Question : Separate Budget for Agriculture

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce a separate annual Budget for agriculture with the objective of increasing agricultural productivity and protecting farmers’ welfare;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government will work out legislations to regulate the use of groundwater to protect the interests of farmers who are dependent on groundwater and also save water for the future;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken therefore, State-wise along with funds given to the States including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefore?

Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFAR E
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(a) to (b): There is no proposal as on date for a separate agriculture budget.
(c) to (d): Ministry of Jal Shakti has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development, which also includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 19 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation, details of which are given in Annexure-I.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Har Khet Ko Pani – Ground Water Irrigation (PMKSY-HKKP-GW) aims to provide financial assistance to States for assured ground water irrigation to small and marginal farmers. Scheme is applicable only in areas having stage of ground water development less than 60%, average rainfall more than 750 mm and with shallow ground water levels (less than 15 m bgl). Under this scheme, 15 projects in 12 States namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Mizoram, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Gujarat have been approved with an estimated cost of Rs.1718.49 crore since inception. The details are given in Annexure-II. A scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) is also implemented by the Department to promote drip and sprinkler irrigation as a measure to save water.
(e): Not applicable