Agriculture on Environment: Lok Sabha 2013-14 - wwf@envis ...

Agriculture on Environment: Lok Sabha 2013-14 Q. No. Q. Type Date Ans by

Ministry Members Title of the

Questions Subject Specific Political Party State

Representative 241 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri

Mansukhbhai D. Vasava

Assistance to NGOs Agriculture BJP Gujarat

253 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Haribhau Madhav Jawale

Demand and Supply of Bt. Cotton Seeds

Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

278 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Dr. Mahesh Joshi

Quality of Soil Agriculture INC Rajasthan

302 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh

Research Work by ICAR

Agriculture BSP Uttar Pradesh

349 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Dr. Arjun Roy GM Crops Agriculture JD(U) Bihar Shri Pralhad

Venkatesh Joshi Biosafety BJP Karnataka

Shri Gopinath Pandurang Munde

Environmental Education, NGOs and Media

BJP Maharashtra

Shri Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

JD(U) Bihar

Dr. Bhola Singh BJP Bihar 350 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Bhartruhari

Mahtab Use of Pesticides Agriculture BJD Odisha

Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi

Pollution BJP Karnataka

Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre

BJP Maharashtra

368 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

Agriculture Related Information

Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

408

Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Jagadanand Singh

Drought Relief

Agriculture RJD Bihar

Shri Baliram Sukur Jadhav

Disaster Management

BVA Maharashtra

Shri Bhaskarrao Bapurao Patil

Water Management

INC Maharashtra

Dr. Munisamy Thambidurai

AIADMK Tamil Nadu

Shri Prabodh Panda

CPI West Bengal

Shri Anand Prakash Paranjpe

SS Maharashtra

Shri Sanjay Bhoi INC Odisha Shri Eknath

Mahadeo Gaikwad

INC Maharashtra

Shri E.G. Sugavanam

DMK Tamil Nadu

Shri Rangaswamy Dhruvanarayana

INC Karnataka

Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir

BJP Maharashtra

Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve

BJP Maharashtra

458 Unstarred 26.2.2013 Agriculture Shri Sushil Kumar Singh

Organic Farming Agriculture JD(U) Bihar

*111 Starred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Dilip Kumar Mansukhlal Gandhi

Crop Insurance Schemes


Dr. Sanjay Sinh Disaster Management

INC Uttar Pradesh

*118 Starred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Rajaiah Siricilla

Judicious use of Fertilisers


1167 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Surendra Singh Nagar

Crop Insurance Scheme


1175 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Chaudhary Lal Singh

Salt Tolerant Crops Agriculture INC Jammu and Kashmir

1199 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Badri Ram Jakhar

Loan for Purchase of Small Irrigation Equipment

Agriculture INC Rajasthan

1204 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Km. Saroj Pandey

Dependence of Agriculture on Monsoon

Agriculture BJP Chhattisgarh

1208 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Gorakh Prasad Jaiswal

Compensation to Farmers for Crop Loss


Shri Shivaramagouda

Disaster Management

BJP Karnataka

Smt. Rama Devi BJP Bihar

Shri Jayawant Gangaram Awale

INC Maharashtra

Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel

BJP Karnataka

Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi

BJP Karnataka

Shri Raghavendra Yeddyurappa

BJP Karnataka

1216 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri P. Lingam Production of Bt. Cotton

Agriculture CPI Tamil Nadu

1265 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Datta Raghobaji Meghe

Organic Farming Agriculture INC Maharashtra

Shri Ananth Kumar

Environmental Conservation

BJP Karnataka

Smt. Jyoti Dhurve

BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Naveen Jindal

INC Haryana

Shri E.G. Sugavanam

DMK Tamil Nadu

1268 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Prof. Ranjan Prasad Yadav

Ban on Pesticides Agriculture JD(U) Bihar

Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh

Pollution BSP Uttar Pradesh

1269 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

Soil Health Cards Agriculture BJP Uttar Pradesh

1273 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

Indiscriminate use of Pesticides

Agriculture BJD Odisha


Pollution BJP Maharashtra

Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh

BSP Uttar Pradesh

1288 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Nama Nageswara Rao

Use of Banned Chemicals

Agriculture TDP Andhra Pradesh

Smt. Kamla Devi Patle

Pollution BJP Chhattisgarh

1293 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Dhananjay Singh

Certification of Organic Products


1318 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre

Soil Health Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

Shri Ashok Tanwar

Pollution INC Haryana

Shri Subhash Bapurao Wankhede

SS Maharashtra

Shri M. K. Raghavan

INC Kerala

1331 Unstarred 5.3.2013 Agriculture Smt. Shruti Choudhry

Crop Loss Due to Frost

Agriculture INC Haryana

*204 Starred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve

Productivity of Bt. Cotton


Shri Yashvir Singh

Biosafety SP Uttar Pradesh

*206 Starred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri J.M. Aaroon Rasheed

Achievements under NPOF

Agriculture INC Tamil Nadu

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

BJP Uttar Pradesh


GM Crops Agriculture INC Haryana

2309 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Ganesh Singh

Promotion of Manure/Organic Fertilisers

Agriculture BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar


BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

BJP Karnataka

2331 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

Setting Up of Vegetable Clusters

Agriculture BJP Karnataka

2332 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Dr. Mahesh Joshi

Hybrid Cotton Seeds Agriculture INC Rajasthan

2345 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Naveen Jindal

Proposals under NPOF


2395 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Somendra Nath Mitra


Agriculture AITC West Bengal

2399 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Dhananjay Singh

Awareness Camps for Farmers


2516 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri M. B. Rajesh

Relief Measures for Farmers

Agriculture CPI(M) Kerala

Shri Sushil Disaster JD(U) Bihar

Kumar Singh Management Shri Chandre

D.B. Gowda Water

Management BJP Karnataka

Shri S. R. Jeyadurai

DMK Tamil Nadu

Shri K. Shivakumar alias J.K. Ritheesh

DMK Tamil Nadu

Shri Hamdullah Sayeed

INC Lakshadweep

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar

BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Chandrakant Raghunath Patil

BJP Gujarat

2528 Unstarred 12.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Harish Choudhary

Assistance under NDRF and SDRF


*308 Starred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Haribhau Madhav Jawale

Damage to Crops Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

3461 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Raju Shetti alias Devappa Anna

Drought Relief Commission

Agriculture SWP Maharashtra

3465 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Bharat Ram Meghwal

Drought relief Agriculture INC Rajasthan

Shri Khiladi Lal Bairwa

Disaster Management

INC Rajasthan

3509 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir

Assistance for Famine Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

3512 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Dr. Munisamy Thambidurai

Effects of Pesticides Agriculture AIADMK Tamil Nadu

3525 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Purnmasi Ram

Subsidy on Bio-fertilisers

Agriculture JD(U) Bihar

Dr. Virendra Kumar


BJP Madhya Pradesh

3539 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Datta Raghobaji Meghe

National Bamboo Mission

Agriculture INC Maharashtra

3560 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Dr. Arjun Roy Development of High Yielding Seeds


Shri Anant Kumar Dattatreya Hegde

Biosafety BJP Karnataka

3561 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Ramashankar Rajbhar

Production of Pulses and Oilseeds


Shri A.T. (Nana) Patil

Climate Change and Meteorology

BJP Maharashtra

3584 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi

Poverty Alleviation Programme under Horticultural Schemes


3602 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri E. T. Mohammed Basheer

Agricultural Schemes Agriculture IUML Kerala

Shri Sanjay Nirupam

INC Maharashtra


BJP Maharashtra

Shri Kunwarjibhai Mohanbhai Bavaliya

INC Gujarat

Shri P. Kumar AIADMK Tamil Nadu Smt. Shruti

Choudhry INC Haryana

3608 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia

Toxic Content in Vegetables


3639 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Dr. Mahendrasinh Pruthvisinh Chauhan

Utilisation of Drought Relief Fund

Agriculture BJP Gujarat

3643 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Gorakh Prasad Jaiswal

Research in Cow Dung


Shri Chandrakant Bhaurao Khaire


SS Maharashtra

3662 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri P. T. Thomas

Weather based Crop Insurance Scheme

Agriculture INC Kerala

3680 Unstarred 19.3.2013 Agriculture Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir

National Agriculture Climate Damage Fund


*414 Starred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Drought Relief Agriculture SAD Punjab

Dr. Munisamy Disaster AIADMK Tamil Nadu

Thambidurai Management 4598 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Dr. (Smt.) Jhansi

Lakshmi Botcha Diesel Pumps Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

4603 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Viswanathan Perumal

Rice Varieties Agriculture INC Tamil Nadu

Shri Adhi Sankar

Disaster Management

DMK Tamil Nadu

4604 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Bhismshankar Alias Kushal Tiwari

Water Management for Crops



Development of GM Cotton Seeds


4645 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Raghuvir Singh Meena



Shri Ram Singh Kaswan

Disaster Management

BJP Rajasthan

4653 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Hukmdev Narayan Yadav

Misleading Programmes on Pesticides

Agriculture BJP Bihar

4665 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Rajagopal Lagadapati

Achievements under NMMI


4712 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

Research on Biochar Agriculture BJP Uttar Pradesh

4717 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Dr. Bhola Singh Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme


4778 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Ponnam Prabhakar

Research Work on Organic Fertigation


4789 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Bhakta Charan Das

Technology Transfer in Agriculture Sector

Agriculture INC Odisha

4803 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Harischandra Deoram Chavan

High Yielding Crops Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

4806 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Kapil Muni Karwariya

Integrated Pest Management Centres


4812 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Ganeshrao Nagorao Dudhgaonkar

Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

Agriculture SS Maharashtra

Shri Harish Choudhary


INC Rajasthan

Shri Nityananda Pradhan

BJD Odisha

4815 Unstarred 23.4.2013 Agriculture Dr. Sanjay Sinh Fertility of Soil Agriculture INC Uttar Pradesh Smt. Sarika

Devendra Singh Baghel


RLD Uttar Pradesh

Shri Baliram Sukur Jadhav

Pollution BVA Maharashtra

Shri Harish Choudhary

INC Rajasthan

Smt. Susmita Bauri

CPI(M) West Bengal

Shri Nikhil Kumar Choudhary

BJP Bihar

Smt. Putul Kumari

Ind. Bihar

Shri Arvind Kumar Chaudhary

BSP Uttar Pradesh

5516 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey

Chemical Free Fertilisers to Farmers

Agriculture BJP Jharkhand


Integrated Farming System


5529 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri A.K.S. Vijayan

Production of Basmati Rice

Agriculture DMK Tamil Nadu

5530 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Sajjan Singh Verma

Uncultivated Land Agriculture INC Madhya Pradesh

5584 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Prof. Saugata Roy

Bio-control Agents as Pesticides


5590 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Prabodh Panda

Solar Power Pumps for Drip Irrigation

Agriculture CPI West Bengal

5597 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh

Committee on Organic Farming

Agriculture SP Uttar Pradesh

5613 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Smt. Darshana Vikram Jardosh

Benefits of Research Activities


5628 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri S. R. Jeyadurai

Use of Harmful Pesticides


5639 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri E.G. Sugavanam

Assistance for Crop Loss


5645 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

Monitoring of Use of Pesticides

Agriculture BJP Himachal Pradesh

5658 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi

Adverse Impact of Cultivation of Oil Palm

Agriculture BJP Uttar Pradesh

5662 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Ratan Singh Plantation of Jatropha Agriculture INC Rajasthan Shri Ijyaraj

Singh Alternative

Technologies INC Rajasthan

Shri Rajendra Agrawal

Energy Studies BJP Uttar Pradesh

5663 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Pradeep Majhi

Animal Products Environment and Forest Trade

INC Odisha

Shri Kishanbhai Vestabhai Patel

INC Gujarat

5713 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri C. Rajendran

Decline in Apple Production

Agriculture AIADMK Tamil Nadu

5719 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Uday Singh Committee on Farmers' Suicide


Shri Harischandra Deoram Chavan

BJP Maharashtra

Shri Sukender Reddy Gutha

INC Andhra Pradesh

Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh

SP Uttar Pradesh


BJP Maharashtra

Smt. Shruti Choudhry

INC Haryana

5720 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Dharmendra Yadav

Use of Pesticides Agriculture SP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Chandre D.B. Gowda

Health and Sanitation

BJP Karnataka

Shri Anandrao Adsul

Pollution SS Maharashtra

Shri Shivaji Adhalrao Patil

SS Maharashtra

Shri Gajanan Dharmshi Babar

SS Maharashtra

Shri Anantha Venkatarami Reddy

INC Andhra Pradesh


Consumption of Pesticides


5730 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Feroze Ayurvedic and Medicinal Plants BJP Uttar Pradesh

Varun Gandhi Medicinal Plant Cultivators

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

BJP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia

INC Madhya Pradesh

5744 Unstarred 30.4.2013 Agriculture Shri Mansukhbhai D. Vasava

Soil Health Agriculture BJP Gujarat

Shri Chandrakant Bhaurao Khaire


Shri Rajaiah Siricilla

INC Andhra Pradesh

*567 Starred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi

Watershed Development Projects


*578 Starred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Rajagopal Lagadapati

Research on Pulses Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

6428 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Rajendra Agrawal

Cow Urine based Insecticides


6433 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri P. Karunakaran

Study on Bt. Cotton Agriculture CPI(M) Kerala

6462 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

Tank Water Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

6474 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Khagen Das Use of Pesticides Agriculture CPI(M) Tripura 6476 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Radha

Mohan Singh Dry Land Farming Agriculture BJP Bihar


Spurious Insecticides and Weedicides


6491 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Bhismshankar Alias Kushal Tiwari

GM Crops Agriculture BSP Uttar Pradesh


National Bamboo Mission


6538 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Rajendra Agrawal

Micro-Water Conservation Projects


6558 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi

Patents for Gene Agriculture BJP Uttar Pradesh

6579 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Jagadanand Production of Food Agriculture RJD Bihar

Singh Items 6588 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Chaudhary Lal

Singh Automatic Weather Stations/Rain Gauge

Agriculture INC Jammu and Kashmir

6590 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Adagooru Huchegowda Vishwanath

Irrigation Schemes Agriculture INC Karnataka

Sardar Partap Singh Bajwa

Water Management

INC Punjab

Shri Hamdullah Sayeed

INC Lakshadweep

6597 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri M. K. Raghavan

Cultivation of Jatropha


6598 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Smt. Darshana Vikram Jardosh

Impact of Climate on Agriculture


6608 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Baijayant "Jay" Panda

Relief to Bt. Cotton Growers


6620 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Shivaji Adhalrao Patil

Cotton Production Agriculture SS Maharashtra



SS Maharashtra

Shri Dharmendra Yadav

Water Management

SP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Madhu Goud Yaskhi

INC Andhra Pradesh

6652 Unstarred 7.5.2013 Agriculture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal

Crop Diversification Agriculture BJP Rajasthan

*24 Starred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri P. Lingam Suicide by Farmers Agriculture CPI Tamil Nadu Shri A.K.S.

Vijayan Disaster

Management DMK Tamil Nadu

*35 Starred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Rajkumari Ratna Singh

Research in Manure Agriculture INC Uttar Pradesh

Shri Anirudhan Sampath


CPI(M) Kerala

245 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Vikrambhai Arjanbhai Maadam

Slaughter Houses Agriculture INC Gujarat

270 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

Decline in Apple Production



National Watershed Development Programme


284 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Ramesh Bais

Excessive Use of Chemical Fertilisers


Dr. Sanjay Sinh Environmental Conservation

INC Uttar Pradesh

Shri Laxman Tudu

Pollution BJD Odisha

Dr. Kirodilal Meena

Ind. Rajasthan

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

BJP Himachal Pradesh

289 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Smt. Jyoti Dhurve



297 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Nikhil Kumar Choudhary

Use of Banned Pesticides


Smt. Susmita Bauri


CPI(M) West Bengal

Shri Arvind Kumar Chaudhary


Shri Haribhau Madhav Jawale

BJP Maharashtra

362 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Hamdullah Sayeed

Research in Agriculture

Agriculture INC Lakshadweep

372 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Rajkumari Ratna Singh

Implementation of Agricultural Schemes

Agriculture INC Uttar Pradesh

Shri Gorakh Prasad Jaiswal

Water Management

BSP Uttar Pradesh

377 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Chandrakant Raghunath Patil

Setting up of Automatic Meteorological Centres


Dr. Padmasinha Bajirao Patil


NCP Maharashtra

Shri Ganeshrao Nagorao Dudhgaonkar

SS Maharashtra

382 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Surendra Singh Nagar

Drought Prone Areas Agriculture BSP Uttar Pradesh

Shri P. Karunakaran

Disaster Management

CPI(M) Kerala


Demand of Pesticides Agriculture BJP Madhya Pradesh

399 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Raju Shetti Research on Ethanol Agriculture SWP Maharashtra

alias Devappa Anna

403 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Nishikant Dubey

Harvesting of Rain Water

Agriculture BJP Jharkhand


MSP of Cotton Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh


Drought Relief Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

Shri S. Semmalai

Disaster Management

AIADMK Tamil Nadu

Shri Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

BJP Karnataka

Shri Anto Antony

INC Kerala

Shri E.G. Sugavanam

DMK Tamil Nadu

450 Unstarred 6.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Marotrao Sainuji Kowase

Drip Irrigation Agriculture INC Maharashtra


Water Management

BJP Maharashtra


Sale of Spurious Pesticides


*104 Starred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Dr. Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

Cultivation of Cotton Agriculture BJP Gujarat

Shri R. Thamaraiselvan

DMK Tamil Nadu

*110 Starred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Harischandra Deoram Chavan

Declining Cultivable Land


Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal

INC Delhi


Use of Power in Agriculture


1160 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Adhi Sankar

Use of Degraded Land



Single Window Clearance for GM Seeds


Shri Rajaiah Siricilla

Biosafety INC Andhra Pradesh

1181 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Dharmendra Yadav

National Watershed Development Programme


Shri Anandrao Adsul

Water Management

SS Maharashtra


SS Maharashtra


SS Maharashtra


Use of GM Seeds Agriculture BSP Uttar Pradesh


GM Crops Agriculture BJP Rajasthan

1191 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Jagdish Thakor

Research on Soyabean

Agriculture INC Gujarat

1218 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Chaudhary Lal Singh

Sale of Bio-Products Agriculture INC Jammu and Kashmir

1230 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Shri M. K. Raghavan

Hazards Faced by Fishermen Community



Production of Jatropha


Shri Ijyaraj Singh

Energy Studies INC Rajasthan

Shri M. K. Alagiri

DMK Tamil Nadu


Solar Panels for Pumping Water


1310 Unstarred 13.8.2013 Agriculture Km. Saroj Pandey

Use of Organic Fertilizers


Shri Mahabali Singh


JD(U) Bihar

Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

BJP Bihar

*241 Starred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Rudra Madhab Ray

Compensation to Farmers for Crop Loss


Shri Viswanathan Perumal

Disaster Management

INC Tamil Nadu

*246 Starred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Ananth Kumar

Organic Farming Agriculture BJP Karnataka

*259 Starred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Uday Singh Ban on Use of Hazardous Pesticides


Shri P. Lingam Health and Sanitation

CPI Tamil Nadu


Bio-Technology Regulatory Authority of India

Agriculture BJP Rajasthan



BJP Maharashtra

Shri Anto Antony

INC Kerala

Shri Virender Kashyap

BJP Himachal Pradesh

2821 Unstarred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre

Flood Prone Agricultural Areas


Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

Disaster Management

BJD Odisha

Shri Anand Prakash Paranjpe

SS Maharashtra

Shri Bhaskarrao Bapurao Patil

INC Maharashtra

Shri Eknath Mahadeo Gaikwad

INC Maharashtra


Organic Manure Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

Smt. Annu Tandon


INC Uttar Pradesh

Shri Mahabali Singh

JD(U) Bihar

Shri Pradeep Majhi

INC Odisha


BJP Karnataka

Shri Ghanshyam Anuragi

SP Uttar Pradesh

2851 Unstarred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Haribhau Madhav Jawale

Banana Cultivation Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy


INC Andhra Pradesh

2867 Unstarred 27.8.2013 Agriculture Shri Marotrao Sainuji Kowase

Assistance for Drought


Dr. Mahendrasinh Pruthvisinh Chauhan

Disaster Management

BJP Gujarat

Shri Ramesh Vishwanath Katti

BJP Karnataka

Shri Modugula Venugopala Reddy

TDP Andhra Pradesh

Shri S. Pakkirappa

BJP Karnataka


BJP Maharashtra

Shri Jeetendra Singh Bundela

BJP Madhya Pradesh


BJP Maharashtra

Shri Khiladi Lal Bairwa

INC Rajasthan

Shri Bharat Ram Meghwal

INC Rajasthan

Shri Viswanathan Perumal

INC Tamil Nadu

Shri Suresh Kashinath Taware

INC Maharashtra


Manufacturing of Fake Insecticides



National Drought Relief Commission


63* Starred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Gajanan Dharmshi Babar

Use of Banned Pesticides


697 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Ram Sundar Das

Hybrid Rice Agriculture JD(U) Bihar

730 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Yashbant Narayan Singh Laguri

Assistance to NGOs Agriculture BJD Odisha


Subsidy on Organic Fertilizers


747 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri J.M. Aaroon Rasheed

Drip Irrigation Water Management

INC Tamil Nadu

748 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Ghanshyam Anuragi

Drought Management Disaster Management

SP Uttar Pradesh

791 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Kishanbhai Vestabhai Patel

Conference on Agriculture


Shri Pradeep Majhi


INC Odisha

795 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Sukhdev Singh Libra

Crop Insurance Scheme

Agriculture INC Punjab

Shri Ravneet Singh

Disaster Management

INC Punjab

Shri Naveen Jindal

INC Haryana

796 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve

Drought Relief Disaster Management

BJP Maharashtra

815 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Laxman Tudu

Assistance under NICRA


BJD Odisha

Shri Mansukhbhai D. Vasava


915 Unstarred 10.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Jagdish Thakor

Demand of Pesticides/Insecticides


Shri Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

Pollution BJP Karnataka

Shri Ganesh Singh

BJP Madhya Pradesh

*170 Starred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri S. Semmalai

Use of Bio-Fertilizers Agriculture AIADMK Tamil Nadu

Rajkumari Ratna Singh


INC Uttar Pradesh

*180 Starred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Ganeshrao Nagorao Dudhgaonkar

Fertility of Soil Pollution SS Maharashtra

Smt. Jyoti Dhurve


1843 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Parayamparanbil Kuttappan Biju

Funds for Micro Irrigation

Water Management

CPI(M) Kerala


Agricultural Schemes Agriculture BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Nishikant Dubey

Disaster Management

BJP Jharkhand

1893 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Ponnam Prabhakar

Agricultural Schemes Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

1895 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Dr. Mahendrasinh Pruthvisinh Chauhan

Subsidy on Bio-Fertilizers


2008 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh

Fertilizers from Waste and Dung


Rajkumari Ratna Singh

Pollution INC Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Sanjay Sinh INC Uttar Pradesh Shri Hari Manjhi Alternative

Technologies BJP Bihar

2014 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Neeraj Shekhar



Shri Kirti Azad Environmental Conservation

BJP Bihar

Shri Ganesh Singh

Disaster Management

BJP Madhya Pradesh

Shri Haribhau Madhav Jawale

BJP Maharashtra

Shri Yashvir Singh

SP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Jose K. Mani

KC(M) Kerala

Shri Anto Antony

INC Kerala

2031 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi

Weather based Insurance Scheme

Disaster Management

BJP Karnataka

2050 Unstarred 17.12.2013 Agriculture Shri Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

Use of Groundwater Resources


*293 Starred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Prof. Ranjan Prasad Yadav

Assistance for Drought


Shri Shivkumar Chanabasappa

Disaster Management

BJP Karnataka

Udasi *299 Starred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Pradeep

Majhi GM Crops Agriculture INC Odisha

Shri N.S.V. Chitthan

Biosafety INC Tamil Nadu


Green Revolution Agriculture INC Andhra Pradesh

Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal

Water Management

BJP Rajasthan

3121 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel

Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation


3130 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Ramesh Vishwanath Katti

Organic Farming Agriculture BJP Karnataka

Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey


BJP Jharkhand

Shri Yashbant Narayan Singh Laguri

BJD Odisha

Shri Laxman Tudu

BJD Odisha

Shri O. S. Manian

AIADMK Tamil Nadu

Smt. Shruti Choudhry

INC Haryana


BJP Karnataka


Damage to Crops Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

Shri Ram Singh Kaswan

Disaster Management

BJP Rajasthan

3175 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Smt. Kamla Devi Patle

Production of Jatropha


3197 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri A.T. (Nana) Patil

Impact of Agro Chemicals on Foodgrains


3214 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Prof. Ranjan Prasad Yadav

Agricultural Schemes Agriculture JD(U) Bihar

Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

BJP Bihar

Dr. Sanjay Sinh INC Uttar Pradesh Shri Ratan Singh INC Rajasthan


Promotion of Organic Manure


Dr. Bhola Singh Environmental Conservation

BJP Bihar

Shri S.S. Ramasubbu

INC Tamil Nadu

3261 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Anandrao Adsul

Balanced use of Fertilizers

Agriculture SS Maharashtra

Shri Dharmendra Yadav

Pollution SP Uttar Pradesh



SS Maharashtra


SS Maharashtra

3272 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri A.T. (Nana) Patil

Dry Land Farming Agriculture BJP Maharashtra

3277 Unstarred 11.02.2014 Agriculture Shri A.K.S. Vijayan

Suicides by Farmers Agriculture DMK Tamil Nadu


Disaster Management

BJP Maharashtra

Dr. Ponnusamy Venugopal

AIADMK Tamil Nadu


National Watershed Development Project


*346 Starred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Rajendra Agrawal

Banned Pesticides Pollution BJP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Jeetendra Singh Bundela


BJP Madhya Pradesh

*353 Starred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi

Fertility of Soil Agriculture BJP Uttar Pradesh

Shri Gorakh Prasad Jaiswal


3780 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Khiladi Lal Bairwa

Assistance for Drought Relief


3790 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Viswanathan Perumal

Bt. Cotton Cultivation Agriculture INC Tamil Nadu

3826 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Suvendu Adhikari

Use of Spurious Pesticides


3854 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Sultan Arsenic in Paddy Agriculture AITC West Bengal

Ahmed 3884 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Kapil Muni

Karwariya Promotion of Cow Urine based Insecticides


3886 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri P. Karunakaran

Weather Stations at KVKs

Agriculture CPI(M) Kerala

3917 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Harish Choudhary

Potential Hazards of Pesticides


3932* Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Nama Nageswara Rao

Ban on Endosulfan Agriculture TDP Andhra Pradesh

Shri Ananth Kumar


BJP Karnataka

Shri Anto Antony

Pollution INC Kerala

Dr. (Shri) Ajay Kumar

JVM (P) Jharkhand

Shri Rangaswamy Dhruvanarayana

INC Karnataka

Shri K. P. Dhanapalan

INC Kerala


Campaigns to Impart Information to Farmers


3954 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Hamdullah Sayeed

Use of Genetically Modified Seeds

Agriculture INC Lakshadweep

3979 Unstarred 18.02.2014 Agriculture Shri Khiladi Lal Bairwa

Guidelines for Assistance for Drought Relief


ASSISTANCE TO NGOS 26th February 2013 LSQ 241 SHRI MANSUKHBHAI D. VASAVA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) Whether the Union Government has provided any financial assistance to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in the agriculture sector in the country including Gujarat; (b) if so, the details of funds given to such NGOs during the last three years, State-wise and NGO-wise; (c) Whether these NGOs have been found to be involved in financial irregularities; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the action taken by the Union Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Normally, assistance to NGOs working in the field of Agriculture is not provided directly by the Government of India to any State. The States provide such assistance under some schemes and programmes. (b) Assistance provided to the NGOs under different Schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture includes the details given in ANNEXURE-I. (c) Not applicable. (d) Not applicable. (e) Not applicable.

ANNEXURE-I LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.241 FOR 26.02.2013 Assistance provided to the NGOs in different areas of Agriculture includes:

1. Grants-in-Aid to NGOs for Setting up of Bio-Control Laboratory during last three years (Rs. in lakh)

Sl.No. State Name & Address of NGOs 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 1 Uttar Pradesh M/s Yash Krishi Takniki Evam Vigyan

Kendra, Allahabad 0.00 3.0095 0.00

2. Details of Financial Assistance provided to KVKs Under NGOs

(Rs. in Lakh) Sl. No. State No. of KVKs 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total 1 Haryana Rewari, Ambala(2) 125.95 196.82 154.67 477.44 2 Bihar Jamui, Kaimur, Madhubani,

Nawada, Sitamarhi (5) 215.88 531.93 311.97 1059.78

3 Jharkhand Deoghar, Godda, Gumla, Hazaribag, Ranchi (5) 268.46 583.67 299.25 1151.38

4 West Bengal Purulia, South 24 Parganas, West Midnapore (3) 176.37 414.48 183.65 774.5

5 Manipur Bishnupur, Senapati (2) 101.35 372.39 249.66 723.4 6 Tripura West Tripura (1) 46.60 133.19 85.10 264.89 7 Uttar Pradesh Sultanpur, Gonda, Chitrakoot,

Pratapgarh, Unnao, Gazipur, Sitapur-I, Kaushambi, Auraiya, Sitapur-II (10)

489.15 980.76 867.62 2337.53

8 Andhra Pradesh

Chittoor, Guntur, Karimnagar, Kurnool, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Vishakapatnam (8)

394.64 909.33 580.89 1884.86

9 Maharashtra Ahmednagar, Amravati (D), Amravati (G), Beed, Buldhana, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Nanded, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Thane, Washim, Pune (Narayanagaon), Akola (Udegaon), Nashik (Malegaon), Nanded (Sagroli), Ahmednagar (D), Aurangabad (G) (26)

940.07 2143.73 2077.50 5161.3

10 Rajasthan Barmer, Udaipur, Jaipur Hanumangarh(4) 212.40 515.34 385.75 1113.49

11 Gujarat Patan, Kutch, Vadodara, Bharuch, Mehsana, Junagadh, Bhavnagar (7)

311.21 635.66 533.55 1480.42

12 Madhya Pradesh

Burhanpur, Indore, Raisen, Ratlam, Satna, Sehore, Vidisha(*) (*)=KVK-Vidisha at present not functional (7)

303.81 539.99 474.42 1318.22

13 Karnataka Belgam, Belgam-A, Davangere, Gadag, Mysore (5) 209.70 583.33 416.90 1209.93

14 Tamil Nadu Ariyalur, Erode, Karur, Krishnagiri, Nilgiris, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Theni, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai, Tuticorin (11)

567.75 1344.39 935.62 2847.76

15 Kerala Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Trivandrum (3)

150.05 359.72 261.51 771.28

Grand Total

4247.44 9538.50 7989.80 21775.74

DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF BT. COTTON SEEDS 26th February, 2013 LSQ 253

SHRI HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the demand of Bt. Cotton seeds has been growing continuously in the country during the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the estimated growth rate of the average annual demand during the said period; (c) whether there has been varied claims regarding supply and demand of this seed during the current year; (d) if so, whether the demand side has confirmed decline in the availability whereas the supply side has claimed its availability in abundance; and (e) if so, the actual position and the amount of increase in its price in the current year? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c) Yes, Madam. Area under Bt. Cotton cultivation has been growing continuously in the country during the last three years and the current year. Estimated average annual growth rate of demand for Bt. Cotton seed has varied between 11-20% during 2008-12. The seed producing companies made available sufficient quantity of Bt. Cotton seed through their dealers’ network after prior consultation with the respective State Government. (d) & (e) There was no shortage of Bt. Cotton seed as per information received from the States. However, there was a decline in the demand for Bt. Cotton seeds on account of deficient monsoon. There was no increase in price of Bt. Cotton seeds in 2012. QUALITY OF SOIL 26th February 2013 LSQ 278 SHRI MAHESH JOSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the quality of soil is deteriorating as a result of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have undertaken a survey of soil conditions in the country and suggested remedial measures to improve the quality of soil; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the follow-up action taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b) There is no scientific evidence of declining soil quality with judicious use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalance use of fertilizers or pesticides coupled with low addition of organic matter over years may result into multinutrient deficiencies. (c) & (d) M/s. Greenpeace India launched ‘Living Soils Campaign’ nationwide to bring out grass root level realities concerning soil health and soil fertility management policies of the Central Government to save soils from the harmful impacts of chemical fertilizers. Greenpeace has been making the following suggestions:- (i) Create an alternate subsidy system that promotes ecological farming and use of organic soil amendments. (ii) Shift the irrational subsidy policy for synthetic fertilizers to sustainable ecological practices in agriculture. (iii) Re-focus scientific research on ecological alternatives, to identify agro-ecological practices that ensure future food security under the changing climate. (e) The Government is implementing National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its fertility through setting up / strengthening soil testing laboratories, trainings and field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers. Apart from above, in order to promote organic / ecological farming, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed technology preparation of enriched / vermin-compost from various rural and urban wastes. Besides, improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types are being developed under Network project on biofertilizers. The ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations etc. to educate farmers on these aspects. The ICAR, is also implementing a Network Project on Organic Farming with 13 co-operating centres, spread over 12 States. RESEARCH WORK BY ICAR 26th February 2013 LSQ 302 SHRI VIJAY BAHADUR SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) proposes for a comprehensive change in research work in the wake of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) directives; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the reaction of the Government thereto? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research continually updates its research programmes keeping in view the changes in global economic environment and international agreements, including provisions of the WTO agreements, IPR regime and sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. The Government is in agreement with the direction of the ICAR’s research. GM CROPS 26th February 2013

LSQ 349 SHRI ARJUN ROY SHRI PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI SHRI RAJIV RANJAN (LALAN) SINGH SHRI MUNDE GOPINATHRAO PANDURANG SHRI BHOLA SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of Genetically Modified (GM) crops grown in our country and other countries of the world; (b) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other scientific institutions in the country have conducted research and field trials before their introduction in the country; (c) if so, the outcome of these trials, crop-wise; (d) the GM crops likely to be introduced in the next two years; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process before commercial cultivation of GM crops in the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Bt Cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop grown in the country. World-over cotton, maize, soybean, canola, potato, alfalfa, rice, sugar beet, linseed, papaya, squash, poplar, sweet pepper, tomato, wheat and tobacco are commercially grown in different countries. However, other approved GM crops are carnation, rose, bean, petunia, chicory, creeping bent grass, melon, plum and brinjal as per International Service for the Acquisition of Bio-Tech Applications (ISAAA, 2011). (b) & (c): It is mandatory to conduct trials of GM crops before their introduction in country as per regulatory guidelines and procedures under rules 1989 of EPA 1986. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and other scientific institutions are involved in conduct of research and field trials of Bt cotton, Bt brinjal and other transgenic crops such as rice, maize, mustard, potato, okra, groundnut, chickpea, sorghum, watermelon, sugarcane and cauliflower & cabbage during 2006 – 2012. So far, only Bt cotton was introduced for commercial cultivation in the country. (d) As biosafety assessment of GM crops is a long drawn process, it is not possible to indicate which GM crops are likely to be approved. (e) The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill is under consideration of the Government which ensures extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process before commercial cultivation of GM crops in the country. USE OF PESTICIDES 26th February 2013 LSQ 350 SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB SHRI PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI SHRI SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to large scale pest attack on crops in various parts of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the estimated loss on account of pests; (c) whether spraying of pesticides and use of fertilisers have reduced the incidents of pest attack and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has embarked upon awareness campaign to educate farmers on judicious and safe use of pesticides and if so, the success achieved as a result of this campaign; and (e) whether the Government is also developing bio-fertilisers and alternative ways to get rid of pests in the country and if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (a) & (b) No large scale pest attack has appeared to cause economic loss in recent past due to timely interventions made by the State Governments concerned and Government of India by way of conducting regular pest monitoring and surveillance programme, besides need based control measures as and when required. During Kharif 2012, insect-pest/disease situation remained normal, below Economic Threshold Level (ETL) in general. However, Low to Moderate incidence of cotton white fly(pest) and subsequent disease of leaf curl virus was reported in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana states. Severe incidence of pest and the disease was reported sporadically in few localities of Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar and Firozepur districts of Punjab state. The incidence of cotton leaf curl virus was reported varying from traces in few cotton fields of district Rohtak, Hissar and Fatehabad of Haryana state. The incidence of sudden wilt/parawilt (a physiological disorder in water logged conditions only) was reported upto low level in few cotton fields of Hissar district of Haryana state. Soybean crop of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh and few localities of Rajasthan was reported to be infested with Red hairy caterpillar, Girdle beetle and Tobacco Caterpillar with the infestation ranging from low to moderate level. Low to moderate incidence of Rice stem borer & Rice blast was reported in few localities of Chhatisgarh and of Sheath blight and bacterial leaf blight in Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Haryana states in rice crop. Low to moderate incidence of Grasshopper in Rajasthan was also reported on maize crop. Cluster bean crop was found to be infected with Alternaria blight in few areas of Rajasthan. Moderate to severe incidence of whitefly on Sugarcane crop was reported in some localities of South Gujarat. (c) Only need based spraying of pesticides (bio-pesticides/chemical) are recommended to reduce the incidence of pest attacks. Pesticides are recommended as per the package of practices of the particular crop. (d) & (e) Yes, Madam. To prevent/manage insect pests/diseases attack as well as to increase crop productivity Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation (DAC) is implementing a scheme “Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach in India” since 1991-92 by adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as main plank of plant protection strategy in overall crop production programme. Under the ambit of IPM, Government of India has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 States and one UT. They are advocating and developing alternative methods to manage pests viz. cultural methods, mechanical methods, physical methods, biological methods including Biopesticides and biocontrol agents and wherever situation warrants the use of need based and judicious safe chemical methods are taken up. Further, Bio fertilizers do not control pests. AGRICULTURE RELATED INFORMATION 26th February 2013

LSQ 368 SHRI MAGUNTA SRINIVASULU REDDY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is providing agriculture related information to the farmers for acquiring knowledge about new seeds and food processing methods; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the necessary steps taken by the Government in this regard in coordination with the States? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India is providing information and knowledge to farmers in all aspects of agriculture including that on new seeds and food processing methods through trainings, demonstrations, study tours, exposure visits, farm schools, farmer field schools, farm trial, exhibitions, agri-preneurs, printed literature and Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension through All India Radio and Doordarshan. Brief details of different Schemes supporting these activities are given at Annexure I. In addition, Ministry of Food Processing Industries is also implementing various Schemes for promotion and development of Food Processing Sector in the country - Details are given in Annexure II. (c) Financial assistance under all these Schemes is provided to the State Governments which, in turn, implement the Schemes with active involvement of Farmer Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Private Sector Units and individuals (including farmers themselves). Annexure 1&2 LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.368 FOR 26.02.2013 I The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms” popularly known as ATMA Scheme is under implementation in 614 districts of 28 states & 3 UTs of the country. The activities taken up under the Scheme include capacity building of extension functionaries and farmers, front line demonstrations, exposure visits, kisan melas, farmers group mobilization, farm schools and farmers-scientists interaction. Through these activities, latest agriculture technologies are disseminated to farmers of the country including providing agriculture related information in acquiring knowledge about new seeds and food processing methods. II The agri-preneurs trained under the Central Sector Scheme “Establishment of the Agri-Clinics and Agri-business Centres (ACABC) Scheme are actively involved in providing advisory and extension services to the farmers on various technologies viz. inputs including seed, soil health, cropping practices, plant protection, crop insurance, post harvest technology and clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management, prices of various crops in the market, food processing etc. which would enhance productivity of crops/animals and ensure increased income to farmers. III Support is provided to different agencies for organizing Exhibitions on various agricultural aspects to create awareness about new/improved technologies in agriculture and allied sectors. Department also participates in various similar exhibitions

IV A Centrally Sponsored ‘Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize’ (ISOPOM) is being implementing 14 major oilseeds growing States, 15 Maize growing States and 9 Oil Palm States with an allocation of Rs. 575.00 crore during 2012-13. In order to disseminate information on improved production technologies amongst the farmers and to establish linkage between farmers & agricultural experts to transfer latest technology in shortest possible time, block demonstrations and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstrations, distribution of Minikits, are organized through State Department of Agriculture and Front Line Demonstrations through ICAR. V Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created a network of 631 Krishi Vigayan Kendras (KVKs) at district level in the country during the year 2011-12. The KVKs have conducted as many as 1.30 lakhs trials and frontline demonstrations on farmers field; updated the knowledge and skills of 14.68 lakh farmers; created awareness on improved agricultural technology through various extension programmes among 180.30 lakh farmers. Besides, the KVKs also produced 2.97 lakh q. seed and 193.28 lakh planting material of various crops for availability to farmers. VI Modified Centrally Sponsored ‘Fodder & Feed Development Scheme’ of Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F) is being implemented from 1.4.2010 under which financial assistance is provided to the States. Also, Central Fodder Development Organization (CFDO) disseminates the latest technology on quality fodder seed through training programmes, farmer fair’s and demonstrations on fodder crops. The fodder mini-kits of high yielding fodder crop are also allotted to the States for free distribution among the farmers. VII Seed Village Programme: Under this programme financial assistance is provided for distribution of foundation/certified seed at 50% cost to upgrade the quality of farmers saved seed and provide training to farmers on seed production and seed technology. VIII National Food Security Mission(NFSM): One of the objective of the mission is to promote and extend improved technologies i.e., seed, micronutrients, soil amendments, Integrated Pest Management, Farm Machinery and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of farmers with effective monitoring and better management. The strategy also includes timely and complete reach of the proven technology and associated knowledge input to the farmer through training & farmer field school and recognizing good performance against objective parameters set for delivery of inputs and outcomes reached.

Annexure-II The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing various plan schemes for promotion and development of food processing sector in the country for the benefit of various stakeholders including farmers. These are:- i) Scheme for Infrastructure Development with components of Mega Food Park, Cold Chain, Value Addition

& Preservation infrastructure and Modernization of Abattoirs, ii) Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries (FPIs), iii) Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards and Research & Development, iv) Scheme for Human Resources Development, v) Scheme for Strengthening of Institutions. (a) The Ministry of Food Processing industries extends the financial assistance under its 11th Plan Scheme for Technology Upgradation / Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries in the country including for setting up food processing industries at farm level. The Scheme envisages grant-in-aid @25% of the cost of plant & machinery and technical civil works subject to maximum of Rs. 50.00 lakhs in general areas and 33.33% subject to a maximum of Rs. 75.00 lakhs in difficult areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and North-Eastern States, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep and ITOP areas. All implementing agencies engaged in

Setting up/ Expansion/ Modernizations of Food Processing Industries covering all segments are eligible for financial assistance. The implementing agencies include Central/State Government Organization/PSUs/NGOs/ Cooperative Societies and Private Sector Units and individuals including farmers. (b) Under the Scheme for Technology Upgradation /Establishment/Modernization of Food Processing Industries, during 11th Plan 3229 food processing units have been assisted with an amount of Rs. 560.209 crores and in the current year towards 11th Plan spillover liabilities 647 food processing units have been assisted with an amount of Rs. 99.69 crores (as on 31-12-2012) which has benefitted applicants of all categories including farmers. DROUGHT RELIEF 26th February 2013 LSQ 408 SHRI JAGADA NAND SINGH SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE SHRI PRABODH PANDA SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR SHRI EKNATH MAHADEO GAIKWAD SHRI E.G. SUGAVANAM SHRI ANAND PRAKASH PARANJPE SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA SHRI SANJAY BHOI SHRI KHATGAONKAR PATIL BHASKARRAO BAPURAO SHRI JADHAV BALIRAM SUKUR SHRI M.THAMBIDURAI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether several States are reeling under severe drought condition due to scanty rainfall resulting in major crop losses; (b) if so, the details thereof, along with the damage caused to kharif crops due to drought State-wise; (c) whether any Central team has visited the affected States; (d) if so, the outcome thereof; and (e) the details of the financial assistance demanded by these States and the assistance provided to them by the Union Government so far, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e) During Kharif-2012, Governments of Karnataka (142 talukas), Rajasthan (5 districts) Gujarat (132 talukas), Maharashtra (125 talukas) and Kerala (4 districts) have notified drought. Crop area coverage during Kharif-2012 vis- à-vis normal/expected sown areas in above States is at Annexure-A. Government of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala have sought central assistance of Rs. 7672.40 crore, Rs.7424.13 crore, Rs.3232.15 crore, Rs.7357.54 crore and Rs.1996.07 crore respectively for drought relief. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have visited these States and assessed loss/damage to khairf crops.

