Question : RAINFED AREAS

(a) the total area of cultivated land in the country;

(b) the percentage of land, out of the above which is rainfed and dependent on the vagaries of monsoon;

(c) whether the Government has set up a National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)/initiated a policy on rainfed areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the funds earmarked for development of rainfed areas during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and

(e) the details of the achievements made in the development of the said areas under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) in the country?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) & (b): As per available estimates (2009-10) total area of cultivated land in the country is about 155.7 million ha of which nearly 60% is rainfed.

(c) & (d): Government of India has set up National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) as an expert body to provide knowledge inputs for systematic up-gradation and management of rainfed areas in the country. NRAA serves as an advisory and policy making agency and is not entrusted with implementation of programmes in the States.

(e): Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched during 2007-08 to rejuvenate agriculture sector so as to achieve 4% Annual Growth during XI Plan. Year wise allocation and release of funds under RKVY is as under:-

(Rs. in crore)
Year	Allocation	Release
2007-08	1489.70	1246.89
2008-09	3165.67	2886.80
2009-10	3806.74	3760.93
2010-11	6722.00	6720.08
2011-12	7810.87	7289.99 (as on 12.3.3012)