(a) whether the Government proposes to bring a separate annual budget for agriculture with the objective to legislate for regulating the use of ground water to increase agricultural productivity, ensure the welfare of farmers and protect the interests of farmers dependent on groundwater and the general public as some States are facing shortage of water;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps being taken in this regard, State-wise; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (d): The Government of India is continuously working for enhancing agricultural productivity, farmers’ income and their welfare in a sustainable manner. Accordingly, the Budget for Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) has been increased from Rs. 21933.50 crore (2013-14) to Rs. 124000.0 crore (2022-23), which is 465% increase for implementation of various agricultural development and welfare schemes aiming to increase agriculture production and farmers’ welfare across the country. Besides, Rs. 8513.62 crore have been allocated during 2022-23to Department of Agricultural Research and Education for development of several new high yielding, biotic/ abiotic stress tolerant, disease/ insect resistant and bio-fortified varieties of seed, etc.
In order to enhance production and productivity of food crops, the Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the country. The mission aims at increasing foodgrain/ food crop production through area expansion in niche regions and productivity improvement. The mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) & State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/Krishi VigyanKendras (KVKS) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists. The research organizations are supported for undertaking research projects that can help enhancing production and productivity of crops. For welfare of farmers’, Government has launched various initiatives viz. Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri KisanMaanDhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri AnnadataAaySanrakshanAbhiyan (PMAASHA), Price Support Scheme (PSS) for pulses and oilseeds, Price Deficiency payment Scheme (PDPS), Interest Subvention Scheme, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), etc.
Further, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing Per Drop More Crop(PDMC) which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System. An area of 68 lakh ha under micro-irrigation has been covered during 2015-16 to 2020-21 under PMKSY-PDMC. The state-wise coverage of area micro-irrigation and Central assistance provided to states under PDMC is Annexed.