how is the mission expected to benefit the saffron growers and enhance the quality and

production of saffron?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Government of India sanctioned National Mission on Saffron in 2010 to be implemented

over a period of 4 years. The Mission is designed to cover all aspects from production to marketing

and quality check with an outlay of Rs.372.18 crore, out of which Government of India share is

Rs.288.06 crore under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and balance amount to be met by

the beneficiaries/farmers. The Mission has components of rejuvenation, replanting, planting

material, irrigation systems, enhancing product quality, mechanization, weather station,

infrastructure development, transfer of technologies, quality testing & marketing and enhancing

research and extension capabilities. The targets and achievements under major components of the

mission are Annexed.

(c): (Rs. in crore)

S. No. Year Allocation Release Expenditure % Expenditure against allocation

1 2010-11 39.44 19.72 0.84 2.12

2 2011-12 104.30 10.00 25.06 24.02

3 2012-13 80.36 50.00 25.34

(upto Feb 2013 31.53

(d): The activities taken up under the Mission are expected to be completed by 2014.

(e): The Mission is expected to benefit the farmers by increasing the production and productivity of

Saffron through adoption of improved production technologies, improving soil health and by

strengthening of irrigation system. The Mission is also expected to improve the quality of Saffron

and promotion of marketing through establishment of quality control laboratory and e-trading

centre at Dassu, Pampore.

Impact of climate change

2815 SHRI N.K. SINGH


(a) whether any studies have been performed to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture;


(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether Government has undertaken or proposes to implement any adaptation measures in

response to the impact of climate change on agriculture;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. ICAR has assessed the impact of climate change on agriculture using the crop

simulation models under the Network Program on Climate Change. Reduction in crop yields has

been projected for irrigated maize, wheat, irrigated and rainfed rice to the extent of 18, 6, 4 and 6

percent respectively in 2020.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) & (e): Yes, Sir. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under ‘National Initiative

on Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) has undertaken adaptation measures through

demonstration of improved practices on farmers’ fields in 130 districts to cope up with various

climatic aberrations. Contingent plans for 400 districts have been completed out of targeted 572

districts in the country. Automatic weather stations have been established in 100 Krishi Vigyan

Kendras (KVKs) located in vulnerable districts to improve the agro-advisory services to the

farmers. Besides, 100 Village Climate Risk Management Committees (VCRMCs) and Custom

Hiring Centers (CHCs) are being established. A total of 34 training programmes were conducted to

train 1443 scientific personnel on climate resilient agriculture and more than 27,000 farmers were

trained through 370 farmers’ awareness programmes.

Department of Agriculture Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has

implemented various schemes/programmes, namely, Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA),

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National

Horticulture Mission (NHM), and National Mission on Microirrigation (NMMI) etc. to make

Indian Agriculture climate resilient by embedding and mainstreaming various adaptation measures.

Besides, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is under consideration in XII Plan

for implementation of various interventions to address the issue of climate change.

Twelfth Plan for agriculture sector

2816 SHRI HUSSAIN DALWAI


(a) whether the Twelfth Five Year Plan for agriculture sector has been finalized;

(b) if so, the salient features thereof;

(c) how the plan envisages increase in productivity of foodgrains as well as cash crops; and

(d) the details of the measures stipulated for the welfare of farmers in the plan?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Yes, Sir. Twelfth Five Year Plan was approved by the National Development Council at its

meeting held on 27th December, 2012.

(b) to (d): Twelfth Plan aims to continue with the decentralization thrust of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas

Yojana while rationalizing the Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes in order to provide

more focused attention on food and cash crops and transfer of technology to the farmers, thereby

increasing productivity, incomes and welfare of farmers. The main objectives of the plan, inter alia,

are: bringing in scale for economic viability through development of Farmer Producer

Organizations; emphasizing technology, both on the research and development sides; stressing

standards and protocols in schemes; improving statistics and evaluation; initiating a shift towards

sustainable and climate resilient agriculture.

Investment in agriculture sector

2817 SHRI P. RAJEEVE


(a) whether public investment in agricultural sector has increased during the last two decades of

liberalization;


(c) whether it is sufficient to address the problems faced by this sector?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): As per the latest estimates supplied by Central Statistics Office (CSO), Public

investment/Gross Capital Formation (GCF) in agricultural sector has increased from Rs.9239 crore

in 1991-92 to Rs.22095 crore in 2011-12 at 2004-05 prices.

