Question : Agricultural Growth

(a) whether the Government has recently held discussion on agricultural growth rate with stakeholders including farmers and entrepreneurs engaged in the agro-industries in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey to implement ''Per Drop More Crop'' Scheme for increasing the growth rate of agriculture and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the policy and strategy formulated by the Government to increase agricultural growth rate at par with international standards and enhance the contribution of agriculture sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and

(d) the share of employment in agriculture in comparison to that of industrial sector in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): No, Madam.

(b): In order to enhance irrigation facilities in the country and also provide Har Khet ko pani, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been approved for implementation across the country. Major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on –farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of re-using treated Municipal Waste Water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system.

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(c): In order to increase agricultural growth through enhancement of production and productivity of crops; Government of India is implementing, through State Governments various Crop Development Schemes/Programmes viz. National Food Security Mission (NFSM); Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH); National Mission on Oilseeds & Oilpalm (NMOOP); National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.

(d): As per Employment and Unemployment Survey conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) for 2011-12 (latest available) the share of employment in agriculture has been 48.9% as compared to 24.3% in secondary and 26.8% in tertiary sectors.


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