MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. National Agricultural Research System (NARS) has
developed crop varieties having tolerance/resistance against biotic stresses and abiotic
stresses induced due to adverse weather conditions such as drought, heat, flood,
water stagnation etc. These crop varieties are under cultivation in different agro-
climatic conditions for mitigating the adverse impact of weather/climate.
(c) & (d): To augment productivity appropriate crop rotations like rice-wheat, rice-
pulses, rice-oilseeds, pulses-wheat, pulses-maize, etc depending upon the suitability
of soil and climate are promoted through various crop development programmes.
Shifting cultivation is prevalent in North Eastern Hill States which is unsustainable
and less productive. Alternate practice of settled farming is recommended for adoption
which is environment friendly and sustainable.
(e) & (f): Most of the Agro based industries are established in those areas where
concerned crops are grown abundantly and as such do not displace large area under
cultivation. For increasing the cultivable area and cropping intensity, utilization of rice
fallows and better land use through inter-cropping are also promoted. Land being the
state subject, the State Governments have been advised to earmark lands with low
biological potential such as uncultivable lands, land affected by salinity, acidity, etc, for
non-agricultural development activities, including industrial and construction activities.