Government of India has so far approved Rs.778.09 crore to Maharashtra and Rs.526.06 crore to Karnataka from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on account of Drought-2012 subject to the adjustment of 75% of balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Besides, Government of India has also approved Rs.14.20 crore from Calamity Component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) for repair of damaged drinking water supply works for Karnataka. Based on the recommendation of IMCT, the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) has also recommended central assistance of Rs.62.61 crores to Kerala and Rs.864.71 crores to Gujarat from NDRF.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.408 FOR 26.02.2013

STATEWISE CROP SOWN STATUS KHARIF-2012 (AREA IN LAKH HECTARES)

SI.No.

State Normal Area (DES)

Area Covered 201 1

Normal Area (DES)

Area Covered 2012

Normal Area (DES)

Area Covered

Normal Area(DES)

Area Covered 2012

Normal Area(DES)

Area Covered 2012

NormalArea(DES)

AreaCovered

Normal Area(DES)

AreaCovered _ 2012

Normal Area(DES)

AreaCovered 2012

Increase/Decre ase in Area

RICE

COARSE CEREAL

PULSES

OILSEEDS

SUGARCANE

COTTON JUTE & MESTA

ALL CROPS

1 3 4 • 7

13 14

15

16 17

18

1 Rajasthan

1.300

0.880

69.096

50.502

23.882

19,629

16.459

18.847

4.160 4.500

114.897

94.358

-20.539

2 Gujarat

7.050

6.570

12.056

7.274

6.17S

3.667

24.824

21,654

1,930

2.030

26.860 24.720

78,896

65.915

-12,981

3 Maharashtra

14.920

15.200

30.558

22.490

22.108

19.030

33.106

35.060

9.200

9.450

38,540 41.460

148,432

142.690

-5.742

4 Karnataka

10.960

9.840

23.578

22.470

13.898

11,520

13.594

8.840

3.530

3.840

5.160 4.340

70.720

60.850

-9.870

5 Kerala

1.880

0.850

0.028

0.000

0.000

0.000

0.027

0.000

0,000 0.000

1.935

0.850

-1.085

ORGANIC FARMING 26th February, 2013 LSQ 458 SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH Will The Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to promote organic farming in various parts of the country including Bihar; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has launched any campaign to increase awareness about organic farming; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (e) whether the Government has earmarked Rs. 2500 crore for development of organic farming in the country during the 11th Five Year Plan; and

(f) if so, the details of the investment made and utilised so far, in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (d) Government is promoting organic farming in various parts of the country including Bihar through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY). Government is already supporting financial assistance under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) for setting up of rmi-compost units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs.30,000/- per beneficiary. Funds are also provided @ 50% of the cost subject to maximum of Rs.10,000/- per hectare for a maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary for adoption of organic farming. Similar norms of assistance are applicable for assistance given under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY). Under NPOF scheme, financial assistance is provided for setting up of organic inputs production units as credit linked back-ended subsidy to the tune of 33% restricted to Rs. 60.00 lakh for setting up of Fruit/Vegetable market Waste/Agro-waste compost units and 25% restricted to Rs 40.00 lakh for setting up of Biofertilisers production units/Biopesticides production units. Beside this, a farmers’ group centric low-cost certification system,‘‘Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India)’’an alternative of 3rd party certification system has been launched during 2011-12 to increase the area under organic farming.

(e) & (f) There is no fund earmarked component-wise. Although fund is relesased to States as per their requirement in Annual Work Plan. However, the fund has been released under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) State-wise for promotion of organic farming during XIth Five Year Plan is annexed.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.458 FOR 26.02.2013 Details of expenditure various States under organic farming under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) during 11th Five Year Plan

(Rs.in crore) Sl. No. State RKVY NHM

Andhra Pradesh 50.92 18.74 Arunachal Pradesh 0.05 0.00 Assam 13.50 0.00 Bihar 141.13 23.04

Chhattisgarh 18.40 66.37 Goa 0.18 0.94 Gujarat 115.58 5.94 Haryana 8.72 25.59 Himachal Pradesh 26.48 0.00 Jammu & Kashmir 4.97 0.00 Jharkhand 4.73 4.98 Karnataka 67.40 53.67 Kerala 2.63 26.86 Madhya Pradesh 26.15 11.46 Maharashtra 0.00 14.51 Manipur 3.17 0.00 Mizoram 0.00 0.00 Meghalaya 0.45 0.00 Nagaland 2.54 0.00 Odisha 17.57 6.46 Punjab 13.50 13.38 Rajasthan 32.77 12.15 Sikkim 4.46 0.00 Tamil Nadu 25.96 11.30 Tripura 4.85 0.00 Uttar Pradesh 56.58 36.46 Uttrakhand 32.48 0.00 West Bengal 1.23 12.92 Delhi 0.00 0.00 Pudducherry 0.00 0.00 A&N Islands 0.00 0.19 Chandigarh 0.00 0.00 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 0.00 0.00 Daman & Diu 0.00 0.00 Lakshadweep 0.00 0.00 Total 676.4 0 344.96 CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES 5th March 2013 LSQ*111 SHRI DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI SHRI SANJAY SINH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the criteria followed by the Government for settlement of claims under the Crop Insurance Schemes; (b) whether several State Governments and farmers` associations have suggested radical changes in the present Crop Insurance Schemes; (c) if so, the details thereof and the suggestions accepted by the Government, so far; (d) the details of the revised Crop Insurance Schemes; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that the farmers are adequately compensated for the crop loss due to natural calamities? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 111 DUE FOR REPLY ON 5TH MARCH, 2013. (a) to (e): National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS (MNAIS) are implemented on yield index based area approach i.e. claims under these schemes are payable if the actual average yield of the insured crop in the defined area, as obtained through Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) conducted by the respective State Governments, falls short of the specified threshold yield which is the average yield of that crop in that area for the past 3/5 years. Under Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), claims are paid in the eventuality of breach of specified weather triggers like rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc. Several State Governments and farmers’ associations have suggested various changes in the insurance schemes including, inter-alia, reduction in unit area of insurance, delinking from crop loans, reduction of insurance premia, etc. Government have, accordingly, introduced Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme for implementation on pilot basis from Rabi 2010-11 in 50 districts. The following improvements have been made in MNAIS:- - Unit area of insurance for major crops reduced to village / village panchayat level, - Actuarial premiums with Government subsidy upto 75%, - Liability of claims entirely on insurer, - Minimum indemnity level increased to 70% from 60%, - Coverage of prevented sowing / planting risks, - Coverage of post harvested losses due to cyclone in coastal areas, - Coverage of localized losses due to hailstorm & land-slides, - On account payment upto 25% of likely claims as advance for immediate relief, In addition, assistance is provided under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)/National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in the eventuality of crop loss due to natural calamities. JUDICIOUS USE OF FERTILISERS 5th March 2013 LSQ*118 SHRI RAJAIAH SIRICILLA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Krishi Vigyan Kendras are involved in educating the farmers on judicious use of fertilisers/pesticides in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether extensive and indiscriminate use of fertilisers have reduced the yield of certain crops in some areas of the country; (d) if so, the locations thereof alongwith the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage the use of manures for boosting agricultural production? THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 118 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05/03/2013 REGARDING “JUDICIOUS USE OF FERTILISERS” (a) Yes, Madam. (b) As part of their activities, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras are also educating farmers on judicious use of fertilizers/pesticides through integrated nutrient and pest management. During the current year, as many as 13,163 training programmes, 1491 on-farm trials, 25,344 frontline demonstrations, 1.64 lakh extension activities and 7692 kisan mobile advisory have been organised on these aspects which benefitted 30.64 lakh farmers. (c) & (d) : Investigations carried out under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on ‘Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments’ in different soil and crop types at fixed sites revealed deterioration of soil health and reduction in crop productivity due to imbalanced use of fertilizers over years. However, no location/area and crop specific quantification of yield reduction due to indiscriminate use of fertilizers is available in the country. The Government is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients as corrective measures. (e) The Council has developed improved technology for preparation of enriched/vermi compost from various organic wastes. The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), National Horticulture Mission(NHM), National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is promoting use of manures/composts throughout the country. The Council also organizes trainings, on-farm trials and frontline demonstrations on use of manures. Besides, awareness on use of manures is being created among farmers through KVKs, Agricultural Technology Information Centres, Kisan Call Centres, Agricultural Technology Management Agencies, Agri-clinics, farm based programmes on Radio & TV and other extension activities. CROP INSURANCE SCHEME 5th March 2013 LSQ 1167 SHRI SURENDRA SINGH NAGAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to increase the amount provided to farmers under the Crop Insurance Schemes;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the time by which a decision is likely to be taken? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c) : Government is committed to provide effective risk coverage to the farmers for their crops against various perils and is implementing four schemes viz. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), Modified NAIS (MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) & Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) for this purpose. The schemes are reviewed from time to time to ensure their full benefits to the farmers. Government of India’s financial liability under crop insurance schemes over the years has increased considerably. Total funds of Rs. 811.49 crore, Rs. 2626.84 crore and 7311.35 crore have been provided during IX, X and XI Five Year Plan periods respectively. During first year of the XII Plan, year 2012-13, Rs. 1551 crore have already been provided under these schemes. SALT TOLERANT CROPS 5th March 2013 LSQ 1175 SHRI CHAUDHARY LAL SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) has developed any salt tolerant crops varieties for cultivation in the salinity affected areas of the country during the last three years; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to check soil salinity problem in various parts of the country, especially in coastal areas? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) has developed one salt tolerant variety of rice (CSR 43) and two salt tolerant varieties of wheat (KRL 210 and KRL 213) during the last three years. (c) The Government is implementing the centrally sponsored scheme on Reclamation and Development of Alkali and Acid Soils (RADAS) for reclamation of salt affected soil. Under this scheme, since inception till the end of XI Plan, an area of 8.43 lakh hectares has been developed. Bio-engineering measures are also taken up by states for mitigating salinity ingress in coastal areas. Breeder and truthfully labelled seeds of salt tolerant varieties of rice, wheat and mustard are also distributed in states having soil salinity problem, including coastal areas. LOAN FOR PURCHASE OF SMALL IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT 5th March 2013 LSQ 1199

SHRI BADRI RAM JAKHAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is aware that banks are not taking interest in providing loans to the farmers for purchasing small irrigation equipment like drip and sprinkler; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and (c) the number of farmers of various States including Rajasthan who have availed loans provided by the banks for purchasing small irrigation equipment like drip and sprinkler, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): No, Madam. (b): Does not arise. (c): Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation (MI) is under implementation. Under this scheme, cost of drip/Sprinkler irrigation system is shared in the ratio of 50:10:40 between Central Government, State Government and the farmers/beneficiary in case of small and marginal farmers whereas in the case of general category farmers, the said ratio is 40:10:50. States are free to provide additional financial assistance to lessen the burden of individual beneficiaries. No data is maintained of farmers, who have availed loans from the banks for purchasing these equipments. DEPENDENCE OF AGRICULTURE ON MONSOON 5th March 2013 LSQ 1204 SMT SAROJ PANDEY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) Whether agriculture in the country is largely dependent on monsoon; (b) if so, the details of areas dependent on monsoon along with the number of farmers engaged in agriculture, State-wise; and (c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to minimise the impact of monsoon on agriculture? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The net sown area in the country is about 140.02 million ha of which 63.25 mha area is covered under irrigation and the remaining 78.17 mha is rainfed. State wise distribution of rainfed areas is given at Annexure – I. State wise details of number of cultivators is given at Annexure-II. (c): Government has accorded priority to holistic and sustainable development of rainfed areas. Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development are implementing watershed development programmes under which water harvesting structures are taken up to provide live saving irrigation to crops. All major development programmes of Ministry of Agriculture, viz., Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM),

National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) etc., construction of farm ponds and other means of water harvesting are encouraged to provide protective irrigation to farm lands. Further, for effective utilization of available water resource, National Mission on Micro Irrigation is being implemented to minimize water requirement thereby extending availability of water over longer durations.

Annexure-I LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1204 DATED 05.03.2013

State-wise extent of Net Sown Area and Rainfed Area (2009-10) (in thousand hectares)

Sl States Net Sown

Area

Net irrigated

area Rainfed area 1 Andhra Pradesh 9991 4214 5777

2 Arunachal Pradesh 212 56 156

3 Assam 2811 197 2614 4 Bihar 5332 3394 1938 5 Chhattisgarh 4683 1323 3360 6 Goa 132 29 103 7 Gujarat 10302 4336 5966 8 Haryana 3550 3069 481 9 Himachal Pradesh 542 108 434

10 Jammu & Kashmir 735 317 418

11 Jharkhand 1250 102 1148 12 Karnataka 10404 3390 7014 13 Kerala 2079 386 1693 14 Madhya Pradesh 14972 6892 8080 15 Maharashtra 17401 3254 14147 16 Manipur 233 52 181 17 Meghalaya 283 62 221 18 Mizoram 123 10 113 19 Nagaland 361 73 288 20 Orissa 5574 2180 3394 21 Punjab 4158 4073 85 22 Rajasthan 16974 5850 11124 23 Sikkim 77 14 63 24 Tamil Nadu 4892 2864 2028 25 Tripura 280 58 222 26 Uttarakhand 741 338 403 27 Uttar Pradesh 16589 13457 3132 28 West Bengal 5256 3112 2144 29 A & N Island 15 0 15 30 Chandigarh 1 1 0 31 D&N Haveli 20 4 16 32 Daman & Diu 4 0 4 33 Delhi 22 22 0 34 Lakshadweep 3 1 2 35 Pondicherry 19 16 3

Total 140021 63254 76767 Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture

Annexure-II

State wise No. of Cultivators in India -2001

S.No State No. of cultivators

1 Jammu &Kashmir 1591514 2 Himachal Pradesh 1954870 3 Punjab 2065067 4 Chandigarh 2141 5 Uttrakhand 1570116 6 Haryana 3018014 7 Delhi 37431 8 Rajasthan 13140066 9 UttraPradesh 22167562

10 Bihar 8193621 11 Sikkim 131258 12 Arunachal Pradesh 279300 13 Nagaland 548845 14 Manipur 379705 15 Mizoram 256332 16 Tripura 313300 17 Meghalaya 467010 18 Assam 3730773 19 West Bengal 5653922 20 Jharkhand 3889506 21 Odisha 4247661 22 Chattisgarh 4311131 23 Madhya Pradesh 11037906 24 Gujarat 5802681 25 Daman & Diu 4034

26 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 39470

27 Maharashtra 11813275 28 Andhra Pradesh 7859534 29 Karnatak 6883856 30 Goa 50395 31 Lakshadweep 0 32 Kerala 724155 33 Tamil Nadu 5116039 34 Puducherry 10900 35 A& Nicobar Island 21461

Total 127312851

COMPENSATION TO FARMERS FOR CROP LOSS 5th March 2013 LSQ 1208 SHRI GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL SHRI RAMA DEVI SHRI SHIVARAMAGOUDA SHIVANAGOUDA SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

SHRI AWALE JAYWANT GANGARAM SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI SHRI B. Y. RAGHAVENDRA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government provides compensation/financial assistance to the farmers for crop loss in the wake of natural calamities including drought; (b) if so, the details thereof and the quantum of compensation paid to farmers for their crop loss during the last three years, State-wise; (c) the existing norms and guidelines in this regard; (d) whether the Government proposes to review the norms for fixing of compensation; (e) if not, the reasons therefor; and (f) the other corrective measures taken by the Government to mitigate the impact of natural calamities on farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e): Government of India provides financial assistance in form of input subsidy to farmers who have suffered crop loss of 50% or more due to natural calamities Including drought from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per extant norms and procedures. Extract of relevant items and norms of assistance is at Annexure-A. Statewise details of central assistance approved from NDRF for crop loss in the wake of natural calamities including drought during each of last three years and current year is at Annexure-B. Government of India reviews/revises the norms of fixing financial assistance from SDRF/NDRF from time to time and on need basis. (f): In view of rainfall deficit in several parts of the country during Monsoon-20l2, Government of India introduced several schemes such as (i) diesel subsidy scheme (for providing protective irrigation in rainfall deficient areas), (ii) enhancement of ceiling on seed subsidy (to partially recompense farmers for re¬sowing/purchasing drought tolerant varieties of seeds), (iii) up-scaling the central sector scheme on feed & fodder, (iv) waiver of import duty on oil cakes, (v) additional allocation of funds under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP), (vi) providing assistance for feed and fodder supplements under National Mission for Protein Supplements (NMPS), (vii) introducing drought impact mitigating interventions for perennial horticulture crops and (viii) reducing interest on rescheduled crop loans to mitigate drought conditions. Besides, additional wage employment upto 50 days per household beyond 100 days under MGNREGS, interim assistance under calamity component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and fast tracking release of installments under NRDWP and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) etc. were extended to drought affected areas.

Annexure-A LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1208 DATED 05.03.2013 Extract of Items and Norms of Assistance from National Disaster Response Fund related to Crop Loss in the wake of natural calamities including drought.

SL. ITEMS NORMS OF ASSISTANCE NO.

5 AGRICULTURE (i) Assistance to small and marginal farmers.

B. Input subsidy (where crop loss is 50% and above)

a) For agriculture crops, and annual plantation crops

Rs. 3,000/- per ha. in rainfed areas. Rs. 6,000/- per ha. in assured irrigated areas,

subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs. 500 and restricted to sown areas.

. b) Perennial crops Rs. 8,000/- ha. for all types of perennial crops

subject to areas being sown and subject to minimum assistance not less than RS.I000/-.

c) Sericulture Rs. 3,200/ - per ha. for Eri, Mulberry, Tussar. Rs. 4,000/- per ha. for Muga.

(ii) Input subsidy to farmers other than small and marginal farmers

Rs. 3000/- per hectare in rainfed areas. Rs. 6000/- per hectare for areas under assured irrigation.

Rs. 8000/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops.

- Assistance may be provided where crops loss is 50% and above, subject to a ceiling of 1 ha. per farmer and upto 2 ha. per farmer in case of successive calamities irrespective of the size of holding being large.

Annexure-B (USQ-120B. 05.03.2013

Statwise details of central assistance approved from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for crop loss for natural calamities of 2009-10, ZOKKU, 2011-12 & 2012-13

(Rs. in crores) SI. State 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 (till 28.02.2013)No. Calamity Assistance

approved forcrop loss

Calamity

Assistanceapproved forcrop loss

Calamity Assistanceapproved for crop loss

Calamity Assistanceapproved for crop loss

1. Andhra Pradesh

Drought 209.77 — — Drought 705.15 — —

2. Assam Drought 87.23 — — — - -3. Bihar Drought 409.58 . Drought 191.18 — — — 4. Himachal P

radesh Drought 70.32 — — — — — —

5. Haryana — — — Cold wave/Frost

31.10 — —

6. Jammu & Kashmir

Drought 90.00 — — — — — —

7. Jharkhand Drought 164.35 Drought 244.28 — — —8. Karnataka Drought 111.49 — _ Drought 429.83 Drought 456.509. Kerala Drought

&Hailstorm

4.76 0.12 — — — — —

10. Madhya Drought 227.77 — — — — —

Pradesh 11. Maharashtr

a Drought 564.11 — — Drought 574.71 Drought 654.58

12. Manipur Drought 14.57 — — — _ —13. Nagaland Drought 20.12# — — — 14. Odisha Drought 62.06 Drought 126.95 — — — —15. Raj as than Drought 797.57j — — - - —16. Uttar

Pradesh Drought 410.60 — — —

17. West Bengal — ■ — Drought 364.34 — - - —Including Rs. 0.14 crores for sericulture PRODUCTION OF BT. COTTON 5th March 2013 LSQ 1216 SHRI P. LINGAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether cotton yield has increased in the country since the introduction of bollworm-resistant Bt. Cotton seeds in 2001; (b) if so, the details of increase in acreage and production of Bt. Cotton since the year 2002; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Cotton Production and yield has increased in the country since the introduction of Bt. Cotton in 2002-03. Cultivation of Bt. Cotton hybrids has increased from 29400 ha in 2002-03 to 111.39 lakh ha in 2011-12. Similarly, production of cotton has increased from 86.24 lakh bales to 352.00 lakh bales during the same period. The year wise Bt. Cotton area and production of Cotton in India since 2002-03, is given below:- Year Bt. Cotton adoption Production Area (Lakh ha) % of total area Lakh bales of under cotton 170 kg each 2002-03 0.294 0.36 86.24 2003-04 0.931 1.22 137.29 2004-05 4.985 5.66 164.29 2005-06 10.148 11.16 184.99 2006-07 34.610 37.84 226.32 2007-08 63.340 67.28 258.84 2008-09 68.810 76.39 222.76 2009-10 80.550 79.50 240.22 2010-11 95.500 85.04 330.00 2011-12 111.39 92.00 352.00 ORGANIC FARMING 5th March 2013

LSQ 1265 SHRI DATTA RAGHOBAJI MEGHE SHRI ANANTH KUMAR SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL SHRI E.G. SUGAVANAM SHRI JYOTI DHURVE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the production of organic crops, fruits and vegetables along with the area under cultivation of such crops in each State/ UT during each of the last three years and the current year, product/crop-wise; (b) the demand and supply of these crops in the country? (c) whether organic farm products are costlier in the country; (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and (e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other incentives for organic farm producers in order to encourage them to take up organic farming on a massive scale? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Government is promoting production of organic crops, fruits and vegetables etc. through various schemes viz National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). State wise data related to area and production are at Annexure-I & II and category wise data of production for the year 2010-11 & 2011-12 provided by APEDA is attached at Annexure-III. (b): Demand for organic food items is on rise during the last few years. Ministry of Agriculture does not maintain data on demand, supply and consumption of various organic food items. (c) & (d): Yes, organic products are costlier in the country due to demand by consumers for chemical residue free food grown by nature friendly methods without the use of synthetic inputs. (e): There is no provision of Minimum Support Price (MSP) in respect of organic farm produce. However, Government is promoting organic farming by providing incentives to cultivators of organic food products under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) @ Rs. 10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of four hectare per beneficiary, setting up of vermicompost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary and organic farming certification @ Rs. 5.00 lakh for group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectare. Assistance for organic food promotion is also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee.

ANNEXURE Annexure-I

LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1265 DATED 05.03.2013 STATEWISE AREA IN Ha UNDER ORGANIC CERTIFICATION (INCLUDING WILD HARVEST)

States 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Andhra Pradesh 44395.67 14350.72 47456.77 Arunachal Pradesh 1897.27 243 520.43 Assam 6223.12 2047.33 2048.27 Andaman and Nicobar 0 334.68 0 Bihar 1096.3 1303.62 188.6 Chhattisgarh 29084.97 8448.94 299970.6 Delhi 12734.36 265.82 100238.7 Goa 13175.72 13303.7 153684.6 Gujarat 102488.4 48518.91 41978.94 Haryana 21951.6 14763.61 17442.36 Himachal Pradesh 683697.85 631901.99 933798.2 J&K 32687.11 776.48 26834.26 Jharkhand 100 24300 29794.42 Karnataka 121507.56 88728.64 118739.7 Kerala 15372.62 6597.65 15790.49 Lakshadweep 0 12.13 891.93 Madhya Pradesh 2829249 2866571.88 432129.5 Maharashtra 35449.98 177345.48 245339.3 Manipur 10871.3 2792.03 1296.91 Meghalaya 2254.12 2419.67 288.23 Mizoram 38674.62 12544.13 7023.97 Nagaland 29715.28 1603.54 7762.6 Orissa 92452.47 24417.55 43868.18 Punjab 5264.23 6025.78 927.28 Rajasthan 260827.88 217712.19 222319.1 Sikkim 7393.09 1726.34 25716.55 TN 78442.9 34878.09 38554.33 Tripura 281.06 348.39 4.05 UP 26567.68 111644.83 2593821 Uttarakhand 33181.3 105465.98 122880.6 West Bengal 14861.22 6125.72 19095.55 Total 4551899 4427519 5550405

(Source: APEDA)

Annexure-II STATEWISE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCTS (INCLUDING FOREST PRODUCE)

States Production ( Wild + Organic) MT

Production (Wild + Organic) MT


2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Andhra Pradesh 11129.24 59470.76 3658.43 Arunachal Pradesh 710.02 2127.29 0 Assam 2328.89 14716.95 1200.20 Andman 0.00 4189.10 0 Bihar 410.27 15153.35 0 Chhattisgarh 1278.76 1695.82 3153.66 Daman & Diu 0.00 0.00 0 Delhi 4765.60 2172.26 0.01 Goa 2765.91 28262.50 156.65 gujarat 26386.80 191667.84 9859.58

Haryana 3275.85 119789.39 1731.57 Hinachal Pradesh 237105.14 74973.30 472.43 J&K 12232.56 10382.95 3513.68 Karnataka 45472.00 220901.31 10324.01 Kerala 5752.93 58177.29 12277.72 Lakshdeep 0.00 22.55 0 Madhya Pradesh 164694.54 1220809.58 83404.75 Jharkhand 37.42 0.00 0 Mahrashtra 53496.16 694275.26 211740.81 Manipur 4068.39 19239.25 3.11 Meghalaya 843.56 15674.64 9654.38 Mizoram 14473.28 177509.02 0 Nagaland 11120.41 6627.47 560.00 Orissa 62391.68 166183.41 29016450.49 Punjab 1970.04 68177.83 Rajashthan 23612.61 265341.01 138635.84 Sikkim 2766.73 5174.44 4121.78 Tamil Nadu 23847.43 41640.73 19797.66 Tripura 105.18 527.25 0 Uttar Pradesh 970832.69 294156.10 27526.75 Uttarakhand 10030.05 79765.04 22439.79 West Bengal 5561.54 28393.48 3159.97 Total Production In MT 1703465.70 3887197.19 29583843.25

(Source: APEDA)

Annexure-III Category wise production of the organic products for the year 2010-11 & 2011-12

Sr. No. Product Name Production 2010-11 in MT production 2011-12 in

MT 1 Cotton 552388.47 111382.542 Cereals & Millets (excluding rice) 171684.66 40785.613 Rice (Basmati and non Basmati) 176683.17 22673.704 Pulses 42721.61 12956.695 Fruits and Vegetables 335863.10 8227.746 Tea 27684.26 5273.347 Oil seeds excluding Soyabean 360837.17 2849.808 Coffee 13122.03 1376.549 Dry Fruits 52369.09 521.4610 Medicinal & Herbal plants 1792014.86 189.2711 Miscellaneous 221191.96 27.36

Total 3746560.38 206264.05 (Source: APEDA) BAN ON PESTICIDES 5th March 2013 LSQ 1268

SHRI RANJAN PRASAD YADAV SHRI VIJAY BAHADUR SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether several pesticides including endosulphan are banned in the country for use in agriculture; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Supreme Court has given permission for export of endosulphan; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether use of these pesticides have adverse effect on agricultural production, soil and human health; and (f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to provide alternatives for these pesticides? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a)& (b): Some pesticides /formulations have been banned for manufacture, import, and use and some have been put under restricted use in the country, which are listed at Annexure. In writ petition (civil) No. 213 of 2011 “Democratic Youth Federation of India vs Union of India & Ors”, Hon’ble Supreme Court passed an ad-interim order on 13.05.2011 banning production, sale and use of Endosulfan in the country till further orders and appointed a Joint Committee headed by the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Agriculture Commissioner to conduct a scientific study on the question whether the use of Endosulfan would cause any serious health hazard to human beings and would cause environmental pollution. Accordingly, the Central Government issued instructions on 14.05.2011 to all State Governments/U.T. Administrations to implement interim order of the court in toto, which are binding on all manufacturers. The Joint Committee appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court has also been directed by the Court to suggest alternatives to Endosulfan. The Joint Committee in its interim Report submitted in Supreme Court has given alternative pesticides to Endosulfan registered and available in the country. (c) & (d): Only limited quantity has been allowed for export by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India after ordering the ban Order. Supreme court allowed export of 1090.596 MT stock of Endosulfan technical lying as accumulated stock with various manufacturers in India. Further, it also allowed export of existing stock of 2698.056 KL of Endosulfan formulation in w/w form on the conditions mentioned in the orders. (e)&(f): Use of pesticides in the country is regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968. A pesticide is registered only after scrutiny of bio-efficacy and bio-safety as per the provisions of the Insecticides Act 1968. Further, to ensure continued safety of such products, the Government appoints expert groups from time to time to review any registered pesticide which may be reported to cause any adverse effect or are banned/ severely restricted in other countries and action is taken on the basis of the recommendation of such expert groups. As such, if any negative feed-back is received, the registered pesticides are reviewed and if required, restriction or ban is imposed. The Government advises farmers to use available alternative pesticides of these banned pesticides for controlling various pests of different crops under the ambit of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1268 DATED 05.03.2013

LIST OF PESTICIDES WHICH ARE BANNED, REFUSED REGISTRATION AND RESTRICTED IN USE

(As on 31th Dec, 2012) I. PESTICIDES / FORMULATIONS BANNED IN INDIA

A. Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use . 1 Aldicarb 2 Aldrin 3 Benzene Hexachloride 4 Calcium Cyanide 5 Chlorbenzilate 6 Chlordane 7 Chlorofenvinphos 8 Copper Acetoarsenite 9 Dibromochloropropane 10 Dieldrin 11 Endrin 12 Ethyl Mercury Chloride 13 Ethyl Parathion 14 Ethylene Dibromide 15 Heptachlor

16 Lindane (Gamma-HCH) (Banned vide Gazette Notification No S.O. 637(E) Dated 25/03/2011)-Banned for Manufecture,Import or Formulate w.e.f. 25th March,2011 and banned for use w.e.f. 25th March,2013.

17 Maleic Hydrazide 18 Menazon 19 Metoxuron 20 Nitrofen 21 Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate 22 Pentachloro Nitrobenzene 23 Pentachlorophenol 24 Phenyl Mercury Acetate 25 Sodium Methane Arsonate 26 TCA (Trichloro acetic acid) 27 Tetradifon 28 Toxaphene(Camphechlor)

B. Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use

1 Carbofuron 50% SP 2 Methomyl 12.5% L 3 Methomyl 24% formulation 4 Phosphamidon 85% SL C. Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but

continued to manufacture for export 1 Captafol 80% Powder

2 Nicotin Sulfate

D.

Pesticides Withdrawn (Withdrawal may become inoperative as soon as required complete data as per the guidelines is generated and submitted by the Pesticides Industry to the Government and accepted by the Registration Committee. (S.O 915(E) dated 15th Jun,2006)

1 Dalapon 2 Ferbam 3 Formothion 4 Nickel Chloride 5 Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB) 6 Simazine 7 Warfarin

II. PESTICIDES REFUSED REGISTRATION

S.No. Name of Pesticides Ammonium Sulphamate Azinphos Ethyl Azinphos Methyl Binapacryl Calcium Arsenate Carbophenothion Chinomethionate (Morestan) Dicrotophos EPN Fentin Acetate Fentin Hydroxide Lead Arsenate Leptophos (Phosvel) Mephosfolan Mevinphos (Phosdrin) 2,4, 5-T Thiodemeton / Disulfoton Vamidothion

III. PESTICIDES RESTRICTED FOR USE IN THE COUNTRY S.No. Name of Pesticides Details of Restrictions

1 Aluminium Phosphide

The Pest Control Operations with Aluminium Phosphide may be undertaken only by Govt./Govt. undertakings / Govt. Organizations / pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or experts whose expertise is approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India except 1Aluminium Phosphide 15 % 12 g tablet and 2Aluminum Phosphide 6 % tablet. [RC decision circular F No. 14-11(2)-CIR-II (Vol. II) dated 21-09-1984 and G.S.R. 371(E) dated 20th may 1999]. 1Decision of 282nd RC held on 02-11-2007 and, 2Decision of 326th RC held on 15-02-2012.

The production, marketing and use of Aluminium Phosphide tube packs with a capacity of 10 and 20 tablets of 3 g each of Aluminium Phosphide are banned completely. (S.O.677 (E) dated 17thJuly, 2001)

2 Captafol The use of Captafol as foliar spray is banned. Captafol shall be used only as seed dresser. (S.O.569 (E) dated 25thJuly, 1989) The manufacture of Captafol 80 % powder for dry seed treatment (DS) is banned for use in the country except manufacture for export. (S.O.679 (E) dated 17thJuly, 2001)

3 Cypermethrin Cypermethrin 3 % Smoke Generator, is to be used only through Pest Control Operators and not allowed to be used by the General Public. [Order of Hon,ble High Court of Delhi in WP(C) 10052 of 2009 dated 14-07-2009 and LPA-429/2009 dated 08-09-2009]

4 Dazomet The use of Dazomet is not permitted on Tea. (S.O.3006 (E) dated 31st Dec, 2008)

5 Diazinon Diazinon is banned for use in agriculture except for household use. (S.O.45 (E) dated 08th Jan, 2008)

6 Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT)

The use of DDT for the domestic Public Health Programme is restricted up to 10,000 Metric Tonnes per annum, except in case of any major outbreak of epidemic. M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd., the sole manufacturer of DDT in the country may manufacture DDT for export to other countries for use in vector control for public health purpose. The export of DDT to Parties and State non-Parties shall be strictly in accordance with the paragraph 2(b) article 3 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). (S.O.295 (E) dated 8th March, 2006) Use of DDT in Agriculture is withdrawn. In very special circumstances warranting the use of DDT for plant protection work, the state or central Govt. may purchase it directly from M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. to be used under expert Governmental supervision. (S.O.378 (E) dated 26thMay, 1989)

7 Fenitrothion The use of Fenitrothion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control in scheduled desert area and public health. (S.O.706 (E) dated 03rdMay, 2007)

8 Fenthion The use of Fenthion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control, household and public health. (S.O.46 (E) dated 08th Jan, 2008)

9 Lindane (Gamma-HCH)

Lindane is banned for manufacture, import or formulate. However it is allowed for use up to 24th march, 2013 for termite control in Building including wood, and termite control in Agriculture as per approved label claims by the Registration Committee and for exports. [S.O.637 (E) dated 25thMarch, 2011 AND S.O.1472 (E) dated 29th Aug., 2007]

10 Methoxy Ethyl Mercuric Chloride (MEMC)

The use of MEMC is banned completely except for seed treatment of potato and sugarcane. (S.O.681 (E) dated 17thJuly, 2001)

11 Methyl Bromide Methyl Bromide may be used only by Govt./Govt.

undertakings/Govt. Organizations / Pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or Experts whose expertise is approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India. [G.S.R.371 (E) dated 20thMay, 1999 and earlier RC decision]

12 Methyl Parathion Methyl Parathion 50 % EC and 2% DP formulations are banned for use on fruits and vegetables. (S.O.680 (E) dated 17thJuly, 2001) The use of Methyl Parathion is permitted only on those crops approved by the Registration Committee where honeybees are not acting as a pollinators. (S.O.658 (E) dated 04th Sep., 1992.)

13 Monocrotophos Monocrotophos is banned for use on vegetables. (S.O.1482 (E) dated 10thOct, 2005)

14 Sodium Cyanide The use of Sodium Cyanide shall be restricted for Fumigation of Cotton bales under expert supervision approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India. (S.O.569(E) dated 25thJuly, 1989)

SOIL HEALTH CARDS 5th March 2013 LSQ 1269 SMT. MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to issues oil health cards to farmers to help them in determining soil fertility and in choosing the right fertiliser for the crops; and (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The State Governments are issuing soil health cards to the farmers. As per information provided by States, the State-wise details of soil health cards issued is attached at Annexure. LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1269 DATED 05.03.2013 ANNEXURE

state wise distribution of soil Health Cards to the Farmers

State/UTs Soil health cards issued (Till March 2012) (in lakhs)

South Zone Andhra Pradesh 42.08 Karnataka 59.12 Kerala 18.63 Tamil Nadu 39.84 Pondicherry 0.23 A&N Island 0.03 S Zone Total 159.93 West Zone Gujarat 44.73 Madhya Pradesh 20 93 Maharashtra 27.18 Rajasthan 24.77 D&N Haveli 0.05 Chhatisgarh 4.72 Goa 2.18 W Zone Total 124.56 North Zone Haryana 15.17 Punjab 25.29 Uttarakhand 229 Uttar Pradesh 118.27 Himachal Pradesh 10.46 J&K 1.45 Delhi 0.07 N Zone Total 173.01 East Zone Bihar 8.11 Jharkhand 1.66 Orissa 21.22 West Bengal 3.08 E Zone Total 34.07 North East Zone Assam 5.72 Tripura 1.16 Manipur 1.54 Meghalaya 0.84 Nagaland 0.37 Arunachal Pradesh 1.75 Sikkirn 0.64 Mizoram 1.42 NE Zone Total 13.44 Grand Total 505.01

INDISCRIMINATE USE OF PESTICIDES 5th March 2013 LSQ 1273 SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB SHRI SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE SHRI VIJAY BAHADUR SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has maintained the data of the crops and the number of farmers affected due to excessive use of pesticides during each of the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the awareness programmes organised by the Government to educate farmers on the judicious and safe use of pesticides during the above period; (d) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the achievements of such awareness programmes during the said period; (e) if so, the details thereof; and (f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to encourage the use of organic fertilisers in place of chemical fertilisers to increase agricultural production? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Government does not maintain data of the crops and the number of farmers affected due to excessive use of pesticides. (c): The Government is popularizing the strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through a Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” which includes cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest control and emphasizes safe and judicious use of pesticides. Under the ambit of IPM programme, the Government has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 State and one UT. The mandate of these Centres is pest/disease monitoring, production and release of bio-control agents/bio-pesticides, conservation of bio-control agents and Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to Agriculture/Horticulture Extension Officers and farmers at grass root level by organizing Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) in farmers’ fields. The basic aim of FFS is to train the farmers on the latest IPM technology so that they are able to take decision in pest management operation. Besides, large number of locally available bio-control agents are augmented from field to field based on the requirement. Major emphasis is given on judicious use of chemical pesticide as a last resort and safety in use of pesticides, alternate tools for pest management viz; cultural, physical, mechanical methods of pest control as well as use of biopesticides and biocontrol agents, effects of pesticides on natural enemies of pests, do’s and don’ts of pesticide use including proper application equipment and the technique. FFSs are run by trained personnel to train 30 farmers and 5 Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) for 14 weeks. At the end of training, Kisan Mela is organized at the FFS site to popularize the IPM approach among neighbouring farmers. So far, upto the year 2011-12 the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S), an attached organisation of Ministry of Agriculture, has organized 13,991 Nos. of Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) wherein 57,962

Agriculture / Horticulture Extension Officers and 4,20,720 farmers in different crops have been trained on latest IPM technology in various crops. To encourage use of biological agents including plant products and to meet the farmers requirement of these products against crop pests of agricultural/horticultural crops, various biological control agents are registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Besides “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” there are other schemes of the Government like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Extension Programme under which farmers are being imparted awareness programmes . The National Institute of Plant Heath Management, an autonomous body under Ministry of Agriculture has in the recent past adopted 27 villages where field service training was conducted involving officer trainees in Plant Protection. The farmers of these villages have benefited by adoption of IPM technologies. The Institute also developed low cost agricultural plant protection implements viz., hand shake duster, wick weed applicator and swing sack granular applicator, and other appropriate technologies such as solar assisted low volume sprayer, battery operated backpack sprayer, etc. These appliances were popularized among farmers for control of brown plant hopper, weed management, low and effective application of granular formulations, and for judicious application of pesticides. (d) & (e): The evaluation of the Scheme, “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” including impact of IPM strategy being implemented by Central govt is being conducted by Agro-Economic Research Centre Vishwa Bharati University, West Bengal. However, at national level, impact of IPM has been observed through the following indicators:- i. Increase in crop yield from 6.72 to 40.14% in rice and from 22.7 to 26.63% in cotton in IPM fields compared to non-IPM fields. ii. Chemical pesticide spray was found to have reduced to the extent of 50 - 100% in rice and 29.96 – 50.5% in cotton in IPM fields compared to non-IPM fields. iii. Net gain in farm income of farmers was found to have increased in the IPM fields as compared to the farmers practices. iv. Use of biopesticides /neem based pesticides increased from 123 MT during 1994-95 to 8,110 MT during 2011-12, and that the consumption of chemical pesticide in the country has reduced from 75,033 MT (Technical Grade) in 1990-91 to 50,583 MT (Technical Grade) in 2011-12. (f): Under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, financial assistance is being provided for setting up of fruit/ vegetable market waste/ agro-waste compost production unit for the capacity of 100 ton Per Day (TPD) through NABARD as credit linked back-ended subsidy to the tune of 33% of total financial outlay restricted to Rs. 60.00 lakh whichever is less. USE OF BANNED CHEMICALS 5th March 2013 LSQ 1288 SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO SMT KAMLA DEVI PATLE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of farmers are using certain chemicals which are banned in developed countries to ripen the fruits and vegetables artificially, which is injurious to health; (b) if so, the facts and details thereof; and (c) the concrete steps taken by the Union Government to ban these chemicals? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): There have been reports in media about the use of toxic substances like calcium carbide, oxytocin for early ripening of fruits and vegetables. Clause 2.3.5 of Chapter 2 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on sale) Regulations, prohibits the sale of fruits which has been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas produced from Calcium Carbide. However, use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits is considered safe. (c): Implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its Rules / Regulations rest with State/UT Governments. The Commissioner Food Safety/Food (Health) Authority of States/UTs who are responsible for implementation of the said Act in their State/UTs have been requested to keep a strict vigil on use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits and take legal action for violation of the above provision of the Act/Rules. The State Governments have also been advised to educate the public through mass electronic media against consumption of such artificial ripened fruits. CERTIFICATION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS 5th March 2013 LSQ 1293 SHRI DHANANJAY SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has received a number of applications from various certifying agencies for certification of organic products; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Union Government in this regard; (c) whether the Government has conducted various awareness/training workshops to promote organic farming in 2012-13; and (d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection has received thirteen applications so far from Certifying Agencies for certification of organic products. Out of this, ten agencies have been granted Certificate of Authorization to grade and mark organic agricultural produce under Agmark for domestic trade under the provision of Organic Agricultural Produce Grading & Marking Rules, 2009. A list of certifying agencies who have been granted such certificate is enclosed in Annexure-I. Deficiencies in the remaining three applications have been communicated to the agencies.

(c) & (d): Under the National Project on Organic Farming, National and Regional Centres of Organic Farming have organized following training programmes on organic farming during the year 2012-13: (i) One programme of 30 days certificate course on organic farming. (ii) Seven programmes of 10 days training/refresher course for Analyst. (iii) Thirty programmes of 5 days trainer’s training course on various subjects. (iv) Sixty programmes of 2 days training for extension officers. (v) Two programmes on national seminar (organic and biological inputs) The above trainings are not State specific and participants in the trainings were from various States.

Annexure – I

LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1293 DATED 05.03.2013 List of Certification Agencies to whom Certificate of Authorization granted for Grading and Marking of Organic Agriculture Produce under Agmark

Sl.No. Name of the Certification Agency Address

1. M/s Chattisgarh Certification Society India,Raipur.

(CGCERT), A-25, VIP Estate, Khamhardih, Shankar Nagar, Raipur- 497001 (Chattisgarh) Phone 0771- 2283249, Fax- 2283249,

2. M/s ECOCERT India Pvt. Ltd., Aurangabad.

( ECOCERT), Sector-3, Hindustan Awas, Walmi- Wauj Road, Nakhstrawadi-431002, Aurangabad Phone 0240- 2377120, Fax- 2376866

3. M/s OneCert Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd.,Jaipur.

(OneCert), Plot No.8, Pratap Nagar Colony, Near Glass Factory, Tonk Road, Jaipur-302017 (Rajasthan) Phone & Fax 0141- 2701882.

4. M/s Uttranchal State Organic Certification Agency, Dehradun.

(USOCA), 12/II, VasantVihar, Dehradun- 248006. Phone & Fax 0135 - 2760734 & 2760861

5. M/s Natural Organic Certification Association,Pune.

(NOCA), Row House No. 2, E-10, Sun Empire, Near Sun City Vadgaon, Budruk, Sinhgad Road, Pune-411051 Ph# 020- 65218063, Fax- 24105179.

6. M/s Control Union Certification, Navi Mumbai

Plot No. C. 113, TTC Industrial Area, Pawane MIDC, Navi Mumbai-400709

7. M/s Vedic Organic Certification Agency (VOCA), Hyderabad

Plot No. 54, Ushodaya Enclave, Mythrinagar, Miyapur, Hyderabad -500050.

