Question : Area under Cultivation of Crops

(a) whether area under cultivation of crops such as rice, pulses and oilseeds has declined due to severe floods or drought in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(b) whether it is also true that more than 4 million hectares of agricultural land have fallen victims to the vagaries of nature this monsoon across the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(d) whether any steps have been taken or proposed to be taken to overcome the expected foodgrain shortage in the country and to compensate the farmers to overcome from the loss; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) to (c): The area coverage under field crops like rice, pulses and oilseeds fluctuates from season to season and this is attributed to various reasons, which include monsoon rains, preference of farmers to crops, soil moisture availability, prices of commodities and natural calamities, like drought and floods. The State-wise details of total area coverage under various crops during Kharif 2017-18 (as per 1st Advance Estimates) and Kharif 2016-17 (as per 4th Advance Estimates), including rice, pulses and oilseeds, are given at Annexure.

(d) & (e): As against the likely foodgrains production of 275.68 million tonnes, as per 4th Advance Estimates for 2016-17 (138.52 million tonnes for Kharif + 137.16 million tonnes for Rabi), the likely foodgrains production during Kharif 2017-18 is 134.67 million tonnes. The anticipated reduction in foodgrains production during Kharif 2017-18 is due to various factors, including natural calamities like drought and floods. While compensation for damage to crops is considered from Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), items and norms for relief assistance from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)/National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in the wake of natural calamities, including drought and floods, inter-alia, include assistance towards input subsidy for crop loss of 33% and above for all categories of farmers (which was earlier admissible for crop loss of 50% and above). The scale of assistance towards input subsidy for crop loss has been enhanced by about 50%, which is now Rs.6800/- per hectare (ha.) for rainfed areas, Rs.13500/- per ha. for areas with assured irrigation and Rs.18000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops.