Question : Crop Diversification Programme under RKVY

(a) whether it is true that the Government had extended the crop diversification programme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to 10 tobacco farming States, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the farm holdings which have been shifted from tobacco to other crop, State-wise;

(c) the alternative crops identified in each State and the most preferred diversified suitable crop adopted for farming; and

(d) the details of the challenges faced in shifting farmers from tobacco farming to alternate crops and the proposals to tackle them?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), an ongoing sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), is extended to 10 tobacco growing States namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal from 2015-16 to encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternative crops/cropping system. The State-wise details of the farm holdings which have been shifted from tobacco to other crop and the diversified preferred crops adopted are given at annexure.
(d): Tobacco is a highly remunerative crop with less incidence of pest and disease. Therefore, it is preferred by most tobacco farmers. Under the Crop Diversification Programme, for motivating farmers, provision has been made for implementing State to organize study tours/ exposure visits and campaigns etc. to highlight the harmful effects of tobacco and convince them of the long term benefits of alternative crops.