8. M/s Intertek India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

E-20, Block B-1, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110044 Ph. # 011-41595460, Fax - 41595475

9. M/s Rajasthan Organic Certification Agency (ROCA), Jaipur

(ROCA) 3rd Floor, Pant KrishiBhawan, Janpath, Jaipur – 302005 (Rajasthan) Ph. # 0141-227104, Fax - 2227456

10. M/s Lacon Quality Certification Pvt. Ltd.,Thiruvalla.

Chenathra, Theepany Thiruvalla – 689101 (Kerala) Ph. # 0469-2606447, Fax - 2631902

SOIL HEALTH 5th March 2013 LSQ 1318 SHRI SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE SHRI ASHOK TANWAR SHRI SUBHASH BAPURAO WANKHEDE SHRI M. K. RAGHAVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in its latest document “Vision 2030” has pointed out that about 120.72 million hectares of the country’s arable land is degraded; (b) if so, the reasons therefor; (c) whether such degradation/deterioration in soil health is present in all dimensions viz., physical, chemical and microbial; (d) if so, the details and the reasons therefor; and (e) the remedial measures taken by the Government to improve soil health and productivity including subsidies/aids to promote vermiculture? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. As per the latest estimates (NAAS, 2010) based on harmonized database, around 1204.4 M ha of total land of the country is degraded out of which 104.19 Mha is arable. (b) Deforestation, overgrazing, shifting cultivation, inappropriate land use and faulty management practices, poor water and nutrient management, developmental activities like mining & road construction and lack of adoption of proper soil & water conservation measures are the major causes of land degradation. (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Loss of top fertile soil through water & wind erosion, physical degradation through water logging, compaction, crusting etc. and chemical degradation like salinization, alkalization, acidification and nutrient depletion and loss of soil biota and organic matter are the major reasons attributing to such degradation/deterioration of soil health. (e) The ICAR has developed several location specific bio-engineering measures of soil and water conservation which are implemented through National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) of Minitry of Agriculture, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Ministry of Rural Development and others to prevent erosion of top fertile soil and restore soil health. The Council has also developed cost effective technologies for reclamation of acid and salt affected soils which are promoted through Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Reclamation and Development of Alkali and Acid Soils. The Council organizes trainings for field functionaries on these issues. The Government under a National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) promotes soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management to improve soil health and productivity in the country. The Council has developed improved technology for preparation of vermicompost from various organic wastes and imparting training, organizing Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on this aspect. The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is promoting vermiculture throughout the country.

CROPLOSS DUE TO FROST 5th March 2013 LSQ 1331 SMT. SHRUTI CHOUDHRY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of visits of Central/State teams of Haryana to assess the losses caused to farmers due to frost; (b) whether the Union Government has released any funds to the States including Haryana where the farmers incurred losses due to frost; (c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): A Central Team visited Haryana during February, 2012 to assess crop damages due to cold wave/frost that the occurred during January-February, 2012. Details of additional central assistance approved so far to States for crop damage due to cold wave/frost are as under: Sl.No. State Calamity Year Amount Approval Remarks approved Year 1 Madhya Pradesh January-2011 Rs.377 crore 2011-12 As Additional Central Assistance (ACA) 2 Haryana January- Rs.31.10 2012-13 From National February, Crore Disaster Response 2012 Fund (NDRF) PRODUCTIVITY OF BT. COTTON 12th March 2013 LSQ*204 SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE SHRI YASHVIR SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Cotton Advisory Board under the Ministry of Textiles has conducted any study to assess the production and productivity of Bt. cotton in the country; (b) if so, the details and the findings thereof along with the reaction of the Ministry thereto; (c) whether there are reports of failure of Bt. cotton in the cotton growing States during the last three years and the current year;

(d) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and the reasons therefor; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage research and development for improving the production and productivity of the genetically modified Bt. cotton and to prevent crop failure? MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 204 DUE FOR REPLY ON 12TH MARCH, 2013. (a) No, Madam. (b) Does not arise. (c) & (d) No, Madam. The production of cotton increased from 240.22 lakh bales in 2009-10 to 352 lakh bales in 2011-12. As per the 2nd advance estimates, the production of cotton during 2012-13 is estimated at 338 lakh bales despite rainfall deficiency in several cotton growing regions. (e) Research and Development for improving the production and productivity of cotton, including Bt. Cotton is being encouraged under Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) by Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) through Central Institute of Cotton Research, (CICR) Nagpur. Further, DARE is also implementing All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project (AICCIP) to develop new varieties & production technologies in cotton. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER NPOF 12th March 2013 LSQ*206 SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID SHRI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is under implementation for the promotion of ecological/organic farming practices; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the activities undertaken and the funds allocated and utilised thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (c) the major achievements made under the NPOF in the country during the said period;and (d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to evolve sustainable ecological farming practices/ standards in the country? MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 206 DUE FOR REPLY ON 12TH MARCH, 2013.

(a) to (d) Yes, Madam. National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is being implemented for the promotion of organic farming. The activities under NPOF include technical capacity building, awareness creation and publicity, quality control, including revision of standards and testing protocols of biofertilizers and organic fertilisers, promotion of production of organic and biological sources of nutrients like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, bio-control agents, organic manure, compost, etc. NPOF scheme provides financial assistance through capital investment subsidy for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/bio-pesticides production units, development and implementation of quality control regime, human resource development, etc. Assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy for establishment of bio pesticides/bio fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. Details of funds allocated and released for promotion of organic farming during past three years and current year are given at Annexure-I. During the years 2009-10 to 2012-13 (upto Feb. 13) major achievements made under the NPOF scheme are at Annexure-II. In addition, Government is promoting organic farming through National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary, for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares. Assistance for decentralized production and marketing of organic fertilizers is also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee. Under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), assistance is provided @ Rs.500 per ha for promoting use of Integrated Nutrient Management-Organic Manures. ICAR is implementing a Network Project on Organic Farming to develop package of practices of different crops under organic farming in different agro-climatic regions of the country. ICAR also imparts training and organizes front line demonstrations to educate farmers on various aspects of organic farming. Sustainable ecological farming practices are promoted through a system of certification of organic produce based on standards prescribed under National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) being implemented by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Agricultural Grading and Marking Rules, 2009 being implemented by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection. ANNEXURE

Annexure-I LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.206 FOR 12.03.2013 State wise details of expenditure incurred under NPOF Scheme

(Rs. in lakh)

S.No. Name of State Year wise expenditure

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 1 Andhra Pradesh 0.00 19.90 40.00 20.00

2 Arunachal Pradesh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 3 Assam 3.91 0.37 30.19 0 4 Bihar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 5 Chhattisgarh 0.00 0.00 1.50 0 6 Goa 3.00 0.00 0.00 0 7 Gujarat 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 8 Haryana 0.00 50.81 0.00 0 9 Himachal Pradesh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

10 J & K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 11 Jharkhand 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 12 Karnataka 15.58 119.07 0.00 0 13 Kerala 34.65 0.00 0.00 0 14 Madhya Pradesh 2.59 0.00 0.00 2.25 15 Maharashtra 27.31 24.50 51.74 11.53 16 Manipur 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 17 Meghalaya 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 18 Mizoram 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 19 Nagaland 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 20 Orissa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 21 Punjab 99.22 37.71 26.57 0 22 Rajasthan 139.30 22.50 0.00 0 23 Sikkim 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 24 Tamil Nadu 14.00 10.59 0.00 0 25 Tripura 0.00 0.00 20.00 0 26 Uttar Pradesh 12.00 2.04 1.15 0 27 Uttarakhand 0.00 17.50 0.00 0 28 West Bengal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

TOTAL 351.56 304.99 171.15 109.74* Other Expenditure** 757.27 1068.15 1454.38 1095.84 Grand Total 1108.83 1373.14 1625.53 1205.58

*Details of subsidy amount of Rs. 75.96 lakh is awaited from NABARD. ** Amount spent on training, awareness, publication and other operational expenses of NCOF which are not segregated State-wise

Annexure-II Major achievement made under NPOF during 2009-10 to 2012-13 (upto Feb. 13)

S.No. Component (Unit) Total 1. Training Programmes (Numbers) 436 2. Field Demonstrations (Numbers)* 360 3. Setting up of Model Organic Farms (Numbers)* 05 4. Seminars / Workshops / Exhibitions (Numbers) 18 5. Publication of Newsletters (Number of issues) 21 6. Quality Control of Biofertilisers & Organic Fertilisers (Number of samples tested) 8117 7. Microbial Strain Supply (Number of slants / tubes) 4537 8. Organic Inputs Production Units (Numbers) 292 9. Literature Distributed (Numbers) 380715 10. Radio Talks (Numbers) 247 11. TV Programmes (Numbers) 183 *Components discontinued from 2010-11 GM CROPS

12th March 2013 LSQ 2304 SMT. SHRUTI CHOUDHRY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there is no significant socio-economic benefits to farmers from the use of Genetically Modified food crops and instead huge debts have been incurred by them due to capital-intensive practice; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the views/comments of each State including Haryana in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b) Presently Bt. cotton, is the only GM crop recommended for commercial cultivation in India. Cultivation of Bt. Cotton hybrid has resulted in significant reduction of insecticide usage in cotton cultivation with about 30-60% increase in productivity. This has resulted in increased earning and improved socio economic status of the farmers cultivating cotton in the country. (c) Most of the states including Haryana are making efforts to popularize cultivation of cotton with adoption of IPM/INM technologies under Mini Mission-II, a sub scheme of Technology Mission on Cotton. PROMOTION OF MANURE ORGANIC FERTILISERS 12th March 2013 LSQ 2309 SHRI GANESH SINGH SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the percentage of pesticides used in the production of foodgrains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables etc.; (b) the quantum of pesticides/manure produced in the country during the last three years and the current year and its distribution, State-wise; (c) whether the Government proposes to promote production and use of organic manures and organic fertilisers; (d) if so, the various non-chemical organic fertilisers produced and marketed in different parts of the country including Madhya Pradesh along with the present support systems in this regard; (e) whether the Union Government proposes to bring these organic fertilisers under the proposed nutrition based subsidy system; and (f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Consumption of pesticides in 2011-12 as per information given by States/UTs in “Zonal Conference on Inputs” is 50,583.47 MT (Technical Grade). (b) Quantum of pesticides produced and consumed in the country during the last three years is at Annexure I and II respectively. State wise details of organic manures produced in different States during the last three years is at Annexure-III. (c) to (f) Under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, financial assistance is being provided for setting up of fruit/vegetable market waste/agro-waste compost production unit for the capacity of 100 Ton Per Day (TPD) through NABARD as credit linked back-ended subsidy to the tune of 33% of total financial outlay restricted to Rs.60.00 lakh whichever is less. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2309 FOR 12.03.2013 PRODUCTION OF PESTICIDES DURING 2007-08 to 2011-12 Unit: M.T (Tech.Grade) s. No, PESTICIDE GROUP 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

1 Acephate i 10059 9652 10833 12838 146022 Aiphamethrin i 211 16 305 3183 Metasystox i 79 4 Chlorpyriphos i 4539 3887 2897 3352 18765 Cypermethrin i 4659 4034 6225 4946 87926 Dicofol i 88 88 20 45 837 DDVP i 3292 2734 3121 3126 40768 DDT i 3441 3305 3609 3090 36169 Deltamethrin i 256 26 17 516 327

10 Dimethoate i 871 558 957 1127 68611 Enclosulfan i 3960 4263 2797 1731 15912 Ethion i 771 157 425 655 13 Fenthion i 14 Fenvalerate i 719 488 533 805 54715 Lindane i 75 16 Malathion i 3968 2000 619 647 70717 Methyl Parathion i 18 Monocrotophos i 5118 4570 5738 8600 862919 Phorate i 3404 2029 2003 2632 233420 Phosalone i 499 21 Phosphamidon i 710 845 1001 285 5822 Quinalphos i 524 888 989 1008 99923 Triazophos i 1841 2062 1000 1584 72324 Temephos(ABATE) i 78 129 25 Captan&Captafol f 90426 Carbendazim f 120 186 189 258 15627 Copper Oxychloride f 3 1 4 8 8 26047 28 Mancozeb f 22863 35338 1238029 Calaxin f 30 Ziram f 165 67 53931 2,4-D h 270 214 32 Anilophas h 33 Atrazine h 218 263 263 248 661

34 LButachlor h 330 119 239 96 3135 Diuron h 52 12 126 225 36 Fluchloralin h 37 Gly-phosate h 1517 2331 1697 2276 96038 Isoproturon h 2962 2979 2910 3684 252839 Paraquat h 40 AluminiumPhosphide r 1615 1722 2162 1788 167841 Zinc phosphide r 462 376 327 424 39842 Methyl Bromide fm

TOTAL 79756 85338 82185 82338 68767 Source: Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. i- Insecticides,h- Herbicides, f- Fungicides, fm - Fumigants, pgr - Plant growth regulator.

Annexure II CONSUMPTION OF PESTICIDES IN VARIOUS STATES DURING 2007-08 to 2011-12 M.T.( Technical Grade)

S.No. States/UTs 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 1 Andaman & Nicobar - 6.24 14.00 - 2 Andhra Pradesh 1541.00 1381.00 1015.00 8869.00 8529.003 Arunachal Pradesh 16.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 17.454 Assam 158.00 150.00 19.00 150.00 160.005 Bihar 870.00 915.00 828.00 675.00 655.006 Chandigarh - - - - - 7 Chhattisgarh 570.00 270.00 205.00 570.00 5108 Dadra & Nagar Haveli - - - - - 9 Daman & Diu - - - - -

10 Delhi 57.00 57.00 49.00 48.00 46.0011 Goa 2.30 8.90 10.30 8.90 8.4012 Gujarat 2660.00 2650.00 2750.00 2600.00 2540.0013 Haryana 4390.00 4288.00 4070.00 4060.00 4050.0014 Himachal Pradesh 296.00 322.00 328.00 328.00 315.0015 Jammu & Kashmir 1248.00 2679.27 1640.00 1817.75 1711.1316 Jharkhand 81.00 85.00 88.50 84.30 151.3717 Karnataka 1588.00 1675.00 1647.00 1858.00 1272.0018 Kerala 780.00 272.69 631.00 657.32 629.4619 Lakshadweep - - - - 20 Madhya Pradesh 696.00 663.00 645.00 633.00 850.0021 Maharashtra 3050.00 2400.00 4639.00 8317.00 6723.0022 Manipur 26.00 30.36 30.36 29.81 29.8123 Meghalaya 6.00 - 6.10 10.33 9.4224 Mizoram 44.00 44.25 39.05 3.91 0.3925 Nagaland 5.00 17.83 13.58 - 15.0026 Orissa - 1155.75 1588.00 870.50 491.0027 Pondicherry 41.00 39.00 39.29 39.29 39.7828 Punjab 6080.00 5760.00 5810.00 5730.00 5690.0029 Rajasthan 3804.00 3333.00 3527.00 3623.00 1652.0030 Sikkim 6.00 2.68 4.22 - 31 Tamil Nadu 2048.00 2317.00 2335.00 2361.00 1968.0032 Tripura 27.00 38.00 55.00 12.00 30.0633 Uttar Pradesh 7332.00 8968.00 9563.00 8460.00 8527.0034 Uttaranchal 270.00 221.10 222.00 198.54 233.20

35 West Bengal 3945.00 4100.00 N/A 3515.00 3730.00Grand Total 41637.3 43860.07 41821.4 55539.65 50583.47

Source: States/UTs (Zonal Conferences on Inputs (PP) Rabi 2011., No cons. As Organic State

Annexure 111 State-wise details of different organic manures produced (lakh MT) in different States during the last three years (As per details provided by the States)

Sr.No Name of the State Total organic manure Produced * (Lakh MT) 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 1 Andhra Pradesh 93.55 118.45 106.002 Arunachal Pradesh 0.12 0.12 0.013 Assam 33.91 5.85 2.854 Bihar 5.50 66.25 66.255 Chhattisgarh 128.73 144.48 129.156 Goa 1.354 3.90 4.307 Gujarat 21 40.00 363.508 Haryana 10.05 18.40 18.409 10

Himachal Pradesh 40.55 40.55 40.55Jammu & Kashmir 459.95 22.20 22.20

11 Jharkhand 23.00 234.4512 Karnataka 2001.27 1108.6213 Kerala 131.87 131.87 84.9914 Madhya Pradesh 97.50 136.00 136.0015 Maharashtra 91.32 95.47 0.8216 Manipur 0.50 0.50 0.50 ' 17 Mizoram 0.21 0.21 0.08 18 Meghalaya N.A. 0.95 10.5719 Nagaland 0.09 0.16 0.1620 Orissa 85.45 131.82 11.4921 Punjab 92.19 379.62 341.2922. Rajasthan 5.07 294.52 294.5223 Sikkim 22.50 27.60 0.005824 Tamil Nadu 9.06 56.39 8.3725 Tripura N.A. N.A. NA26 Uttar Pradesh 38.76 327.78 327.7827 Uttarakhand 0.38 0.38 10.6428 West Bengal 92.19 162.84 162.84 Total 3486,07 3671.40 3486.33 Source: NCOF * Total organic manures include Rural Compost, urban compost, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost Green manuring and other manures N.A. = Not Available SETTING UP OF VEGETABLE CLUSTERS 12th March 2013 LSQ2331 SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has any scheme for setting up of vegetable clusters in various States of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) whether the Government proposes to involve private players in setting up of vegetable clusters in the country; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the other comprehensive measures adopted by the Government to maintain balance between the demand and supply of vegetables? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b) Yes, Madam. Government is implementing a scheme on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC) as a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for addressing all concerns related to demand and supply side of the vegetable sector, enhancing vegetable production & productivity and encouraging establishment of an efficient supply chain. The scheme covers one major urban centre in each State, which is either the State capital or any other city having a population of one million or above. In case, if there is no such city which satisfies this criteria, then other urban cluster closer to one million population is selected for the purpose. Presently, all capital cities of the States are covered under the scheme except Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir where Gurgaon, Jammu & Srinagar have been taken up under the scheme respectively. (c) & (d) The scheme encourages mobilization of farmers into groups/associations and their tie-up with financial institutions and aggregators. Besides VIUC, Government is implementing schemes on (i) National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and(ii) Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) for the development of horticulture including vegetable in the country. Assistance is being extended for vegetable development activities such as seed production, protected cultivation, organic farming Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)/Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures as well as creation of infrastructure for post harvest management and Marketing of fruits and vegetables. National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) is also being implemented to increase the productivity of crops including vegetables through drip and sprinkler system of irrigation. HYBRID COTTON SEEDS 12th March 2013 LSQ 2332 SHRI MAHESH JOSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the prices of hybrid seeds of cotton and ordinary cotton seeds separately during the last three years and the current year; (b) whether the use of hybrid cotton seeds is not remunerative to the farmers inspite of the rising prices of cotton; (c) if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto;and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide hybrid cotton seeds at reasonable prices and to ensure remunerative price of cotton to the farmers? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Hybrid cotton grown in the country are essentially Bt. Hybrid cotton and covers around 90% of the total area under cotton cultivation. The remaining 10% area is under non Bt. varieties including desi cotton, for which farmers largely use farm saved seeds. The cost of Bt. hybrid cotton seed during the last 3 years & current year is as under:- (Rs. per Pkt) 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 BG-I 650-750 650-750 825-830 825-830 BG-II 750-925 750-925 930-1000 930-1000 Bt. cotton packet of 450 gm + 120gms refugia Price of non Bt varieties seed varies between Rs. 120-150/kg. (b) & (c) Bt. hybrid cotton is giving higher yield and more income to the farmers compared to non-Bt. cotton. The per ha income of farmers, which was Rs. 7058/- in 2001 increased to Rs. 16125/- in 2010 under rainfed and Rs. 25000/- under irrigated conditions, respectively. (d) Before the start of the season the respective State Governments fix price of Bt. cotton hybrid under their cotton seed regulation, supply & price Act in consultation with the seed companies. In order to ensure remunerative price to the cotton growing farmers, Commission for Agriculture Cost and Price (CACP) fixes the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cotton every year. PROPOSALS UNDER NPOF 12th March 2013 LSQ2345 SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has received a number of proposals under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) during the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details and the current status thereof; (c) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised under the project during the said period; (d) whether the Government is planning to provide subsidy on organic fertilisers on the lines of subsidies being given on nonorganic fertilisers; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b) Under, present guidelines of National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, there is no system of sanctioning fund to States and other implementing agencies. However, Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme, proposals from beneficiaries are received by scheduled bank and subsidy is released through NABARD. (c) The details of funds under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme is Annexed. (d) & (e) NPOF scheme provides financial assistance through capital investment subsidy for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/bio-pesticides production units. Assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy for establishment of bio pesticides/bio fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. Department of Fertilisers provides subsidy only on chemical fertilisers under different subsidy scheme/policy. At present, there is no proposal under consideration in the Department of Fertilisers to provide subsidy on organic fertilisers.

Annexure LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2345 FOR 12.03.2013 State wise details of expenditure incurred under NPOF Scheme

(Rs. in lakh)

S.No. Name of State Year wise expenditure 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 0.00 19.90 40.00 20.00 2 Arunachal Pradesh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 3 Assam 3.91 0.37 30.19 0 4 Bihar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 5 Chhattisgarh 0.00 0.00 1.50 0 6 Goa 3.00 0.00 0.00 0 7 Gujarat 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 8 Haryana 0.00 50.81 0.00 0 9 Himachal Pradesh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

10 J & K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 11 Jharkhand 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 12 Karnataka 15.58 119.07 0.00 0 13 Kerala 34.65 0.00 0.00 0 14 Madhya Pradesh 2.59 0.00 0.00 2.25 15 Maharashtra 27.31 24.50 51.74 11.53 16 Manipur 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 17 Meghalaya 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 18 Mizoram 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 19 Nagaland 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 20 Orissa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 21 Punjab 99.22 37.71 26.57 0 22 Rajasthan 139.30 22.50 0.00 0 23 Sikkim 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 24 Tamil Nadu 14.00 10.59 0.00 0 25 Tripura 0.00 0.00 20.00 0 26 Uttar Pradesh 12.00 2.04 1.15 0 27 Uttarakhand 0.00 17.50 0.00 0 28 West Bengal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

TOTAL 351.56 304.99 171.15 109.74* Other Expenditure** 757.27 1068.15 1454.38 1095.84 Grand Total 1108.83 1373.14 1625.53 1205.58

*Details of subsidy amount of Rs. 75.96 lakh is awaited from NABARD.

** Amount spent on training, awareness, publication and other operational expenses of NCOF which are not segregated State-wise CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES 12th March 2013 LSQ2395 SHRI SOMENDRA NATH MITRA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether due to lack of awareness, Crop Insurance Schemes are not popular amongst the farmers; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has any plan to make farmers aware about the Crop Insurance Schemes and encourage them to avail this facility; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) the number of farmers who have availed Crop Insurance Schemes so far, State-wise;and (f) the action being taken by the Union Government to popularise Crop Insurance Schemes amongst the farmers? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (f) Crop Insurance Schemes need to be further popularized amongst farmers. Continued efforts are made for publicity/awareness about the features and benefits of the schemes by the implementing insurance companies in consultation/coordination with the states through advertisements in leading National/ local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets, participation in agriculture fairs/ mela/ gosti and organization of workshops/ trainings etc. State-wise number of farmers who have availed Crop Insurance Schemes are at Annexure.

ANNEXURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2395 FOR 12.03.2013 Number of Farmers availed Crop Insurance upto Year 2011-12

S. No. States/ Uts. No. of Farmers 1. Andhra Pradesh 28361513 2 Andeman & Nicobar 1908 3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 4 Assam 295000 5 Bihar 10683144 6 Chandigarh 0 7 Chhatisgarh 8701643 8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 9 Daman & Diu 0

10 Delhi 0 11 Goa 7605 12 Gujarat 12620370 13 Haryana 758560 14 Himachal Pradesh 319424

15 Jammu & Kashmir 32978 16 Jharkhand 5823760 17 Karnataka 12945253 18 Kerala 435769 19 Lakshdweep 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 25586741 21 Maharashtra 30977747 22 Manipur 13954 23 Meghalaya 26601 24 Mizoram 574 25 Nagaland 0 26 Orissa 13304912 27 Pondicherry 34385 28 Punjab 67 29 Rajasthan 30776573 30 Sikkim 1890 31 Tamilnadu 4931726 32 Tripura 18528 33 Uttar Pradesh 21162177 34 Uttarakhand 405319 35 West Bengal 10623305 Total 218851426

AWARENESS CAMPS FOR FARMERS 12th March 2013 LSQ 2399 SHRI DHANANJAY SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of various awareness camps organised in the last three years on the welfare schemes being implemented by the Government for farmers, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh along with the number of farmers who participated in such camps; and (b) the details of various training and education programmes conducted during the above period by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other extension agencies,State-wise including Uttar Pradesh along with the number of farmers who participated in such programmes? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) During the last three years, a total of 30866 awareness camps including Kisan Melas and Kisan Goshties have been organized under Extension Reforms Scheme to create awareness amongst the farmers about various initiatives of Government. 9416638 farmers participated in these camps. State-wise (including Uttar Pradesh) and year-wise details of farmers who have participated in these camps are given at Annexure-I. These figures are in addition to the numbers given in Annexure-III. Apart from the programmes given above, awareness is also created about welfare schemes to farmers through print and electronic media and use of Information & Communication Tools.

(b) (i) During the last three years (2009-10 to 2011-12), the KVKs have organized 5.18 lakh awareness camps with a participation of 43.83 lakh farmers. It has also conducted 1.57 lakh training programmes benefitting 43.22 lakh farmers in the country. State-wise and year-wise details of participation in various States are given at Annexure-II. (ii) State-wise and year-wise details of participation of farmers in trainings and exposure visits conducted by Agriculture Technology Management agencies (ATMAs) are depicted in Annexure-III. LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QIESTION NO.2399 FOR 12.03.2013 State-wise and year-wise details of farmers who have participated in the Awareness Camps

S.N. State 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total

No. of events

No. of Farmers

No. of events

No. of Farmers

No. of events

No. of Farmers

No. of events

No. of Farmers

1 Andhra Pr. 804 70400 682 61330 198 37296 1684 169026 2 Bihar 900 448331 1043 1593647 1535 1841560 3478 3883538 3 Chhatisgarh 145 58272 124 6843 208 43733 477 108848 4 Gujarat 106 32833 337 456550 638 212874 1081 702257 5 Haryana 223 42691 174 19475 263 34698 660 96864 6 H.P 171 14400 121 4810 168 28089 460 47299 7 J & K 0 0 119 4761 69 3689 188 8450 8 Jharkhand 269 27790 140 15280 514 35110 923 78180 9 Karnataka 493 25557 356 25785 235 15920 1084 67262

10 Kerala 241 56544 151 23266 231 132597 623 212407 11 Maharashtra 465 31292 444 9094 462 10108 1371 50494 12 M.P. 447 547691 460 147834 363 375580 1270 1071105 13 Orissa 0 108922 836 48030 644 167550 1480 324502 14 Punjab 284 289044 224 38757 121 36714 629 364515 15 Rajasthan 454 89313 480 81047 594 116930 1528 287290 16 Tamil Nadu 776 82248 840 112386 812 222820 2428 417454 17 U.P 1971 555280 1918 205950 1932 196990 5821 958220 18 Uttarakhand 1565 138427 1624 233571 179 24866 3368 396864 19 W.B 0 0 0 0 25 6250 25 6250 20 Assam 0 0 0 0 110 4800 110 4800 21 Aru. Prad. 286 2126 525 4030 202 2230 1013 8386 22 Manipur 0 0 9 2250 19 4050 28 6300 23 Meghalaya 0 0 7 896 7 896 24 Mizoram 24 1800 38 7236 42 1480 104 10516 25 Nagaland 136 48453 63 4200 68 54325 267 106978 26 Tripura 63 6542 33 0 124 0 220 6542 27 Sikkim 31 0 32 0 26 4013 89 4013 28 Delhi 1 60 0 0 0 1 60 29 Puducherry 0 0 3 297 9 425 12 722 30 A&N 204 5995 13 3200 220 7405 437 16600

Total 10059 2684011 10789 3109629 10018 3622998 30866 9416638

Annexure - II State- wise and Year-wise Details of Awareness Camps and Trainings of Farmers conducted by ICAR

Name of State/ UT Year Awareness Camps for farmers Training of farmers/ rural

youth

Number Participants Number Participants Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2009-10 21 1874 149 1021 2010-11 26 1265 140 1115 2011-12 28 788 53 1201

Andhra Pradesh 2009-10 552 17117 1592 49653 2010-11 594 15935 1563 44345 2011-12 539 22641 1950 63266

Arunachal Pradesh 2009-10 5 96 441 10584 2010-11 10 279 552 12696 2011-12 12 `312 670 16970

Assam

2009-10 26 626 790 20540 2010-11 29 760 907 24489 2011-12 31 963 1146 30878

Bihar 2009-10 2196 56212 4769 168910 2010-11 884 42891 4614 165573 2011-12 1143 34607 4967 205038

Chhattisgarh

2009-10 2721 151764 1452 41755 2010-11 7854 353832 1599 60040 2011-12 6177 94988 1523 52995

Delhi

2009-10 3 60 19 390 2010-11 9 158 61 1148 2011-12 0 0 83 2077

Goa 2009-10 0 0 162 3324 2010-11 0 0 131 2593 2011-12 0 0 89 1487

Gujarat 2009-10 1113 4040 1933 55601 2010-11 409 10192 2133 60590 2011-12 151 9357 2363 72933

Haryana 2009-10 79 5163 1987 47716 2010-11 112 9363 2054 52358 2011-12 142 8324 2215 59288

Himachal Pradesh 2009-10 51 1175 615 22321 2010-11 65 1939 734 23784 2011-12 24 910 803 25720

Jammu and Kashmir 2009-10 82 2049 613 12631 2010-11 82 2263 632 13421 2011-12 55 2719 806 18842

Jharkhand 2009-10 2238 55950 1831 45072 2010-11 936 45414 2252 43048 2011-12 1209 108603 2324 44878

Karnataka 2009-10 63 980 2891 107201 2010-11 160 6358 3151 97089 2011-12 182 5186 3162 125635

Kerala

2009-10 8 349 1342 11552 2010-11 55 1725 1246 37032 2011-12 14 689 1834 60759

Lakshadweep 2009-10 0 0 266 10746

2010-11 0 0 331 8801 2011-12 0 0 329 11391

Madhya Pradesh

2009-10 21115 746886 3954 114343 2010-11 26685 825109 3065 96725

2011-12 25820 426665 6346 145040 Maharashtra 2009-10 702 42998 2966 92797

2010-11 787 58931 2762 89592 2011-12 736 104551 3184 97541

Manipur

2009-10 9 198 309 7039 2010-11 14 322 378 9072 2011-12 17 476 452 11560

Meghalaya 2009-10 7 139 176 3570 2010-11 11 228 204 3876 2011-12 13 311 276 7869

Mizoram

2009-10 4 87 272 6534 2010-11 6 139 341 7161 2011-12 9 192 406 10553

Nagaland 2009-10 11 219 311 7660 2010-11 9 224 364 7942 2011-12 11 264 423 10728

Odisha

2009-10 12056 311487 2320 60111 2010-11 360001 348795 2044 80105 2011-12 33065 205421 2978 62417

Puducherry

2009-10 0 0 147 4893 2010-11 0 0 137 5601 2011-12 36 230 137 3748

Punjab 2009-10 41 2714 1376 26718 2010-11 184 7349 1547 25927 2011-12 321 6210 1494 26600

Rajasthan

2009-10 112 20482 2627 72922 2010-11 1190 26004 2667 72709 2011-12 124 15662 2964 85796

Sikkim 2009-10 6 123 141 3666 2010-11 13 378 197 3944 2011-12 16 403 268 6655

Tamil Nadu

2009-10 47 1992 4747 32028 2010-11 180 7694 5358 177851 2011-12 190 8210 4819 155747

Tripura

2009-10 4 98 155 3744 2010-11 10 222 203 4872 2011-12 12 317 276 6242

Uttar Pradesh 2009-10 155 9870 5610 140113 2010-11 208 6422 7332 165597 2011-12 1204 19774 6656 144371

Uttarakhand 2009-10 28 2882 1070 12368 2010-11 114 1504 1095 22554 2011-12 16 1278 959 19283

West Bengal 2009-10 1819 46561 1608 42111 2010-11 754 36584 1279 34130 2011-12 963 67056 1373 39255

Total 518925 4383270 157042 4322177

Annexure - III State- wise and Year-wise of Number of Farmers Benefitted from Trainings of Farmers and Exposure Visits organized by Agriculture Technology Management Agencies

S.N. State Exposure Visits Trainings 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total

1 Andhra Pr. 8686 6712 8717 17359 74783 222906 339163 2 Bihar 11375 6336 12620 228212 36326 25737 320606 3 Chhatisgarh 8900 4069 10016 18917 6560 17603 66065 4 Gujarat 6894 14586 48764 14740 29256 72669 186909 5 Haryana 4802 933 8018 15995 13127 12724 55599 6 H.P 3252 1762 13565 6798 3678 14538 43593 7 J & K 0 1984 9124 0 990 2226 14324 8 Jharkhand 4190 3685 18675 2485 1555 10630 41220 9 Karnataka 16809 13742 21275 23087 13472 15860 104245

10 Kerala 23615 17208 23530 44975 31396 61483 202207 11 Maharashtra 49807 20341 36254 47670 39294 89131 282497 12 M.P. 39156 17824 9380 69265 16590 15650 167865 13 Orissa 6653 11140 57106 158739 47280 127416 408334 14 Punjab 18005 12555 13407 55313 28255 27204 154739 15 Rajasthan 26482 21356 29843 39747 29515 55357 202300 16 Tamil Nadu 12890 75213 86933 12760 52087 111330 351213 17 U.P 94285 42730 22888 134710 86535 47438 428586 18 Uttarakhand 10187 4736 9134 19764 12107 19014 74942 19 W.B 0 0 3834 0 0 2510 6344 20 Assam 0 0 0 0 0 9600 9600 21 Aru. Prad. 0 350 370 0 2120 4120 6960 22 Manipur 0 4562 8941 0 1625 9646 24774 23 Meghalaya 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 Mizoram 417 490 980 1092 2986 3712 9677 25 Nagaland 11754 2920 7980 10429 4229 4996 42308 26 Tripura 565 0 5000 7153 0 21770 34488 27 Sikkim 675 1512 2184 1460 2120 6446 14397 28 Delhi 0 0 0 102 0 0 102 29 Puducherry 0 175 616 0 2105 1777 4673 30 A&N 20 9 115 373 905 2135 3557

Total 359419 286930 469269 931145 538896 1015628 3601287 RELIEF MEASURES FOR FARMERS 12th March 2013 LSQ 2516 SHRI M. B. RAJESH SHRI D.B. CHANDRE GOWDA SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH SHRI HAMDULLA A. B. SAYEED SHRI C. R. PATIL SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR SHRI K. SIVAKUMAR ALIAS J.K. RITHEESH SHRI S. R. JEYADURAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether despite increase in minimum support prices of crops, credit flow to agriculture, debt waiver/relief and interest subvention on crops loans, the farmers continue to commit suicides, particularly in rainfed/drought prone areas of the country; (b) if so, the details of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (c) whether a number of farmers in the country are falling into debt trap; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide financial and logistical assistance to farmers to mitigate their hardships and indebtedness? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b) Reasons of suicide by farmers are manifold which, inter-alia, include indebtedness, crop failure, drought, socio-economic and personal reasons. Details of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons, during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise, as reported by respective State Government are at Annexure. (c) & (d) As per report on “Indebtedness of Farmer Households” by National Sample Survey Organization (2005), of the estimated 89.35 million farmer households, 48.6% were indebted to either formal or informal or both sources of credit. Also, as per report of an Expert Group (2007) appointed by Government of India to look into the problems of agricultural indebtedness in its totality and suggest measures to provide relief to farmers across the country, inter-alia, indebtedness of farmers in India is as diverse and heterogeneous as are agrarian conditions and average farmer household borrowing has not been excessive. (e) In addition to increase in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, credit flow to agriculture, debt waiver/relief and interest subvention, Government has taken various other steps to provide financial and logistical assistance to farmers, which include issue of Kisan Credit Cards, assisting formation of Joint Liability Groups, provision of agricultural inputs and other support services, redesigning crop insurance schemes, construction of warehouses, godowns, silos and cold storages and creation of infrastructure for transportation and marketing of agriculture produce, etc. In the Budget 2013-14, it has been proposed, inter-alia, to extend the interest subvention scheme for short-term crop loans to crop loans borrowed from private sector scheduled commercial banks in respect of loans given within the service area of the branch concerned, support Farmer Producer Organizations and also create a Credit Guarantee Fund.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2516 FOR 12.03.2013

Sl. No.

Name of State/UT Period/ (Date of report)

Number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons as reported by State Government

1. Andhra Pradesh 2010 254 2011 231 2012 29

2013 (28.02.2013) Nil 2. Karnataka 2010 125

2011 90 2012 (26.11.2012) 33

3.

Maharashtra 2010 548 2011 485

2012 (22.02.2013) 473 4. Punjab 2010 (20.09.2010) 04 5. Assam 04.03.2013 Nil

6. Arunachal Pradesh 20.07.2012 Nil 7. Bihar 05.03.2013 Nil 8. Chhattisgarh 06.01.2011 Nil 9. Goa 01.03.2013 Nil 10. Gujarat 28.02.2013 Nil 11. Haryana 26.07.2012 Nil 12. Himachal Pradesh 21.02.2013 Nil 13. J & K 27.02.2013 Nil 14. Jharkhand 18.06.2010 Nil 15. Kerala 01.08.2011 Nil 16. Manipur 02.12.2010 Nil 17. Meghalaya 30.07.2012 Nil 18. Madhya Pradesh 18.01.2011 Nil 19. Mizoram 19.02.2013 Nil 20. Nagaland 08.09.2011 Nil 21. Odisha 06.03.2013 Nil 22. Rajasthan 23.11.2010 Nil 23. Sikkim 22.02.2013 Nil 24. Tamil Nadu 28.02.2013 Nil 25. Tripura 14.06.2012 Nil 26. Uttar Pradesh 28.04.2011 Nil 27. Uttarakhand 19.07.2011 Nil 28. West Bengal 13.12.2010 Nil 29. A & N Islands 27.02.2013 Nil 30. NCT of Delhi 27.02.2013 Nil 31. Daman & Diu 28.02.2013 Nil 32. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 04.03.2013 Nil 33. Lakshadweep 28.12.2012 Nil 34. Puducherry 23.04.2012 Nil 35. Chandigarh 01.03.2013 Nil

ASSISTANCE UNDER NDRF AND SDRF 12th March 2013 LSQ 2528 SHRI HARISH CHOUDHARY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has made some amendments in the prevailing norms for extending assistance under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and has fixed the amount of assistance to be provided under the drought situations for a maximum of 90 days; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for taking such a decision; (c) whether famine and drought situations continue to prevail at times for more than a year in a desert State like Rajasthan and extending relief to the affected people includinglivestock protection becomes extremely necessary; and; (d) if so, whether the State Government would be able to sustain relief measures for a long period in the drought affected areas in the wake of these new norms?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b) Government of India revises items and norms of assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), from time to time. Based on representations received from States, norms in respect to provision of fodder/feed concentrate and water supply in cattle camps {Item No. (ii) and (iii) of SDRF/NDRF items and norms of assistance] have been upwardly revised on 28.09.2012 as “default period for assistance will be upto 30 days, which may be extended upto 60 days in the first instance and in case of severe drought up to 90 days”. Details of revisions are at Annexure-A. (c) & (d) Drought like situation, at times, may recur or continue beyond kharif/rabi seasons. In such situation, State Governments initiate necessary relief measures from SDRF which is readily available with them. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from NDRF for natural calamities of severe nature as per established procedure and extant norms. Details of central assistance approved from NDRF to drought affected States, including Rajasthan, during 2008-09 to 2012-13 are at Annexure-B.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2528 FOR ON 12.03.2013

Item No. Item Original Norms of Assistance issued

on 16th January, 2012 Norms of Assistance revised on 28th September, 2012

6(ii) Provision of fodder/feed concentrate in cattle camps.

Large animals – Rs.32/- per day Small animals – Rs.16/- per day As per actual for 15 days, based on assessment of need by State Executive Committee (SEC) and recommendation of the Central Team (in case of National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Large animals – Rs.32/- per day Small animals – Rs.16/- per day Period for providing relief will be as per assessment of the State Executive Committee (SEC) and the Central Team (in case of NDRF). The default period for assistance will be upto 30 days, which may be extended upto 60 days in the first instance and in case of severe droughtupto 90 days.

6(iii) Water supply in cattle camps.

As per actual 15 days, based on assessment of need by SEC and recommendation of Central Team (in case of NDRF).

Period for providing relief will be as per assessment of the State Executive Committee (SEC) and the Central Team (in case of NDRF). The default period for assistance will be upto 30 days, which may be extended upto 60 days in the first instance and in case of severe drought up to 90 days.

Annexure-B

Central assistance from NDRF to States for mitigating drought situation

(Rs. in crores) S. No. State Assistance approved from NDRF**

Drought of 2008-09 * 1. Karnataka 83.83 2. Uttarakhand 57.51

Drought of 2009-10* 1. Andhra Pradesh 575.30 2. Assam 89.94 3. Bihar 1163.64 4. Himachal Pradesh 88.93 5. Jammu & Kashmir 156.77 6. Jharkhand 200.955 7. Karnataka 116.49 8. Kerala 33.02# 9. Madhya Pradesh 246.31 10. Maharashtra 671.88 11. Manipur 14.57 12. Nagaland 21.12 13. Orissa 151.92 14. Rajasthan 1034.84 15. Uttar Pradesh 515.05

Drought of 2010-11 1. Bihar 1459.54 2. Jharkhand 855.30 3. Odisha 376.55 4. West Bengal 724.99

Drought of 2011-12 1. Andhra Pradesh 706.15 2. Karnataka 186.68

282.35 3. Maharashtra 574.71

Drought of 2012-13 1. Maharashtra 778.09 2. Karnataka 526.06

# including Rs 0.12 crores for hailstorm * From National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). ** NCCF was renamed as National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) from 2010-11.

DAMAGE TO CROPS 19th March 2013 LSQ*308 SHRI HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether hailstorms and untimely rains in February 2013 in various parts of the country has damaged cash crops and other crops; (b) if so, the value of crops damaged, State/UT-wise; (c) whether the Government proposes to analyse the abnormal weather pattern and forewarn the farmers; (d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the research conducted by Agricultural Scientists to develop seeds which can withstand the vagaries of nature? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 308 DUE FOR REPLY ON 19TH MARCH, 2013. (a) to (e): As reported by respective State Governments, rabi crops in an estimated area of 3.24 lakh hectare (ha) in Madhya Pradesh, 3.80 lakh ha in Rajasthan and 1.48 lakh ha in Andhra Pradesh are likely to have suffered damages due to heavy rains and hailstorms during the month of February, 2013. Statewise details are at Annexure-A. India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research and other agencies, provides integrated Agromet Advisory Service (AAS) at National, State and District levels. The broad spectrum of these advisories include sowing/ transplanting of kharif crops based on onset of monsoon, sowing of rabi crops using residual soil moisture, fertilizer application based on wind condition, delay in fertilizer application based on intensity of rain, prediction of occurrence of pest and disease based on weather, quantum and timing of irrigation, advisories for timely harvest of crops etc. District level advisories include quantitative forecasts for five days on seven parameters viz. rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and cloudiness. In addition, weekly cumulative rainfall forecast is also provided. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) alongwith State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) have developed several varieties of seeds to withstand vagaries of nature such as moisture stress, drought, submergence etc.

