Question : CULTIVATION OF ALTERNATIVE CROPS



(a) whether the Government proposes to encourage the cultivation of alternative crops in the tobacco growing areas;

(b) if so, whether the Government has shortlisted a few crops for this purpose; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a)to(c): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking research and development work on alternative crops to tobacco. Several alternative crops viz., maize, rice, mustard, chillies, chick pea, blackgram, redgram, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut, oil palm, etc. have been developed and recommended by ICAR for tobacco growing areas in different agro-climatic zones of the country.