Question : Sustainable Agriculture System for Food Security

(a) whether the agriculture sector in the country is facing various challenges due to various reasons caused by nature and people and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to build a profitable, sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture system to achieve the prime aim of ensuring long-term food security for the population in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and whether the Government of India emphasises the use of science and technology to take the agriculture to new level through research and innovation;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the innovative measures taken by the Government to achieve their aim and achievement made so far in this regard; and

(e) whether such innovative measures taken to meet the aim of SDG 2 of United Nation to end hunger and ensure safe nutritious and sufficient food in the country all year round and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): Yes, Madam. Indian Agriculture is vulnerable to climate change & other climatic aberrations in view of the high population depending on agriculture, excessive pressure on natural resources. There have been extreme weather events including extended dry periods, floods, hailstorm, cyclonic rains and winds etc., which caused damage to standing crops.

(b): Government is taking initiatives to make Indian agriculture sustainable and profitable and environmental friendly. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) which is one of the eight missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change is being implemented since

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2014-15. NMSA focuses on location specific integrated/composite farming systems; soil and moisture conservation measures; comprehensive soil health management; promotion of organic farming; efficient water management practices and mainstreaming rainfed technologies. Besides, sustainable agriculture strategies have been embedded in the development programmes for agriculture and allied sectors of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Some of the major programmes / schemes are National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY), Rashtriya Gokul Mission(RGM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY) etc. A comprehensive plan is also contemplated for doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

(c): To ensure effective use of science and technology for adaptation of Indian agriculture to the climatic aberrations, focus is being given on research and development. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing a network project on National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) aiming at enhancing climate resilience of Indian agriculture through Strategic Research, Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and Sponsored/ Competitive Grant Projects. The research on adaptation and mitigation covers crops, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management.

(d): ICAR has identified 406 climate resilient varieties, 66 genotypes with enhanced CO2 fixation and less water & nutrient consumption capacity, 77 genotypes with greater adaptation to drought, flood, salinity & high temperature.

(e): As far as agriculture vertical is concerned, SDG-2 of United Nation “End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, significant progress has been made in improving food and nutrition security. For instance, stunting among children less than 5 years has declined from 48% to 38.4% between 2005-06 and 2015-16. During the same period, the percentage of underweight children has declined from 42.5% to 35.7%. The absolute levels of stunted and underweight children, however, remain high. To address this, a number of schemes are implemented. For instance, more than 800 million people are covered in India by providing the food grains at affordable prices through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The Mid-Day-Meal programme is providing nutritions cooked meals to children in primary schools. Additionally, food distribution governance is being strengthened through the digitization of ration cards and online grievance redressal mechanism.

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