Annexure-A

(Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 308 DUE FOR REPLY ON 19.03.2013) Statewise Details of crop damages due to heavy rains and hailstorms during the month of February, 2013 Sl No State No. of

Districts affected

Area affected(Rabi Agriculture)(Lakh ha)

Major crops affected Estimated value of crop affected (Rs. in Crore)

1 Madhya Pradesh

35 3.24 Gram, wheat, vegetables 887.0

2 Rajasthan 23 3.8 Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Pea, vegetables

Not reported by State

3 Andhra Pradesh

12 1.48 * Paddy, Maize,Bengalgram

Not reported by State

(*) State has also reported that an additional 1.04 lakh ha horticulture area has suffered damages. UTILISATION OF DROUGHT RELIEF FUND 19th March 2013 LSQ 3639 SHRI CHAUHAN MAHENDRASINH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Union Government has evaluated the utilization of drought relief fund allocated to various States; and (b) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): State Governments can initiate appropriate relief measures in the wake of loss/damage to crops due to natural calamities including drought from funds readily available under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which consists of contributions from the Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25 in case of General category States & 90:10 ratio in case of Special Category States. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), upon receipt of detailed memorandum from the State Government following which Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed for assessing the situation and recommending central assistance as per established procedure and extant norms. State Governments have the responsibility to ensure that money drawn from the SDRF account is actually utilized for the purposes for which SDRF is set up based on norms & items of expenditure as approved by the Government of India. State Accountant General is required to monitor the expenditure from SDRF. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG) conducts audit of SDRF accounts. DROUGHT RELIEF COMMISSION 19th March 2013 LSQ 3461 SHRI SHETTI RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to establish National Drought Relief Commission (NDRC) on the lines of National Water Commission (NWC); (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the time by which the commission is likely to be set up? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Ministry of Agriculture is not contemplating any proposal for establishing a National Drought Relief Commission on the lines of National Water Commission. DROUGHT RELIEF 19th March 2013 LSQ 3465 SHRI BHARAT RAM MEGHWAL

SHRI KHILADI LAL BAIRWA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the time by which the funds sought by the State Governments under the provisions approved by the Union Government for the drought affected people for the relief year 2009-2010 as per the norms of national disaster relief fund is likely to be released; and (b) the details thereof in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Based on the reports of Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) that visited drought affected States to assess the damage/losses and recommendations of Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), Central Government had approved financial assistance from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to 15 States during 2009-10. Details are at Annexure-A.

Annexure-A LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3465 DATED 19.03.2013

Assistance approved to States from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) during 2009-2010 in the wake of Drought

Sl.No. State Amount (Rs. in crore)* 1. Andhra Pradesh 575.30 2. Assam 89.94 3. Bihar 1163.64 4. Himachal Pradesh 88.93 5. Jammu & Kashmir 156.77 6. Jharkhand 200.955 7. Karnataka 116.49 8. Kerala 32.90 9. Madhya Pradesh 246.31 10. Maharashtra 671.88 11. Manipur 14.57 12. Nagaland 21.12 13. Orissa 151.92 14. Rajasthan 1034.84 15. Uttar Pradesh 515.05

*Approved by High Level Committee (HLC), subject to adjustment of 75% of available balances in Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) in concerned States. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs) ASSISTANCE FOR FAMINE 19th March 2013 LSQ 3509

SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a): whether the Union Government has constituted any high powered Committee to provide relief to the States affected by famine conditions in the country; (b): if so, the details thereof along with the functioning and regulation of the said Committee; (c): whether the said Committee has constituted any investigating Committee for examining and study of famine conditions of various States; (d): if so, the salient features of the study and the main recommendations made by the said Committee; and (e): the financial assistance provided by the Government to various States on the basis of the recommendations made by the said Committee? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e): Government of India has in place a High Level Committee (HLC) to approve central assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to State in the wake of natural calamities. Union Agriculture Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Finance Minister and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission are the members of the HLC. Approval of Central assistance from NDRF is based on recommendations of Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) which, inter-alia, takes into consideration the report of Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that visit States to assess losses/damages in the wake of natural calamities. EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES 19th March 2013 LSQ 3512 DR. M.THAMBIDURAI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the reports of ill-health of farmers due to constant usage of pesticides in several States, including Tamil Nadu; (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to prevent the harmful impact of pesticides on farmers` health? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Pesticides are toxic and are required to be used as per conditions approved by the Registration Committee constituted under section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. If used in the manner prescribed, which is printed on the label and the leaflet, pesticides do not cause harm to human beings, livestock or crops in agriculture. Health problems have been reported in Kasargod district of Kerala, and by the State Government in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, allegedly due to aerial spraying of Endosulfan in cashew plantations.

Vide an ad-Interim Order dated 13.5.2011, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India put a ban on production, use and sale of Endosulfan in India till further order in Writ Petition filed in Supreme Court of India (Civil No. 213 of 2011 against Union Govt. of India and others) by Democratic Youth Federation of India. The matter is sub-juice in the Supreme Court of India. (c): Central and State Governments organize training programmes on safe and judicious use of pesticides to educate farmers and to create awareness about ill effects from misuse of pesticides. The government is popularizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through a Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” to promote cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest control and safe and judicious use of pesticides. Government is promoting use of bio-pesticides and these are registered/provisionally registered on simplified guidelines. Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, registers safe and effective pesticides for use in the country after thorough evaluation scientific data and information submitted by an applicant for registration. Pesticides are reviewed from time to time and only those pesticides are allowed to be used in the country which are found to be safe after technical evaluation. SUBSIDY ON BIO FERTILISERS 19th March 2013 LSQ 3525 SHRI PURNMASI RAM SHRI VIRENDRA KUMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to reduce the subsidy on biofertilisers; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the likely effect on the agricultural production due to reduction of subsidy on bio-fertilisers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): There is no proposal under consideration to reduce the subsidy on bio-fertilizers. VETERINARY HOSPITALS 19th March 2013 LSQ 3529 SHRI SATPAL MAHARAJ SHRI RAM SINGH KASWAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there is acute shortage of veterinary hospitals/dispensaries in various States, especially in hilly States;

(b) if so, the criteria for opening of veterinary hospitals along with the number of existing veterinary hospitals/dispensaries in each State/UT; (c) the assistance provided to the States and the funds earmarked for setting up of such hospitals during the current year; and (d) the number of hospitals/dispensaries proposed to be set up in various States/UTs during the next two years? THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): As per the information available with the Department, there are 10094 veterinary hospitals/polyclinics and 21269 veterinary dispensaries in the country including hilly states. Based on the livestock census (2007), India has about 336 million cattle units (one cattle unit equivalent to one large animal or 5 pig or 10 sheep and goats or 100 poultry). At present, there is an overall shortage of veterinary hospitals/dispensaries in the country to cater the needs for providing veterinary services in the country. The veterinary hospitals/dispensaries etc. are set up by the States/Union Territory Governments depending upon the livestock population in a particular area and availability of resources. The State-wise details of existing veterinary hospitals/policlinics and dispensaries is given at Annexure I (c) & (d): In order to address the need to set up new veterinary hospitals/dispensaries and to strengthen/equip the existing ones, the Department is providing assistance to States /UTs under the component ‘Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals & Dispensaries (ESVHD)’ as part of Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC) since August, 2010. The details of funds provided to the States/UTs since inception of the scheme including the current year (till date) is at Annexure II. The scheme is demand driven and for 2012-13, the funds to the tune of 46.87 crores have been kept at Revised Estimate (RE) stage. The Department has proposed an allocation of 300.00 crores under this component during 12th Five Year Plan. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3529 DATED 19.03.2013

Annexure-I State/UT-wise list of veterinary hospitals/ polyclinics and dispensaries

S. No. States/Union Territories Veterinary Hospitals / Polyclinics

Veterinary Dispensaries

1. Andhra Pradesh 303 2326 2. Arunachal Pradesh 1 93 3. Assam 21 470 4. Bihar 39 783 5. Chhattisgarh 241 775 6. Goa 5 21 7. Gujarat 23 622 8. Haryana 944 1814 9. Himachal Pradesh 368 1763 10 Jammu & Kashmir 180 141 11. Jharkhand 27 424 12. Karnataka 371 1942 13. Kerala 275 869 14. Madhya Pradesh 781 1680 15. Maharashtra 203 1738 16. Manipur 55 109 17. Meghalaya 4 92 18. Mizoram 5 35 19 Nagaland 11 20 20. Orissa 58 482

21. Punjab 1367 1487 22. Rajasthan 1933 285 23. Sikkim 14 40 24. Tamil Nadu 167 2236 25. Tripura 15 59 26. Uttar Pradesh 2200 268 27. Uttarakhand 308 12 28. West Bengal 110 610 29. A & N Islands 10 12 30. Chandigarh 5 8 31. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1 0 32. Daman & Diu - 2 33. Delhi 46 28 34. Lakshadweep 3 6 35. Pondicherry - 17

Annexure II The details of funds provided to the States/UTs under ‘Establishment & Strengthening of existing Hospitals& Dispensaries (ESVHD)’ Sl.No. States/UTs Year-2010-11 Year-2011-12 Year 2012-13 (till date)

1 Andhra Pradesh 1420.00 0.00 0.00 2 Bihar 0.00 1282.58 0.00 3 Chattishgarh 0.00 595.58 0.00 4 Goa 0.00 0.00 75.75 5 Gujarat 85.40 0.00 0.00 6 Haryana 200.00 382.38 0.00 7 Himachal Pradesh 367.50 365.49 0.00 8 Jammu & Kashmir 0.00 649.64 0.00 9 Jharkhand 1211.03 0.00 0.00

10 Karnataka 414.38 414.38 751.00 11 Kerala 768.75 768.75 0.00 12 Madhya Pradesh 0.00 1391.25 503.25 13 Maharashtra 1000.00 0.00 600.00 14 Orissa 154.14 0.00 0.00 15 Punjab 400.00 780.00 0.00 16 Rajasthan 0.00 1037.44 0.00 17 Tamilnadu 671.84 0.00 1242.00 18 Uttar Pradesh 534.38 0.00 225.00 19 Uttarakhand 266.78 0.00 0.00 20 West Bengal 700.00 0.00 0.00 21 Arunachal Pr. 297.00 232.00 0.00 22 Assam 872.00 978.00 0.00 23 Manipur 0.00 428.63 0.00 24 Meghalaya 0.00 0.00 0.00 25 Mizoram 233.33 233.33 108.00 26 Nagaland 0.00 158.40 0.00 27 Sikkim 0.00 143.64 120.00 28 Tripura 100.00 0.00 147.05 29 NCT Delhi 0.00 0.00 40.00 30 Pondicherry 0.00 30.00 0.00 31 A&N. Islands 0.00 0.00 0.00 32 Chandigarh 0.00 0.00 9.90 33 D&N Haveli 0.00 0.00 0.00

34 Daman & Diu 0.00 0.00 0.00 35 Lakshadweep 0.00 0.00 51.61

NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION 19th March 2013 LSQ 3539 SHRI DATTA RAGHOBAJI MEGHE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to give some rebate on transportation of bamboo under the National Bamboo Mission; and (b) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): There is no proposal to give any rebate on transportation of bamboo under the National Bamboo Mission. DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH YIELDING SEEDS 19th March 2013 LSQ3560 SHRI ARJUN ROY ANANT KUMAR HEGDE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether some companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country are engaged in developing new varieties of high yielding seeds; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the details of the areas where such new seeds are being used by these companies on experimental basis under a pilot project in the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) The list of companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country is given as Annexure-I. (c) Bt. Cotton is the only genetically modified crop approved for cultivation in the country. Bt cotton seeds are used in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for which approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Environment & Forests

is granted. The conventional seed varieties are grown in areas recommended by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agriculture Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

Annexure-I [Part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q.No.3560 for 19-03-2013] Seed companies involved in Bt. cotton distribution

S.No. Name of Company S.No. Name of Company 1. Advanta India Ltd. 37 Nirmal Seeds P. Ltd. 2. Ajit Seeds Ltd., 38 Nu Genes Pvt. Ltd 3. Amar Biotech Ltd. 39 Nusan Genetic 4. Amareswara Agrotech 40 Nusun 5. Ankur Seeds Private Ltd., 41 Nuziveedu Seeds Pvt. Ltd 6. Arya Hybrid Seeds P. Ltd 42 Palamoor Seeds P. Ltd. 7. Asian Agri Genetics Lts. 43 Prabhat Agri Biotech 8. Basant Agro Tech India Ltd. 44 Pravardhan Seeds Pvt. Ltd., 9. Bayer Bioscience Pvt. Ltd., 45 R. J. Biotech 10. Bio Seed Research India Pvt. Ltd., 46 Rallis India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Brahmaputra pvt. Ltd., 47 Rasi Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 12 Cenbios 48 Rohini Seeds 13. Centromere Bio Solutions 49 Safal Seeds Biotech Ltd. 14. Daftari Agro (p) Ltd. Non Bt. 50 Seed Works India Pvt. Ltd.15 Dhanya Seeds 51 Seeds Works International P. Ltd. 16. Emergent Genetics Pvt. Ltd., 52 Shri Ram Fertilizers & Chemicals 17. Fortune Hybrid Seeds P. Ltd 53 Siddivinayak Seeds 18. Ganga Kaveri Seeds Pvt. Ltd., 54 Siri Seeds 19. GEO Biotechnologies India P. Ltd. 55 Solar Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., 20 Green Gold Seeds 56 Spriha Biosciences 21. J. K. Agri Genetics Seeds Ltd 57 Sri Ram Bioseed Genetics 22 Kaveri Seeds Ltd. 58 Sri Rama Agri Genetics 23 Kohinoor Seeds 59 Sri Satya Agri genetics 24. Krishak Bharti Cop. Ltd. 60 Super Seeds P. Ltd. 25. Krishidhan Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 61 Tulsi Seeds Pvt. Ltd., 26. Kritiman Agro Genetic India Ltd. 62 Uniphos Enterprises Ltd. 27. Mahyco MH HB Seeds Co. Ltd, Jaipur 63 United Phosphorus 28. Mahyco Seeds 64 Viba seeds 29. Monsanto Holding pvt. Ltd. 65 Vickky Seeds 30. Monsanto India Pvt. Ltd., 66 Vikram Seeds P. Ltd. 31 Namdhari Seeds Pvt. Ltd., 67 Virign Seeds 32 Nandi Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 68 Xylem Seeds 33. Nath Bio gene Seeds 69 Yaaganti Seeds P. Ltd. 34.. Nath Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 70 Yashoda Hybrid Seed P. Ltd. 35. Navkar Hybrid Seeds Ltd. 71 Zuari Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 36 Neo Seeds

PRODUCTION OF PULSES AND OILSEEDS 19th March 2013 LSQ 3561 SHRI RAMASHANKAR RAJBHAR SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there has been a decline in the production of pulses and oilseeds in the country during each of the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the reasons therefor; (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds in the country; (d) whether the Government is aware that there is difference in the production of pulses and oilseeds in various States including Uttar Pradesh; (e) if so, the details thereof; and (f) the funds allocated by the Government to increase the agricultural production and its promotion? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The production of pulses and oilseeds in the country during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 has been higher than their production during 2009-10. State- wise details of production of pulses and oilseeds in the country during 2009-10 to 2012-13 (2nd Advance Estimates) are given in the Annexure. (c): In order to increase production of pulses and oilseeds, Government has been implementing several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM-Pulses), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize (ISOPOM), etc. In addition, a new programme “Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P)” has been started under NFSM since 2010-11 to take up active propagation of key technologies in the form of block demonstrations for improving productivity of pulses. Further, a Special Plan to achieve more than 19 million tonnes of pulse production during 2012-13 has also been initiated. (d) & (e): The reasons for variation in production and productivity of different agricultural crops including pulses and oilseeds vary from State to State. Besides variation in the natural soil fertility, the major reasons for low production of these crops include uneven distribution of rainfall, dependence on monsoon, small & fragmented land holdings, improper nutrient & pest management, low use of good quality seeds, lack of adequate agricultural machinery and low adoption of improved package of practices, etc. (f): Details of funds allocated by Government under the major schemes/programmes during 2012-13 are as under:-

(Rupees Crore) Scheme Funds Allocated National Food Security Mission (NFSM) 1977.02 Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) 9217.00 Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) 900.00

Integrated Scheme for Oilseed, Pulses, Oil- 387.03 Palm and Maize (ISOPOM)

ANNEXURE Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3561 due for answer on 19.03.2013 State-wise Estimates of Production of Pulses and Oilseeds

('000 Tonnes)

State/UT Pulses Oilseeds

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 201213* 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13*

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Andhra Pradesh 1429.0 1440.0 1230.0 1493.0 1500.0 1995.6 1264.7 1546.0 Arunachal Pradesh 9.7 9.1 10.5 # 28.3 29.1 33.0 # Assam 64.6 70.1 68.6 109.6 144.7 153.6 149.5 154.0 Bihar 472.5 537.8 511.3 527.5 144.6 136.3 139.5 178.1 Chhattisgarh 488.7 537.5 499.1 496.5 200.4 217.2 169.5 216.0 Goa 8.5 8.0 8.3 # 8.1 8.3 8.0 # Gujarat 517.0 723.0 780.0 562.0 3097.0 4896.1 5035.0 3385.8 Haryana 100.0 158.5 127.0 202.0 877.5 963.8 771.0 941.0 Himachal Pradesh 20.7 41.6 30.8 33.5 3.8 7.7 8.6 8.1 Jammu & Kashmir 13.6 16.7 13.2 22.8 49.7 53.0 53.4 51.0 Jharkhand 223.7 329.6 412.0 511.5 79.5 113.7 155.5 178.8 Karnataka 1118.0 1565.0 1134.1 1175.0 1005.0 1270.0 942.0 950.0 Kerala 10.3 3.0 2.5 6.3 1.2 2.1 2.4 0.9 Madhya Pradesh 4304.6 3386.2 4161.9 4653.6 7636.2 8035.4 7727.8 8290.9 Maharashtra 2370.0 3099.8 2268.0 2153.0 2814.0 5040.0 4485.0 4128.8 Manipur 7.2 24.2 26.9 # 0.7 26.7 28.3 # Meghalaya 3.6 3.7 3.7 # 7.0 7.1 7.6 # Mizoram 6.5 6.1 5.3 # 3.0 3.8 2.4 # Nagaland 34.7 36.4 34.7 # 84.6 66.3 66.8 # Orissa 399.3 426.9 343.4 408.0 172.2 179.8 165.8 183.8 Punjab 18.0 19.3 15.0 20.5 83.4 71.5 68.0 81.9 Rajasthan 713.7 3259.7 2432.1 2123.4 4407.2 6604.8 5744.5 6062.2 Sikkim 12.9 11.9 5.9 # 9.4 7.9 7.8 # Tamil Nadu 204.1 246.0 369.3 355.7 939.6 933.1 1113.7 1162.5 Tripura 4.5 5.2 6.0 # 2.5 3.4 3.5 # Uttar Pradesh 1901.4 2037.0 2403.0 2361.3 816.0 919.4 935.0 949.8 Uttarakhand 46.0 52.1 49.0 58.0 33.0 27.5 32.5 36.0 West Bengal 150.1 176.1 130.6 199.7 727.1 703.6 672.4 774.4 A & N Islands 1.8 1.2 1.0 # NG NG NG NG D & N Haveli 4.9 6.1 4.0 # 0.1 0.1 0.1 # Delhi 0.8 0.8 0.7 # 4.9 1.3 4.9 # Daman & Diu 1.1 1.1 0.0 # NG NG NG NG Pondicherry 0.3 1.3 1.0 # 1.1 0.9 0.5 # Others NA NA NA 102.7 NA NA NA 185.6 All India 14661.8 18240.9 17088.9 17575.5 24881.6 32479.0 29798.7 29465.3 * 2nd advance estimates released on 08.02.2013, #Included in others, NG: Not Grown, NA: not Applicable

POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME UNDER HORTICULTURAL SCHEMES 19th March 2013 LSQ3584 SHRI UDASI SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has started poverty alleviation programme under horticultural schemes through diversification of traditional crops towards cultivation of horticultural crops like fruits, plantation crops, flowers, spices, aromatic plants to ensure higher returns per unit area, improve nutritional security and income support to farmers in the country including Karnataka; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and (c) the details of the incentives and funds provided by the Government under the scheme, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): The Government of India is implementing two Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH). HMNEH is being implemented in remaining States and Union Territories, including Karnataka with the objective to enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support to farm households and those engaged in post harvest management, value addition and allied activities. All horticulture crops such as fruits, spices, flowers and aromatic plants along with plantation crops of Cashew and Cocoa are included. Incentives are provided for taking up activities related to production of planting material, area expansion with improved varieties, rejuvenation of senile plantations, protected cultivation, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)/ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) along with creation of infrastructure for Post Harvest Management (PHM) and marketing. Also incentives for vegetables are provided through seed production, protected cultivation, INM/IPM and organic farming, under the schemes. State-wise details of funds provided during 2012-13 is given in the statement at Annexure. ANNEXURE Statement referred to in part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question NO.3584 Details of Assistance provided during 2012-13 (Rs. in Crore)

State Funds Release Andaman & Nicobar 2.65 Andhra Pradesh 87.40 Arunachal Pradesh 41.95 Assam 30.80 Bihar 35.13 Chhattisgarh 91.56 Goa 1.25 Gujarat 100.25 Haryana 90.82

Himachal Pradesh 27.55 Jammu & Kashmir 18.25 Jharkhand 47.97 Karnataka 113.42 Kerala 35.20 Madhya Pradesh 22.51 Maharashtra 128.19 Manipur 45.03 Meghalya 29.00 Mizoram 43.10 Nagaland 43.55 Odisha 65.91 Puducherry 0.46 Punjab 58.12 Rajasthan 41.41 Sikkim 43.30 Tamil Nadu 56.01 Tripura 44.80 Uttar Pradesh 32.66 Uttarakhand 10.23 West Bengal 19.35

AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES 19th March 2013 LSQ 3602 SHRI E. T. MUHAMMED BASHEER SMT SHRUTI CHOUDHRY SHRI SANJAY BRIJKISHORILAL NIRUPAM SHRI MUNDE GOPINATHRAO PANDURANG SHRI KUVARJIBHAI MOHANBHAI BAVALIA SHRI P. KUMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is implementing several new schemes to increase the production of foodgrains in the country including Maharashtra; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) the targets fixed and achieved under these schemes during the last three years and the current year and the targets likely to be achieved during the 12th Plan period, State-wise; (d) whether these schemes have proved unsuccessful due to drought and flood situation in the country; (e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; (f) whether the Government is considering to revamp the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during the 12th Plan period; and (g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e): Yes, Madam. Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing a number of schemes for increasing foodgrains production in the country including Maharashtra such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana; National Food Security Mission; Macro management of Agriculture; Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize; Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms; etc. Due to these schemes and other efforts, the foodgrains production has increased from 230.77 Million Tonne in 2007-08 to 259.32 Million Tonne in 2011-12. A Statement showing the details of state-wise targets for foodgrains and actual production during last three years and current year (as per 2nd advance estimates released on 8.2.2013) is annexed. Twelfth Plan envisaged 4% annual growth in the agriculture and allied sector. (f) to (g): Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is to be continued in the Twelfth Plan with certain modifications on the basis of the experience gained so far and the discussions with Planning Commission and suggestions of the States. Now, the scheme is proposed to have three channels/streams i.e. (i) Production growth for increasing production and productivity; (ii) development of agricultural infrastructure and assets; and (iii) Focused interventions/schemes (sub-schemes). Twenty per cent of the annual o utlay of modified Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is to be earmarked for focused int erventions (sub-schemes) and forty per cent each for production growth and infrastructure development respectively.

TOXIC CONTENT IN VEGETABLES 19th March 2013 LSQ 3608 SMT. YASHODHARA RAJE SCINDIA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that vegetables grown alongside the river Yamuna in Delhi are high in toxic content; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the corrective steps taken by the Government thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a)&(b): The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a Central Sector Scheme “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level (MPRNL)” since 2005-06 to test pesticide residues in food commodities and environmental samples like soil and water with participation of various laboratories representing various Ministries and State Agricultural Universities across the country. During the period April 2010 to December 2013, a total of 3702 vegetable samples of cabbage, cauliflower, okra, tomato, brinjal, capsicum, cucumber, bottle gourd, pea, curry leaves, coriander leaves and chilli were collected from APMC markets, Mother Dairy (Safal) and retail outlets of various parts of Delhi and analysed for the possible residues of pesticides. Residues were detected above MRL values in 154 samples. However, as the samples have not been collected directly from alongside the river Yamuna for testing, it is not possible to conclude that the vegetables grown alongside river Yamuna are high in toxic content. (c): The Government is popularizing the strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through a Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” which includes cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest control and emphasizes safe and judicious use of pesticides. Under the ambit of IPM programme, the Government has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 State and one UT. The mandate of these Centres is pest/disease monitoring, production and release of bio-control agents/bio-pesticides, conservation of bio-control agents and Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to Agriculture/Horticulture Extension Officers and farmers at grass root level by organizing Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) in farmers’ fields. The basic aim of FFS is to train the farmers on the latest IPM technology so that they are able to take decision in pest management operation. Besides, large number of locally available bio-control agents are augmented from field to field based on the requirement. Major emphasis is given on judicious use of chemical pesticide as a last resort and safety in use of pesticides, alternate tools for pest management viz; cultural, physical, mechanical methods of pest control as well as use of biopesticides and biocontrol agents, effects of pesticides on natural enemies of pests, do’s and don’ts of pesticide use including proper application equipment and the technique. FFSs are run by trained personnel to train 30 farmers and 5 Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) for 14 weeks. At the end of training, Kisan Mela is organized at the FFS site to popularize the IPM approach among neighbouring farmers. So far, upto the year 2011-12 the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage(DPPQ&S), an attached organisation of Ministry of Agriculture, has organized 13,991 Nos. of Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) wherein 57,962 Agriculture / Horticulture Extension Officers and 4,20,720 farmers in different crops have been trained on latest IPM technology in various crops. To encourage use of biological agents including plant products and to meet the farmers requirement of these products against crop pests of agricultural/horticultural crops, various biological control agents are registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Besides “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” there are other schemes of the Government like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Extension Programme under which farmers are being imparted awareness training. UTILISATION OF DROUGHT RELIEF FUND 19th March 2013 LSQ 3639 SHRI CHAUHAN MAHENDRASINH

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has evaluated the utilization of drought relief fund allocated to various States; and (b) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): State Governments can initiate appropriate relief measures in the wake of loss/damage to crops due to natural calamities including drought from funds readily available under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which consists of contributions from the Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25 in case of General category States & 90:10 ratio in case of Special Category States. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), upon receipt of detailed memorandum from the State Government following which Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed for assessing the situation and recommending central assistance as per established procedure and extant norms. State Governments have the responsibility to ensure that money drawn from the SDRF account is actually utilized for the purposes for which SDRF is set up based on norms & items of expenditure as approved by the Government of India. State Accountant General is required to monitor the expenditure from SDRF. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG) conducts audit of SDRF accounts. RESEARCH IN COW DUNG 19th March 2013 LSQ3643 SHRI GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL SHRI CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has carried out any research for developing cow dung as an alternative to chemical fertiliser; and (b) if so, the details thereof and the works carried out by the Government in this regard, so far? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. In order to reduce usage of chemical fertilizers, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and State Agricultural Universities have developed technologies for preparation of enriched/vermin compost from various organic wastes, including cow dung. These have been tested and found useful in improving soil health and crop productivity. The Council imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on this aspect. The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is promoting use of these composts/manures in the country. WEATHER BASED CROP INSURANCE SCHEME

19th March 2013 LSQ 3662 SHRI P. T. THOMAS Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of the weather based crop insurance scheme in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the outcome thereon; (c) whether the Government proposes to extend the benefit of the scheme to more farmers; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of farmers benefited under the scheme and the amount of assistance provided by the Government during the last three years and the current year, Statewise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) which is under implementation from Kharif 2007 has been reviewed through an evaluation study conducted by the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) in 2010. The study has come out with various suggestions & recommendations for further improvements in the scheme aiming to compensate crop losses of the farmers more realistically. A proposal has been prepared to further strengthen the scheme on the basis of inter-aila, these recommendations. (c) & (d): WBCIS was initially approved to implement in 3 States from Kharif 2007 and extended in more States from time to time. It was approved to implement in 20 States from Rabi 2008-09. State erf Jammu & Kashmir has also been allowed from Rabi 2010-11. The proposal for a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Scheme for Farmer`s Income Security proposes to implement it as a full fledged scheme throughout the country from Kharif 2013. Details of farmers benefited and government assistance (premium subsidy) provided are at annexure.

ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3662 DATED 19.03.2013

Details of farmers benefitted and GOI assistance provided under WBCIS (state-wise)

(Rs. In lakh)

Sl. No. States / UTs.

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13*

Farmers benefitted

(no.)

GOI assistance (premium subsidy)

Farmers benefitted

(no.)


Farmers benefitted

(no.)


Farmers benefitted

(no.)


1 Andhra Pradesh 17308 236 115794 934.40 896296 10036.34 966819 12149.85

2 Assam 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 Bihar 865192 6849 1690386 12242.36 1801132 13907.96 1240630 10920.05 4 Chhatisgarh 0 0 1960 22.78 87188 909.03 0 0.00 5 Gujarat 140891 238 132951 224.35 223819 377.69 0 0.00 6 Haryana 2771 64 12567 418.66 47185 866.92 60721 810.01

7 Himachal Pradesh 4929 57 17061 236.51 22815 326.27 1319 7.00

8 Jharkhand 16251 42 31478 74.36 61237 309.80 77809 550.02

9 Jammu & Kashmir 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00

10 Karnataka 108229 590 57642 345.01 154946 830.15 209560 1212.79 11 Kerala 8493 66 11843 82.03 4681 60.57 8242 62.80

12 Madhya Pradesh 56363 826 384909 4609.64 413834 5496.86 0 0.00

13 Maharashtra 49832 266 394627 2284.78 45052 1277.05 4457 81.19 14 Meghalaya 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 15 Orissa 81429 510 74734 457.73 114570 749.89 31732 237.00 16 Punjab 0 0 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 17 Rajasthan 978961 6335 6247131 22952.93 7677433 28457.02 5314133 17959.00 18 Tamilnadu 17908 135 26657 214.34 24057 219.16 11996 105.24 19 Uttar Pradesh 0 0 60828 257.39 37272 293.31 43248 299.66 20 Uttarakhand 0 0 3274 70.58 21304 167.78 17639 142.35 21 West Bengal 14023 57 31785 217.64 41149 299.83 370 1.23

Total 2362580 16270 9295627 45645.49 11673970 64585.63 7988675 44538.191 N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented. * Only Kharif 2012.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE CLIMATE DAMAGE FUND 19th March 2013 LSQ 3680 SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has received any request for constituting a National Agriculture Climate Damage Fund and enhancing warehousing facilities at village level for development of the agriculture sector in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon; and; (c) the steps being taken by the Government at the national level to solve the problem of climatic change which is creating an impediment in the development of the agriculture sector and overcome the shortage of warehousing facilities in the country for the benefits of farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Ministry of Agriculture is not contemplating any proposal for creating a National Agriculture Climate Damage Fund. However, for enhancing warehousing facilities at village level, Ministry of Agriculture is implementing ‘Grameen Bhandaran Yojana’ with following main objectives: (i) Creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to meet various requirements of farmers for storing farm produce, processed farm produce, agricultural inputs; (ii) Prevention of distress sale immediately after harvest by providing the facility of pledge financing and marketing credit; (iii) Strengthen agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country by paving the way for the introduction of a national system of warehouse receipt in respect of agricultural commodities stored in such godowns;

(iv) Promotion of grading, standardisation and quality control of agricultural produce to improve their marketability; (v) To reverse the declining trend of investment in agriculture sector by encouraging, private and cooperative sectors to invest in the creation of storage infrastructure in the country. To enhance resilience of Indian Agriculture in times of climate change, Ministry of Agriculture is implementing ‘National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) that aims at evolving cost-effective adaptation and mitigation strategies against climate change through strategic research on natural resources, major food crops, livestock, marine and fresh water fisheries for adaptation and mitigation; demonstration of available climate resilient practices on farmers’ fields in vulnerable districts of the country, strengthen research infrastructure and capacity building of scientists for undertaking long term research on climate change adaptation etc. DROUGHT RELIEF 23rd April 2013 LSQ*414 SHRI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL SHRI M.THAMBIDURAI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the major areas in the country which are prone to drought; (b) whether the Government has provided financial aid during the last one year and the current year to several drought affected States especially Maharashtra to help them tackle the impact of drought; (c) if so, the details of funds sanctioned and released to various States, State-wise; (d) whether the Government has any proposal to create an exclusive Drought Relief Fund; and (e) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the Fund is likely to be created? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 414 DUE FOR REPLY ON 23RD APRIL, 2013. (a) to (e): As per report of the High Level Technical Committee headed by Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao (ex. Member, Planning Commission), 74.59 million hectare area has been identified for implementation of Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP). Details are at Annexure-I. Statewise details of central assistance approved from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for mitigating drought situation during last year and current year is at Annexure-II. In addition, Central Government has approved implementation of a special package for rejuvenation of orchards in drought affected districts of Maharashtra with an allocation of Rs.400 crore during 2012-13 under National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Further, in view of rainfall deficit in several parts of the country during Monsoon- 2012, Govt. of India introduced several schemes such as (i) diesel subsidy scheme (for providing protective irrigation in rainfall deficient areas), (ii) enhancement of ceiling on seed subsidy (to partially recompense farmers for re-sowing/purchasing drought tolerant varieties of seeds), (iii) up-scaling the central sector scheme on feed & fodder, (iv) waiver of import duty on oil cakes, (v) additional allocation of funds under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP), (vi) providing assistance for feed and fodder supplements under National Mission for Protein Supplements (NMPS), (vii) introducing drought impact mitigating interventions for perennial horticulture crops and, (viii) reducing interest on rescheduled crop loans to mitigate drought conditions. Besides, additional wage employment upto 50 days per household beyond 100 days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in drought notified areas, interim assistance under calamity component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and fast tracking release of funds under NRDWP & Integrated Watershed Management Programme etc. were also approved by Central Government. As requirements for relief due to natural calamities including drought are met from NDRF, Ministry of Agriculture is not contemplating any proposal to create an exclusive Drought Relief Fund. Annexure-I STATES, DISTRICTS AND BLOCKS COVERED UNDER DROUGHT PRONE AREAS PROGRAMME (DPAP)

No. State Number of Districts Number of Blocks Area in Million ha.

1 Andhra Pradesh 11 94 9.9218 2 Bihar 6 30 .9533 3 Chattisgarh 9 29 2.1801 4 Gujarat 14 67 4.3938 5 Himachal Pradesh 3 10 .3319 6 Jammu & Kashmir 6 22 1.4705 7 Jharkhand 15 100 3.4843 8 Karnataka 17 81 8.4332 9 Madhya Pradesh 26 105 8.9101 10 Maharashtra 25 149 19.4473 11 Orissa 8 47 2.6178 12 Rajasthan 11 32 3.1968 13 Tamil Nadu 18 80 2.9416 14 Uttar Pradesh 15 60 3.5698 15 Uttarakhand 7 30 1.5796 16 West Bengal 4 36 1.1594 TOTAL 195 972 74.5913

Annexure-II

Assistance approved/sanctioned from NDRF during 2012-13 Sl No Name of the State Calamity Assistance approved from NDRF

(Rs. In crore) 1 Karnataka Drought (Rabi-2011-12) 282.35* 2 Maharashtra Drought (Rabi-2011-12) 574.71 3 Maharashtra Drought (Kharif-2012) 778.09 4 Karnataka Drought (Kharif-2012) 526.06** 5 Maharashtra Drought (Rabi-2012/13) 807.84@ 6 Gujarat Drought (Kharif-2012) 864.71@ 7 Kerala Drought (Kharif-2012) 62.61@ * In addition, Rs. 12 crore from Special Component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme ** In addition, Rs. 14.20 crore from Special Component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme @ Provisional Assistance approved/sanctioned from NDRF during 2013-14 (till 17.04.2013) Sl No Name of the State Calamity/Year Assistance approved from NDRF

(Rs. In crore) NIL DIESEL PUMPS 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4598 SMT. JHANSI BOTCHA LAKSHMI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the number of diesel fueled agricultural pumps in the country; (b) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the impact of diesel de-regulation on the farmers owning such diesel pumps; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether solar PV based agricultural pumps are appropriate replacement of diesel pumps due to zero fuel costs; and (e) if so, the initiatives taken for replacing diesel pumps with solar PV pumps by providing adequate incentive to the farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): According to 3rd Minor irrigation census conducted by Ministry of Water Resources with the reference year 2000-2001, number of pump sets in the country used for the purpose of irrigation was 16821788. (b) & (c): The decision has been taken keeping in view the overall interest of the economy including farmers. (d): Solar PV based agricultural pumps work only when there is sufficiently bright sunshine and could be good replacement of diesel pumps in such locations.

(e): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under their Off-grid and Decentralized Solar Applications Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission provides a capital subsidy of 30% of the project cost limited to Rs. 57000 per kWp for solar photovoltaic water pumping systems. RICE VARIETIES 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4603 SHRI P. VISWANATHAN SHRI ADHI SANKAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether agriculture scientists across the world have developed designer rice varieties to meet the ever-growing need for food and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has started research on designer rice by implanting good resistance attributes in wild rice varieties and converting them into popular varieties; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the International Rice Research Institute has set up its regional centre in India to focus on research in breeding to meet the needs of India and other South Asian nations; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps being taken by the Government to protect and preserve the rich agro-bio-diversity of the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) No, Madam. So far, no scientist across the world has developed designer rice. However, mega varieties with high grain yield have been developed and released. Efforts are being made to develop designer rice with with desirable traits through transgenic and other approaches. (b) Several Genes/QTLs for tolerance to traits like submergence (SUB1), drought (DREB2, DREB1A), salinity tolerance (Saltol), bacterial leaf blight (Xa4, Xa13, Xa21), blast (Pi-kh), phosphorus deficiency (Pup1 QTL) and gall midge (gm3, Gm4) have been prospected from wild species/local materials to incorporate in to high yielding varieties. More efforts are being made to identify other genes of major importance to transfer them in high yielding varieties through molecular approaches to develop a designer rice e.g. C4 rice and biological nitrogen fixation in rice. (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. It has been reported in media that International Rice Research Institute has set up its research centre at ICRISAT, Hyderabad. (e) National Biodiversity Authority is the apex body in the country to protect the agro-biodiversity as per national laws. Any material either imported or exported or exchanged is done as per set rules. More than 90,000 cultivated as well as wild germplasm accessions of the country has been preserved in national Gene Bank at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi to protect the rice genetic diversity in rice. Some of the elite land races and released varieties of rice are being protected by registering them at NBPGR and Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Right Authority (PPVFRA). WATER MANAGEMENT FOR CROPS

23rd April 2013 LSQ 4604 SHRI BHISMA SHANKAR ALIAS KUSHAL TIWARI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Water Technology Centre, New Delhi under the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has conducted any study on efficient use of water for crops/ crop water management; (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; (c) whether suggestions have been received from various bodies for promoting farming of crops that requires less water and instruments/technology helpful in retaining moisture; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether there is any proposal for promoting innovation in this field; and (f) if so, the details thereof along with the incentives proposed to be given for promoting the said innovation? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Irrigation requirements and irrigation scheduling criteria of important cereals, pulses and oilseed crops have been worked out for conditions of adequate, limited and excess water supply and under high water table conditions. Studies conducted with different vegetable crops (Tomato, Potato, Onion, Garlic, Cabbage, Baby Corn, Groundnut, Lettuce, Sweet Pepper etc.) under micro-irrigation and fertigation revealed an average water saving of about 30-60% . (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The use of micro irrigation system like drip, sprinklers, micro sprinklers along with organic mulching, black polythene mulching, vermicomposting, resource conservation technologies and crop diversification have the potential for promoting farming of crops with less water. The technology of Pusa Hydrogel has also been developed which enhances moisture retention in soils. (e) & (f): Yes Madam. The Government of India is implementing National Mission on Micro Irrigation under which incentive to farmers is being provided for adopting innovative water saving technologies like drip, sprinkler irrigation. DEVELOPMENT OF GM COTTON SEEDS 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4605 SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has released indigenously developed Genetically Modified cotton seeds;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the contribution of various public sector organisations/institutions in developing the said GM cotton seeds; (c) whether these seeds were subsequently withdrawn from the market; (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; (e) whether these seeds were found to have a gene, which is an intellectual property of a global agro-biotech company and inspite of it, this seed was approved by the country’s regulator; and (f) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) Bikaneri Narma Bt (BN Bt) cotton variety was developed by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad with collaborative effort of National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi. The Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur commercialised the BN Bt cotton variety. (c) Yes, Madam. (d) Due to non-satisfactory performance of the variety in the field and reported presence of Monsanto’s MON 531 event, further commercial cultivation was stopped by end of 2009. (e) The ICAR withdrew the Bikaneri Narma Bt variety in the year 2009 as soon as evidence became available that the seeds reportedly contained the Monsanto’s cry1Ac gene (Mon 531). Subsequently the NRCPB, New Delhi and UAS Dharwad were instructed to provide the original BN Bt seeds and/or undertake purification steps to obtain the original BN Bt seeds which did not contain the Monsanto’s cry1Ac (Mon 531). (f) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. S.K. Sopory, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi to look into various aspects of development of BN Bt. Cotton variety. The report that has been submitted by the Committee is being looked into for way forward for appropriate action. ICAR is continuing research on cotton improvement including high density cotton cultivation, organic and desi cotton cultivation besides transgenes pyramiding. CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4645 SHRI RAGHUVIR SINGH MEENA SHRI RAM SINGH KASWAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the number of farmers benefited under the crop insurance scheme, Statewise; (b) the details of the crops covered under various insurance schemes for farmers in the country, State-wise including Rajasthan; (c) the area of land under cultivation of crops covered under insurance schemes during the last three years and the current year along with the amount of premium collected therefrom, crop and State-wise;

(d) the details of crop insurance claims settled against the payment of premium made during the said period, scheme and area-wise; (e) whether the Government has received any complaints from farmers regarding non-payment of crop insurance claims; and (f) if so, the steps taken by the Union Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): The number of farmers insured/benefited under the exiting crop insurance schemes are at Annexure-I. (b): Details are at Annexure II-A & II-B. (c): Details are at Annexure III-A and III-B. (d): Details are at Annexure IV. (e) & (f): Some complaints about non-payment/delayed payment of claims, under payment of claims etc. on account of incorrect/delayed submission of insurance proposals by banks, unrealistic assessment of crop loss due to large unit area of insurance etc. are received from time to time. As far as possible, all the complaints are suitably addressed by the Insurer, the Department and also by the committee set up under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS).

CROPS NOTIFIED FOR COVERAGE BY VARIOUS STATES INCLUDNIG RAJASTHAN UNDER CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES

Weather Based Crop Insurance scheme (WBCIS) KHARIF : Chilly, Cotton, Oilpalm, Sweet orange, Paddy, Maize, Soyabean, Citrus, Mango, Blackgram, Greengram, Redgram , Groundnut, Ragi, Jowar, Sunflower, Onion, Potato, Grapes, Black pepper, Castor, Bajra, Moth, Chaulai, Sesame, Guar, Banana, Tapioca, Turmeric, Millets, Apple, Mango. RABI : Wheat, Gram, Lentil, Redgram, Mustard, Chilly, Onion, Brinjal Tomato, Mango, Citrus, Apple, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Pea, Green gram, Linseed, Grapes, Cashewnut, Barley, taramira, Cumin, Isabgol, Fenugreek, Coriander, Ajwain, Garlic, Tapioca, Turmeric, Gherkin, Litchi, Pomegranate, Sweet Orange, Banana, Groundnut, Paddy, Sunflower, Jowar, Maize, Sugarcane, Bajra, Potato Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) KHARIF : Paddy, Bajra, Castor, Chilly, Cotton, Greengram, Groundnut, Maize, Redgram, Sugarcane, Turmeric, Blackgram, Jowar, Ragi, Save, Navane, Horsegram, Soyabean, Sesame, Sunflower, Onion. RABI : Wheat, Gram, Chilly, Green gram, Groundnut, Paddy, Sunflower, Jowar, Maize, Sugarcane, Rapeseed & Mustard, Bajra, Potato, Pea, Lentil. Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS)

Coconut Palm /Tree : Age ranging from 4 to 60 years.

Annexure-III-A

Crop-season-wise Area Covered under Insurance Schemes till 18/4/2013

(Area in ha) Sl. No.

