(a) whether it is a fact that agriculture mainly depends on monsoon and if so, the details of area of cultivable land dependent on monsoon, State-wise;
(b) the details of population engaged in agriculture sector in the country including Karnataka, State-wise; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to reduce the dependency of agriculture on monsoon and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a): As per publication on Land Use Statistics for 2014-15 (latest available), out of 140.13 million hectare (Mha) of net area sown in the country, 68.38 million hectare falls under irrigated condition and remaining 71.75 Mha constituting 51.2 % of the net area sown, are unirrigated (which may be considered as rainfed). The rainfed agriculture is largely dependent on southwest monsoon and contributes about 40% of the country’s food grain production and supports about 2/3 of livestock population. State-wise details of irrigated and un-irrigated area out of the net area sown are at Annex I.
(b): As per the census, 2011, conducted by the Registrar General of India, nearly 263.1 million workers are engaged in agriculture sector. This includes 118.9 million cultivators and 144.3 million agricultural labours. State-wise details of number of agriculture workers are placed at Annex II.
(c): Agriculture being a State subject, the State Governments are primarily responsible for the growth and development of agriculture sector, developing perspective plans for their respective States and ensuring effective implementation of the programmes/schemes. However, Government of India supplements the efforts of States, through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support.
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Government of India launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) on 1st July, 2015 with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ for providing end-to end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level applications. PMKSY not only focuses on creating sources for assured irrigation, but also creating protective irrigation by harnessing rain water at micro level through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’. The components of PMKSY are :
(i) Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme(AIBP) with the focus on faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation projects;
(ii) Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) which deals with Source augmentation, distribution, ground water development, lift irrigation, diversion of water from water plenty to water scarce areas, supplementing rain water harvesting, repair, restoration, renovation of traditional water bodies etc;
(iii) Per Drop More Crop which relates to Micro level storage structures, efficient water conveyance & application, precision irrigation systems etc. and
(iv) Watershed development which focuses on Ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting structure, livelihood support activities and other watershed works.