Present rate of public investment (GCF) in 2011-12 in the agriculture and allied sectors is at 3 per

cent of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As per the draft Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-

17) document, the plan aims to realize public investment in agriculture to 4 per cent of agricultural

GDP.

Development of hybrid crops for drought prone areas



(a) whether it is a fact that Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed hybrid

crops for the drought prone areas of the country;


(c) the action Government has taken to percolate this achievement of ICAR amongst the farmers of

the drought prone areas; and

(d) the action Government proposes to take to distribute the hybrid seeds of ICAR to the farmers of

Maharashtra facing worst drought conditions?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) For drought prone areas, hybrids have been developed mainly in crops grown in rainfed areas

like pearl millet, maize, sunflower, sorghum, cotton and castor. The list of such important hybrids

is given in Annexure-1.

(c) The popularization of such hybrids is undertaken through Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) by

ICAR and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). In food crops, the seed is also provided to

farmers under the programmes like National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green

Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI) and Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive

Millets Promotion (INSIMP).

(d) The public institutes are now having MOUs with private companies to produce and sell seeds of

ICAR and SAUs hybrids. Additionally, per indent from Department of Agriculture and

Cooperation (DAC), ICAR produces the breeder seed of parental lines of hybrids and in turn, State

Seed Corporations, like MAHABEEJ in Maharashtra, produce the foundation and certified seed of

these hybrids. Seed of hybrids is also sold by ICAR institutes and SAUs at the time of Farmers’

fair.

Functioning of KVKs in Maharashtra



(a) the number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) presently functioning in Maharashtra and how

many of them are in the worst drought affected regions like Marathwada, Khandesh etc. in the

State;

(b) the details thereof; and

(c) the action KVKs have taken to educate farmers to face the drought conditions in drought

affected areas of Maharashtra?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): There are presently 44 KVKs functioning in Maharashtra of which 4 districts in

Marathwada and 5 districts in Western Maharashtra region are affected by drought. The KVKs

functioning in these areas are shown in Annexure-A. The details of KVKs functioning in

Maharashtra are given in Annexure-B.

(c) The KVKs have taken action to educate farmers to face drought conditions by conducting

demonstrations of drought tolerant varieties, in-situ moisture conservation, rain water harvesting,

training for crop management under drought micro-irrigation management, fodder preservation etc.

and extension related activities. In addition, under National Initiative on Climate Resilient

Agriculture (NICRA) programme, KVKs of Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Pune have undertaken

various technological interventions in selected villages to help the farmers to overcome drought

conditions.

Steep fall in prices of coconut

2820 SHRI C.P. NARAYANAN


(a) whether it has came to the notice of Government that there is a steep fall in the prices of coconut

in Kerala putting thereby millions of coconut growers into horrendous misery and destitution;

(b) whether Government knows that discontinuance of NAFED from purchasing copra has

accentuated the situation; and

(c) whether Government would direct NAFED to continue purchase of copra and extend at least the

same subsidy it is now giving to palm oil to coconut oil as well, to mitigate the plight of coconut

farmers?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): NAFED, the Central Agency for procurement of copra has reported that the prices of

copra ruled below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during January/February, 2013 and therefore

it has purchased 261 MTs of Milling Copra and 46 MTs of Ball Copra under PSS during 2013

season, till 18.02.2013. However, thereafter, NAFED has suspended procurement operation of

Copra under PSS due to restriction on reimbursement of loss @ 15% of procurement cost.

(c): There is no such proposal.

Growth rate of agriculture production



(a) whether it is a fact that Government had fixed target of annual growth rate of agricultural

production at 4 per cent for Eleventh Five Year Plan in the country;

(b) if so, whether it is also a fact that the target of 4 per cent was also fixed during Tenth Five Year

Plan;

(c) if so, the facts thereof;

(d) whether Government could not achieve the target of 4 per cent agriculture production growth

rate fixed during Eleventh Five Year Plan; and

(e) if so, the facts thereof?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (e): As against the targeted growth rate of 4 per cent during the Tenth and Eleventh Five Year

Plans for the Agriculture and Allied Sectors, achievement was 2.4 per cent during the Tenth Plan

and 3.6 per cent during the Eleventh Plan.

Suicide by farmers

2822 SHRI RASHEED MASOOD


(a) the number of farmers who have committed suicide in the country during last three years and

the current year, till now;

(b) the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the reasons for these suicides; and

(d) the measures taken to prevent these suicides?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): State-wise details of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons, during last three years

and the current year, till now, as reported by respective State Government are at Annexure. Reasons

of suicide by farmers, as reported by State Governments, are manifold which, inter-alia, include

indebtedness, crop failure, drought, socio-economic and personal reasons.