States / Uts. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif* Rabi$

1 Andhra Pradesh 4514680 479735 3351470 740765 3856494 1013211 1964082

2 Andaman & Nicobar 245 0 303 186 392 0 0

3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Assam 23625 19486 17277 12029 21473 22988 925 5 Bihar 1433216 913657 1597172 1394510 971024 1437572 1723456 6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Chhattisgarh 1744713 73377 1710078 116574 1955615 155559 0

8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Goa 206 0 772 0 350 0 0 12 Gujarat 2052346 67064 2122650 80940 2307803 72307 147 13 Haryana 65796 21045 22290 19408 90339 172906 171094 14 Himachal Pradesh 22089 10858 12698 21725 11338 41892 242 15 Jammu & Kashmir 2990 3459 2225 1665 2087 3381 0 16 Jharkhand 993793 22520 322756 26483 174081 52734 104639 17 Karnataka 1495452 234807 1003537 141220 1018232 1251590 684544 18 Kerala 14807 22767 16836 23356 13838 23331 6844 19 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

20 Madhya Pradesh 3695977 236952

5 3718775 3349038 3897611 3370843 0 21 Maharashtra 2167668 96113 1762192 66705 1483555 366169 4934 22 Manipur 10907 0 407 70 3243 240 0 23 Meghalaya 2234 2308 891 746 1107 424 0 24 Mizoram 134 0 0 0 434 0 0 25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 Orissa 1094553 131502 1132903 64409 1798253 91611 52589 27 Pondicherry 744 4043 598 2616 665 3501 0 28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

29 Rajasthan 5374008 207521

1 5686453 3799277 6625980 3993249 8369261 30 Sikkim 36 18 0 0 0 45 0

31 Tamilnadu 99517 102995

9 105665 1188579 205423 614683 25815 32 Tripura 151 452 802 70 753 141 0

33 Uttar Pradesh 2235922 184244

5 1555861 1581752 1453466 1188753 72503 34 Uttarakhand 32894 37132 47396 28184 40900 92888 14153 35 West Bengal 221897 300427 308053 357820 292795 291565 645

Total 27300600

9757909

24500061

13018132

26227252

14261583

13195872

N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented. *Includes area covered under WBCIS & MNAIS only. $ Under compilation

Annexure-III-B

Crop-season-wise Premium Collected under Insurance Schemes till 18/4/2013 (Rs.In lakh)

Sl. No. States / Uts. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif* Rabi$ 1 Andhra Pradesh 22066 1728 22097 3826 46269 6657 54355 2 Andeman & Nicobar 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Assam 98 176 99 149 235 305 14 5 Bihar 14512 11382 16337 22680 15021 26748 48909 6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Chhatisgarh 2941 75 3043 166 3951 2417 0

8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Goa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Gujarat 11031 186 12192 285 15395 236 11 13 Haryana 518 198 573 578 1958 2014 4245 14 Himachal Pradesh 128 259 103 998 155 1368 29 15 Jammu & Kashmir 8 6 6 3 9 10 0 16 Jharkhand 2763 55 1089 79 1247 247 2178 17 Karnataka 5459 472 4241 649 8281 2149 10680 18 Kerala 178 188 238 212 160 236 175 19 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 10693 4877 15455 13359 21680 12576 0 21 Maharashtra 11212 170 14157 293 7601 7835 325 22 Manipur 75 0 3 0 22 1 0 23 Meghalaya 9 45 5 14 8 5 0 24 Mizoram 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 Orissa 5329 465 5928 576 9442 543 631 27 Pondicherry 2 19 2 12 2 21 0 28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 Rajasthan 13176 14841 27862 36309 43965 38662 57546 30 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 Tamilnadu 977 5521 1238 8841 2654 3626 757

32 Tripura 1 3 5 0 7 1 0 33 Uttar Pradesh 5045 3896 4984 4972 5647 4288 1139 34 Uttarakhand 315 127 564 377 882 191 652 35 West Bengal 958 7600 1550 9654 2008 13613 23

Total 107496 52288 131772 104035 186605 123750 181668 N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented. *Includes premium collected under WBCIS & MNAIS only. $Under compilation.

Annexure-IV Crop-season-wise Claims Settled under Insurance Schemes till 18/4/2013

(Rs.In lakh) Sl. No. States / Uts. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif* Rabi$ 1 Andhra Pradesh 71666 3241 77899 6779 44802 9408 31769 2 Andeman & Nicobar 0 0 3 0 5 0 0 3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Assam 69 329 60 26 223 152 0 5 Bihar 51854 33318 46259 9559 4228 9982 15535 6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Chhatisgarh 12379 45 123 13 1261 4755 0 8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Goa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Gujarat 80683 464 6996 297 31789 251 0 13 Haryana 30 402 263 792 3630 1600 461 14 Himachal Pradesh 386 683 0 833 33 2457 13 15 Jammu & Kashmir 44 57 12 0 0 0 0 16 Jharkhand 25383 318 8904 320 419 178 766 17 Karnataka 18374 1630 4682 547 6574 11234 4284 18 Kerala 127 100 95 275 127 166 40 19 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 4496 3864 6031 32421 30244 10432 0 21 Maharashtra 38445 139 3693 44 3919 17872 800 22 Manipur 223 0 10 2 62 8 0 23 Meghalaya 8 2 0 1 4 0 0 24 Mizoram 11 0 0 0 9 0 0 25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 Orissa 5440 650 13876 476 69979 141 266 27 Pondicherry 0 3 5 4 0 54 0 28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 Rajasthan 144308 15551 3787 27068 9862 47885 29585 30 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 Tamilnadu 2304 10818 1224 22965 4559 2199 127 32 Tripura 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 Uttar Pradesh 13571 3557 6375 4625 2562 1614 173 34 Uttarakhand 800 159 1296 47 407 267 2319 35 West Bengal 1889 2001 1669 2701 3890 6846 0

Total 472490 77331 183261 109793 218588 127501 86139 N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented/no claims. *Includes premium collected under WBCIS & MNAIS only. $Under compilation.

MISLEADING PROGRAMMES ON PESTICIDES 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4653 SHRI HUKAMDEO NARAYAN YADAV Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- to the reply given to Unstarred Question No. 3973 on18 December, 2012 regarding ‘Use of Banned Pesticides’ and state: (a) whether it has been indicated that the information provided by a private practitioner in ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is not proven on scientific basis; (b) if so, whether the Government is taking any action against such type of misleading programmes and advertisements due to which crops have been ruined for not using that pesticide on crops; and (c) if so, the action proposed to be taken by the Government to check such misleading advertisements against various pesticides and weedicides? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): The information provided by private practitioner in “Satyamev Jayate” was not substantiated and proven scientifically by him. (b) & (c): Ministry of Agriculture has been airing various advertisements and programmes for the benefit of farmers. These programmes remove doubts on usage of pesticides, fertilizers etc and make the farmers aware about judicious use of the same. The Central and State Governments organize training programmes on safe and judicious use of pesticides to educate the farers and to create awareness about ill effects of misuse of pesticides. The government is popularizing the strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through a Central Sector Scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” which includes cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest control and emphasizes safe and judicious use of pesticides. Government is promoting the use of bio-pesticides and these are registered/provisionally registered on simplified guidelines. The extension of validity period for manufacturing, sale and usages is given liberally to the provisionally registered bio-pesticide firms. Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, registers safe and effective pesticides for use in the country after thoroughly evaluating the exhaustive scientific data and information submitted by the applicant. Pesticides are reviewed from time to time by technical experts and usage is permitted after giving due consideration to recommendations. ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER NMMI 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4665 SHRI RAJAGOPAL LAGADAPATI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the physical targets set and achieved under the National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) in various States including Andhra Pradesh during the 11th Five Year Plan period, year-wise; and

(b) the details of the physical targets set for the 12th Five Year Plan period along with the financial assistance sought under the scheme? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Details of State-wise physical targets set and achieved under the National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) for the 11th Five Year Plan period are annexed. (b): During the 12th Plan period, physical targets for NMMI have not been set. However, based on the B.E. of Rs.1500 crore of 2012-13, a physical target of 77 lakh hectare had been envisaged.

Annexure

NMMI scheme introduced in North Eastern & Himalayan States in 2010-11

Targets set and achieved under National Mission on Micro Irrigation Scheme

State 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievemen

Andhra Pradesh 46385 114846 85209 123581 114453 138341 165500 1227Bihar 0 229.00 0 313.00 0.00 107.48 0 13485.Chhattisgarh 10063 20830.74 13633 30573.61 17636.00 15771.19 28780 21830.Goa 0 109.52 12 9.9 119.00 118.71 250 119.0Gujarat 45155 43037.10 33563 53427.00 33326.00 66249.1 80338 782Haryana 7215 7784.99 32404 22301.69 1576 3257.67 4426 9340Jharkhand 0 0 0 0 0 445.5 0 1217Karnataka 53517.7 62939 84167 92622.3 81311 108205.17 72700 874Kerala 0 2104.43 0 1551.03 0.00 1107.67 0 2340.Madhya Pradesh 5162 4711.20 30134 38220.32 22742 35619.24 39518 41238.Maharashtra 103672 82224 128758 100410 84673.00 94507 118025.08 118025.Orissa 1032 3069.48 3752 2495.53 7578 12776 9340.92 12013.Punjab 2896 4187.38 3374 3197.06 5535 4605.4 7940 49Rajasthan 44707 73735 40231 77729.00 85211 95556 148000 1476Tamil Nadu 12302 7819.57 0 11597.35 0 18008.03 35000 26153.Uttar Pradesh 4659 1378 1287.48 1974.13 5590 3108.6West Bengal 0 131 0 55.6 0 205.58 2

RESEARCH ON BIOCHAR 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4712 SMT. MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted research on biochar for its use in agriculture; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the outcome thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) The Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has worked on the production aspect of biochar using the local surplus crop residues as raw feed material with specific target for obtaining the stable char for the purpose of carbon sequestration. (c) Char can be used to reclaim the acidic soil as the pH value ranged from 9.44 to 9.85 for char obtained at the process temperature from 250 to 450 C. The CO fixation per year was computed as 0.71-0.89 tonne by producing the bio-char from each metric tonne of crop residue and adding the generated char in soil for carbon sequestration. The gain in carbon to soil by adding the bio-char was estimated higher by 91%, 80% and 42% for soybean straw, pigeon pea and cotton stalk, respectively, as compared to the carbon which can be added by incorporating the same quantum of respective raw crop residues to the soil. However, another school of thought advocates that for safe disposal of crop waste, its direct use to increase c-sequestration in soil is a better option in comparison to biochar. MODIFIED NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEME 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4717 SHRI BHOLA SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has implemented the modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme; (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the scheme; (c) whether the Government has constituted any joint group for reviewing and improving the existing crop insurance schemes; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the time by which the said schemes are likely to be modified and implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Yes, Madam. (b) to (e): Considering the experienced shortcomings during implementation of crop insurance schemes and to make the schemes easier and more farmer friendly, a Joint Group was constituted by the Government of India in the year 2004 to study the existing schemes. Based on the recommendations of the Joint Group and views of the stakeholders, the Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) has been approved by GOI for implementation on pilot basis in 50 districts from Rabi 2010-11. Salient features of the scheme are as under :- # Unit area of insurance for major crops reduced to village/ village panchayat level, #Actuarial premiums with Government subsidy up 75%, claims liability is on insurer # More proficient basis for calculation of threshold yield, # Minimum indemnity level increased to 70% from 60%, # Coverage of prevented sowing/ planting risks, # Coverage of post harvested losses due to cyclone in coastal areas, # Coverage of localized losses due to hailstorm & land-slides, # On account payment upto 25% of likely claims as advance for immediate relief. RESEARCH WORK ON ORGANIC FERTIGATION 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4778 SHRI PRABHAKAR PONNAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is undertaking active research work in organic fertigation; and (b) if so, the details thereof and the results yielded so far? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Preliminary research on organic fertigation with liquid bio-fertilizer in cotton, blackgram and maize has been carried out under All India Coordinated Research Project on Water Management at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai. Similarly, Vellanikkara centre of Kerala Agricultural University has fabricated fertigation unit and preliminary trials with cowdung slurry extract have been successful. Study conducted on organic fertigation in tomato by University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore indicated that fertigation through jeevamruta resulted in highest fruit yield followed by human urine and cattle urine compared to NPK alone. At IIT Kharagpur, organic fertigation using vermicompost and vermiwash produced comparable growth and leaf yield of Aloe vera with superior quality as compared to chemical fertilizers. Central Plantation Crop Research Institute at Vittal, Karnataka confirmed the advantage of organic fertigation using vermicompost extract in arecanut and cocoa land use systems. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

23rd April 2013 LSQ 4789 SHRI BHAKTA CHARAN DAS Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to address the delay in regulatory clearance which is apparently slowing down the technology transfer to the country in the agriculture sector; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Madam, it has been the endeavour of Government of India to expedite regulatory clearance in order to ensure availability of latest technology in agriculture in the country. Following steps have been taken for expediting the registration: 1. On-line application for registration of pesticides under Computerized Registration of Pesticides (CROP) since 2010-11. 2. Submission of applications for grant of original registration in five folders for simultaneous scrutiny since 2004-05. 3. Permission to import pesticide formulations without registering technical grade pesticide since 2007-08. 4. Facilitation for introduction of new bio-pesticide through a comparatively lesser data requirement and a more relaxed set of guidelines for registration. 5. Provision for data protection in the Pesticides Management Bill, which is under consideration of Rajya Sabha since October, 2008 to encourage introduction of newer molecules into the country. (c): Does not arise. HIGH YIELDING CROPS 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4803 SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is emphasising the need or taking any steps to develop crops which give high yields despite low irrigation in view of the continuous fall/ depletion in the ground water level in the country for the last two years; (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to run any campaign to raise awareness about such crops amongst farmers; and (d) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. The Government is emphasizing on diversification of agriculture to include crops/varieties requiring less water. (b) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities have developed several early maturing varieties of crops which perform well under moisture stress/drought conditions. In rice techniques like System Rice Intensification (SRI), direct seeded rice (DSR), aerobic rice, alternate wet and drying (AWD) conditions are being standardized which require less water than normal transplanted rice. In wheat varieties suitable for rainfed and restricted irrigations have been developed. In some areas, maize as a rabi crop is giving excellent profitable results and this crop requires less water than rice. (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The Government under the programme “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India” is promoting SRI in rice to save water and other inputs. Under the other programme “Initiation on Nutritional Security through intensive millets promotion (INSIMP)” millets, which require very less water, are being promoted. Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) are being conducted on Rabi maize to popularize this crop in place of rice and other high water requiring crops. During presentation of the Central Budget 2013-14 a scheme “Crop Diversification in Original Green Revolution States” has been announced. This scheme will consider growing crops will less water in states like Punjab, Haryana and Western UP. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT CENTRES 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4806 SHRI KAPIL MUNI KARWARIYA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Integrated Pest Management Centres have been established in the various States to impart training and to spread awareness amongst farmers for discretionary use of fertilisers/pesticides in agriculture; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and (c) the details of the functions being performed by these centres? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): The Government is popularizing the strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through a Central Sector Scheme "Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” which includes cultural, mechanical, biological and other methods of pest control and emphasizes safe and judicious use of pesticides. Under the ambit of IPM programme, the Government has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 States and one UT. (list Annexed). Their functions are :- (i) Monitoring of pests and diseases for forewarning the States to facilitate undertaking timely control measures in endemic areas.

(ii) Human Resource Development (HRD) for promoting IPM by imparting field oriented training to extension functionaries and farmers through Farmers’ Field Schools (FFSs). (iii) Promotion of conservation of biocontrol agents for natural suppression of insect pests. (iv) Production and release of biocontrol agents for the control of insect pests and diseases in farmers fields. (v) Popularization of IPM approach in the States by organizing demonstrations and ‘Kisan Melas’, distribution of literature in regional languages, etc. Major emphasis is given on judicious use of chemical pesticide as a last resort and safety in use of pesticides, alternate tools for pest management viz; cultural, physical, mechanical methods of pest control as well as use of biopesticides and biocontrol agents, effects of pesticides on natural enemies of pests, do’s and don’ts of pesticide use including proper application equipment and the technique. FFSs are run by trained personnel to train 30 farmers and 5 Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) for 14 weeks. At the end of training, Kisan Mela is organized at the FFS site to popularize the IPM approach among neighbouring farmers. So far, upto the year 2011-12 the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S), an attached organization of Ministry of Agriculture, has organized 13,991 Nos. of Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) wherein 57,962 Agriculture/Horticulture Extension Officers and 4,20,720 farmers in different crops have been trained on latest IPM technology in various crops. To encourage use of biological agents including plant products and to meet the farmers requirement of these products against crop pests of agricultural/horticultural crops, various biological control agents are registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Besides “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” there are other schemes of the Government like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Extension Programme under which farmers are being imparted awareness programmes. ANNEXURE STATE-WISE LOCATION OF CENTRAL INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN THE COUNTRY

S. No. STATE/UNION TERRITORY LOCATION OF CENTRAL INTEGRATED

PEST MANAGEMENT CENTRES

1. ANDHRA PRADESH 1. HYDERABAD 2. ARUNACHAL PRADESH 2. ITANAGAR 3. ASSAM 3. GUWAHATI 4. BIHAR 4. PATNA 5. CHHATTISGARH 5. RAIPUR 6. GOA 6. MADGAON 7. GUJARAT 7. BARODA 8. HARYANA 8. FARIDABAD 9. HIMACHAL PRADESH 9. SOLAN 10. JAMMU & KASHMIR 10. JAMMU 11. SRINAGAR 11. JHARKHAND 12. RANCHI 12. KARNATAKA 13. BANGALORE 13. KERALA 14. ERNAKULAM 14. MADHYA PRADESH 15. INDORE 15. MAHARASHTRA 16. NAGPUR 16. MANIPUR 17. IMPHAL

17. MEGHALAYA 18. SHILLONG 18. MIZORAM 19. AIZAWL 19. NAGALAND 20. DIMAPUR 20. ORISSA 21. BHUBNESHWAR 21. PUNJAB 22. JALANDHAR 22. RAJASTHAN 23. SRIGANGANAGAR 23. SIKKIM 24. GANGTOK 24. TAMIL NADU 25. TRICHY 25. TRIPURA 26. AGARTALA 26. UTTAR PRADESH 27. GORAKHPUR 28. LUCKNOW 27. UTTRAKHAND 29. DEHRADUN 28. WEST BENGAL 30. KOLKATA 29. ANDAMAN & NICOBAR

ISLANDS(U.T.) 31. PORT BLAIR

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4812 SHRI HARISH CHOUDHARY SHRI DUDHGAONKAR GANESHRAO NAGORAO SHRI NITYANANDA PRADHAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has expressed deep concern over the spreading impact of climate change on the agriculture sector; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; (c) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted any survey in regard to the impact of global warming on agricultural production and on different agro-climatic zones including desert area of Rajasthan in the country; (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and (e) the contingency plan of the Government to deal with the impact of climate change on agriculture sector and livestocks in the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. As per IPCC`s Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC, 2007), the rate of warming due to green house gas emissions has been much higher in the recent decades, resulting in increased average temperature of the global ocean, sea-level rise, decline in glaciers and oceans. The projected increase in global temperature is likely to be in the range of 1.8 to 4.0 °C. For south Asia including India, the IPCC has projected rise in temperature in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 °C by 2020, 0.88 to 3.16 °C by 2050 and 1.56 to 5.44 °C by 2080. The increase in temperature may facilitate frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, soil erosion, depletion of soil organic carbon, changes in pest profile, submergence of coastal land, decline in fertilizer use efficiency, increase in evapo-transpiration and crop respiration rate, alter partitioning of photosynthate to economic products affecting overall crop production.

The Government under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is considering a National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) during XII Plan under which the component on Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Modeling & Networking is aimed to promote climate change adaptation/mitigation research/pilot/model projects suiting to specific agro-climatic conditions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has initiated a mega network project, National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) during 2010-11 and is continuing during the current plan with a multi-pronged strategy encompassing strategic research on adaptation and mitigation, demonstration of technologies on farmers’ fields and create awareness among farmers and other stake holders. (c) No, Madam. However, climate change impact assessment studies conducted by ICAR using the crop simulation models projected reduction in crop yields for irrigated maize, wheat, irrigated and rainfed rice to the extent of 18, 6, 4 and 6 percent respectively in 2020. (d) Doesn’t arise. (e) The Council is preparing District Level Contingency Plans for 572 target districts (410 completed) of the country to deal with impact of climate change on agriculture and allied sectors including livestock. FERTILITY OF SOIL 23rd April 2013 LSQ 4815 DR. SANJAY SINH SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY SMT SUSMITA BAURI SMT PUTUL KUMARI SHRI HARISH CHOUDHARY SMT SARIKA SINGH SHRI ARVIND KUMAR CHAUDHARY SHRI JADHAV BALIRAM SUKUR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified soil into 25 major soil groups in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the fertility of soil is decreasing in drought affected areas in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated to the States to maintain the fertility of soil in the country, State-wise; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the fertility of soil in the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): All India Soil and Land Use Survey classified soils of India into twenty-five major soil groups during 1972 (Annexure I). During 2002, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Nagpur prepared soil map of India on 1:1 million scale and classified Indian soils in 7 Orders, 21 Suborders and 62 Greatgroups as per US Soil Taxonomy (Annexure II).

(c) & (d): Moisture stress in drought affected areas is the main limiting factor affecting nutrient availability to plants. Besides, indiscriminate and imbalance use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter over years may result in decline in soil fertility. The Government under “National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility” (NPMSH&F) is providing financial assistance to states and implanting agencies in order to maintain fertility of soil in the country including drought affected areas, (Annexure III). (e) The Government under “National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility” is promoting soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management (INM) to maintain soil health and fertility in the country. The ICAR imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on this aspect.

Annexure I [Part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q.No.4815 for 23-04-2013]

The details of 25 soil groups as classified by All India Soil and Land Use Survey

Sr. No.

Major soil groups

1. Red loamy soils 2. Red sandy soils 3. Laterite soils 4. Red and yellow soils 5. Shallow black soils 6. Medium black soils 7. Deep black soils 8. Mixed red and black soils 9. Coastal alluvium soils 10. Coastal sands 11. Deltaic alluvium soils 12. Alluvial soils – Khadar (recent alluvium)

Alluvial soils – Bhangar (old alluvium) 13. 14. Alluvial soils (highly calcareous) 15. Calcareous sierozemics soils 16. Gray brown soils 17. Desert soils (Rhegosolic)

Desert soils (Lithosolic)

18. Terai soils 19. Brown hill soils 20. Sub-mountain soils (Podzolic) 21. Mountain meadow soils 22. Saline and alkali soils 23. Peaty and saline peaty soils 24. Skeletal soils 25. Glaciers and eternal snow

Annexure II [Part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q.No.4815 for 23-04-2013]

Different soil orders, suborders and great groups in India as per Soil Map of India 1:1 million scale (NBSS&LUP 2002)

Order Suborder Greatgroups

Vertisols Usterts Haplusterts Total Aridisols Salids Haplosalids Argids Natrargids Paleargids Haplargids Calcids Haplocalcids Cambids Haplocambids Ultisols Humults Kandihumults Kanhaplohumults Palehumults Haplohumults Udults Kandiudults Kanhapludults Paleudults Hapludults Ustults Haplustults Kandiustults

Mollisols' Ustolls Argiustolls Haplustolls Udolls Argiudolls Hapludolls

Alfisols Aqualfs Epiaqualfs Endoaqualfs Plinthaqualfs Ustalfs Plinthustalfs Natrustalfs Kandiustalfs Kanhaplustalfs Paleustalfs Rhodustalfs Haplustalfs Udalfs Kanhapludalfs Paleudalfs Hapludalfs Inceptisols Aquepts Sulfaquepts Halaquepts Humaquepts Epiaquepts Endoaquepts Cryepts Eutrocryepts Dystrocryepts

Ustepts Dystrustepts Haplustepts Udepts Eutrudepts Dystrudepts

Entisols Aquents Hydraquents Psammaquents Fluvaquents

Epiaquents Endoaquents Psamments Cryopsamments Torripsamments Ustipsamments Udipsamments Fluvents Cryofluvents Ustifluvents Torrifluvents Udifluvents Orthents Cryorthents Torriorthents Ustorthents Udorthents Others Rocky lands / rock outcrops Miscellaneous Glaciers and others

Annexure III [Part (c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q.No.4815 for 23-04-2013]

State-wise funds released under the Scheme – National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF)

(Rs. in lakh) Sl. No.

Name of States 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total Released

1 Andhra Pradesh 175.00 183.45 149.145 466.25 0.00 973.845 2 Arunachal Pr. 75.00 0 75.00 0 0.00 150.00 3 Bihar 0 904.687 342.913 0 0.00 1247.60 4 Chhattisgarh 0 0 59.40 0 0.00 59.40 5 Goa 05.00 0 0 0 0.00 05.00 6 Gujarat 0 0 0.0 186.25 138.32 324.57 7 Haryana 0 0 144.10 0 121.00 265.10 8 Himachal Pr. 35.00 143.72 0 0 0.00 178.72 9 IISS, ICAR, Bhopal 0 389.873 168.17 412.23 0.00 970.273 10 Jharkhand 0 255.80 0 0 0.00 255.80 11 Karnataka 125.00 270.57 0 0 0.00 395.57 12 Kerala 150.00 177.30 0 0 0.00 327.30 13 Madhya Pradesh 86.00 0 0 0 0.00 86.00 14 Maharashtra 65.00 280.00 60.00 0 289.72 694.72 15 Manipur 0 89.00 0 0 0.00 89.00 16 Meghalaya 0 60.00 0 0 0.00 60.00 17 Mizoram 60.00 12.50 0 0 0.00 72.50 18 Nagaland 15.00 0 0 0 0.00 15.00 19 Orissa 217.50 0 217.50 0 0.00 435.00 20 Punjab 35.00 135.00 0 0 130.00 300.00 21 Rajasthan 415.00 267.60 408.62 0 0.00 1091.22 22 Sikkim 0 0 65.00 65.00 0.00 130.00 23 Tamil Nadu 0 250.00 0 0 50.00 300.00 24 Tripura 0 136.50 0 0 0.00 136.50 25 Uttar Pradesh 15.00 240.00 0 0 0.00 255.00

26 Uttarakhand 25.00 0 0 0 20.68 45.68 27 West Bengal 163.75 0 0 0 0.00 163.75 28. Puducherry 0 0 0 0 10.00 10.00 29 Fertilizer Cos. 0 0 0 0 69.862 69.862 30. MANAGE 0 0 0 0 21.75 21.75 Total 1662.25 3796.0 1689.85 1129.73 851.33 9129.16

CHEMICAL FREE FERTILISERS TO FARMERS 30th April 2013 LSQ 5516 SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to provide chemical free fertilisers to all the farmers across the country in order to stop the growing use of chemical fertilisers, toxic chemicals and pesticides in agriculture; and (b) if so, the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government is already promoting to use chemical free fertilisers like Biofertilisers and organic manures to farmers in the country through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme financial assistance is being provided through capital investment subsidy for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/bio-pesticides production units, Assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and 60 lakhs is provided as back ended subsidy for establishment of Biopesticides/Biofertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively; National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) also provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary and for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares; National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), financial assistance is provided @ Rs. 500 per ha for promoting use of organic manures ; Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee. INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM 30th April 2013 LSQ 5522 SMT. SHRUTI CHOUDHRY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has taken steps to promote self sustained integrated farming system model wherein ninety per cent of nutrient requirement is met through farm level processing of waste bio-mass produced in the farm itself; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made by the Government so far, in this direction; and (c) the action plan prepared in this regard for the 12th Five Year Plan period? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Integrated Farming System is promoted under Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP), a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up/strengthening of existing Bio-fertilizer and/or Bio-pesticide Production Units, @ 25% of total financial outlay or Rs. 40.00 lakh whichever is less; and for setting up of Fruit and Vegetables Wastes/Agro-wastes Compost Production Units @ 33% of total financial outlay or Rs. 60.00 lakh, whichever is less. Organic farming is also one of the components of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) under which setting up vermi compost units are being promoted for use of waste bio-mass produced in the farms. Assistance for this purpose is provided @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000 per beneficiary. During XI Plan, 2.4 lakh vermi compost units have been set up under NHM. States are free to promote integrated farming system through sustainable nutrient management focusing on organic farming under RKVY. These interventions would be continued in the XII Plan also. PRODUCTION OF BASMATI RICE 30th April 2013 LSQ 5529 SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the annual production of export quality basmati rice in the country; (b) whether the Government has taken note of an Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) study regarding the enormous effect of global warming on the fragrant basmati rice; and (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to develop a new heat resistant basmati variety? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) The annual production of export quality basmati rice in the country during last five years is around 7 million tonnes. (b) Yes, Madam. (c) The efforts of breeding semi-dwarf, high yielding varieties of basmati rice are towards meeting the challenges of changing climatic conditions within the basmati growing regions of Indo Gangetic Plains. Basmati rice varieties such as Pusa Basmati 1, Pusa Basmati 1121, Improved Pusa Basmati 1, Pusa Basmati 6, etc. released by Indian Agricultural Research Institute have been bred to take care of the expected temperature variation in the basmati growing zone. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has launched a network programme “National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture” since 2011 to develop climate resilient varieties in crops including rice. Recently,

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed a short duration basmati rice variety which matures in 120 days and can be planted in the last week of July to escape high temperature in the initial stage. UNCULTIVATED LAND 30th April 2013 LSQ 5530 SHRI SAJJAN SINGH VERMA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has received information regarding farmers leaving their fields uncultivated in various parts of the country including Madhya Pradesh; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and (c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture has not received information about farmers leaving their fields uncultivated in various parts of the country including Madhya Pradesh. About 101.1 million hectare was sown under various crops in Kharif (2012), against an average area of 105.7 million hectare across the country due to drought in certain parts of country. However, during Rabi (2013), area covered under various crops is about 63.9 million hectare against target of 63.0 million hectare across the country. In case of Madhya Pradesh, there has been no shortfall in crop area coverage during Kharif and Rabi (2012-13), rather in both Kharif (2012) & Rabi (2013), crop coverage has been higher by about 1.0 million & 1.6 million hectare respectively under various crops. (b) & (c): Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring crop sowing situation in consultation with State Governments and providing assistance for various agricultural activities including inputs required for sustaining agricultural production under all major programmes namely, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) etc. BIO CONTROL AGENTS AS PESTICIDES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5584 SHRI SAUGATA RAY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is engaged in research for developing bio-control agents as pesticides; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps for the awareness of this bio-control agents to farmers; and

(d) if so, the manner in which the bio-control agents are likely to benefit the farmers? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken up research for developing bio-control agents for suppressing crop pests. (b) The natural enemies of crop pests (insects, mites, nematodes, diseases) are identified and methods for their mass-production are developed. These natural enemies are used for distribution in crop fields at the time of invasion of the designated pest species in crops. These natural enemies would destroy these noxious pests by living on them. (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The farmers are advised through onfarm farmer participatory demonstrations, awareness programmes in Kisan mela, Farmers’ Meet, exhibitions, training programs and through audio and visual media, print media etc. The eco-friendly methods using biological control of crop pests have reduced the use of synthetic chemical pesticides in crops, increasing better health of farms and farmers. SOLAR POWER PUMPS FOR DRIP IRRIGATION 30th April 2013 LSQ 5590 SHRI PRABODH PANDA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that the State Government of Punjab has launched solar powered pumps for drip irrigation to save water and power as a part of innovative farming methods; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Union Government has any plan to adopt this farming method in other States also; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has sanctioned central financial assistance of Rs. 685.98 lakh to Punjab Energy Development Agency for installation of 600 solar pumps sets for irrigation and other agriculture activities in Punjab. Further, Government of Punjab has agreed to install 100 nos. of DC submersible 2 HP solar photovoltaic water pumps for drip irrigation in horticulture sector with additional subsidy of 40%. (c) & (d): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing “Off-grid and Decentralized Solar Application Scheme” under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in the country. Assistance is being provided @ 30% of the project cost limited to Rs.57,000 per kWp for installation of solar water pumps having solar photovoltaic module capacity up to 5 kWp. COMMITTEE ON ORGANIC FARMING

30th April 2013 LSQ 5597 KUNWAR REWATI RAMAN SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has constituted any Committee to recommend ways and means for promotion of organic farming in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the main recommendations of the Committee; and (c) the follow-up action taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has constituted two Committees for promotion of organic farming in the country, main recommendations of the committee given below: (i) Task Force on Organic Farming constituted during May 2000 and report received during November 2001 and (ii) A Expert Committee for Promotion of Organic Farming constituted during October 2008. Report received during March 2009. (c): Based upon the recommendations of Task Force on Organic Farming, a National Project on Promotion of Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme was launched during 2004-05, and to implement recommendations of the committee a National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) and six Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOFs) was constituted by renaming National Biofertilisers Development Centre (NBDC) and its six Regional Biofertilisers Development Centres (RBDCs). Some recommendations of Expert Committee such as effective quality control of organic inputs, launching of alternative certification system Participatory Guarantee System “PGS-India” has already been implemented during 2011-12. BENEFITS OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5613 SMT. DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that due to lack of proper coordination between various agriculture universities of the States, useful information and technological developments are not being shared among all the agriculture universities for the development of the agriculture sector and as a result, farmers are not getting the benefits of new research taking place in the farming sector; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): No, Madam. Useful information and technologies are being shared for development of Agricultural Sector by Agricultural Universities through various mechanisms. These are:- (a) All India Coordinated Research Projects and Network projects (79 nos. in operation) coordinated and funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Information is shared during annual workshops. (b) Krishi Vigyan Kendras (631 nos.) all over the country and majority are under Agricultural Universities. The co-ordination is being done through 8 (eight) Zonal Project Directorates and national workshops are also held. (c) Summer Schools and Winter Schools organized by Agricultural Universities through funding support from ICAR, where scientists from all over country participate. (d) Symposium/Conferences in specific areas are also organized, where participation is across the Universities. (e) Annual Conference of Vice Chancellors of all Agricultural Universities sharing their achievements, problems and new technologies etc. on a common platform. (f) Accreditation of Agricultural Universities for assuring quality in higher agricultural education, uniformity in academic and course standards curricula, monitored by ICAR. (c) The Planning Commission’s working group on Agricultural Research and Education for XII Plan had constituted a sub-group on Agricultural Education. Adequate State Funding, University governance, faculty strength and inbreeding, faculty and students development programmes, demand-driven curriculum and its delivery, quality assurance and modern infrastructure for education and research are the areas needing attention. Based on existing concerns and emerging scenario, a national Agricultural Education Project is being developed imbibing the suggestions of the various stakeholders for improving quality of higher agricultural education in the country. USE OF HARMFUL PESTICIDES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5628 SHRI S. R. JEYADURAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether a new investigation conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that various Government agencies/departments and universities are promoting the use of harmful pesticides amongst farmers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has asked any report from various stakeholders in this regard; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that only the registered pesticides are used in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): A report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on “State of pesticides regulations in India” states that as per a review of 11 important crops in India, viz., wheat, paddy, apple, mango, potato, cauliflower, black pepper, cardamom, tea, sugarcane and cotton, recommendations for pesticide usage made by state agriculture universities, agriculture departments and other boards do not conform to terms and conditions of registration set by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB & RC). The report further states that agriculture universities, departments and boards have recommended many pesticides that have not been registered for some crops. (c) to (e): Pesticides are registered by Registration Committee constituted under the Insecticides Act, 1968 only after ensuring their efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and the environment. States have been sensitized from time to time to ensure that pesticides are used only in accordance with the terms & conditions of their registration and as prescribed in their label claims. Crop Research Institutes, Commodity Boards, State Agriculture Universities and Agriculture Departments of all States have been advised to review their recommendations on uses of pesticides on various crops to bring them in alignment with the uses as approved by the Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Efforts are also made to create awareness and conduct training programmes to promote the judicious & need based use of pesticides. Steps are taken by the Central and State Governments under the Insecticides Act, 1968 to collect samples of pesticides products for test and analysis to ensure that only registered pesticides are used in the country. ASSISTANCE FOR CROP LOSS 30th April 2013 LSQ 5639 SHRI E.G. SUGAVANAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the State Government of Tamil Nadu has approached the Union Government for financial assistance for crop loss in view of the failure of monsoon in the State; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the action taken by the Union Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Government of Tamil Nadu has declared drought in 31 districts (all except Chennai district) of the State due to deficit rainfall during South West and North East Monsoon 2012. The State has submitted a Memorandum seeking Central financial assistance of Rs.19,665.13 crore. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been constituted to visit the State to assess loss/damage caused due to drought and recommend financial assistance. MONITORING OF USE OF PESTICIDES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5645

SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has established a national authority to monitor use of pesticides in agriculture; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the number of inspections carried out by the Government in all pesticide retail outlets in any defined area along with the outcome thereof; (d) whether the Government has conducted any training to pesticide retailers and farmers for the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides; (e) if so, the details thereof; (f) whether the Government has any penal provision to ensure compliance by pesticide retailers and farmers in this regard; and (g) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The Import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of pesticides is regulated by provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968, the Insecticides Rules, 1971 and guidelines framed from time to time. (c): In the year 2012-13, total number of 33492 pesticides samples were collected based on inspections carried out by Insecticides Inspectors in the country, of which 974 samples were found misbranded. As a result, 147 nos. of licenses of retail dealers were suspended, 923 revoked and prosecution was launched in 321 cases by State Governments under provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968. (d): Yes, Madam. (e): 34 nos. of trainings were organised at the National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad for trainers who then impart trainings to pesticide retailers, other agriculture extension functionaries and farmers till 2012-13. 25020 nos. of farmers, 265 nos. of retailers and 460 extension functionaries were trained in safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides in the year 2012-13 through 626 nos. of Farmers Field Schools and other training programmes organized by the Central Integrated Pest Management Centres located in different States and Union Territories. (f): The Insecticides Act, 1968 provides for several provisions for the regulation of dealers of pesticides. However, the Act does not lay down any penal provisions against farmers. (g): Section 29 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 provides up to two years imprisonment and/or fine up to Rupees fifty thousand for the first offence and imprisonment up to three years and/or fine up to Seventy five thousand rupees for subsequent offences related to stock, distribution and sale without valid license or that of misbranded or prohibited pesticides. The Act also provides for imprisonment for upto one year/ or fine up to twenty five thousand rupees for the first offence and imprisonment for a period up to two years and/ or fine up to fifty thousand rupees for subsequent offence related to contravention of the terms of licence or other provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968. The Insecticides Act provides exemption to farmers for all provisions of the Act with respect to use of pesticides in kitchen garden or on any land under his cultivation. ADVERSE IMPACT OF CULTIVATION OF OIL PALM 30th April 2013 LSQ 5658

SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether a study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) indicates that the cultivation of oil palm leads to deforestation, loss of habitat for endangered species and increase in green-house gases emissions; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to find a suitable replacement for this crop; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): As per WWF’s estimates, the expansion of oil palm plantations is likely to cause 4 m ha of forest loss by 2020 in global level especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. As per the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 of India, the cultivation of oil palm/oil bearing plants is a non-forestry activity. Therefore, plantation of oil palm in forest areas is not being encouraged. (c) & (d): Oil Palm is being cultivated in India as an alternate crop for edible oils. Government of India is implementing a Centrally sponsored “Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize” for increasing the production and productivity of Oilseed crops in the country to meet the demand of edible oil. As a result, the production of total oilseeds has increased from 248.82 lakh tonnes in 2009-10 to 297.99 lakh tonnes in 2011-12. (e): Does not arise. PLANTATION OF JATROPHA 30th April 2013 LSQ 5662 SHRI RATAN SINGH SHRI RAJENDRA AGARWAL SHRI IJYARAJ SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the plantation of jatropha, the bio-diesel plant, has not yielded the desired results in spite of the efforts made by the Union Government; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and (c) the corrective steps being taken by the Union Government to encourage the plantation of jatropha? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. It has been found that the mortality of the plant is high, scientific methods of cultivation and maintenance practices are rarely followed by the farmers and the resultant seed yields are very low. Non-availability of high yielding varieties and hybrids varieties in wasteland conditions is also one of the reasons.

(c): Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Research and Development programmes on Jatropha plant through institutions belonging to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Forest Research Institute (ICFRI) and Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) on survey and collection of superior planting material (seeds & cuttings), progeny trial of superior planting materials and multi-location trials, agri-silvicultural trials, standardization of propagation techniques and development of package of practices. In addition, the Department of biotechnology has initiated a programme on the systematic germplasm collection, evaluation and accessioning programme to identify superior material from existing natural variations. Research and Development is also undertaken for development of elite planting material and large scale multi-location trials for developing appropriate planting material based on improved genotypes and horticultural practices. ANIMAL PRODUCTS 30th April 2013 LSQ 5663 SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI KISHANBHAI VESTABHAI PATEL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the production of various animal products has registered a growth in the country during the last three years; (b) if so, the details of the targets fixed for production of animal products and the achievements in this regard during each of the last three years; (c) whether the Government is implementing any scheme for the promotion of various livestock products; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of the assistance provided and utilised under each of such schemes during the said period, State-wise? THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARANDAS MAHANT) (a) Yes, Sir. As per information available in the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2012, the production of various animal products has registered a growth in the country during the last three years except in the case of Wool production that has declined in 2010-11 over 2009-10, but has also increase in subsequent year. (b) The details of target fixed and achievement made by Technical Committee of Direction (TCD) during the last three years are given below:- Year Milk Production Egg. Production Meat Production Wool Production (in Million Tonnes) (in Billion Nos.) (in Million Tonnes) (in 000 Tonnes) Target Achieve Target Achieve Target Achieve Target Achieve -ment -ment -ment -ment 2009-10 111.1 116.4 59.2 60.2 4.0 4.5 43.5 43.1 2010-11 116.2 121.8 61.5 63.0 4.2 4.9 43.3 43.0 2011-12 127.3 127.9 65.5 66.4 5.1 5.5 44.4 44.7

(c) & (d) The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has been implementing various Centrally Sponsored Schemes/ Central Sector Schemes in the States/UTs to promote various livestock products. These schemes include Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry Schemes viz. National Dairy Plan phase-I, Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production, Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme, National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding and livestock health and disease control, Integrated Development of Small Ruminants & Rabbits; Pig Development; Conservation of Threatened Breeds of Livestock. (e) The details of funds released during each of the last three years to States for development of Animal Husbandry under different schemes of Dairy Development and Animal husbandry are annexed.

DECLINE IN APPLE PRODUCTION 30th April 2013 LSQ 5713 SHRI C. RAJENDRAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that due to global warming and climate change, production of apples in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir has been declining during the last two years; (b) if so, the details of production of apples in various States including Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during the said period, year-wise and State-wise; and (c) the initiatives/steps taken by the Government to enhance the production of apples in the country? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): The productivity and quality of apple especially in mid hill conditions of sub temperate region has got effected due to global warming. However, overall production and productivity has increased in temperate high altitude areas owing to congenial climatic conditions. As per the estimates, the production of apple in the country during the year 2012-13 is 27.08 lakh tonnes as compared to 22.04 lakh tonnes in 2011-12. The details of year-wise and state-wise production of apple during the last two years is as below: (Production in lakh tonnes) State 2011-12 2012-13# Arunachal Pradesh 0.31 0.31 Himachal Pradesh 2.75 4.12 Jammu & Kashmir 17.75 21.42 Uttarakhand 1.23 1.23 TOTAL 22.04 27.08 # First Estimate Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States for overall development of horticulture including apple production. Under the scheme, assistance is provided for strengthening of nurseries for production of quality planting material, establishment of tissue culture units, area expansion, high density planting, rejuvenation of senile orchards, creation of water resources, integrated nutrient and pest management, pollination support through bee keeping, provision of hail nets, HRD etc., to enhance production and productivity of apples. Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar under Indian Council of Agricultural Research has undertaken research programme for identifying low chilling varieties & crops suiting to mid temperate areas. The low chilling crops such as peach, apricot, kiwi fruit, and low chilling apples are being evaluated alongwith suitable mitigation technologies for over coming global warming. COMMITTEE ON FARMERS SUICIDE 30th April 2013 LSQ 5719

SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH SHRI SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN SMT REWATI RAMAN SINGH SMTSHRUTI CHOUDHRY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Supreme Court had expressed concern over the large scale suicides by farmers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has constituted any high level committee to report on such cases; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government proposes to bring out a white paper on farmers` suicide; (f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and (g) the details of the compensation paid to the kins of deceased farmers during the last three years, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Writ Petition (Civil) No.359 of 2006 was filed to review the existing agriculture policy and modify the same in the interest of farmers so that there is no recurrence of suicide by farmers. The Government in its affidavit explained various policy initiatives taken/being taken in this regard including significant stepping up of public investment, increasing availability of credit, rehabilitation package to mitigate distress in 31 identified districts, announcement of Minimum Support Prices for major agricultural Commodities each season, ensuring availability of agricultural inputs and other measures. The Writ Petition was accordingly disposed of by the Supreme Court on 21.09.2010. (c) to (f): No, Madam. (g): Payment of compensation to kins of deceased farmers is the prerogative of respective State Government. Government of India had approved a rehabilitation package for 31 suicide prone Districts in the four States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, in 2006. Under the package, Rs.19998.85 crore (as on Sept, 2011) has been released to these States. After implementation of the Rehabilitation Package, there has been a declining trend in Farmers’ suicides. USE OF PESTICIDES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5720 SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL SHRI D.B. CHANDRE GOWDA SHRI ANANTHA VENKATARAMI REDDY SHRI SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that out of five internationally banned pesticides, four are still commenly used in vegetables, fruits and other agricultural produce; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the crops for which the Government has not prescribed the maximum residue limits; (d) whether a study has revealed that these pesticides caused many health problems; (e) if so, whether the Union Government is contemplating to frame agriculture policy on utilisation of pesticides and fertilizers and if so, the details thereof; (f) whether there is any proposal to invite suggestions from public, experts and State Governments before framing agriculture policy on utilisation of pesticides and fertilisers; and (g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Some of the pesticides which are banned or restricted for their use in other countries are being allowed to be used with and without restriction in our country only after thorough re-evaluation by eminent scientists. (c) to (g): So far 241 pesticides have been registered in India of which Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 10 pesticides are yet to be fixed. Besides there are 48 pesticides with partial fixation of MRLs. There are 44 pesticides which are not used in agriculture for which no MRLs are required to be fixed. A decision has already been taken in the Registration Committee established under section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 to henceforth register a new pesticide only after the fixation of MRLs. Now, no new pesticide, except those used in seed treatment, household/public health and bio-pesticides meant exclusively for export is being registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968 by the Registration Committee for use in the country without fixation of MRL. As per provisions of Insecticides Act 1968 and Rules framed there under, manufacturers of pesticides are required to provide a label leaflet with each pack with details on directions for use, dose, dilution, waiting period, safety, etc. If pesticides are used as per recommendations then no harm is likely to accrue to human beings and animals. Government is also popularizing the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for control of insect pests, diseases, weeds through non-chemical methods like cultural, mechanical, biological etc. Chemical pesticides are recommended for use judiciously and as a measure of last resort on need basis. In addition training programmes are conducted for farmers, pesticide and other stakeholders. The pesticide Management Bill which is under consideration of the Rajya Sabha has drafted a specific provision which would permit registration of a pesticide only after fixation of MRL. CONSUMPTION OF PESTICIDES 30th April 2013 LSQ 5726 SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding consumption of pesticides in the agriculture sector in the country; and (b) if so, the details of the average per hectare consumption of pesticides in the field of agriculture in the country during each of the last three years? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Consumption, demand and availability of pesticides are reviewed by Central Government with States at beginning of each cropping season in Zonal Conferences in which representatives of pesticide industry are also invited. Consumption of pesticides in the last three years is as under: Year Consumption (metric tonnes) 2010-11 55,540 2011-12 52,979 (revised) 2012-13 45,386 (tentative) State wise consumption of pesticides as reported by State Governments during last three years is annexed. (b): As per “State of Indian Agriculture 2011-2012” prepared by Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture per hectare consumption of pesticides in India is 381 g which is low as compared to the world average of 500 g. A low consumption in India can be attributed to the existence of fragmented land holdings, dependence on monsoons, insufficient awareness among farmers, etc.

