(a) whether it is a fact that in the Budget 2020-21, the subsidy on fertilizers has been reduced by Rs. 9,534 crore against the Budget 2019-20;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is also a fact that the Government has allotted a paltry amount of Rs. 12.5 crore to promote the use of organic and biological sources of nutrients; and
(d) whether the subsidy has been reduced to promote and/or support organic farming and if so, the reasons behind a mere allocation therein?
MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZER
(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Department of Fertilizers was allocated BE of Rs.83515.00 crore in the financial year 2019-20 against the projected demand of Rs. 100633.43 crore and Rs.73975.00 crore against the projected demand of Rs. 100349.50 crore for the financial year 2020-21. Funds allocation is detailed in Annexure – A.
(c) & (d): For the promotion of organic farming and use of organic & biological sources of nutrient, government is providing financial assistance to farmers for inputs (on farm and off farm) in the following flagship schemes:
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Assistance of Rs. 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years is given, out of which Rs. 31,000 (62%) is provided to the farmers directly through DBT for inputs (bio-fertilizers, bio pesticides, vermin compost, botanical extracts, etc. including organic/ biological sources of nutrients) production/ procurement, post harvest management etc.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Farmers are given assistance of Rs. 25000/ha/3 years for both on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, and seeds/ plant material. Implemented in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, from 2015-16 till now.
The details of funds allocated for the PKVY and MOVCDNER schemes allocated from 2015-16 till date is detailed in the Annexure – B.
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