(a) the total area in lakh hectare in which kharif crops are/have been produced in India; (b) the steps being taken by the Government to bring more areas under kharif crops production;
(c) whether the Government is giving subsidy of diesel to drought-hit areas of kharif crop-producing States;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether ground water will be declared public property; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ???? ??? ????? ?????l? ??????
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) As per the 2nd Advance Estimates 2021-22, the total Area of Kharif crops is estimated at 1114.44lakh hectares.
(b): National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a centrally sponsored scheme, launched in 2007-08, is being implemented with the objective of increasing foodgrains production through area expansion and productivity enhancement in the identified districts of the country. Under NFSM, assistance is given through state governments to farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, distribution of seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs)/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, processing & post-harvest equipments, cropping system based trainings etc. The mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) & State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmers under supervision of subject matter specialists/scientists.
Further, Government of India has launched Pradhan Mantri KrishiSinchaiYojna – HarKhetKoPaani - Ground Water Irrigation (PMKSY-HKKP-GW). The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to States for assured ground water irrigation to small and marginal farmers.
(c) & (d):The State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures in the wake of natural calamities including drought. Funds are available with the State Government in the form of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for undertaking relief measures as per norms. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature and is approved on the basis of Memorandum received from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures.
(e)&(f): As per new guidelines notified by Ministry of Jal Shakti on 24.09.2020, Ground water extraction for Agricultural Activities has been exempted from regulation.
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