Annexure CONSUMPTION OF CHEMICAL PESTICIDES IN VARIOUS STATES/UTs DURING 2010-11 TO 2012-13

M.T.(Tech. Grade) S.

No. States/UTs 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 as on 13.2.2013

1 Andhra Pradesh 8869 9289 6500 2 Andaman & Nicobar - 15 15 3 Arunachal Pradesh 10 17 - 4 Assam 150 160 183 5 Bihar 675 655 687 6 Chandigarh - - - 7 Chhattisgarh 570 600 675 8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli - - - 9 Daman & Diu - - -

10 Delhi 48 - - 11 Goa 9 8 9 12 Gujarat 2600 2190 1210 13 Haryana 4060 4050 4050 14 Himachal Pradesh 328 310 320 15 Jammu & Kashmir 1818 1711 - 16 Jharkhand 84 151 151 17 Karnataka 1858 1412 1225 18 Kerala 657 807 856

19 Lakshadweep - - - 20 Madhya Pradesh 633 850 659 21 Maharashtra 8317 6723 6617 22 Manipur 30 33 30 23 Meghalaya 10 9 - 24 Mizoram 4 4 4 25 Nagaland - 15 16 26 Orissa 871 555 601 27 Pondicherry 39 38 40 28 Punjab 5730 5625 5725 29 Rajasthan 3623 2802 1250 30 Sikkim - - - 31 Tamil Nadu 2361 1968 1919 32 Tripura 12 266 - 33 Uttar Pradesh 8460 8839 9035 34 Uttarakhand 199 206 220 35 West Bengal 3515 3670 3390 Grand Total 55540 52979 45386

Source: States/UTs (Zonal Conferences on Inputs (Plant Protection) AYURVEDIC AND MEDICINAL PLANT CULTIVATORS 30th April 2013 LSQ 5730 SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI SHRI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI SHRI YASHODHARA RAJE SCINDIA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has made any assessment of the number of ayurvedic and medicinal plant cultivators in the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): As per the data received from National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, there are 53616 medicinal plant cultivators in the country during 2011-12. The State-wise number of cultivators of medicinal plants during 2010-11 & 2011-12 is Annexed. ANNEXURE

Annexure Annexure in reply to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5730 to be answered 30.04.2013 Number of cultivators of Medicinal Plants during 2010-11 and 2011-12

State Number of cultivators 2010-11 2011-12

Andhra Pradesh 5547 275 Arunachal Pradesh 161 765 Assam 1554 1097

Bihar 150 1990 Chattisgarh 184 1044 Gujarat 98 1340 Haryana 265 570 Himachal Pradesh 142 954 Jammu & Kashmir 375 167 Jharkhand 2300 1387 Karnataka 407 2821 Kerala 159 939 Maharashtra 728 647 Mizoram 280 485 Madhya Pradesh 17913 6533 Manipur 70 1269 Meghalaya 42 188 Nagaland 290 1040 Odisha 650 3183 Rajasthan 24 356 Sikkim 1200 1510 Tamil Nadu 2870 8315 Uttar Pradesh 214 14530 Uttarakhand 457 1134 West Bengal 1348 1077 TOTAL 37428 53616

Source: National Medicinal Plants Board SOIL HEALTH 30th April 2013 LSQ 5744 SHRI MANSUKHBHAI D. VASAVA SHRI CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE SHRI RAJAIAH SIRICILLA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether salinity and alkalinity have adversely affected soil health and agricultural productivity in coastal/delta areas in the country; (b) if so, the details of areas affected during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (c) the programme launched for development of alkaline and acidic soils for agricultural purposes in the country; and (d) the achievements made so far, in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Yes, Madam. (b): Government of India does not undertake yearly assessment of land degradation including Alkalinity and Salinity. However, as per recent assessment of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR-2010), about 3.70

million hectare is affected by Alkalinity, 17.93 million hectare by Acidity and 2.73 million hectare by salinity across the country as per state-wise details annexed. (c) & (d): Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture was implementing a Centrally Sponsored Programme of Reclamation and Development of Alkali & Acid Soils (RADAS) through Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) Scheme, aiming at reclamation & development of areas affected by alkalinity and acidity by application of soil amendments followed by green manuring and scientific cropping pattern and crop rotation till last financial year (2012-13). Under this programme, since inception (1985-86) upto March, 2013, an area of 0.89 million hectare affected by alkali & acidic soils have been developed. States are now free to undertake these interventions under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from current financial year. ANNEXURE

Annexure (Annexure to Lok Shaba Unstarred Question No.5744 due for 30.04.2013) State-wise extent of area of Alkalinity, Acidity and Salinity in the country

(Area in Lakh hectare)

Source: Degraded and Wastelands of India-Status and Spatial Distribution, ICAR (2010).

S. No. Name of States Area affected by Alkalinity, Acidity and Salinity Alkalinity Acidity Salinity

1. Andhra Pradesh 1.94 0.01 0.60 2. Arunachal Pradesh 0.00 17.69 0.00 3. Assam 0.00 19.95 0.00 4. Bihar 1.06 0.41 0.40 5. Chhattisgarh 0.13 23.42 0.00 6. Goa 0.00 1.03 0.00 7. Gujarat 5.45 0.00 15.59 8. Haryana 1.84 0.02 0.46 9. Himachal Pradesh 0.00 0.76 0.00 10. Jammu & Kashmir 0.00 0.78 0.00 11. Jharkhand 0.00 7.35 0.00 12. Karnataka 1.45 0.93 0.02 13. Kerala 0.00 24.26 0.21 14. Madhya Pradesh 1.24 4.82 0.00 15. Maharashtra 4.21 2.69 1.71 16. Manipur 0.00 15.97 0.00 17. Meghalaya 0.00 10.23 0.00 18. Mizoram 0.00 11.63 0.00 19. Nagaland 0.00 15.16 0.00 20. Odisha 0.00 2.03 1.31 21. Punjab 1.52 0.00 0.00 22. Rajasthan 1.52 0.00 0.82 23. Sikkim 0.00 0.58 0.00 24. Tamil Nadu 3.52 4.27 0.11 25. Tripura 0.00 7.09 0.00 26. Uttarakhand 0.00 4.00 0.00 27. Uttar Pradesh 13.20 0.00 0.22 28. West Bengal 0.00 4.18 4.08 29. Union Territories 0.00 0.00 1.76

Total (Lakh hectare) 37.08 179.26 27.29 Total ( Million hectare) 3.70 17.93 2.73

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 7th May 2013 LSQ *567 SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the target set forth and the achievements made under the National Watershed Development Project in Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) for the development of sustainable farming systems across the country during the last three years and the current year; (b) the works undertaken under the said scheme in the country during the said period, State-wise; (c) whether the World Bank has sanctioned any loan to the farmers for the development of watershed projects in the western part of the country; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 567 DUE FOR REPLY ON 07th May, 2013. (a) & (b): State wise targets and achievements under National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) during the last three years are annexed. This project was a part of the Scheme for Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) which has been discontinued from 1st April, 2013. Activities undertaken under NWDPRA are soil & moisture conservation, rain water harvesting, crop production, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, capacity building, awareness generation, etc. These activities can now be undertaken by each State under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, as per their felt needs and priorities. (c) & (d): World Bank has not sanctioned any loan to the farmers for the development of watershed projects in the western part of the country. Annexure to the Starred Question No. 567 for Reply in Lok Sabha on 7.5.2013 Target* and Achievement made under NWDPRA during the last three years (2010-11 to 2012-13)

Sl. No State/UT

Financial (Rs.in Lakhs) Physical (Area in ha.) 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Target

Achievement

Target

Achievement

Target

Achievement

Target

Achievement

Target

Achievement

Target

Achievement

1 Andhra Pradesh 325

246.75 200

459.57 375 356

4200

4166 2000

3143 3750 3945

2 Arunachal Pradesh

1081.2

1061.8 700

310.3 0 0

10455

12139 7650

4250 0 0

3 Bihar 398.

9 334.96

500 537.99

0 181.47 332

5 2792 416

7 4361

0 1512

4 Jharkhand

1258.24

1114.3 902.3

869.45 953.55 953

10486

9286 7520

7245 7946 7946

5 Goa 50.5

7 82.6 42.7

8 274

254.42 500 1129

533 2483

0 2738

6 Gujarat 100

0 982.16

800 794.35 106

4 652.71 13333

9419 6666

7603 8870 6754

7 Haryana 172 267.39 394.

39 170.95 522.

32 57.71 143

0 2865 328

6 2132 295

6 867

8 Himachal Pradesh

434.77

589.98 400

338.7 400 373.87

3300

4913 3335

2823 3344 2965

9 J&K 550 298.94

751 474.63 687.

46 388.82 458

4 4986 683

0 7915 120

00 6481

10 Karnataka

1250

1250 1125.97

1125.98

1000 722.22

10417

14503 10240

12228 10000 15346

11 Kerala 353.

57 640.36

268 936.36

400 400 424

3 8784 244

0 12711 400

0 5400

12 Madhya Pradesh

1729

1729 1600

1831.9 1700 1700

20748

17867 16000

16454 14167 14167

13 Chattisgarh 821

729.43 743.53

1286.45

720.8 726.98

9852

8282 10000

17067 11600 9087

14 Maharashtra

2075.1

2679.1 1852.07

1852 1910.16

1907.16

17292

22325 15434

15434 15893 15433

15 Manipur 700 1096 516.

75 716.75

572 572.68 615

1 8862 497

0 7122 572

0 7506

16 Mizoram 250

0 2500

540 600

600 1276 21000

20834 4900

5000 5043 10631

17 Meghalaya

1340

1054.5 1370.2

975 700 700

11200

8788 9983

7761 7000 7000

18 Nagaland 146

0 1460

780 1030

520 519.96 14600

14600 7800

8583 5200 4333

19 Odisha 135

0 1347.2

936 873.79 105

8.8 459 11250

11385 7800

7315 11385 4832

20 Punjab 450 496.25

0 0 533.

32 2.5 11562

4190 0

0 4445 0

21 Rajasthan 162

5 1175.3 130

0 994.99 140

0 662.25 13542

11500 20834

9598 11667 6621

22 Sikkim 553.

97 553.97 86.3

6 86.27

0 0 486

0 4860

732 736

0 0

23 Tamil Nadu

327.85

569.24 1235

664.03 711.87

1195.84

5464

9487 67970

11067 11864 19763

24 Tripura 127

7.78 1245.1 695.

06 718.03

400 400 10648

10375 6320

5983 3330 3082

25 Uttar 482 4832.6 339 3040.4 0 0 497 48612 316 40890 0 0

Pradesh 2.5 2.83 9 45 47

26 Uttrakhand

1106.1

1252.2 1065.1

1171.98

1400 886

10000

14487 24716

10995 11666 8200

27 West Bengal

1441.89

185.82 1347.29

14.32 0 912

17300

1659 12250

125 0 9047

TOTAL 304

54.4 29775 23545 22148

17629

16260.6

301487

293095

296023 2E+05

171846 2E+05

*Target subject to change by the States based on priority and fund availability under Macro Management in Agriculture (MMA) Scheme.

RESEARCH ON PULSES 7th May 2013 LSQ*578 SHRI RAJAGOPAL LAGADAPATI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the projects undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to strengthen the basic research in pulses for development of location-specific pulses in the country during each of the last three years and the achievements made thereunder, so far; (b) the achievements of the other schemes/programmes being undertaken by the Union Government to increase the yield of pulses in the country; and (c) the benefits accrued/likely to accrue to the farmers from these researches/ schemes/programmes? THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 578 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/05/2013 REGARDING “RESEARCH ON PULSES” (a) Through its on-going plan projects viz. Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur and All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) on Chickpea, Pigeonpea, MULLaRP (Mung bean Urd bean, Lentil, Lathyrus, Rajmash and Field pea) and Arid Legume, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) undertake basic and strategic research work on pulses for development of location-specific, climate resilient crop varieties and production and protection technologies for pulses in the country. Besides, two special projects on “Development of pod borer resistant transgenic in pigeonpea and chickpea” and “Development of Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus resistant transgenic legumes” are also being carried out at IIPR to overcome 20-30 per cent yield losses that occur due to insect-pest and disease. As a result of intensive efforts of research, 61 high yielding varieties of pulses have been released during the last three years (Annexure-I). In addition, 4517 tonnes breeder seeds of high yielding varieties of pulses were produced during 2009-10 to 2011-12 to ensure maintenance of quality seed-chain for effective distribution and benefits to the pulse growing farmers. (b) In order to increase production of pulses, Government has been implementing several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM-Pulses), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize (ISOPOM), etc. In addition, a new programme “Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P)” has been started under NFSM since 2010-11 to take up active propagation of key technologies in the form of block demonstrations for improving productivity of pulses. Further, a Special Plan to achieve more than 19 million tonnes of pulse production during 2012-13 has also been initiated by the Government. As a result, the total production of pulses in India has increased from stagnating level of 14.5 million tonnes over the past 15 years to 18.24 million tonnes in 2010-11, 17.1 million tonnes in 2011-12 and estimated production of 17.6 million tonnes in 2012-13. The productivity has also increased from 589 kg/ha to 694 kg/ha during this period.

(c) ICAR research projects on pulses are regularly generating location-specific improved varieties and technologies for enhancing productivity of pulses, whereas the schemes/ programmes of the Union Government are financially supporting for their adoption in the farmers’ fields. Popularization of short duration climate resilient varieties of pulses developed by ICAR as catch crop / intercrop in cereal based cropping system will help improve soil health by enriching organic nitrogen status, reducing demand for chemical fertilizers, enhancing soil micro-flora and thus ensuring long term sustainability of the cropping systems. The enhanced productivity in pulses due to adoption of improved technologies helps in increasing pulse production and availability of vegetable protein diet for large population of the country to overcome protein malnutrition. ANNEXURE

Annexure-I [Part (a) of LSSQ No.578 for 07-05-2013]

List of varieties/hybrids of Pulses released during last three years (2010-2012)

Crop 2010 2011 2012

Mung bean (7) PKV AKM-4, VBN(Gg) 3, PKV

GREEN GOLD

IPM 02-14 Swati, MH-421, BM 2003-2

Urd bean (11) Mash 479, Mash 391, Mash 114, Himachal Mash 1

Co6 COBG 653, VBN (Bg) 7 Vishwas, VBN 6, UH-1, DU-1, TU 40

Lentil (6) Pant Lentil-8, Pant Lentil-7 VL Masoor 514, LL931, VL Masoor 133

IPL-316

Pigeon pea (4) Rajeevlochan TS-3R Anand Grain Tur-2, BDN 711

Chickpea (13) Gujarat Junagadh Gram-3, Kripa, GPF 2, RSG-974, Ujjawal, PKV KABULI-4, MNK-1

Raj Vijay Kabuli gram 101, Raj Vijay gram 201

HK-4, PKV Harita, Raj Vijay Gram 203, L-555

Field pea (7) Aman, GOMATI, Dantiwada Fieldpea 1

IPF 4-9, VL Matar 47 HFP 529, Gomati

Horse gram (3) CRIDALATHA Indira Kulthi-1 Gujarat Dantiwada Horsegram-1

Cowpea (4) Hissar Cowpea-46, C 519, Hidrudaya

MFC-08-14

Rajmash (1) Gujarat Rajmash-1

- -

Cluster bean (4) HG 884, HG 2-20, HG 870, GUAR KUNJAL

- -

Indian bean (1) Gujarat Wal-2 - -

********

COW URINE BASED INSECTICIDES 7th May 2013 LSQ 6428 SHRI RAJENDRA AGARWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is proposing to promote cow urine based insecticides instead of chemical insecticides in the agriculture sector; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government is working on formulating any scheme in this regard; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the financial assistance proposed to be given by the Government for the same? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed one cow urine based botanical formulation having ingredients from turmeric, tomato leaf extract , garlic, calotropis leaves, amla, neem and ferula. Cow urine based pesticide is not listed in the schedule of the Insecticides Act, 1968 and so far no request for granting registration has been received to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee. STUDY ON BT. COTTON 7th May 2013 LSQ 6433 SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of Bt. Cotton cultivation; (b) if so, the details of the findings thereof; (c) whether these findings are helpful in shedding new light on the issue; and (d) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) Studies conducted by Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) showed that Bt cotton effectively controlled the dreaded insect pests viz., bollworms. Bt cotton

cultivation prevented cotton yields losses that were noticed to an extent of 30-60% due to bollworms each year, prior to introduction of Bt cotton in 2002. The biggest gain was in the form of reduced insecticide usage from 46% of the total application in the country in 2001 to less than 26% after 2006 and to 21% during the last three years. The intensity of bollworms reduced significantly on cotton and also on other host crops, thus eliminating the fear of impending bollworm infestations and subsequent stress of using insecticide cocktails. Cotton production in India has increased from 100 lakh bales in 2001-02 to 352 lakh bales in 2011-12 with significant improvement in crop productivity from 186 kg per hectare to 491 kg per hectare. (c) Yes, Madam. (d) Introduction of Bt gene into the cotton hybrids has the added advantage of protection of early fruiting parts and a relatively determinate habit. The fibre quality of Indian cotton improved with international acceptance because of negligible boll and fibre damage, besides significant reduction in trash content after introduction of Bt cotton in the country. The country has achieved the distinction of net exporter of cotton with a record 129 lakh bales in 2012 due to record production. TANK WATER 7th May 2013 LSQ 6462 SHRI MAGUNTA SRINIVASULU REDDY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that agricultural activities have been hampered and rearing of cattle has become tough without availability of tank water; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to allocate funds for the purpose along with the amount spent so far during each of the last three years? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): As per available estimates, about 55% of net sown area of the country is rainfed where agricultural activities primarily depend on seasonal rainfall. In the event of significant rainfall deficiencies in these areas, agricultural operation and rearing of cattle gets affected due to less availability of water and fodder. Ministry of Agriculture closely monitors monsoon performance and crop sowing situation in the country in consultation with State Governments. Comprehensive contingency plans have been prepared for 410 districts based on which States can initiate location specific measures in case of rainfall deficit/drought situation. State Governments initiate appropriate relief measures including operation of cattle camps in the wake of drought or rainfall deficit situation from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is readily available with them. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in accordance with established procedure and extant norms. Statewise details of assistance approved from NDRF for drought mitigation during last three years (2010-11 to 2012-13) are at Annexure-I. Government of India is implementing Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) for developing, conserving and harnessing natural resources viz. soil, water etc. as long term drought mitigation measures. Statewise details of funds released under IWMP in last three years (2010-11 to 2012-13) are at Annexure-II. Annexure-I

Fund approved from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for Drought Mitigation (Rs. in crore) State Assistance approved from NDRF Drought of 2010-11 Bihar 1459.54 Jharkhand 855.3 Odisha 376.55 West Bengal 724.99 TOTAL 3416.38 Drought of 2011-12 Andhra Pradesh 706.15 Karnataka (Kharif) 186.68 Karnataka(Rabi) 282.35 Maharashtra 574.71 TOTAL 1749.89 Drought of 2012-13 Maharashtra (Kharif) 778.09 Maharashtra (Rabi) 807.84@ Karnataka 526.06 Gujarat 864.71@ Kerala 62.61@ TOTAL 3039.31 @provisional Subject to adjustment of 75% of available balances in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on concerned State Government. (Till 01.05.2013)

Annexure-II Fund Released under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) (Rs. in crore) S. No.

State 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra 119.8 160.94 125.137 Pradesh 2 Bihar 3 12.18 3 Chhattisgarh 50.38 62.37 0 4 Goa 0 0 0 5 Gujarat 161.73 160.71 329.237 6 Haryana 11.63 5.226 7 Himachal 57.77 48.93 8.023 Pradesh 8 Jammu &

Kashmir 0 38.268

9 Jharkhand 24.1 15.7 48.1731

10 Karnataka 70.96 127.41 334.55 11 Kerala 11.01 10.81 4.81 12 Madhya Pradesh 113.25 108.6 128.3 13 Maharashtra 208.14 378.69 501.6 14 Odisha 73.47 77.53 89.7 15 Punjab 3.45 8.44 14.888 16 Rajasthan 257.47 318.33 424.53 17 Tamil Nadu 60.16 17.57 227.768 18 Uttar Pradesh 132.13 164.46 128.43 19 Uttarakhand 15.97 2.34 4.21783 20 West Bengal 16.06 40.313 NE STATES 21 Arunachal 20.08 22.09 15.97 Pradesh 22 Assam 40.82 37.53 42.97 23 Manipur 10.37 15.33 33.75 24 Meghalaya 9.88 12.87 37.43 25 Mizoram 17.14 5.84 16.439 26 Nagaland 26.71 59.42 76.418 27 Sikkim 3.88 1.15 8.178 28 Tripura 8.16 18.17 24.017 Grand Total 1496.83 1865.92 2720.52

USE OF PESTICIDES 7th May 2013 LSQ 6474 SHRI KHAGEN DAS Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) which indicates blatant violations by Government agencies such as agricultural universities, agricultural departments and other boards which have recommended use of pesticides for crops and pests not approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the action taken by the Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Yes, Madam. The CSE report on ‘State of Pesticide Regulations in India’ has made several observations on registration and use of pesticides and have stated that “the pesticide recommendations made by State Agriculture Universities, Agriculture Departments and other Boards for a crop do not adhere to the pesticides that the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) has registered for these crops. The Agriculture Universities, Departments & Boards have recommended many pesticides that have not been registered for some crops”.

All State Governments have been advised to ensure that the advisories on pesticides usage that are issued by their Agriculture Universities and Agriculture Departments are strictly in accordance with the terms under which these pesticides have been registered by CIB&RC. Government of India promotes the safe and judicious use of pesticides and works with State Governments, State Agriculture Universities, pesticide dealers, farmers etc. towards this end. DRY LAND FARMING 7th May 2013 LSQ 6476 SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the measures being taken by the Government to raise agricultural production on dry land of the country; (b) whether the Government has adopted the recommendations of the Parth Sarathi Committee report in this regard; (c) if so, the action taken on the recommendations of this report; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to bring maximum agricultural land under irrigation? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is implementing a sub-scheme “Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP)” under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to address specific concerns of rainfed/dryland farmers. Besides, all major development programmes of MoA, viz., National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Mission on Micro Irrigation(NMMI) etc. give special focus to dryland/rainfed areas. Research Projects on dryland agriculture are also being implemented by Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for enhancing agriculture production and productivity in these areas. Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) for development of rainfed and degraded areas of the country. MoRD had constituted the Parthasarathy Committee and based on the suggestions of the Committee, National Rainfed Area Authority, in coordination with the Planning Commission, formulated Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects, 2008 to give and impetus to watershed development programmes. MoRD has implemented main recommendations of the Technical Committee by integrating the three area development programmes namely Desert Development Programme (DDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP – into a single modified programme called Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) with effect from 26.02.2009. The WMP is implemented under the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects, 2008. SPURIOUS INSECTICIDES AND WEEDICIDES 7th May 2013 LSQ 6480 SHRI HUKAMDEO NARAYAN YADAV Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether some foreign multinational companies got the insecticides and weedicides patented by conducting false field trials and fudging the figures; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether these insecticides/weedicides are sold by extending/faking the expiry date and such insecticides/ weedicides are also imported; and (d) if so, the details of the companies involved in this regard along with the action taken by the Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Madam, no information on obtaining patent by conducting false field trials and fudging has come to the notice of Government in pesticides. (c) & (d): No such report has come to the notice of the Government. GM CROPS 7th May 2013 LSQ 6491 SHRI BHISMA SHANKAR ALIAS KUSHAL TIWARI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the area under cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country, State-wise and crop-wise; (b) whether usage of genetically modified seeds and crops poses any danger to human life, livestock and environment; and (c) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Bt Cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop approved for commercial cultivation in the country. It is cultivated in nine major cotton growing States of the country. The State-wise and year-wise area under Bt Cotton are given in Annexure-I. (b) No, Madam. (c) There are no scientific evidences to indicate that use of genetically modified seeds and crops pose any kind of threat to the life of human being, livestock and environment. The approval for cultivation of GM crops is accorded only after satisfactory results are obtained through the standard protocols of biosafety experiments. ANNEXURE Annexure-I [Part (a) of Lok Sabha USQ No.6491 for 07-05-2013] STATE-WISE AND YEAR-WISE Bt. COTTON AREA IN INDIA

(AREA IN LAKH Ha)

STATE 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Andhra Pradesh 10.00 11.43 12.53 17.01 18.26 Gujarat 13.00 14.50 15.39 20.88 26.78 Haryana 2.79 3.46 4.90 4.18 5.88 Karnataka 1.46 1.57 3.16 3.73 4.60 Madhya Pradesh 4.71 5.14 6.06 6.00 6.35 Maharashtra 25.62 25.72 30.48 35.43 38.95 Punjab 5.57 4.76 5.14 5.10 5.46 Rajasthan 0.38 1.48 2.80 2.60 4.00 Tamil Nadu 0.60 0.12 0.09 0.62 1.06 Total Bt. Cotton Area

64.13 68.18 80.55 95.55 111.34

NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION 7th May 2013 LSQ 6501 SHRI SHETTI RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the objectives of the National Bamboo Mission have been achieved; (b) if so, the details thereof, specifically the growth of employment generation for skilled and unskilled workers during the last three years; (c) the funds allocated and disbursed for promotion of employment in the bamboo sector during the said period; and (d) the details of the productivity of bamboo per hectare both in forest and non-forest land, in all the States and targeted area under the Mission? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a)to (c): National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was initiated in 2006-07 for undertaking holistic development of bamboo sector in the country. Having completed basic tasks relating to creation of administrative set up etc.; significant achievements have progressively been made since 2007-08 in the establishment of nurseries (for mass production of seedlings), area expansion, improvement of existing stock, technology transfer and human resource development. The employment generation being only a concomitant outcome of the various activities promoted under the Mission, no separate estimates of employment growth of skilled and unskilled workers on account of NBM activities are available. Separate funds are not earmarked under NBM for promoting growth of employment specifically. (d): As per the India State of Forest Report, 2011 (Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests), in trees outside forest area, the total number of culms estimated at national level is 2127 million with an equivalent weight of 10.20 million tonnes. The statewise distribution of bamboo area in recorded forest and its equivalent green weight by soundness of culms in recorded forest, estimated therein, are given at annexure `A` and `B` respectively.

As the mission was launched in the last quarter of 2006-07 and keeping in view bamboo`s relatively longer gestation period, it is yet premature to assess the productivity in the targeted area under the NBM.

Annexure- A Table: State-wise Distribution of Bamboo Area in Recorded Forests

(KM2)

State/UT Bamboo bearing area

Andhra Pradesh 8184Arunachal Pradesh 16083Assam 7238Bihar 739Chhattisgarh 11368Dadra & Nagar Haveli 55Goa 308Gujarat 4091Haryana 19Himachal Pradesh 508Jharkhand 3603Karnataka 8186Kerala 2882Madhya Pradesh 13059Maharashtra 11465Manipur 9303Meghalaya 4793Mizoram 9245Nagaland 4902Orissa 10518Punjab 75Rajasthan 2455Sikkim 1181Tamil Nadu 3265Tripura 3246Uttar Pradesh 1313Uttarakhand 451West Bengal 1042

Total 139577

Note: Information for bamboo bearing area for A & N Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, J & K and Puducherry is not given due to inadequate data

Source: Table 6.5.3 of India State of Forest Report 2011, Forest Survey of India (Ministry of Environment & Forest), Government of India.

Annexure- B

Table: State-wise Equivalent Green Weight by Soundness of Culms in

Recorded Forests

(000' tonnes)

State/UT Green Culms Dry Culms Total Andhra Pradesh 4732 2080 6812 Arunachal Pradesh 12359 2072 14431 Assam 9985 2301 12286 Bihar 1023 394 1417 Chhattisgarh 1863 904 2767 Goa 50 31 81 Gujarat 3433 1626 5059 Himachal Pradesh 773 567 1340 Jharkhand 736 357 1093 Karnataka 10436 4724 15160 Kerala 6399 2818 9217 Madhya Pradesh 4497 5671 10168 Maharashtra 13024 6087 19111 Manipur 11617 2121 13738 Meghalaya 6334 1157 7491 Mizoram 11150 2037 13187 Nagaland 6150 1124 7274 Orissa 3336 1404 4740 Punjab 13 10 23 Rajasthan 1692 2722 4414 Sikkim 772 115 887 Tamil Nadu 5797 2499 8296 Tripura 4198 767 4965 Uttar Pradesh 424 591 1015 Uttarakhand 690 506 1196 West Bengal 2158 681 2839 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 212 93 305

Total 123853 45459 169312

% 73 27 100

Note: Information for A & N Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, J & K, Haryana and Puducherry is not given due to inadequate data. Source: Table 6.5.6 of India State of Forest Report 2011, Forest Survey of India (Ministry of Environment & Forest), Government of India

MICRO WATER CONSERVATION PROJECTS 7th May 2013 LSQ 6538 SHRI RAJENDRA AGARWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the micro-water conservation projects have changed the rural life in those areas facing shortage of water in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) `whether the Government proposes to promote water conservation in areas facing shortage of water in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the manner in which farmers are likely to be benefited through the said projects? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes Madam. Studies conducted by various outside agencies reveal that various soil and water conservation interventions including micro water conservation structures adopted under watershed development programmes have been effective in prevention of soil erosion, in-situ moisture conservation & augmentation of ground water and creation of small water resources/micro-water conservation structures, leading to socio-economic upliftment of rural people. (c) to (e): Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture is implementing various schemes/programmes/missions, namely, National Food Security Mission(NFSM), National Horticulture Mission(NHM), National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY) with a view to increase the productivity of agricultural land & sustaining foodgrain production. Ministry of Rural Development is also implementing a major Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water in the country. These schemes/missions also envisage creation of micro-water conservation structures in rainfed/dryland areas across the country. Various interventions adopted under these programmes may lead to better utilization of natural resources besides increasing production and productivity of agricultural lands/produce. PATENTS FOR GENE 7th May 2013 LSQ 6558 SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is aware of an American company, called Monsanto taking out patents for a gene that can be found in an Indian melon;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the action taken by the Government thereon? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) & (c): The issue of taking action against the Company on the Intellectual Property rights granted in other countries comes under the purview of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) with Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. Currently, NBA is pursuing this matter to file cases against the alleged violators. PRODUCTION OF FOOD ITEMS 7th May 2013 LSQ 6579 SHRI JAGADA NAND SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that India is far behind in comparison to other countries of the world in the production of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether several States are also far behind in comparison to the average national productivity; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps being taken by the Government to bring the average productivity of different States at par with the national average to achieve the productivity at world level? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Details of production of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables in India vis-à-vis other major producing countries in the World are given in Annexure-I. It may be observed that India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables after China and third largest producer of foodgrains after China and USA. (c) & (d): In some States, productivity of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables is lower than the national average while in other States the productivity is higher than the national average. State-wise details of productivity of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables in the country are given in Annexure-II. (e): To achieve higher productivity in agricultural crops including foodgrains, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting basic and strategic research relating to crop improvement, production and protection technologies suitable for different situations, including development of location-specific varieties and technologies as per agro-ecological zones and the varieties/hybrids suitable for non-traditional areas and seasons. In order to increase production and productivity of horticultural crops including fruits and vegetables, the Government is implementing two Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz.

(i) Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and (ii) National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in remaining States and Union Territories for holistic development of horticulture including production of fruits & vegetables in a mission mode approach, covering entire spectrum of horticulture right from production to consumption through backward and forward linkages. Financial assistance is provided for various activities such as production of quality planting material, area expansion, rejuvenation/replanting of old and senile orchards, creation of water resources, protected cultivation, organic farming, promotion of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)/ Integrated Pest Management (IPM), technology demonstration, human resource development, exposure visit of farmers, Post Harvest Management (PHM) and establishment of marketing infrastructure. Besides, Government launched a new programme on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC) during 2011-12 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). In this scheme, assistance is provided for taking up cultivation of vegetables under open field conditions and protective cover, organic farming, INM/IPM, PHM and marketing upto retail level besides facilitating formation of Farmers Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) and their tie-up with market aggregators and financial institutions. In addition to above, the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) consisting of ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other public funded organizations is making concentrated efforts to develop improved vegetable varieties/hybrids, produce quality seeds and develop region- specific vegetable production technologies to bridge productivity gaps among different States. Private sector in the country is also actively engaged in providing quality seeds of superior varieties/hybrids to farmers in different regions. ANNEXURE Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.6579 due for reply on 07.05.2013 Producution of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables in India vis-à-vis other major producer countries in the World during 2011 Production (‘000 tonnes)

Fruits Vegetables Foodgrains

Country Production Country Production Country

Production

China 134950.8 China 561744.8 China 525422.8

India 76424.2 India 156325.5

United States of America 388269.7

Brazil 40949.3 United States of America

34670.4 India 259323.1

United States of America 27139.7 Turkey 27406.

0 Indonesia 83712.3

Italy 17352.7 Iran 25961.1 Brazil 81042.4

Indonesia 17196.1 Egypt 18945.5 France 66626.9

Note Official Estimates released by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

Annexure-II Annexure refer to in reply to parts (c) and (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.6579 due for reply on 07.05.2013 State-wise Productivity of Fruits, Vegetables and Foodgrains (2012-13) States/UTs Productivity (kg/hectare)

Fruits Vegetables Foodgrains Andaman & Nicobar 9390 7059 # Andhra Pradesh 14651 18191 2575 Arunachal Pradesh 3629 13170 # Assam 12971 11368 1755 Bihar 14367 18629 2210 Chhattisgarh 8717 13209 1442 Dadra & Nagar Haveli Nil 5000 # Delhi 17945 10989 # Goa 13903 12035 # Gujarat 21266 19415 1840 Haryana 9615 13699 3770 Himachal Pradesh 1901 18225 1883 Jammu & Kashmir 4041 22130 1566 Jharkhand 10150 14939 2068 Karnataka 17237 16853 1463 Kerala 8743 24327 2571 Lakshadweep 2178 1320 # Madhya Pradesh 21252 19879 1558 Maharashtra 6908 15861 1029 Manipur 8225 9621 # Meghalaya 9864 9852 # Mizoram 6441 5996 # Nagaland 10318 6738 # Odisha 6712 13757 1647 Puducherry 21586 17597 # Punjab 19920 20600 4302 Rajasthan 12592 7085 1440 Sikkim 1727 5202 # Tamil Nadu 27398 31206 2533 Tripura 11702 16072 # Uttar Pradesh 17519 22199 2498 Uttarakhand 3996 11947 1965 West Bengal 14217 17614 2539 Others NA NA 2275 Total 11715 17650 2086 # included in others. NA: Not applicable. Source: Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS RAIN GAUGE 7th May 2013 LSQ 6588 SHRI CHAUDHARY LAL SINGH

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has constituted any Committee for preparation of guidelines for setting up of Automatic Weather Stations and Automatic Rain Gauge across the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the said Committee has submitted its draft report to the Government; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government has accepted the recommendations/suggestions made by the Committee; and (f) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (f): In compliance to one of the recommendations of evaluation study of Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) conducted by Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd. in 2010, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has constituted a Committee for preparation of guidelines for setting up of Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) comprising Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) and representatives of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) & National Collaterals Management Services Ltd. (NCMSL). Draft interim report has been submitted by the Committee has been circulated among the concerned agencies/Departments including State Governments for their views and comments. IRRIGATION SCHEMES 7th May 2013 LSQ 6590 SHRI ADAGUR H VISHWANATH SHRI HAMDULLA A. B. SAYEED SHRI PARTAP SINGH BAJWA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is going to launch any new irrigation schemes other than the National Mission on Micro Irrigation in various States to meet the growing needs of Indian farmers; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the capacity and coverage of the National Mission on Micro Irrigation under the 12th Five Year Plan period in various States including Karnataka; (d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to educate the farmers to use the micro and drip irrigation system in cultivation of crops? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. (c) & (d): Annual budget outlay of national Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) scheme has been enhanced by approximately 13% from Rs.1500 crore for the financial year 2012-13 to Rs.1693 crore for the financial year 2013-14. State-wise details are annexed. (e): Under NMMI scheme, farmers are educated on the use the micro irrigation system through demonstration, training and awareness programmes. Statement with reference to part (c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.6590 for 07.05.2013 regarding Irrigation Schemes.

State wise allocation under National Mission on Micro Irrigation

Rs. in Crore States 2012-13

Allocation2013-14 Allocation

Andhra Pradesh 295.00 295.00 Bihar 70.00 70.00 Chhattisgarh 40.00 40.00 Goa 0.39 0.40 Gujarat 190.00 200.00 Haryana 32.00 40.00 Jharkhand 25.00 30.00 Karnataka 150.00 175.00 Kerala 3.00 7.50 Madhya Pradesh 100.00 110.00 Maharashtra 250.00 250.00 Orissa 12.00 15.00 Punjab 20.00 20.00 Rajasthan 150.00 150.00 Tamil Nadu 90.00 90.00 Uttar Pradesh 15.61 15.61 West Bengal 1.00 1.00 NE & Himalayan States 50.00 45.85

CULTIVATION OF JATROPHA 7th May 2013 LSQ 6597 SHRI M. K. RAGHAVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to cultivate jatropha on a large scale in Kerala; and (b) if so, the areas identified for such cultivation and the initiatives taken to establish processing units for producing bio-diesel in Kerala?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): No, Madam. (b): In view of (a) above, question does not arise. IMPACT OF CLIMATE ON AGRICULTURE 7th May 2013 LSQ 6598 SMT. DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the action taken by the Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the State Governments to combat the adverse impact of unprecedented climatic conditions on the agriculture sector; (b) whether a proper mechanism has been put in place to intimate farmers in advance about the probable climatic conditions to prevent economical losses; and (c) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) The Climate Change Division of Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is nodal unit for coordinating the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and thus, has linkages with other Ministries including Agriculture. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the 8 Missions envisaged under the aegis of NAPCC. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is executing a network research project on “National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture” (NICRA) to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies including technology demonstration and capacity building to combat impact of climate change in agriculture sector. Besides, ICAR in collaboration with the State Governments have been preparing district level contingency plans to cope up with any climatic aberrations affecting agriculture & allied sectors. (b) & (c): Based on the advance weather forecast given by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Agromet advisories including alerts and warning in regional languages are prepared at district level and disseminated through multi-mode dissemination systems like radio, TV, print media, internet and mobile technology to the farming community by the 130 AgroMet Field Units (AMFUs) located at the State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes and Indian Institute of Technology (IITs). Besides, Central Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad through its centres under All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology issues agro-advisories on regular basis to farmers in this regard. RELIEF TO BT. COTTON GROWERS 7th May 2013 LSQ 6608 SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has provided relief to the Bt. cotton growing farmers who have suffered losses during each of the last three years; (b) if so, the details of the relief provided, State/UT-wise; (c) whether the Government has recovered part of the relief amount from Bt. cotton seed companies; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) &(b): No, Madam. (c) & (d): Question does not arise. COTTON PRODUCTION 7th May 2013 LSQ 6620 SHRI SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL SHRI MADHU GOUD YASKHI SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Mini Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented by the Government across the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the assistance provided to cotton growers under the scheme during each of the last three years; (d) the target fixed by the Government for cotton production during the current season; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to encourage the farmers to boost the production of cotton? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Yes, Madam. The Government of India is implementing Mini Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton in 13 major cotton growing states since 2001-02. Under the scheme assistance is provided on various inputs like seeds, agriculture implements, water- saving devices, bio-agents/bio-pesticides, integrated pest management, transfer of crop production and protection technologies through demonstrations, training of farmers through Farmers Field Schools (FFS), Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM), online pest surveillance, Front Line Demonstrations etc; which are implemented by ICAR & SAU institutions and the State Governments. Financial assistance provided under the scheme during each of the last three years is as under:- Sl..No. Year Amount (Rs. In Lakh) 1 2010-11 1979.00 2 2011-12 1495.00

3 2012-13 1500.00 (d): Target for Cotton Production during current season so far is yet to be finalized. (e): To boost cotton production, assistance is being produced under Mini Mission –II of Technology Mission on Cotton. CROP DIVERSIFICATION 7th May 2013 LSQ 6652 SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken several steps to encourage the farmers in crop diversification in order to preserve biodiversity of land and to prevent over-exploitation of soil and water in the agriculture sector; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the guidelines issued in this regard; (c) the incentives given by the Government for the promotion of crop diversification in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (d) the major initiatives taken by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Agriculture Technology Management Agencies in the field of crop diversification during the said period; and (e) the benefits accrued to the farmers as a result of the above initiatives in the country? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Government of India is implementing various crop development schemes like National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion (INSIMP), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Technology Mission on Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) etc. in the states for promoting various crops including pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, fruits and vegetables suited to different agro-ecologies to avoid over-exploitation of soil and water. The state-wise allocation and release under these schemes for the last three years and current year is annexed (Annexure- I, II, III & IV). An amount of Rs. 500 crores has been provided in the budget 2013-14 for crop diversification in original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh to promote technological innovation and to encourage farmers to choose alternate crops for sustainability of agriculture. (d) & (e): Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conduct Front Line Demonstrations of various crops across the country to disseminate improved production technologies on farmers’ field for enhancing crop productivity and encouraging the farmers for adoption of crops.

Annexure-I Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6652 for 07-05-2013 National Food Security Mission-Allocation, Release during 2010-11 to 2013-14

(Rs. in Crore)

SL.No. States 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Alloca.* Release Alloca.* Release Alloca.* Release Alloca.

