(a) whether the Government has launched several schemes to increase growth rate of agriculture sector in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details and the nature of contribution of States in increasing the growth rate in agriculture sector; and
(c) the details of facilities being provided to the States for increasing the growth rate in agriculture sector?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
???? ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããè (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 220 DUE FOR REPLY ON 2ND JANUARY, 2018.
(a): Yes Madam, Government has launched several schemes to increase growth of agriculture sector in the country and for welfare of the farmers. Details are as follows:
• For higher production including through productivity gains
o Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme has been approved for continuation for three years as Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture & Allied Sector Rejuvenation i.e. (RKVY-RAFTAAR) which aims at making the farming as a remunerative economic activity through multi pronged approach along with holistic development of agriculture and allied sector:
o National Food Security Mission (NFSM)- cereals, pulses, oilseeds, nutri-rich cereals, commercial crops
o Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)- high growth rate of horticulture crops.
• For reduction in cost of cultivation
o Soil Health Card (SHC) (2 year cycle)- ensure judicious use of fertilizer application and thus save money of farmers.
o Neem Coated Urea (NCU) (universal)- is being promoted to regulate use of urea, enhance availability of nitrogen to the crop and reduce cost of fertilizer application
o The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) – micro irrigation component (1.2 million ha/yr target)- with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ for providing end-to-end solutions in irrigation supply chain, comprising water sources, distribution network and farm level applications.
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• To ensure remunerative returns
o Minimum Support Price (MSP) is notified by the Government for certain crops. The objective of the Government’s price policy is to ensure remunerative prices to farmers by offering to procure their produce at MSP.
o National Agriculture Market Scheme (E-NAM) is an innovative market process to revolutionize agri-markets by ensuring better price discovery, bringing in transparency and competition to enable farmers to get improved remuneration for their produce moving towards ‘One Nation One Market’.
o A new model “The Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2017” has been released on 24th April, 2017 for its adoption by States/UTs. This has been derived after many deliberations over the earlier model APMC Act 2003 and the need for inclusion of progressive reforms required in the agriculture marketing sector. In the Model APLM Act, 2017, provisions includes setting up of private markets, direct marketing, farmer-consumer markets, special commodity markets, declaring warehouses/silos/cold storages or such structures as market sub yards. The model Act is in different stages of adoption by various states.
o Warehousing and post-harvest loans at concessional rate of interest so as to discourage distress sale by farmers and to encourage them to store their produce in warehouses against negotiable receipts.
o Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) - Procurement of oilseeds, pulses and cotton are undertaken by central agencies at MSP under Price Support Scheme (PSS) at the request of the concerned State Government. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for procurement of agriculture & horticulture products, which are perishable in nature and are not covered under PSS.
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• For risk management and sustainable practices:
o Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWCIS) (cover 50% GCA by 2018-19)- provides
insurance cover at all stages of the crop cycle including post-harvest risks in specified instances and available to the farmers at very low rates of premium.
o Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)- is being implemented with a view to promote organic farming in the country. This will improve soil health and organic matter content and increase net income of the farmer
o Allied activities:
Bee-Keeping:
During the last 3 year (2014-15 and 2016-17) there has been an increase of 10 lacs in honey bee colonies i.e. honey bee colonies that were 20 lacs in 2014-15 have increased to 30 lacs during 2016-17. Honey production in 2011-14 was 2,18,950 metric tons which has increased to 2,63,930 metric tons during 2014-17 i.e an increase of 20.54%.
Dairying:
White Revolution for development of animal husbandry, dairying is being implemented in which schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Bovine Productivity Mission and various dairy development related projects are being implemented.
Fisheries: Foreseeing high potential in fisheries sector, a Blue Revolution with multi dimensional activities mainly focusing on fisheries production, both inland and marine is being implemented.
(b): As per Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India, agriculture falls under the purview of State Governments and, therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of States to take necessary
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steps for development of agriculture in their respective areas. States are taking keen interest as agriculture is the backbone of States’ economy and a sizeable section of society is engaged in agriculture, directly or indirectly, for livelihood. Government of India, on its part, is supplementing the efforts of States by extending necessary financial assistance and technical inputs through its various programmes. The combined efforts of Government of India and States have been successful in achieving record production of foodgrains in the country during 2016-17, as a result of this Agriculture and Allied sector witnessed a growth rate of 4.9% as per the Provisional Estimates of Annual National Income, 2016-17 released on 31st May, 2017 by Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The Growth rate of Gross Value Added (GVA) of Agriculture and Allied Sector (at constant 2011-12 prices) from 2012-13 to 2016-17 is as under:
Year 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Growth Rate (%) 1.5 5.6 -0.2 0.7 4.9
The details / estimates on Gross State Value Added (GSVA) for Agriculture and Allied Sector are compiled and released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) with the coordination of the States/UTs in the country. The State-wise details of the latest GSVA for agriculture & allied sector (at constant 2011-12 prices) and its rate of growth are given at Annexure- I (A) & Annexure- I (B) respectively.
(c): Agricultural development scheme of the centre are implemented through State Governments and the fund are allocated for various schemes. The year-wise allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare as under:
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Financial Year Allocation of Budget (BE Plan)
(Rs. In Crore)
Department of Agriculture
Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC) Department of Agriculture,
Research & Education(DARE) Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying &
Fisheries (AHD&F) TOTAL
2015-16 16646 3691 1491 21828
2016-17 20400 3700 1600 25700
2017-18 41855 6800 2921 51576