Question : FDI IN AGRICULTURE

(a) whether public and private investment as well as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted in the agriculture and allied sectors including construction of warehousing and cold storage for agricultural/horticultural produces;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total FDI committed and remitted in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K);

(c) whether the Government is providing agriculture related information to the farmers for acquiring knowledge about new seeds and food processing methods;

(d) if so, the details of such initiatives in J&K thereof; and

(e) the details of assistance provided to J&K during the last three years and the current year under the National Agriculture Development Scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): Yes Madam. Public and private investments as well as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are allowed in the agriculture and allied sectors.

FDI up to 100% is permitted under automatic route in specified activities of the agriculture and allied sectors. The details as per para 6.2.1 of “ Consolidated FDI Policy Circular of 2014” are at Annexure I. 100% FDI is allowed under the automatic route in storage and warehousing including warehousing of agricultural productions with refrigeration (cold storage). The details of FDI in construction development sector are at Annexure II.

As per the data maintained by Reserve Bank of India Regional Office, FDI in agriculture activities in the State of Jammu & Kashmir is nil.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The Government through use of interactive and innovative methods of information dissemination under National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET) is creating awareness and promoting use of appropriate technologies in agriculture and allied sectors (including seeds and planting material) for the farmers of the country including J&K. The details of central funds released to J&K for support to state extension programmes during the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-III.

(e): Funds released to J&K during the last three years and the current year under the National Agriculture Development Scheme i,e. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is at Annexure-IV.