1 Andhra Pradesh 135.20 119.42 110.36 88.87 163.51 152.94

Rs.2250 Crore,State-wise

Allocation for 2013-14

is in Progress

2 Arunachal Pradesh 10.33 10.33 3 Assam 67.33 66.58 37.75 36.58 41.85 30.86 4 Bihar 75.32 51.56 76.41 74.87 105.87 65.72 5 Chhattisgarh 63.49 19.54 63.29 55.25 77.41 52.6 6 Gujarat 39.09 23.89 30.27 28.31 54.79 54.5 7 Haryana 39.28 35.75 34.95 27.07 53.85 46.53 8 Himachal Pradesh 21.99 20.25 9 Jammu & Kashmir 0.00 0.00 3.59 2.69 17.34 11.87

10 Jharkhand 27.20 16.49 27.10 12.2 37 24.79 11 Karnataka 90.32 72.52 80.31 73.26 123.05 110.21 12 Kerala 2.62 2.10 3.04 2.28 2.59 1.37 13 M.P. 214.76 160.72 174.03 146.82 266.01 247.15 14 Maharashtra 168.58 147.12 151.67 135.85 245.56 241.81

15 Manipur 12.16 12.16 16 Meghalaya 9.3 9.3 17 Mizoram 6.04 6.04 18 Nagaland 11.64 11.64 19 Orissa 66.56 58.53 61.01 64.76 75.97 63.52 20 Punjab 48.41 37.57 47.72 35.18 63.86 37.93 21 Sikkim 2.08 2.08 22 Rajasthan 107.60 76.05 94.67 79.28 149.01 126.42 23 Tamil Nadu 48.44 30.08 36.58 34.54 52.06 39.7 24 Tripura 3.63 3.63 21.88 21.84 25 Uttar Pradesh 294.12 177.57 283.72 244.96 290.93 211.03 26 Uttarakhand 21.92 16.25 27 West Bengal 65.43 33.94 57.03 38.58 59.32 41.89 Total 1553.75 1129.43 1377.13 1184.98 1997.32 1670.73

* Including unspent balance of previous year.

Annexure-II Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No 6652 for 07.05.2013

Allocation and Release under RKVY during 2010-11 to 2013-14 (Rs. in crore) Sl. No

Name of the States

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation

1 Andhra Pradesh

393.45 432.29 727.74 734.20 601.98 577.79

Rs. 9954 Crore. State-wise

Allocation for 2013-14

is in Progress

2 Arunachal Pradesh

39.08 28.95 8.26 10.68 40.31 24.94

3 Assam 256.87 216.87 227.77 227.77 399.57 399.57 4 Bihar 380.94 415.10 506.82 506.82 724.01 700.2 5 Chhatisgarh 461.00 503.42 230.57 212.61 581.12 571.22 6 Goa 11.31 7.07 49.55 24.78 62.43 35.27 7 Gujarat 353.45 388.63 515.48 515.48 586.87 610.87 8 Haryana 204.74 226.80 168.92 176.87 199.49 179.88 9 Himachal

Pradesh 94.85 94.85 99.93 99.93 73.48 59.27

10 Jammu & Kashmir

162.16 96.42 103.03 63.03 112.08 103.22

11 Jharkhand 160.96 96.90 168.56 174.56 241.55 219.38 12 Karnataka 284.03 284.03 595.90 595.90 586.52 549.15 13 Kerala 192.35 149.65 173.93 182.89 282.26 253.03 14 Madhya

Pradesh 589.09 559.18 398.37 398.37 448.13 448.13

15 Maharashtra 653.00 653.00 727.67 735.44 1025.81 1050.81 16 Manipur 24.81 15.50 22.25 22.25 52.94 47.97 17 Meghalaya 46.12 46.12 14.66 20.44 105.34 22.68 18 Mizoram 7.49 3.75 34.61 36.63 200.91 184.73 19 Nagaland 13.24 13.25 37.54 37.54 85.75 85.75 34 Orissa 274.40 274.40 356.96 356.96 503.1 468.28 21 Punjab 179.12 179.12 138.87 145.87 146.93 86.83 22 Rajasthan 572.47 628.01 685.04 692.08 363.09 348.18 23 Sikkim 6.56 6.56 20.08 24.64 29.47 15.21 24 Tamil Nadu 225.71 250.03 333.06 333.06 659.68 613.27 25 Tripura 116.86 116.48 17.99 25.63 56.43 56.43 26 Uttar Pradesh 635.92 695.36 757.26 762.83 432.26 294.52 27 Uttarakhand 2.61 1.31 131.77 128.84 44.36 8.21 28 West Bengal 476.15 335.98 476.65 486.65 464.81 374.58 Total States 6662.00 6719.03 7729.24 7732.75 9110.68 8389.37

Annexure-III

Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6652 for 07.05.2013 Allocation & release of funds from 2010-11 to 2012-13 under ISOPOM

(Rs. in lakhs) States 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation AP 5756.71 5756.71 2835.34 2835.34 1793.33 1793.33

Rs. 300 crores. The State- wise allocation for 2013-14 is in progress

Assam 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Bihar 799.20 799.20 917.64 917.64 919.23 919.23 Chhattisgarh 1166.91 1166.91 1175.81 1175.81 755.46 755.46 Gujarat 1785.77 1785.77 3034.00 3034.00 517.96 517.96 Goa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Haryana 503.11 503.11 722.80 722.80 434.60 434.60 H.P 89.26 89.26 82.99 82.99 65.25 65.25 J&K 132.48 132.48 205.97 205.97 41.95 41.95 Karnataka 5748.55 5748.55 4754.50 4754.50 1481.31 1481.31 Kerela 22.68 22.68 0.00 0.00 M.P 5619.36 5619.36 7429.34 7429.34 5690.65 5690.65 Mah. 5498.36 5498.36 8091.28 8091.28 3669.88 3669.88 Mizoram 876.84 876.84 362.00 361.45 0.00 0.00 Orissa 3050.00 3050.00 3960.97 3960.97 1068.43 1068.43 Punjab 60.77 60.77 140.27 140.27 0.00 0.00 Rajasthan 5070.90 5070.90 5250.97 5250.97 3688.64 3688.64 Tamil Nadu 1132.56 1132.56 1267.90 1267.90 821.94 821.94 Tripura 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 U.P 1221.88 1221.88 1289.53 1289.53 666.41 666.41 W.B 614.18 614.18 100.00 100.00 664.96 664.96 Total 39126.84 39126.84 41644.00 41643.45 22280.00 22280.00

Annexure-IV

Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6652 for 07-05-2013 Statewise Allocation and Release under National Horticulture Mission

(Rs. in crore)

Sl. No.

States 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Allocation (GOI share)

Release Allocation (GOI share)

Release Allocation (GOI share)

Release Allocation

1 Andhra Pradesh 105.18 105.18 105.40 92.70 116.45 87.34

Total Allocation for 2013-14 is Rs.1600 Crore. The state-wise Action Plan is in Progress.

2 Bihar 38.25 0.00 34.00 20.00 46.75 35.06 3 Chattisgarh 97.75 96.57 93.50 85.00 106.25 91.36 4 Goa 4.25 2.12 2.98 2.00 3.40 1.25 5 Gujarat 62.90 54.97 76.50 92.78 106.25 100.13 6 Haryana 68.85 51.50 80.75 76.23 90.95 90.62 7 Jharkhand 42.50 16.00 51.00 42.16 63.75 47.81 8 Karnataka 112.20 93.25 106.25 99.71 119.00 113.04 9 Kerala 71.30 44.00 65.45 53.45 72.25 35.00

10 Madhya Pradesh 85.00 51.00 72.25 55.00 55.25 30.09 11 Maharashtra 127.50 126.14 127.50 93.75 136.00 127.87 12 Orissa 55.25 32.59 53.55 46.73 68.00 65.80 13 Punjab 42.50 35.00 46.75 46.74 62.90 57.90 14 Rajasthan 59.50 40.00 59.50 40.00 80.75 41.20 15 Tamil Nadu 110.50 77.50 123.25 62.00 68.00 56.00 16 Uttar Pradesh 106.25 54.00 102.00 51.00 59.50 32.36 17 West Bengal 44.10 28.80 42.5 25.50 38.25 19.00 18 A & N Islands 3.40 1.52 4.00 3.00 0.00 2.65 19 Puducherry 0.84 0.56 1.28 0.64 0.91 0.46 20 Delhi 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 2.57 0.00 21 Lakshdweep 1.35 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total States 1239.37 910.70 1248.41 988.39 1297.18 1034.94

******

SUICIDE BY FARMERS 6th August 2013 LSQ*24 SHRI P. LINGAM SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the number of cases of suicides by farmers reported from several parts of the country during the last three years and the current year, State-wise along with the reasons therefor; (b) whether the Government has announced any special packages to address the agrarian crisis and to mitigate the hardships being faced by the farmers in the country; (c) if so, the details thereof and the success achieved thereunder, so far; and

(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to empower farmers and to prevent them from committing suicide? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 24 DUE FOR REPLY ON 6TH AUGUST, 2013. (a): State-wise details of suicides by farmers during the last three years, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, are at Annexure-I. Causes of suicides include family problems, illness, drug abuse/addiction, unemployment, property dispute, bankruptcy or sudden change in economic status, poverty, professional/career problem, love affair, barrenness/ impotency, cancellation/non-settlement of marriage, dowry dispute, fall in social reputation, causes not known, etc. State-wise details of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons during the last three years and the current year, as reported by respective State Governments, are at Annexure-II. (b) to (d): Government has announced several packages to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers including Rehabilitation Package of Rs.19998.85 crore covering 31 suicide prone districts in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Package of Rs.1840.75 crore for development of Kuttanad Wetland Eco-system in Kerala, Package of Rs.764.45 crore for mitigating agrarian distress in Idukki district of Kerala, Bundelkhand Special Package of Rs. 7266 crore for drought mitigation and Vidarbha Intensified Irrigation Development Programme for which Rs. 600 crore has so far been allotted under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Government has also taken several other steps to revitalize the agriculture sector and improve condition of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension, marketing, etc. Various programmes/schemes for the development of agriculture sector are being implemented in a decentralized manner with flexibility to State Governments to formulate and implement appropriate projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus of Government is primarily on expansion of farm income, creation of non-farm income opportunities, improvement in productivity of rainfed agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under protective irrigation and forging appropriate backward and forward linkages. Other measures taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crop loans, revival package for strengthening Short Term Rural Cooperative Credit Structure. ANNEXURE

LOK SABHA ANNEXURED STARRED QUESTION NO.24 DATED 6.08.2013 ANNEXURE-I

Number of Suicides under Subhead Self Employed (Farming/Agriculture) in 2010, 2011 and 2012

Sl. No. State/UT

2010 2011 2012

1 ANDHRA PRADESH 2525 2206 2572 2 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 18 13 11 3 ASSAM 369 312 344 4 BIHAR 95 83 68 5 CHHATTISGARH 1126 0 4 6 GOA 15 1 1 7 GUJARAT 523 578 564 8 HARYANA 297 384 276

9 HIMACHAL PRADESH 61 46 29 10 JAMMU & KASHMIR 18 14 10 11 JHARKHAND 173 94 119 12 KARNATAKA 2585 2100 1875 13 KERALA 895 830 1081 14 MADHYA PRADESH 1237 1326 1172 15 MAHARASHTRA 3141 3337 3786 16 MANIPUR 4 0 0 17 MEGHALAYA 16 22 10 18 MIZORAM 5 14 10 19 NAGALAND 0 2 9 20 ODISHA 162 144 146 21 PUNJAB 80 98 75 22 RAJASTHAN 390 268 270 23 SIKKIM 19 12 19 24 TAMIL NADU 541 623 499 25 TRIPURA 58 20 18 26 UTTAR PRADESH 548 645 745 27 UTTARAKHAND 39 25 14 28 WEST BENGAL 993 807 NR TOTAL (STATES) 15933 14004 13727 29 A & N ISLANDS 8 0 0 30 CHANDIGARH 0 0 0 31 D & N HAVELI 10 13 6 32 DAMAN & DIU 0 0 0 33 DELHI (UT) 9 10 21 34 LAKSHADWEEP 0 0 0 35 PUDUCHERRY 4 0 0 TOTAL (UTs) 31 23 27 TOTAL (ALL INDIA) 15964 14027 13754

[Source: Annual Publications titled ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India’, National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs]

ANNEXURE-II Number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons as reported by State Governments

Sl. No.

Name of State/UT Period/ (Date of report)

Number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons as reported by State Government

1. Andhra Pradesh 2010 261 2011 260 2012 93 2013 03(31/07/2013)

2. Karnataka 2010-11 (F/Y) 116 2011-12 (F/Y) 67 2012-13 (F/Y) 130 2013-14 (F/Y) 07 (30/06/2013)

3.

Maharashtra #

2010 608 2011 630 2012 515 2013 37 (upto March, 2013)

4. Kerala 2010 NIL 2011 21 2012 17

2013 01 5. Punjab ## ## 6. Tamil Nadu 22/02/2013 Nil 7. Gujarat 11/07/2013 Nil 8. Assam 26/02/2013 Nil 9. Arunachal Pradesh 25/07/2013 Nil 10. Bihar 12/03/2013 Nil 11. Chhattisgarh 30/04/2013 Nil 12. Goa 12/07/2013 Nil 13. Haryana 12/07/2013 Nil 14. Himachal Pradesh 11/07/2013 Nil 15. J & K 18/02/2013 Nil 16. Jharkhand 31/07/2013 Nil 17. Manipur 26/03/2013 Nil 18. Meghalaya 30/06/2013 Nil 19. Madhya Pradesh 18.01.2011 Nil 20. Mizoram 19/02/2013 Nil 21. Nagaland 04/10/2013 Nil 22. Odisha 06/03/2013 Nil 23. Rajasthan 15/04/2013 Nil 24. Sikkim 10/07/2013 Nil 25. Tripura 22/03/2013 Nil 26. Uttar Pradesh 28.04.2011 Nil 27. Uttarakhand 20/03/2013 Nil 28. West Bengal 28/03/2013 Nil 29. A & N Islands 27/02/2013 Nil 30. NCT of Delhi 27/02/2013 Nil 31. Daman & Diu 28/02/2013 Nil 32. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 04/02/2013 Nil 33. Lakshadweep 11/04/2013 Nil 34. Puducherry 12/03/2013 Nil 35. Chandigarh 15/07/2013 Nil # The information in respect of Maharashtra is for those cases of suicides where ex-gratia has been paid. ## The Government of Punjab has informed that 179 farmers committed suicide in 2010 out of which 74% were due to in debtness and remaining due to non-economic reasons. The information for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 has not been furnished or not available with the State Government. RESEARCH IN MANURE 6th August 2013 LSQ*35 SHRI RAJKUMARI RATNA SINGH SHRI ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is conducting any research for developing manure for crops from organic waste; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the research bodies involved in such research;

(d) the comparative cost of producing such manure against the chemical fertilizers; and (e) the effective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to produce manure from organic waste? THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 35 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/08/2013 REGARDING “RESEARCH IN MANURE” (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed technologies to prepare various types of organic manures such as phosphocompost, vermincompost, municipal solid waste compost, etc. from organic wastes and such technologies are being disseminated to farmers through training and demonstration. These have been tested and found useful in improving soil health and crop productivity. (c) Various ICAR institutions particularly Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Project Directorate of Farming System Research, Modipurum, Central Research Institute for Dry Land Agriculture, Hyderabad, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod, ICAR Research Complexes and State Agricultural Universities are involved in developing technologies for production of manures/compost from various waste materials. (d) The chemical fertilizers provide important plant nutrients like N, P and K. The cost of major chemical fertilizers is fixed after availing subsidy from Govt. of India unlike organic manure. The benefits of organic manure are not only in terms of nutrient supply, as it also provides the other benefits in terms of improving soil physical & biological health. Farmers normally prepare compost/manure on their farms and therefore these become cheaper as compared to organic manures manufactured by private companies and chemical fertilizers. In view of above, the cost of producing such manures as compared to fertilizers may not be comparable. (e) The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is promoting use of composts/manures in the country. Farmers are being educated on this aspect through training and demonstrations. SLAUGHTER HOUSES 6th August 2013 LSQ 245 SHRI VIKRAMBHAI ARJANBHAI MAADAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the number of authorised slaughter houses in the country as on 31 March 2013, State-wise; (b) the cattle wealth slaughtered during each of the last three years; (c) whether it is a fact that many unauthorised slaughter houses are operating in several States wherein cattle are slaughtered illegally; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon? THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTRE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) A statement showing the registered slaughter houses as on 31.03.2013 reported by States /UTs Governments and compiled for the country and Statewise is given in Annexure I.

Sl.No. States/UTs 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 185

2 Arunachal Pradesh -

3 Assam 2

4 Bihar 42

5 Chhattisgarh 74

6 Goa 1

7 Gujarat 38

8 Haryana 36

9 Himachal Pradesh 37

10 Jammu & Kashmir -

11 Jharkhand 35

12 Karnataka 96

13 Kerala 59

14 Madhya Pradesh 79

15 Maharashtra 316

16 Manipur -

17 Meghalaya 0

18 Mizoram 2

19 Nagaland 0

20 Orissa 51

21 Punjab 91

22 Rajasthan 2

23 Sikkim 8

24 Tamil Nadu -

25 Tripura 0

26 Uttarakhand 24

27 Uttar Pradesh 285

28 West Bengal 11

29 A & N Islands -

30 Chandigarh 1

31 D. & N. Haveli -

32 Daman & Diu 3

33 Delhi 1

34 Lakshadweep 1

35 Puducherry 2

(b) The estimated number of Cattle slaughtered by States/UTs Governments during the year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 is given as under. (000Nos.) Year 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 No. of Cattle Slaughtered 2477 2344 3040 (c)& (d) Data on unauthorized slaughter houses for cattle is not available with the Department since such information are not collected from States/UTs Governments. Registration of slaughter houses is in the domain of State/UTs Governments. ANNEXURE

Annexure- I

Statement referred to in reply of Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 245 to be answered on 06.08.2012. Numbers of Registered Slaughter Houses as on 31.03.2013 as furnished by State/UTs Government

Sl.No. States/UTs 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 185 2 Arunachal Pradesh - 3 Assam 2 4 Bihar 42 5 Chhattisgarh 74 6 Goa 1 7 Gujarat 38 8 Haryana 36 9 Himachal Pradesh 37 10 Jammu & Kashmir - 11 Jharkhand 35 12 Karnataka 96 13 Kerala 59 14 Madhya Pradesh 79 15 Maharashtra 316 16 Manipur - 17 Meghalaya 0 18 Mizoram 2 19 Nagaland 0 20 Orissa 51 21 Punjab 91 22 Rajasthan 2 23 Sikkim 8 24 Tamil Nadu - 25 Tripura 0 26 Uttarakhand 24 27 Uttar Pradesh 285 28 West Bengal 11 29 A & N Islands -

All India 1482

30 Chandigarh 1 31 D. & N. Haveli - 32 Daman & Diu 3 33 Delhi 1 34 Lakshadweep 1 35 Puducherry 2

All India 1482 Source: State Government, D/o Animal Husbandry “-“ Not Reported DECLINE IN APPLE PRODUCTION 6th August 2013 LSQ 270 SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that apple production is likely to be lesser by about 30 per cent in Himachal Pradesh in the current year; (b) if so, the comparative details thereof during the last three years along with the reasons for low production this year; and (c) the incentives being given by the Government to apple growers to increase the production? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): As intimated by Government of Himachal Pradesh, the apple production in the state is likely to be 30 per cent more as compared to the average production in the last three years. The year-wise production of apples in Himachal Pradesh during the last three years is as under:- Year Production (in lakh tones) 2009-10 2.80 2010-11 8.92 2011-12 2.75 2012-13 4.12 Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States for overall development of horticulture including enhancing production of apple. Under the mission, assistance is provided to growers for strengthening of nurseries for production of disease free quality planting material, establishment of tissue culture units, area expansion, high density planting, rejuvenation of senile orchards, creation of water resources, integrated nutrient and pest management, pollination support through bee keeping, provision of hail nets, training, etc., to enhance production and productivity of apple orchards. NATIONAL WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 6th August 2013

LSQ 280 SHRI KOWASE MAROTRAO SAINUJI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has initiated a number of schemes under the National Watershed Development Programme in backward and rural areas of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof till date, State-wise; (c) the names of the schemes along with the allocation of funds during each of the last three years, State/scheme-wise; and (d) the progress made so far in the implementation of the said scheme, scheme-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Ministry of Agriculture was implementing two major watershed programmes namely National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA and Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River Valley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP & FPR) in the country as part of the Scheme of Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) which has been discontinued from 1st April, 2013. Ministry of Rural Development is also implementing Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). (c) & (d): The State wise and scheme wise details of funds released/expenditure reported in each of the last three years is given at Annexure I to III. Since inception about 11.03 Mha and 7.90 Mha area have been treated under NWDPRA and RVP&FPR respectively. Under IWMP, 6153 projects covering 29.21 Mha have been sanctioned till 31st March, 2013. ANNEXURE

Annexure-I

(Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.280 due on 06.08.2013)

Expenditure under NWDPRA during 2010-11 to 2012-13

Sl. State/UT Financial (Rs. In Lakhs) 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 246.75 459.57 1009.76 2 Arunachal Pradesh 1061.80 310.30 409.07 3 Bihar 334.96 537.99 704.81 4 Jharkhand 1114.30 869.45 953.00 5 Goa 82.60 274.00 198.41 6 Gujarat 982.16 794.35 708.71 7 Haryana 267.39 170.95 57.72 8 Himachal Pradesh 589.98 338.70 373.87 9 J&K 298.94 474.63 385.82 10 Karnataka 1250.00 1125.98 722.22 11 Kerala 640.36 936.36 409.00 12 Madhya Pradesh 1729.00 1831.90 1725.00

13 Chhattisgarh 729.43 1286.45 572.00 14 Maharashtra 2679.10 1852.00 1852.07 15 Manipur 1096.00 716.75 572.68 16 Mizoram 2500.00 600.00 1276.00 17 Meghalaya 1054.50 975.00 700.00 18 Nagaland 1460.00 1030.00 519.96 19 Odisha 1347.20 873.79 459.00 20 Punjab 496.25 0.00 2.55 21 Rajasthan 1175.30 994.99 662.25 22 Sikkim 553.97 86.27 0.00 23 Tamil Nadu 569.24 664.03 1215.85 24 Tripura 1245.10 718.03 361.00 25 Uttar Pradesh 4832.60 3040.49 0.00 26 Uttrakhand 1252.20 1171.98 930.00 27 West Bengal 185.82 14.32 1101.39

TOTAL 29774.95 22148.28 17882.14

Annexure-II


Expenditure under RVP & FPR during 2010-11 to 2012- 13

Rs. in Lakhs

Sl State 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 A.P. I) Forest 376.26 516.05 394.59 II) Agriculture 362.35 449.27 474.42 Sub-total (I &II) 738.61 965.32 869.01

2 Arunachal Pradesh 568.51 673.44 117.51 3 Assam 153.84 22.22 2.12 4 Bihar 50.00 18.95 0 5 Chattisgargh 156.64 79.02 49.63 6 Gujarat

I) Forest 60.00 12.66 0 II) Agriculture 2051.11 1258.38 719.00 Sub-total (I &II) 2111.11 1271.04 719.00

7 Haryana 692.24 537.78 519.13 8 Himachal Pradesh 751.67 582.76 588.59 9 Jharkhand 103.67 202.10 77.66

10 Jammu & Kashmir 463.35 456.01 579.69 11 Karnataka 1250.00 1125.00 1633.71 12 Kerala 150.69 101.73 185.5 13 Madhya Pradesh

I) Agriculture 2735.34 1706.20 1628.00

II) NVDD 547.68 205.00 184.88 Sub-total (I & II) 3283.02 1911.20 1812.88

14 Maharashtra 3287.40 949.77 588.58 15 Manipur 500.00 344.50 290.00 16 Meghalaya 50.00 50.00 50.0 17 Mizoram 750.00 535.00 750.00 18 Nagaland 436.16 344.50 299.00 19 Odisha 294.02 65.72 71.18 20 Punjab 63.00 0 0 21 Rajasthan 3538.32 2805.17 2739.84 22 Sikkim 118.40 155.25 30.0 23 Tamil Nadu 1681.18 1235.78 1184.00 24 Tripura 153.10 21.42 23.25 25 Uttar Pradesh 2100.00 2007.25 1370.40 26 Uttarakhand 385.90 350.00 276.73 27 West Bengal 627.81 583.77 260.68 G.Total 24458.64 17394.70 15088.09

Annexure-III


Funds Released under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

(Rs. in crore) S.

No. State 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 119.8 160.94 125.137 2 Bihar 3 12.18 3 Chhattisgarh 50.38 62.37 0 4 Goa 0 0 0 5 Gujarat 161.73 160.71 329.237 6 Haryana 11.63 5.226 7 Himachal Pradesh 57.77 48.93 8.0230 8 Jammu & Kashmir 0 38.268 9 Jharkhand 24.1 15.7 48.1731

10 Karnataka 70.96 127.41 334.55 11 Kerala 11.01 10.81 4.81 12 Madhya Pradesh 113.25 108.6 128.30 13 Maharashtra 208.14 378.69 501.60 14 Odisha 73.47 77.53 89.700 15 Punjab 3.45 8.44 14.888 16 Rajasthan 257.47 318.33 424.53 17 Tamil Nadu 60.16 17.57 227.768 18 Uttar Pradesh 132.13 164.46 128.43 19 Uttarakhand 15.97 2.34 4.21783 20 West Bengal 16.06 40.313 NE STATES

21 Arunachal Pradesh 20.08 22.09 15.970 22 Assam 40.82 37.53 42.97

23 Manipur 10.37 15.33 33.75 24 Meghalaya 9.88 12.87 37.43 25 Mizoram 17.14 5.84 16.439 26 Nagaland 26.71 59.42 76.418 27 Sikkim 3.88 1.15 8.178 28 Tripura 8.16 18.17 24.017 Grand Total 1496.83 1865.92 2720.52

EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILISERS 6th August 2013 LSQ 284 SHRI RAMESH BAIS SHRI SANJAY SINH SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR SHRI LAXMAN TUDU SHRI KIRODI LAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there are reports of adverse impact of excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the cultivation of traditional and modern crops; (b) if so, the details thereof along with its impact on fertility of soil and ground water; (c) whether the Government has launched the National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) to promote the soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management to maintain soil health and fertility in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof along with the works undertaken and the success achieved thereunder so far; and (e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage judicious use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and to promote the usage of bio-fertilisers and organic farming? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): There is no scientific evidence of declining soil/crop productivity from judicious use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter over years may result into multinutrient deficiencies and deterioration of soil health as evident from the results of AICRP in ‘Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments’. There is also possibility of nitrate contamination in ground water due to excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers particularly in light textured soils. (c) & (d): Government has launched the National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) from 2008-09 to promote the soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management to maintain soil health and fertility in the country. The main activities/components under the scheme are setting up/ strengthening of static/mobile soil testing/ fertilizer quality control laboratories; training of soil testing/ extension staff/ farmers on balanced use of fertilizers; adoption of villages through frontline field demonstrations; preparation of digital soil fertility maps and ; promotion of organic manures/ soil amendments/ micro nutrients. Component-wise achievement/ progress is given at annexure.

(e): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients to reduce the negative impact of chemical fertilizers preventing deterioration of soil health and contamination of groundwater. Split application and placement of fertilizers , use of slow releasing N fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated. The Council has developed technology for preparation of enriched vermi compost from various organic wastes, improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types are developed under Network project on Biofertilizers. ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on these aspects. ICAR during the 10th Plan initiated a Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) with lead centre at Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram with objective of developing package of practices of different crops and cropping systems under organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country. The National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) has been introduced during 2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers in conjunction with organic manure. Government is promoting organic farming in the country through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY). Government is already supporting financial assistance under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. Funds are also provided @ 50% of the cost subject to maximum of Rs. 10,000/- per hectare for a maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary for adoption of organic farming. Under NPOF scheme, financial assistance is provided for setting up of organic input production units as credit linked back-ended subsidy to the tune of 33% restricted to Rs. 60.00 lakh for setting up of fruit/vegetable market waste /agro-waste compost units and 25% restricted to Rs. 40.00 lakh for setting up of Biofertilisers production units/Biopesticides production units. To encourage the judicious use of pesticides, Government has launched a scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” since 1991-92 by adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Under IPM programme the Government of India has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 States and one UT. The mandate of these Centres is pest/disease monitoring, production and release of bio-control agents/ bio-pesticides, conservation of bio-control agents and Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to Agriculture/ Horticulture Extension Officers and farmers. ANNEXURE

LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.284 DATED 6.08.2013 Annexure

National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility Component-wise achievements during 11th plan

(Unit : Numbers)

S.No Component Sanctioned Achievement

1. Setting up of soil testing labs (STLs) 124 70 2. Strengthening of STLs 170 80 3. Adoption of villages by Frontline Field Demo. 690 415 4. Preparation of digital soil maps 175 168 5. Promotion of organic manures 99000 ha 63700 ha 6. Promotion of soil amendments 34000 ha

19000 ha

7. Distribution of micronutrients. 108800 ha 78732 ha 8. Setting up of new FQCL 15 4 9. Strengthening of FQCL 45 24 10. Setting up of mobile STLs 118 53 11. Training of STL/Extn. Staff 387 239

12. Training of farmers 834 650 13. Field demonstrations 654 448

Note : The remaining labs/ training/ demonstrations are under progress.

CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES 6th August 2013 LSQ 289 SMT JYOTI DHURVE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the crops included under the insurance schemes for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand; (b) the total area in hectares of various crops included under the insurance schemes and the instalment of amount given during the last three years; (c) the details of the amount disbursed as crop insurance claims as compared to the instalment given during the said period, crop-wise and State-wise including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand; (d) whether the Government has received any complaints from the farmers regarding non-payment of insurance claims; (e) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon; and (f) the steps taken to increase the crop coverage and to extend the nature of insurance coverage in various States? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Details of crops included for providing insurance during Kharif and Rabi seasons are at Annexure-I-A and I-B. (b) & (c): Details are at Annexure-II-A to II-C. (d) & (e): Some complaints about non-payment/ delayed payment of claims, under payment of claims etc. on account of incorrect/delayed submission of insurance proposals by banks; unrealistic assessment of crop loss due to large unit area of insurance etc. are received from time to time. As far as possible, all the complaints are suitably addressed by the Insurer, the Department and also by the Committee set up under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS). (f): To improve the coverage of area and better terms to the farmers, a Pilot Modified NAIS has been approved by Government of India for implementation in 50 districts from Rabi 2010-11. Besides, continued efforts are made to create awareness about ongoing Crop Insurance Schemes by the implementing agencies in coordination with implementing States. The salient activities for campaigning involve the publicity of features & benefits of the scheme through advertisements in leading National/local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets, participation in agriculture fairs / mela / gosti and organization of workshops / trainings etc. As it is evident from Annexure-III, crop insurance coverage in terms of farmers insured and area insured is increasing year after year.

ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.289 DATED 6.08.2013 Annexure I-A

CROPS INCLUDED FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE BY THE STATES INCLUDING M.P, MAHARASTHRA & JHARKHAND

UNDER NAIS AND MNAIS

S.NO.

KHARIF SEASON RABI SEASON

Food Crops / Oilseeds

Annual Commercial /

Annual Horticulture Crops Food Crops / Oilseeds

Annual Commercial / Annual Horticulture Crops

1 PADDY COTTON WHEAT COTTON 2 JOWAR SUGARCANE PADDY CHILLY 3 BAJRA POTATO RAPESEED/MUSTARD ONION 4 MAIZE BANANA BAJRA TAPOICA 5 RAGI (MADUA) PINEAPPLE GROUNDNUT BANANA 6 BLACK GRAM (URD) TAPOICA GRAM GINGER 7 GREEN GRAM (MOONG) JUTE BARLEY JEERA(Cumin) 8 TUR (Arhar) CHILLY LINSEED (Alsai) CORRAINDER 9 GROUNDNUT GINGER JOWAR GARLIC

10 SUNFLOWER ONION SUNFLOWER METHI

11 SEASMUM (TIL/GINGELLY) TURMERIC SAFFLOWER ISABGOL

12 CASTOR TOMATO MAIZE BRINJAL 13 SOYABEAN RAGI (MADUA) FENNEL

14 GRAM (CHANA/BENGALGRAM) BLACK GRAM (URD) FRENCH BEAN

15 NIGER GREEN GRAM (MOONG) FIELD PEA 16 NAVANE TUR (Arhar) SUGARCANE

17 SAVE SEASMUM (TIL/GINGELLY) POTATO

18 GUAR (Cluster Bean) MASOOR (LENTIL) 19 MOTH PEA (Matar) 20 COWPEA (Lobia) Horsegram (Kulthi) 21 Horsegram (Kulthi) Taramira

Annexure-I-B Crops included for coverage by various States including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand under Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) WBCIS : KHARIF : Chilly, Cotton, Oilpalm, Sweet orange, Paddy, Maize, Soyabean, Citrus, Mango, Blackgram, Greengram, Redgram , Groundnut, Ragi, Jowar, Sunflower, Onion, Potato, Grapes, Black pepper, Castor, Bajra, Moth, Chaulai, Sesame, Guar, Banana, Tapioca, Turmeric, Millets, Apple, Mango. RABI : Wheat, Gram, Lentil, Redgram, Mustard, Chilly, Onion, Brinjal Tomato, Mango, Citrus, Apple, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Pea, Green gram, Linseed, Grapes, Cashewnut, Barley, taramira, Cumin, Isabgol, Fenugreek, Coriander, Ajwain, Garlic, Tapioca, Turmeric, Gherkin, Litchi, Pomegranate, Sweet Orange, Banana, Groundnut, Paddy, Sunflower, Jowar, Maize, Sugarcane, Bajra, Potato CPIS : Coconut Palm : Age ranging from 4 to 60 years.

Annexure-IIA Details on Area Insured, Premium Collected & Claims Paid: 2009-10 (Rs. In lakh)

Sl. No. States / Uts.

Kharif 2009 Rabi 2009-10

Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

1 Andhra Pradesh 4514680 22066 71666 479735 1728 3241

2 Andeman & Nicobar 245 1 0 0 0 0

3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 04 Assam 23625 98 69 19486 176 3295 Bihar 1433216 14512 51854 913657 11382 333186 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 07 Chhatisgarh 1744713 2941 12379 73377 75 45

8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 010 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 011 Goa 206 0 0 0 0 012 Gujarat 2052346 11031 80683 67064 186 46413 Haryana 65796 518 30 21045 198 40214 Himachal Pradesh 22089 128 386 10858 259 68315 Jammu & Kashmir 2990 8 44 3459 6 5716 Jharkhand 993793 2763 25383 22520 55 31817 Karnataka 1495452 5459 18374 234807 472 163018 Kerala 14807 178 127 22767 188 10019 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 020 Madhya Pradesh 3695977 10693 4496 2369525 4877 386421 Maharashtra 2167668 11212 38445 96113 170 13922 Manipur 10907 75 223 0 0 023 Meghalaya 2234 9 8 2308 45 224 Mizoram 134 1 11 0 0 025 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 026 Orissa 1094553 5329 5440 131502 465 65027 Pondicherry 744 2 0 4043 19 3

28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 029 Rajasthan 5374008 13176 144308 2075211 14841 1555130 Sikkim 36 0 0 18 0 031 Tamilnadu 99517 977 2304 1029959 5521 1081832 Tripura 151 1 0 452 3 033 Uttar Pradesh 2235922 5045 13571 1842445 3896 355734 Uttarakhand 32894 315 800 37132 127 15935 West Bengal 221897 958 1889 300427 7600 2001

Total 27300600 107496 472490 9757909 52288 77331 NB: Zero stands for not implemented; Figures for 2012-13 are yet to be completed. Annexure-IIB Details on Area Insured, Premium Collected & Claims Paid: 2010-11 (Rs. In lakh)



Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

1 Andhra Pradesh 3351470 22097 77899 740765 3826 6779


3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Assam 17277 99 60 12029 149 26 5 Bihar 1597172 16337 46259 1394510 22680 9559 6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Chhatisgarh 1710078 3043 123 116574 166 13


9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Goa 772 0 0 0 0 0 12 Gujarat 2122650 12192 6996 80940 285 297 13 Haryana 22290 573 263 19408 578 792 14 Himachal Pradesh 12698 103 0 21725 998 833 15 Jammu & Kashmir 2225 6 12 1665 3 0 16 Jharkhand 322756 1089 8904 26483 79 320 17 Karnataka 1003537 4241 4682 141220 649 547 18 Kerala 16836 238 95 23356 212 275 19 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 3718775 15455 6031 3349038 13359 32421

21 Maharashtra 1762192 14157 3693 66705 293 44 22 Manipur 407 3 10 70 0 2 23 Meghalaya 891 5 0 746 14 1 24 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 Orissa 1132903 5928 13876 64409 576 476 27 Pondicherry 598 2 5 2616 12 4 28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 Rajasthan 5686453 27862 3787 3799277 36309 27068 30 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 Tamilnadu 105665 1238 1224 1188579 8841 22965 32 Tripura 802 5 0 70 0 0 33 Uttar Pradesh 1555861 4984 6375 1581752 4972 4625 34 Uttarakhand 47396 564 1296 28184 377 47 35 West Bengal 308053 1550 1669 357820 9654 2701

Total 24500061 131772 183261 13018132 104035 109793 NB: Zero stands for not implemented; Figures for 2012-13 are yet to be completed. Annexure-IIC Details on Area Insured, Premium Collected & Claims Paid: 2011-12 (Rs. In lakh)



Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

Area Insured

(ha.)

Premium

Collected

Claims Paid

1 Andhra Pradesh 3856494 46269 44802 1013211 6657 9412


3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 04 Assam 21473 235 223 22988 305 1525 Bihar 971024 15021 4228 1437572 26748 99826 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 07 Chhatisgarh 1955615 3951 1261 155559 2417 4755


9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 010 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 011 Goa 350 0 0 0 0 012 Gujarat 2307803 15395 31789 72307 236 25113 Haryana 90339 1958 3630 172906 2014 1600

14 Himachal Pradesh 11338 155 33 41892 1368 245715 Jammu & Kashmir 2087 9 0 3381 10 016 Jharkhand 174081 1247 419 52734 247 17817 Karnataka 1018232 8281 6575 1251590 2149 1123418 Kerala 13838 160 127 23331 236 16619 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 020 Madhya Pradesh 3897611 21680 30244 3370843 12576 1043221 Maharashtra 1483555 7601 3919 366138 7833 1799422 Manipur 3243 22 62 240 1 823 Meghalaya 1107 8 4 424 5 024 Mizoram 434 5 9 0 0 025 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 026 Orissa 1798253 9442 69979 91611 543 14127 Pondicherry 665 2 0 3501 21 5428 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 029 Rajasthan 6625980 43965 9862 3993249 38662 4790130 Sikkim 0 0 0 45 1 031 Tamilnadu 205423 2654 4559 614683 3626 219932 Tripura 753 7 0 141 1 033 Uttar Pradesh 1453466 5647 2562 1188753 4288 161434 Uttarakhand 40900 882 407 92888 191 26735 West Bengal 292795 2008 3890 291565 13613 6846

Total 26227252 186605 218589 14261552 123748 127643 NB: Zero stands for not implemented; Figures for 2012-13 are yet to be completed. Annexure-III State-wise Crop Insurance Coverage in Terms of Farmers Insured & Area Insured


2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 (tentative)

Farmers insured

(no.)

Area insured

(ha)

Farmers insured

(no.)

Area insured

(ha)

Farmers insured

(no.)

Area insured

(ha)

Farmers insured

(no.)

Area insured

(ha)

1 Andhra Pradesh 3365121 4994415 2832019 4092235 3241939 4869705 2855109 4031936

2 Andeman & Nicobar 170 245 284 489 230 392 624 1114

3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 Assam 51907 43111 38205 29306 64900 44461 43447 31650

5 Bihar 1933036 2346872 2621214 2991682 2227074 2408596 3237481 3397995

6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 Chhatisgarh 910515 1818090 915130 1826652 1099256 2111174 1287382 2432622

8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11 Goa 237 206 360 772 344 350 287 308

12 Gujarat 1089310 2119410 1099141 2203590 1233773 2380110 1176275 2543834

13 Haryana 57702 86841 21218 41698 162637 263245 216997 340497

14 Himachal Pradesh 50261 32948 48149 34423 51791 53231 64945 616752

15 Jammu & Kashmir 4333 6448 2446 3891 3666 5467 11542 15804

16 Jharkhand 1347206 1016313 412136 349239 294559 226815 512609 478205

17 Karnataka 1210293 1730259 784826 1144758 1700425 2269822 986041 1286879

18 Kerala 41303 37574 44369 40193 35115 37169 53570 46778

19 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

20 Madhya Pradesh 2613528 6065502 3260361 7067814 3374708 7268454 3479711 7400009

21 Maharashtra 3234180 2263781 2578651 1828897 2605298 1849693 2403823 2049440

22 Manipur 10930 10907 341 477 2683 3483 5675 9504

23 Meghalaya 5059 4542 1748 1637 1461 1531 2554 1914

24 Mizoram 121 134 0 0 453 434 59 54

25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

26 Orissa 1284788 1226054 1257554 1197312 1641308 1889864 1477936 10406853

27 Pondicherry 4210 4787 2777 3215 3111 4166 2192 2690

28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

29 Rajasthan 3991861 7449219 6255951 9485730 7857147 10619229 9662661 13270203

30 Sikkim 40 54 0 0 105 45 3 8

31 Tamilnadu 927882 1129476 1066233 1294244 563062 820106 396774 491624

32 Tripura 588 603 1488 872 1226 894 1045 1059

33 Uttar Pradesh 2967896 4078367 2704743 3137613 2229734 2642220 1493783 1846749

34 Uttarakhand 93174 70026 87231 75580 82969 133788 80119 49826

35 West Bengal 1066965 522324 1275475 665873 1201659 584360 1155827 512616

Total 26262616 37058509 27312050 37518193 29680633 40488804 30608471 51266920 NB: Zero stands for not implemented. USE OF BANNED PESTICIDES 6th August 2013 LSQ 297 SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY SMT SUSMITA BAURI SHRI HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE SHRI ARVIND KUMAR CHAUDHARY

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that some banned pesticides are still used in agricultural activities, cultivation of vegetables and fruits etc. which affects human health, crops and soil also; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon; (c) whether the Government has prepared any policy on utilisation of pesticides, chemical and fertilisers and promoting the use of bio-fertilisers amongst farmers in the country; and (d) if so, the details thereof ? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): In the past, certain reports have referred to fruits and vegetables available in the market containing banned pesticides. However, analysis of samples of agricultural commodities, including vegetables, collected for detection of pesticide residues under the Central Sector Scheme of “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” does not indicate use of any pesticide banned under the Insecticides Act, 1968. A pesticide is registered only after scrutiny of bio-efficacy and bio-safety as per the provisions of the Insecticides Act 1968. Further, to ensure continued safety of such products, the Government appoints expert groups from time to time to review any registered pesticide which may be reported to cause any adverse effect or are banned/ severely restricted in other countries and action is taken on the basis of the recommendation of such expert groups. As such, if any negative feed-back is received, the registered pesticides are reviewed and if required, restriction or ban is imposed. As a result, some pesticides /formulations have been banned for import, manufacture and use and some have been put under restricted use in the country. (c) & (d): The Insecticides Act, 1968 regulates the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of Insecticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings, animals and for matters connected therewith. The Insecticides Rules, 1971 have been framed under the Act. Registered pesticides are to be used as per directions mentioned on label and leaflet with respect to label claims, doses, method and time of application. Central Government has also advised State Governments and State agriculture universities to recommend uses of pesticides as approved by Registration Committee Government is popularizing the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for control of pests, diseases and weeds on various crops which envisages use of non-chemical methods like cultural, mechanical, biological, use of biopesticides and need based and judicious use of chemical pesticides. Central and State Governments are imparting training to farmers for safe use of pesticides. Farmers are advised to use registered pesticides at recommended dosage and observe the required precaution and other instructions as given in Label and Leaflets. The policies formulated and the measures taken by the government to ensure soil health and fertility, inter alia, include promotion of soil test based balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and locally available organic manures to maintain soil health and productivity. A new scheme, namely, National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) has been introduced during 2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures. The Government is providing incentive in the form of credit linked bank ended subsidy for establishment of bio-fertilizer units under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) @ 25% of total outlay restricted to Rs.40.00 lakh per unit.