(d): Government has taken various measures to ameliorate agrarian distress, prevent suicides by

farmers, revitalize agriculture sector and improve economic condition of farming community on

sustainable basis, which include implementation of rehabilitation package in identified districts,

increase in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities and credit flow to agriculture, debt

waiver/relief, crop insurance, interest subvention on crop loans, issue of Kisan Credit Cards,

assisting formation of Joint Liability Groups, provision of agricultural inputs and support services,

infrastructure for storage, transportation and marketing of agriculture produce, increase in public

investment in agriculture & allied sectors through implementation of various other

programmes/schemes etc.

Research and invention in agriculture sector



(a) whether it is a fact that the role of research in agricultural sector is important for making

agriculture remunerative;

(b) if so, the Government’s reaction thereto;

(c) whether it is also a fact that new seeds have been developed by scientists and researchers to

increase the production of pulses, oilseeds, wheat, paddy and sugarcane during the last five years;

and

(d) if so, the details of these seeds, their rate of yield and the quantity of commercial production of

the above seeds in 2012-13?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The agricultural research conducted in the country has made impressive contribution towards

making agriculture remunerative to farmers.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) Details are given in Annexure.

Introduction of GM crops for commercial farming

2824 SHRI RAGHUNANDAN SHARMA


(a) the number of GM crops introduced for commercial farming and the research has been/is being

done by ICAR regarding such crops;

(b) whether any objections were raised by certain parties regarding farming of Bt. Cotton;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of Government thereto;

(d) whether the objectives of increasing the production of these crops and lessening the use of

pesticides and insecticide have been achieved;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the benefit farmers have got from this; and

(f) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by Government to tackle their likely ill effects on the

health of human beings?

ANSWER



(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop approved for commercialization in India. Indian Council of

Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking agricultural research projects related to biotechnology

and GM Crops like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and vegetables through its Research Institutes.

(b) Yes, Sir.

(c) From the inception of the Bt cotton, there has been a sustained objection from some of the Non-

Governmental Organizations besides Civil Society, Technical Expert Committee (TEC) constituted

by Hon’ble Supreme Court, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, etc. on the grounds

that (i) Biosafety assessment of Bt cotton before its introduction and post release monitoring of Bt

cotton is not adequate; (ii) Bt cotton is not suitable for cultivation in rainfed areas which has

adversely affected the economy of small farmers, and (iii) Cattle death and farmers’ suicides have

been attributed to introduction of Bt cotton in some regions such as Warangal and Vidarbha.

The objections have been very speculative, without any reasonable assessment of the technological

strengths of Bt-cotton. In spite of the controversy regarding Bt cotton, the ground reality is that

during the last decade, area under cotton cultivation (approx. 12 million hectares of which 90% is

under Bt cotton) and productivity of cotton has gone up significantly. During the post Bt cotton era,

Indian economy has benefited as India is the second largest exporter of cotton. Pursuant to the

release of Bt cotton in 2002, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of Ministry of

Environment and Forests had sought the views of the State Governments in 2005 on whether

approval for Bt cotton cultivation should be renewed or not. So far, the Ministry of Environment

and Forests has not received any request from any of the State Government to withdraw the

approval for Bt cotton cultivation in the cotton growing States. There is no scientific evidence to

show that Bt cotton has adversely impacted the biodiversity or human/cattle health.

(d) Yes, Sir.

(e) The main purpose of Bt cotton was to control the dreaded insect pests, viz., bollworms. Bt

cotton effectively controls bollworms, especially Helicoverpa armigera, thus preventing yield

losses from an estimated damage of 30 to 60% each year in India. The biggest gain from the

technology was in the form of reduced insecticide usage for bollworm control. Prior to the

introduction of Bt cotton, about 9,400 metric tonnes of insecticides were used for bollworm control

in cotton during 2001-02, while only 222 metric tonnes were used for bollworm control in 2011-12.

Yields are estimated to have increased at least by 30% due to effective protection from bollworm

damage.

(f) The Government of India is following a policy of case by case approval of genetically modified

(GM) crops. Extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process takes place before any GM crop

is approved for commercial cultivation. This includes generation of relevant biosafety information,

its elaborate analysis to ensure food, feed and environmental safety. The environmental safety

assessment includes studies on pollen escape, out-crossing, aggressiveness and weediness, effect of

the gene on non-target organisms, presence of protein in soil and its effect on soil micro-flora,

confirmation of the absence of terminator gene and baseline susceptibility studies. A final view on

the commercialization of GM crop plants is taken only when there is a clear economic and

technical justification besides suitability for environment and human consumption.

Use of banned pesticides



(a) whether Government is aware that farmers are using banned pesticides to grow fruits and

vegetables;

(b) whether Government is aware that pesticides used in eatables in the country is as higher as 750

times as per European standards;

(c) whether it is a fact that banned pesticides cause serious neurological problems, kidney damages

and skin diseases;

(d) whether there is any mechanism and device to stop forthwith use of pesticides in growing fruits

and vegetables in the interest of people’s health;

(e) if not, whether Government proposes to introduce the required mechanisms and devices; and


ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): In the past, certain reports in the media have referred to vegetables available in the market

containing banned pesticides. However, analysis of samples of agricultural commodities, including

vegetables, collected for detection of pesticide residues under the Central Sector Scheme of

“Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” does not indicate use of any pesticide banned

under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

(b): Government is not aware that pesticides used in eatables in the country is as higher as 750

times as per European standards.

(c): Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers safe

and effective pesticides only after evaluating comprehensive and exhaustive data on Chemistry,

Bio-efficacy, Safety (Toxicity) & Packaging. Based on data, maximum residue limits are fixed by

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

‘Pesticides are banned in the country when efficacy against pest and diseases, and safety to humans

and animals can no longer be assured.’ Contd..2/-

-2-

(d) to (f): The Government is popularizing the strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

through a Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management

Approach in India” which includes cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest

control and emphasizes safe and judicious use of pesticides.

Under the ambit of IPM programme, the Government has established 31 Central IPM Centers in 28

State and one UT. The mandate of these Centers is pest/disease monitoring, production and release

of bio-control agents/bio-pesticides, conservation of bio-control agents and Human Resource

Development in IPM by imparting training to Agriculture/Horticulture Extension Officers and

farmers at grass root level by organizing Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) in farmers’ fields. The basic

aim of FFS is to train the farmers on the latest IPM technology so that they are able to take decision

in pest management operation. Besides, large number of locally available bio-control agents are

augmented from field to field based on the requirement. Major emphasis is given on judicious use

of chemical pesticide as a last resort and safety in use of pesticides, alternate tools for pest

management viz; cultural, physical, mechanical methods of pest control as well as use of

biopesticides and biocontrol agents, effects of pesticides on natural enemies of pests, do’s and

don’ts of pesticide use including proper application equipment and the technique. FFSs are run by

trained personnel to train 30 farmers and 5 Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) for 14 weeks.

At the end of training, Kisan Mela is organized at the FFS site to popularize the IPM approach

among neighboring farmers.

Partly as a result of re-orientation of plant protection strategy and adoption of IPM as the main

plank of plant protection strategy since 1994, the consumption of chemical pesticides in the country

has declined from 65,462 metric tonnes (technical grade) in 1994-95 to 50,583.47 MT (Technical

Grade) in 2011-12.

Implementation of Grameen Bhandaran Yojana

2826 SHRIMATI GUNDU SUDHARANI


(a) whether it is a fact that more than 70 per cent of rural godowns are owned by farmers;

(b) whether it means that the Grameen Bhandaran Yojana is a success;

(c) if so, how farmers are facing problem in storage of foodgrains they produce;

(d) the total number of rural godowns constructed in the country since inception of the scheme in

2001, State-wise and yearwise;

(e) the details of subsidy given under this scheme;

(f) whether farmers are demanding for increasing the subsidy; and

(g) if so, the steps Ministry has taken thereon?

ANSWER


INDUSTRIES

(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): As per the Report of the evaluation study of Central Sector Scheme of Construction of Rural

godowns received in 2006, the godown owners are predominantly farmers (70%).

(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. As against the target of 90 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT), capacity of 135.01 lakh

MT has been sanctioned under the scheme during XI Plan period. The scheme is being continued in

order that the storage issue for farmers are gradually resolved.

(d): Since inception of the scheme in 2001, 30,929 godowns have been sanctioned upto February,

2013 under the scheme. The State-wise and year-wise details are given in Annexure-I.

(e): Subsidy of Rs.1065.30 crore has been released upto February, 2013 under the Scheme. State

wise details of subsidy released are given in Annexure-II.

(f) & (g): There is no representation with the Ministry from farmers for increase of subsidy.

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