RESEARCH IN AGRICULTURE 6th August 2013 LSQ 362 MUHAMMED HAMDULLA A. B. SAYEED Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether poor farmers in the country struggle to grow enough food while contending with new plant diseases and the consequences of climate change; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether despite agricultural development being an essential component of India’s incredible growth, the research in agriculture sector is very less; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken to update the research in agriculture sector for the benefits of the farmers? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): No, Madam. While growing crops, various seasonal diseases may infect, in accordance with the susceptibility of the crop variety/hybrid. Further, variations in weather patterns in crop seasons may impact disease incidence in crops. (c) & (d): No, Madam. (e) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its network of research institutions and All India Coordinated Research Projects (under NARS) have served the farmers’ interest and brought in technological revolution to produce crops, horticultural, animal and fishery commodities with enhanced productivity and sustainability. Further, greater emphasis to intensify the agricultural research by ICAR towards finding solutions of emerging farmers’ problems in all parts of the country is being laid during the 12th five year plan period. IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES 6th August 2013 LSQ 372 SHRI RATAN SINGH SHRI GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government monitors the implementation of various schemes/ programmes relating to agricultural reforms and conducts study to assess their impact regularly; (b) if so, the details of the shortcomings identified thereunder during the last three years;

(c) the efforts made by the Government to address the said shortcomings and the extent to which the said shortcomings have been addressed as a result thereof; and (d) the reaction of the Government on the outcome of the said efforts? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): Yes, Madam. Government is continuously monitoring the implementation of schemes/ programmes relating to agricultural reforms. Two major schemes of Ministry namely (i) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and (ii) National Food Security Mission introduced/ implemented during 11th Plan period for development of agriculture sector in the country have been reviewed and are continuing for implementation during 12th Plan. No major shortcoming have been noticed. Due to special efforts under these schemes and encouraging response by the farmers to various initiatives of the Government there has been substantial increase in agricultural production. Steps are taken from time to time to address the concerns expressed by the stakeholders to make the schemes/ programmes more effective and farmers friendly. Government has intensified efforts for increasing production of food grains viz. rice, wheat, coarse grains and pulses by making appropriate interventions under various other schemes and programmes of the Department which include: ensuring remunerative prices to farmers for their produce; procurement of produce; ensure income security through insurance schemes; make institutional credit available to farmers at lowest affordable rate of interest; ensuring timely and hassle free credit to farmers; making available the results of various research in agriculture to farmers through media and extension programmes. SETTING UP OF AUTOMATIC METEOROLOGICAL CENTRES 6th August 2013 LSQ 377 SHRI PATIL PADAMSINHA BAJIRAO SHRI DUDHGAONKAR GANESHRAO NAGORAO Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the locations where automatic meteorological centres have been set up under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (National Agriculture Development Programm (e), State-wise including Maharashtra; and (b) the details of the expenditure incurred on these centres including Maharashtra during each of the last three years? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a)& (b): As per details made available by States through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Management Information System, States of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal have, so far, undertaken projects for establishing Automatic Whether Stations (AWS) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Details of implementation of these projects are at Annexure-I.

Annexure-I

Lok Sabha Question No.377 due on 06.08.2013) Details of projects for establishing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna

Name of the

State Project ID Project Name Sanction

Year Cost of the

Project (Rs. in lakhs)

No. of AWS to be Installed

Status

YExpen

Inst Bengal WB/RKVY-

NONF/2013/543 Automatic Weather

Station (AWS) 2012-13 430.95 51 Under Implementation.

No AWS has been

installed as yet.harashtra MH/RKVY-

OTHR/2011/156 Installation of

Automatic Weather Station (AWS.) at

revenue circle level in Maharashtra

2011-12 2500.00 2065 Under Implementation.

No AWS has been installed as yet.

mil Nadu TN/RKVY-OTHR/2010/093

Establishment of Automatic Weather

Stations (AWS)

2007-08 1690.00

224 Project completed.

Location details are enclosed as Annexure-II.

200

2009

mil Nadu TN/RKVY-OTHR/2010/159

Expansion of Automatic Weather

Station (AWS) Network in 73 blocks

2010-11 576.35 73 Under Implementation.

No AWS has been installed as yet.

Annexure-II LokSabha Question No.377 due on 06.08.2013) Location of 224 Blocks where Automatic Weather Stations have been set up under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in Tamil Nadu (Refer to Sl No-3 of Annexure-I)

S. No. District Blocks 1 Ariyalur (6) Ariyalur 2 Andimadam 3 Jayamkondan 4 Sendurai 5 T. Palur 6 Thirumanur 7 Coimbatore (12) Annamalai 8 Periyanaickenpalayam 9 Sarkarsamarkulam

10 Annur 11 Madukkarai 12 Kinathukadavu 13 Pollachi South 14 Pollachi North 15 Sulthanpet 16 Sulur 17 Thondamuthur 18 Karamadai 19 Cuddalore (5) Kattumannarkoil 20 Keerapalyam 21 Kuruunjipaadi 22 Annagramam 23 Kumaratchi 24 Dindigul (13) Thoppampatti 25 Palani 26 Kodaikanal 27 Attur 28 Batlagundu 29 Dindigul 30 Reddiyarchatram 31 Oddanchatram 32 Nilakottai 33 Shanar patty 34 Natham 35 Gujiliamparai 36 Vadamadurai 37 Veda sandur 38 Dharmapuri (8) Pappireddipatti 39 Harur 40 Morappur 41 Palacode

42 Pennagaram 43 Karimangalam 44 Dharmapuri 45 Nallampalli 46 Erode (5) Sathyamangalam 47 Bavanisagar 48 TN palayam 49 Thalavadi 50 Modakurichi 51 Kanyakumari (5) Thirupathisaram/Thovalai 52 Agastheeswaram 53 Kurunthencode 54 Thuckalay 55 Thiruvattar 56 Karur (5) Thanthoni 57 Paramathi 58 Karur 59 Krishnarayapuram 60 Kulithalai 61 Krishnagiri (10) Uthangarai 62 Mathur 63 Bargur 64 Krishnagiri 65 Veppanapalli 66 Shoolagiri 67 Hosur 68 Thally 69 Kelamangalam 70 Kaveripattinam 71 Kancheepuram (5) Wallajah 72 Madhuranthagam 73 Lathur @ Pavinjur 74 Uthiramerur 75 Kancheepuram 76 Madurai (5) Madurai West 77 Alanganallur 78 Madurai East 79 Vaadipatti 80 Kottampatti 81 Nagapattinam (5) Nagapattinam 82 Kelyur 83 Kivelur 84 Myladuthurai 85 Taragambadi/Sembanarkoil

86 Namakkal (15) Pallipalayam 87 Thiruchengode 88 Paramathi 89 Kabilarmalai 90 Mohanur 91 Erumapatty 92 Namakkal 93 Senthamangalam 94 Namagiripettai 95 Rasipuram 96 Puduchatram 97 Elachipalayam 98 Vennandur 99 Mallasamudram 100 Kolli Hills 101 Pudukkottai (5) Annavasal 102 Thiruvarankulam 103 Pudukottai 104 Gandarvakottai 105 Aranthangi 106 Perambalur (4) Veppur 107 Alathur 108 Perambalur 109 Veppanthattai 110 Ramanathapuram (11) Kamuthi 111 Mudhukalathur 112 Kadaladi 113 Thirupalani 114 Mandapam/ Uchipuli 115 Bogalur/ Chatrakudi 116 Nainarkoil 117 R. S. Mangalam 118 Thiruvadanai 119 Ramnad 120 Paramakudi 121 Salem (20) Magudanchavadi 122 Konganapuram 123 Edappaadi 124 Sangagiri 125 Panamarathupatti 126 Salem 127 Veerapandi 128 Thalaivasal 129 Gangavalli

130 Attur 131 Pethanaickenpalayam 132 Valappaady 133 Ayodhipatnam 134 Omalur 135 Tharamangalam 136 Nangavalli 137 Mecheri 138 Kolathur 139 Kadayampatti 140 Yercaud 141 Sivagangai (5) Singampunari 142 Kalyarkoil 143 Manamadurai 144 Saakottai 145 Thirupathur 146 Tuticorin (5) Kovilpatti 147 Pudukottai 148 Karungulam 149 Srivaigundam 150 Alwarthirunagari 151 Nilgris (2) Ooty 152 Kotagiri 153 Tiruppur (5) Udumalpet 154 Pongalur 155 Uthukuli 156 Dharapuram 157 Vellakovil 158 Thanjavur (5) Thiruvadaimaruthur 159 Thanjavur 160 Pattukottai 161 Kumbokonam 162 Thirupananthal 163 Theni (5) Periyakulam 164 Chinnamanur 165 Cumbum 166 Bodi 167 Andipatty 168 Thirunelveli (5) Mannur 169 Allangulam 170 Thenkasi 171 Vasudevanallur 172 Rathapuram 173 Thiruvallur (5) R. K. Pettai

174 Poondi 175 Ellapuram 176 Kummudipoondi 177 Kadambatur 178 Thiruvannamalai (5) Thandrampet 179 Keelpennathur 180 Polur 181 Vandavaasi 182 Arni 183 Thiruvarur (5) Thiruthuraipoondi 184 Thiruvarur 185 Kudavasal 186 Koradacheri 187 Nanilam 188 Trichy (5) Musiri 189 Thuraiyur 190 Tattayyangarpettai 191 Maniakandam 192 Pullambadi 193 Vellore (5) Katpadi 194 Alangayam 195 Kaverippakkam 196 Arakkonam 197 Sholingur 198 Villupuram (21) Gingee 199 Melmalaiyunur 200 Vallam 201 Marakanam 202 Mayilam 203 Vannur 204 Kolliyanur 205 Thiruvennainallur 206 Kanai 207 Thirukoilyur 208 Thirunavallur 209 Thiyagadurkam 210 Kalakurichi 211 Kalvaran hills 212 Chinnasalem 213 Sankarapuram 214 Kandamangalam 215 Olakur 216 Vikiravandi 217 Rhishivandhiyam

218 Mugaiyur Ullundurpet

220 Viruthunagar (5) Aruppukottai 221 Kariapatti 222 M. Reddiapatti 223 Sathur 224 Virudhunagar

DROUGHT PRONE AREAS 6th August 2013 LSQ 382 SHRI SURENDRA SINGH NAGAR SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the percentage of the area under continuous threat of drought in various States of the country; (b) whether any special authority has been entrusted with the task of initiating measures to combat drought; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) the present status of the working group on drought; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to combat drought situation in the country? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): As per the report of the High Level Technical Committee headed by Prof. C. H. Hanumantha Rao (Ex. Member, Planning Commission), 74.59 million hectare area were identified for implementation of Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP). Details are Annexure-I. (b) & (c): Government of India has constituted the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on 7th February, 2013 for effective management of drought and related issues. (d): At present, there is no other working group on drought. (e): State Governments are empowered to undertake imminent drought relief measures from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered and approved in accordance with established procedure as per extant norms from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), upon formal notification of drought and receipt of memorandum from the States seeking central assistance. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 382 DATED 6.08.2013 ANNEXURE-I STATES, DISTRICTS AND BLOCKS COVERED UNDER DROUGHT PRONE AREAS PROGRAMME (DPAP)

S. No. State Number of

Districts

Number of

Blocks

Area in Million

ha.

1 Andhra Pradesh

11 94 9.9218

2 Bihar 6 30 0.9533

3 Chhattisgarh 9 29 2.1801

4 Gujarat 14 67 4.3938

5 Himachal Pradesh

3 10 0.3319

6 Jammu & Kashmir

6 22 1.4705

7 Jharkhand 15 100 3.4843

8 Karnataka 17 81 8.4332

9 Madhya Pradesh

26 105 8.9101

10 Maharashtra 25 149 19.4473

11 Orissa 8 47 2.6178

12 Rajasthan 11 32 6.1968

13 Tamil Nadu 18 80 2.9416

14 Uttar Pradesh

15 60 3.5698

15 Uttarakhand 7 30 1.5796

16 West Bengal 4 36 1.1594

Total 195 972 74.5913

DEMAND OF PESTICIDES 6th August 2013 LSQ 391

SHRI GANESH SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the demand of pesticides in various States including Madhya Pradesh during each of the last three years and the current year, till date; and (b) the percentage and quantity of pesticides made available as per the demand of the States during the above said period, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) : Demand of pesticides estimated by various states including Madhya Pradesh during the last three years i.e. 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and current year 2013-14 is at Annexure-I. (b): Sufficient quantities of pesticides are available in the country as none of the representatives of various States/UTs. have reported short supply of pesticides during the Zonal conferences on Agricultural inputs organized by Ministry of Agriculture. The state-wise consumption of pesticides based on information provided by State Governments during the last three years i.e. 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 is at Annexure-II. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRD QUESTION NO.391 DATED 6.08.2013 Annexure-I State-wise Estimated Demand of chemical pesticides during 2010-11 to 2012-13 and current year 2013-14

S. No. States/UTs 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

2013-14

Projected

1 Andhra Pradesh

10000 9000 9000 9000

2 Bihar

851 870 930 975

3 Chhattisgarh

570 600 800 1000

4 Goa

8.3 8.5 9.5 7

5 Gujarat

2700 2100 1240 2220

6 Haryana

4120 4085 4200 4200

7 Himachal Pradesh

335 320 315 325

8 Jammu & Kashmir

3407.85 4693.48 1738.89

9 Jharkhand

98.55 128.44 170 173

10 Karnataka

1700 1750 1750 1800

11 Kerala

632.69 591.25 726.19 770

12 Madhya Pradesh

723 906 879 622

13 Maharashtra

4315 8554 7855 8174

14 Orissa

810.75 532.25 706.25 706

15 Punjab

6500 6150 6300 6400

16 Rajasthan

2875 2775 2725 2675

17 Tamil Nadu

2472.4 2088.5 1970 1921

18 Uttar Pradesh

8372 8571 8860 9096

19 Uttarakhand

225.61 283.72 259.18 304

20 West Bengal

3550 3550 4000 4000

SUB TOTAL 54267.15 57557.14 54434.0154368

North-Eastern

21 Arunachal Pradesh

10 17 18

22 Assam

180 190 201 205

23 Manipur

33.82 35.1 33.51 34

24 Meghalaya

10.05 9.82 9.81

25 Mizoram

3.36 3.36 4.2 4

26 Nagaland

19 22

27 Sikkim

28 Tripura

36 472.02 497.08

SUB TOTAL 273.23 746.29 763.6265

Union Territories

29 A & N Islands

17.82 6.42 8

30 Chandigarh

31 Dadra & Nagar Haveli

32 Daman & Diu

33 Delhi

50

34 Lakshadweep

35 Pondicherry

46.94 46.94 44.5 44

SUB TOTAL 96.94 64.76 50.92 52

GRAND TOTAL 54637 58368 55249 54685 Source: Information provided by States/UTs in Zonal Conferences on Inputs (Plant Protection) Annexure-II CONSUMPTION OF CHEMICAL PESTICIDES IN VARIOUS STATES/UTs DURING 2010-11 TO 2012-13

M.T.(Tech. Grade)

S. No. States/UTs 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 8869 9289 6500

2 Andaman & Nicobar

- 15

15

3 Arunachal Pradesh 10 17

-

4 Assam 150 160

183

5 Bihar 675 655

687

6 Chandigarh

- - -

7 Chhattisgarh 570 600

675

8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli

- - -

9 Daman & Diu

- - -

10 Delhi 48

- -

11 Goa 9 8

9

12 Gujarat 2600 2190

1210

13 Haryana 4060 4050

4050

14 Himachal Pradesh 328 310

320

15 Jammu & Kashmir 1818 1711

-

16 Jharkhand 84 151

151

17 Karnataka 1858 1412

1225

18 Kerala 657 807

856

19 Lakshadweep

- - -

20 Madhya Pradesh 633 850

659

21 Maharashtra 8317 6723

6617

22 Manipur 30 33

30

23 Meghalaya 10 9

-

24 Mizoram 4 4

4

25 Nagaland

- 15

16

26 Orissa 871 555

601

27 Pondicherry 39 38

40

28 Punjab 5730 5625

5725

29 Rajasthan 3623 2802

1250

30 Sikkim

- - -

31 Tamil Nadu 2361 1968

1919

32 Tripura 12 266

-

33 Uttar Pradesh 8460 8839

9035

34 Uttarakhand 199 206

220

35 West Bengal 3515 3670

3390

Grand Total 55540 52979

45386 Source: Information provided by States/UTs in Zonal Conferences on Inputs (Plant Protection)

RESEARCH ON ETHANOL

6th August 2013 LSQ 399 SHRI SHETTI RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to conduct an intensive research in the field of sugarcane production in view of having the maximum production of ethanol from sugarcane so as to use it in place of petroleum and diesel; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow, Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore and All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) carry out basic and applied aspects of research in improving sugarcane productivity. Through ICAR studies, microbial and chemical processes have been developed for generating fermentable sugars from sugarcane biomass. Biological method for converting sugarcane trash into fermentable sugars using eight bioagents have been developed. Cellulolytic fungi Aspergillus terreus, Cellulomonas uda and Trichoderma reesei and Bacillus macerans have been identified for efficient conversion of sugarcane biomass to fermentable sugars for alcohol production. Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment method for converting sugarcane biomass into fermentable sugars has been developed and its further saccharification has yielded 45 - 50 % of fermentable sugars. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process for ethanol production from pretreated sugarcane biomass has also been developed. Sugarcane varieties with high juice volume and high total sugars are suitable for the purpose of yield of alcohol which ranged from 75 to 125 litres per tonne of cane. Improved sugarcane clones Co 98013, Co 99012, Co 99006 and CoJ 94-8 have been identified. Studies on management of sugarcane for ethanol production showed that application of 280 kg N per hectare in three splits at 45, 90 and 135 days after planting gave higher biomass and ethanol yield. (c) Not applicable. HARVESTING OF RAIN WATER 6th August 2013 LSQ 403 SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any programme for creating awareness among the farmers to harvest rain water and to address the problem of falling groundwater level; and (b) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) & (b): Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a scheme namely Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension to spread awareness about modern technologies and research in agriculture and allied areas. Under this scheme, agriculture related programmes covering various aspects of agriculture including judicious use and conservation of water are broadcast through Doordarshan, All India Radio and private channels. “Scaling up of Water Productivity in Agriculture for Livelihoods through Teaching cum Demonstration, Training of Trainers and Farmers” programme was implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 32 centres across the country during the XI Plan. Under this scheme, training and awareness on sustainable use of groundwater resources are given to farmers alongwith other aspects of on-farm water management. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) also impart training to farmers and extension workers on improved agriculture practices through demonstrations, on-farm trials, skill development, vocational training, interactive discussions etc. Government has declared the year 2013 as “Water Conservation Year” and initiated mass awareness campaign to sensitize the stake holders about the importance and necessity of conserving water. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) also conducts mass awareness programmes for promoting rain water harvesting, artificial recharge and water conservation involving Central/State agencies, Non-Government/Voluntary/Resident- Welfare Organizations, educational institutions, industries, farmers, individuals etc. Films produced by Central Ground Water Authority on Rain water harvesting, Ground Water Pollution etc., are shown during various mass awareness programmes. Awareness is also created through release of booklets, postage stamps, Meghdoot post card, participation in Festivals, Fairs, Melas, Expos and Tableau during Republic Day Parade, Jalyatra, puppet show, display of hoardings on water conservation/rain water harvesting at prominent public places. MSP OF COTTON 6th August 2013 LSQ 415 . SHRI RAJAGOPAL LAGADAPATI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is true that cotton farmers are demanding for keeping the MSP of cotton at Rs. 5000 per quintal in view of increase in input costs; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether it is also true that the Commission for Agricultural costs and prices has recommended an increase of just Rs. 100 and fixed the rate at Rs. 4000 per quintal; (d) if so, the facts thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate remunerative price to the cotton farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Government received various representations for enhancing Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cotton. Details of MSP for cotton recommended by various state governments for 2013-14 season are as under:

(Rs. per Quintal)

States Cotton

Long Staple organic

Long staple

Medium staple

Andhra Pradesh 7158 6575

Gujarat 4100-4600

3900-4400

Haryana 4200 Himachal 3900 3600 Pradesh Madhya Pradesh 4200 Odisha 5000 4500 Punjab 4674 Rajasthan 4500 Tamil Nadu 4500 4000

(c) & (d): The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) in its report on Price Policy for Kharif Crops for 2013-14 has recommended to fix the MSP of two basic varieties of Cotton of Medium Staple Length of 24.5mm-25.5 mm (Micronaire value 4.3- 5.1) and Long Staple Length of 29.5mm-30.5mm (Micronaire value 3.5-4.3) at Rs.3700 and Rs.4000 respectively for 2013-14 season. While recommending the MSPs for various agricultural commodities including cotton, the CACP holds consultations with different stakeholders including farmer representatives and considers a number of important factors which include costs of production, changes in input prices, input/output price parity, trends in market prices, demand-supply situation, inter crop price parity etc. (e): Government fixes Minimum Support Price (MSP) for two basic varieties of cotton of Fair Average Quality viz., Medium staple Cotton and Long Staple Cotton. The MSP ensures remunerative price to the farmers for their agricultural produce. The Government organizes purchase operations through its designated agencies i.e., Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) for undertaking procurement operations under Price Support Scheme (PSS) as and when the market prices fall below the MSPs fixed by the Government. DROUGHT RELIEF 6th August 2013 LSQ 438 SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESWARA SHRI E.G. SUGAVANAM SHRI S. SEMMALAI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether certain States are currently facing severe to moderate drought conditions in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, region-wise; (c) whether the Government has deputed Central teams, to assess the situation; (d) if so, the outcome of their visits; and

(e) the financial assistance demanded by these States and the amount actually released by the Government, so far? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): None of the States have declared drought during current South West Monsoon-2013. (c) & (d): Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) are deputed to assess drought situation and recommend financial assistance only upon formal notification of drought and receipt of memorandum from the States seeking central assistance. (e): None of the States have demanded financial assistance on account of drought during current kharif season (2013). DRIP IRRIGATION 6th August 2013 LSQ 450 SHRI KOWASE MAROTRAO SAINUJI SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has launched a number of schemes to promote micro and drip irrigation in various States including Maharashtra; (b) if so, the total area expanded and the expenditure incurred during the last five years under the drip irrigation scheme; (c) whether the scheme is capable of facing drought like situation in various States including Maharashtra; (d) whether the Government has prepared any other special plan/scheme to face drought like situation in many States; and (e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated under the drip irrigation scheme during the last three years, till date, State-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation was launched in January, 2006 in all states, except North Eastern & Himalayan states. In June, 2010, the scheme was up scaled as National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) covering all states in the country. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided for the installation of drip and sprinkler irrigation system for both agriculture and horticulture crops. (b): During the last five years total area covered under Micro Irrigation is 30.26 lakh ha and the expenditure incurred is Rs.4377.52 crore. (c) & (d): Adoption of Micro Irrigation technology enhances water use efficiency in agriculture, resulting in saving of water to the extent of 30-40%.

(e): The details of state wise allocation of funds under the NMMI during the last three years and current year is annexed. ANNEXURE Annexure Statement with reference to part (e) of Lok Sabha unstarred Question No.450 for 06.08.2013 regarding Drip Irrigation. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS UNDER NATIONAL MISSION ON MICRO IRRIGATION Rs. in Crore S.No. States 2010 2011 2012 2013

1 Andhra Pradesh 240 287.2 295 295

2 Bihar 0 6 70 70 3 Chattisgarh 25 50 40 40

4 Goa 1 0.5 0.39 0.4 5 Gujarat 120 180.95 190 200 6 Haryana 15 27 32 40 7 Jharkhand 10 10 25 30

8 Karnataka 130 112.15 150 175

9 Kerala 2 2 3 7.5 10 Madhya Pradesh 75 110.95 100 110

11 Maharashtra 225 282.8 250 250

12 Orissa 15 9 12 15 13 Punjab 15 16 20 20 14 Rajasthan 120 160.95 150 150

15 Tamil Nadu 70 95 90 90

16 Uttar Pradesh 10 10 15.61 15.61

17 West Bengal 0 1 1 1

18 States* 30 15.5 50 45.85 # NMMI was launched in June, 2010 SALE OF SPURIOUS PESTICIDES 6th August 2013

LSQ 452 SHRI GANESH SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether some Indian companies are providing good quality pesticides at lesser price than that of multinational companies; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has received any complaint that some Indian companies are making spurious/misbranded pesticides in the country; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): There is no price control on pesticides and their prices are being determined by market forces, both for Indian companies as well as for multinational companies. (c) & (d): News about availability of spurious pesticides in the market do appear from time to time. A complaint dated 24.11.2010, was received in the Ministry of Agriculture from Sh. Kaushalendra Kumar, Hon’ble MP, Lok Sabha wherein it was alleged that M/s Crystal Phosphates Ltd. and M/s Insecticides India Ltd. were involved in marketing and manufacturing of banned and spurious pesticides like phorate 10%CG (Thimet 10G) and Methyl Parathion 50% EC (Metacid) and Methyl Parathion 2% DP (Folidol Dust). In this regard, it is stated that neither of these pesticides/formulations is banned in India. Four samples of M/s Crystal Phosphate Ltd. were found misbranded, whereas, no sample of M/s Insecticides India Ltd was found to be misbranded. Prosecution has been launched against M/s Crystal Phosphates Ltd. in District Court of Sonepat, Haryana on 05.05.2012 and in the Court of Fifth Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Court Campus, Mirzapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 10.12.2012. Both the state governments were also requested to stop sale of batches of misbranded pesticides. CULTIVATION OF COTTON 13th August 2013 LSQ*104 DR. SOLANKI KIRITBHAI PREMAJIBHAI SHRI R. THAMARAISELVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the production and the area under cultivation of cotton have declined in certain parts of the country during each of the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) whether there has been a significant increase in the input cost of cotton cultivation and thereby cotton farming has become unremunerative;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the incentives given/proposed to be given to the farmers to encourage them for cotton farming in the country? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 104 DUE FOR REPLY ON 13TH AUGUST, 2013. (a) & (b): State-wise details of production and area under cultivation of cotton from 2009-10 onwards are given at Annexure-A. (c) to (e): The average annual Wholesale Price Indices (Base 2004-05=100) in respect of major inputs for cotton production viz. seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, electricity and agricultural machinery & implements during the calendar years 2009 to 2013 are given at Annexure-B. The Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of various crops are fixed by the Government after taking into account the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments as well as other relevant factors. CACP considers a number of important factors such as cost of production, changes in input prices, trends in market prices, demand and supply situation, effect on general price level, etc. while making its recommendations. The MSP for cotton has accordingly been increased from the level of Rs. 2500/- per quintal and Rs. 3000/- per quintal respectively for Medium Staple and Long Staple cotton in 2009-10 to Rs. 3700/- and Rs. 4000/- per quintal in 2013-14 so as to provide adequate margins over and above the average cost of production. Ministry of Agriculture also implements Mini Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) in 13 cotton growing States in the country under which assistance is provided to farmers for seeds, agriculture implements, water-saving devices, bio-agents/bio-pesticides, integrated pest management, demonstrations, training, etc. Further, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton with specific mandate to develop high yielding varieties and hybrids of cotton and related cotton production and protection technologies. Central Institute for Cotton Research at Nagpur is conducting basic and strategic research on cotton. ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE-A Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.104 due for answer on 13.08.2013 State-wise estimates of Production and Area of Cotton

STATES

Production ( '000 Bales of 170 Kgs. each) Area ( '000 Hectares)

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-

13* 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-

13* 2013-

14$ Andhra Pradesh 3227 5300 4900 7350 1467 1879 1879 2400 1865 Gujarat 7986.3 10400 12000 8725 2464 2633 2962 2497 2613 Haryana 1926 1750 2650 2500 507 492 641 614 556 Karnataka 868.2 1200 1200 1200 457 545 554 485 450 Madhya Pradesh 855.3 2000 2000 2200 610.9 650 706 608 616 Maharashtra 5859.3 8500 7200 7650 3495 3942 4125 4146 3807 Odisha 147.2 250 325 400 54 74 102 119 111

Punjab 2006 2100 2300 2000 511 530 560 481 505 Rajasthan 903.1 900 1335 1300 444.4 335 470 450 293 Tamil Nadu 225 450 450 500 104.1 122 133 128 3 Others 18.4 150 840 175 17.3 33 46 50 33 All India 24021.8 33000 35200 34000 10131.7 11235 12178 11978 10852

*4th advance estimates released on 22.07.2013. $Sowing figures are upto 02.08.2013. Note: Production estimates of cotton for 2013-14 will be available with the release of first advance estimates of production likely in September 2013.

Annexure-B Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.104 due for answer on 13.08.2013 Average annual Wholesale Price Indices (Base 2004-05=100) in respect of major inputs for cotton production

Input Wholesale Price Indices (Base:2004-05=100)

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (Jan-Jun) Cotton seed 129.2 132.8 141.7 156.5 166.3 Fertilizers 107.7 114.2 127.4 146 152.3 Pesticides 111.1 113 114.2 119.5 122.8

High Speed Diesel 130.3 147.9 161 175.2 202.5

Electricity (Agriculture) 113.8 123.3 130.5 153.6 175.6

Agricultural Machinery & Implements 121.2 132.7 133.3 136.5 137.6

DECLINING CULTIVABLE LAND 13th August 2013 LSQ 110 SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN SHRI JAI PRAKASH AGARWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to assess the adverse impact on agricultural production due to diversion of cultivable land for non-agricultural purposes such as industrial, housing and power projects etc. in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the decline in the area of cultivable land in the country during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; (c) whether there has been a sharp decline in the per capita availability of land and several farmers/people have become landless across the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and (e) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and to increase the area of cultivable land in the country? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 DUE FOR REPLY ON 13TH AUGUST, 2013. (a) & (b): Though the cultivable land in the country has marginally declined from 182.4 million hectares in 2007-08 to 182.0 million hectares in 2010-11, yet the production of foodgrains has increased from 230.8 million tonnes in 2007- 08 to 255.4 million tonnes in 2012-13 (4th Advance Estimates). The State-wise details of the change in cultivable land during 2007-08 to 2010-11 are at Annexure. (c) & (d): As per the Agriculture Census, the average size of operational land holdings/per capita availability of land decreased from 1.23 hectares in 2005-06 to 1.16 hectares in 2010-11 due to increase in population, fragmentation of land holdings, etc. (e): Government has taken several measures to check the diversion of cultivable land for non- agricultural purposes, and to develop degraded land to make it cultivable. Under the National Policy for Farmers 2007 (NPF 2007), State Governments have been advised to earmark lands with low biological potential such as uncultivable land, land affected by salinity, acidity, etc., for non-agricultural development activities, including industrial and construction activities. National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 (NRRP, 2007) has recommended that, as far as possible, projects may be set up on wastelands, degraded land or un-irrigated land. Acquisition of agricultural land for non agricultural use in projects may be kept to the minimum; multi-cropped land may be avoided to the extent possible for such purposes, and acquisition of irrigated land, if unavoidable, may be kept to the minimum. Further, to increase cultivable land, Government is implementing various Programmes/Schemes, such as, (i) National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA), (ii) Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River Valley Projects and Flood Prone Rivers (RVP & FPR), (iii) Reclamation & Development of Alkali and Acid Soils (RADAS) and (iv) Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA). ANNEXURE

Annexure Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question no. 110 due for answer on 13.8.2013. (Thousand Hectares)

State/Union Territory/Year

Cultivable land Change in Cultivable land from 2007-08

to 2010-11 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 ANDHRA PRADESH 15939 15928 15921 15821 -118 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 423 422 424 424 1

ASSAM 3211 3211 3211 3211 0 BIHAR 6637 6620 6601 6591 -46 CHHATTISGARH 5585 5581 5570 5580 -5 GOA 197 197 197 197 0 GUJARAT 12458 12661 12661 12661 203 HARYANA 3746 3728 3730 3681 -65 HIMACHAL PRADESH 824 822 822 822 -2 JAMMU & KASHMIR 1040 1044 1058 1061 20 JHARKHAND 4302 4289 4288 4288 -14 KARNATAKA 12891 12892 12891 12849 -43 KERALA 2316 2305 2303 2295 -22 MADHYA PRADESH 17310 17322 17298 17307 -2 MAHARASHTRA 21151 21149 21130 21121 -30 MANIPUR 242 243 240 355 113 MEGHALAYA 1056 1053 1052 1052 -5 MIZORAM 379 348 415 423 44 NAGALAND 677 659 671 673 -5 ODISHA 7126 7126 6898 6866 -260 PUNJAB 4236 4215 4206 4202 -33 RAJASTHAN 25576 25578 25569 25565 -11 SIKKIM 98 98 98 98 0 TAMIL NADU 8149 8146 8131 8132 -17 TRIPURA 279 278 277 277 -2 UTTARAKHAND 1549 1547 1548 1547 -2 UTTAR PRADESH 19179 19166 19148 19126 -53 WEST BENGAL 5721 5689 5684 5666 -55 ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS 26 27 28 28 2 CHANDIGARH 2 2 2 2 0 DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI 24 24 24 24 0 DAMAN & DIU 3 4 4 4 1 DELHI 54 54 53 53 -1 LAKSHADWEEP 3 3 3 3 0 PUDUCHERRY 30 30 30 30 0 ALL INDIA 182439 182459 182184 182032 -406

Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture.

USE OF POWER IN AGRICULTURE 13th August 2013 LSQ 1154 SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the use of power in agriculture is likely to rise from the present 1.6 KW per hectare to 2.5 KW to meet production targets in the next 20 years; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): The farm power availability has direct co-relationship with the food grain productivity. The ‘Study Relating to Formulating Long-Term Mechanization Strategy for each Agro-Climatic Zone/State in India’ conducted by ICAR indicate that seeing the present trend and considering the future demand of additional power sources, it is considered that by 2020, the average farm power need in India will be about 2 KW/ha as against 1.6 KW/ha in the year 2007-08. Visualizing this the Ministry of Agriculture is promoting agricultural mechanization in the country under various schemes aiming that productivity increase, in turn, can be realized by increasing land and labour efficiency in agriculture through farm mechanization. USE OF DEGRADED LAND 13th August 2013 LSQ 1160 SHRI ADHI SANKAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian paper industry has requested the Government for use of degraded land for plantation; (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof; (c) whether the United Nations` Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has approved such a model of plantation; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to approve the said proposal? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Yes, Madam. (b): The paper industry had requested for the use of degraded forest land for plantation. Accordingly, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) set up a Working Group on Pulp and Paper Sector to suggest suitable interventions to accelerate the growth of the Paper Sector during the 12th Plan (2012-17). Under this Working Group, a Sub-Committee was set up on Raw material on wood based sector. This Sub–Committee also recommended the use of degraded forest lands for plantation of trees for the paper industry. (c) & (d): This Ministry is not aware of any approval of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on such models of plantations.

SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE FOR GM SEEDS 13th August 2013 LSQ 1173 SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR SHRI RAJAIAH SIRICILLA

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has started single window clearance for GM seeds in the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof along with the present status thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): There is single window clearance for GM Seeds in the country. It is obligatory for all genetically modified crops to pass through established regulatory assessment, which is governed by Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Commercial cultivation or introduction for commercial use of GM Crops/seeds in India require elaborate food and environmental safety assessment along with performance assessment by Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), followed by detailed agronomic performance trials performed by ICAR. NATIONAL WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 13th August 2013 LSQ 1181 SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL SHRI SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has received assistance from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for implementation of schemes under the National Watershed Development Programme across the country; (b) if so, the details of the assistance received from the external institutions for implementation of schemes under the Programme; (c) whether the Union Government proposes to curtail the Central assistance given to the States for implementation of schemes under the said programme; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Union Government to encourage the National Watershed Development Programme in various States including Maharashtra? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): At present neither World Bank nor Asian Development Bank are supporting any project under National Watershed Development Programmes. However, there are two State projects having watershed component funded by World Bank which are as under: (i) Mid Himalayan Watershed Project in Himachal Pradesh (Credit amount US$ 97 million). (ii) Karnataka Watershed Development Project II (Credit amount US$ 60 million).

(c) & (d): There is no proposal to curtail central assistance given to the States for implementation under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). (e): Ministry of Agriculture was implementing two major watershed programmes namely National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River Valley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP &FPR) in the country as part of the Scheme of Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) which has been discontinued from 1st April, 2013. Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) across the country including Maharashtra. 948 macro watershed projects have been sanctioned for Maharashtra under IWMP covering about 4 million hectare. USE OF GM SEEDS 13th August 2013 LSQ 1182 SHRI KAPIL MUNI KARWARIYA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to provide financial assistance for promoting the use of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the multi-national companies are testing the GM seeds without taking the State Governments into confidence and without the permission of the Union Government; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the reaction of the Government thereto? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Government of India does not provide any financial assistance in the form of subsidy for promoting the use of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds. (c) to (e): The Multinational companies/research organizations involved in any kind of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and products thereof including GM Seeds are required to seek prior approval of the Committees constituted under the ‘Rules for the manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells’ notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests through their Notification No. 621 in official Gazette of Govt. of India on December 5, 1989 under the provisions of the ‘Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 before undertaking any such activity. Further, recognizing the important role of State Governments in monitoring of GM crops, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in its 111th meeting held on 06.07.2011 decided that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the State Government will be essential in the first instance before issuance of the approval letter for conducting trials so as to avoid disruption of ongoing research trials.

GM CROPS 13th August 2013 LSQ 1184 SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the number of Genetically Modified (GM) crops that have been introduced for commercial cultivation in the country; (b) whether any objections were raised from certain quarters/stakeholders in regard to introduction of GM crops; (c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; (d) whether the objectives of the cultivation of these crops have been achieved and if so, the details thereof along with the extent of benefits accrued to the farmers; and (e) the preventive measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check its harmful impact on human health? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Bt Cotton is the only Geneticallly Modified (GM) crops that has been introduced for commercial cultivation in the country. (b) & (c): Since inception of Bt. Cotton, there have been objections from some of the Non-Governmental Organizations besides Civil Society on Agriculture, etc., on the grounds that (i) Biosafety assessment of Bt Cotton before its introduction and post release monitoring of Bt cotton is not adequate; (ii) Bt cotton is not suitable for cultivation in rainfed areas, (iii) Cattle death and farmers’ suicides have been attributed to introduction of Bt cotton in some regions such as Warangal and Vidarbha. The objections have been very speculative, without any reasonable assessment of the technological strengths of Bt-cotton. In spite of the controversy regarding Bt cotton, the ground reality is that during the last decade, area under cotton cultivation (approx. 12 million hectares, of which 90% is under Bt cotton) and productivity of cotton has gone up significantly. During the post Bt cotton era, Indian economy has benefited as India is the Second largest exporter of cotton. There is no scientific evidence to show that Bt cotton has adversely impacted the biodiversity or human/cattle health. (d): The main purpose of, Bt cotton was to control the dreaded insect pests, viz., bollworms to enhance yield and production of cotton in the country. Bt cotton effectively control bollwsorms, especially Helicoverpa armigera, thus preventing yield losses from an estimated damage of 30 to 60% each year in India. The biggest gain from the technology was in the form of reduced insecticide usage for bollworm control. Yields are estimated to have increased at least by 30% due to effective protection from bollworm damage. (e): The Government of India is following a policy of case by case approval of genetically modified (GM) crops. Extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process takes place before any GM crop is approved for commercial cultivation. This includes generation of relevant biosafety information, its elaborate analysis to ensure food, feed and environmental safety. A final view on the commercialization of GM crop plants is taken only when there is a clear economic and technical justification besides suitability for environment and human consumption.

RESEARCH ON SOYABEAN 13th August 2013 LSQ 1191 SHRI JAGDISH THAKOR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has conducted any research on soyabean to find out the substance which could be helpful to farmers to produce other crops immediately after the farming of soyabean; and (b) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) In order to ensure profitable yield of soybean and that of subsequent crops in specific agro-climatic situation, remunerative soybean based cropping systems and integrated nutrient management practices have been developed by the Directorate of Soybean Research (DSR), Indore, Wheat, chickpea, mustard, potato etc., are being grown successfully after the harvest of soybean with application of recommended doses of nutrients to respective crops. Soybean is a leguminous crop and legumes have long been recognized and valued as “soil building” crops. Soybean fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere and adds nitrogen to the soil, increases soil reserves of organic matter and soil aeration, improves soil structure and soil water-holding capacity and makes soil easier to till and thus maintains general soil health status. In addition, the tillage requirement for growing subsequent crop happens to be minimum which in turn reduces the cost of cultivation and enhances the possibilities of timely sowing. Results of long term fixed plots experiments (2004-2012) conducted on the management systems of soybean-wheat and soybean-chickpea cropping systems revealed that the productivity of soybean, wheat, chickpea and that of the cropping systems was maintained over the years under application of recommended level of nutrients applied to both the crops. The net returns and benefit cost ratio also showed an increasing trend over the years. The details are presented in Annexure-I. ANNEXURE Annexure I [Part (b) of Lok Sabha USQ No.1191 for 13-08-2013] Effect of different management systems on productivity and economics of soybean based cropping systems under different management systems Soybean –wheat cropping system Treatment Soybean yield

(kg/ha) Wheat yield Soybean

equivalent Net return B:C ratio

(kg/ha) yield (kg/ha) (Rs/ha) Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean

Organic 1802- 2045 2124- 2804 3444- 4360 14908- 50429 1.48- 2.64

(100%) 2245 3607 6781 81536 3.65 Inorganic (100%)

1588-2212

1991 2262-3321

2849 3572-6784

4305 15714-99840

53822 1.58-4.68

2.98

Organic + Inorganic (50 +50%)

2383-1742

2090 2516-3721

3222 3854-7438

4718 16348-95101

58599 1.55-4.18

2.96

Soybean-chickpea cropping system Treatment Soybean yield Chickpea yield Soybean

equivalent yield (kg/ha)

Net return B:C ratio (kg/ha) (kg/ha) (Rs/ha)

Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean

Organic (100%)

1617-2425

2031 991-2370

1388 3164-5883

3528 9192-53294

32733 1.30-2.72

2.06

Inorganic (100%)

1694-2449

2081 1016-2329

1374 3104-6288

3609 20230-67715

42965 1.89-4.09

2.96

Organic + Inorganic (50+50%)

1716-2532

2093 1194-2567

1574 3282-4941

3831 12084-67057

41600 1.85-3.46

2.52

SALE OF BIO PRODUCTS 13th August 2013 LSQ 1218 SHRI CHAUDHARY LAL SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether some bio-products manufacturers are selling several products in the name of amino acids, sea weed extracts, herbal extracts, plant extracts and enzymes etc. to control pests and increase agricultural production in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the use of these bioproducts are harmful to human beings and also results in financial loss in certain cases due to increased cost of cultivation and crop loss to the farmers; and (d) if so, the corrective action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act 1968 registers Pesticides including biopesticides, botanical pesticides & Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) for use in the country. So far three botanical pesticides viz. Azadirachtin (Neem Based) Pyrethrum & Cymbopogan have been registered in different formulation by the Registration Committee (Annexure-I).

(c): If a bio-product with the Registration Committee is used as per approved label claims, then no harm is likely to be caused to human beings. (d): The functionaries of the Central and State Governments impart training to the farmers in judicious use of insecticides including botanical pesticides. LOK SABHA ANNEXURED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1218 DATED 13.08.2013 Annexure-I BOTANICAL PESTICIDES REGISTERED UNDER THE INSECTICIDES ACT, 1968 Neem based (1) Azadirachtin 0.03% EC (2) Azadirachtin 0.15% EC (3) Azadirachtin 0.3% EC (4) Azadirachtin 0.5% EC (5) Azadirachtin 1% EC (6) Azadirachtin 5% EC (7) Azadirachtin 25% EC Cymbopogan (1) Cymbopogan 20% EC Pyrethrum (Pyrethrin) (1) Pyrethrum extract 2% Tech. (2) Pyrethrum Extract Refined 25% (3) Pyrethrum Extract Oleo Resin 25% (4) Pyrethrin 0.05% w/w (HH) (5) Pyrethrum 0.2 (HH) (6) Pyrethrum10% (HH) (7) Pyrethrum 0.4% Mat (8) Pyrethrum 0.2% Coil (9) Pyrethrum 0.3% Agarbatti HAZARDS FACED BY FISHERMEN COMMUNITY 13th August 2013 LSQ 1230 SHRI M. K. RAGHAVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the occupational, social and financial hazards faced by the fishermen community in the country; (b) if so, the details of the report and the measures adopted to overcome these impediments including protecting the fishermen community from attacks, arrests etc. by foreign countries; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to provide facility for fish processing, storage and marketing? THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a)&(b) No, Madam. However, a supplemental scheme called `Coastal Security Scheme` is under implementation by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the 9 Coastal States and 4 Coastal Union Territories since 2005 for strengthening infrastructure for coastal patrolling and surveillance. Under the scheme, assistance has been/is being given to all the coastal States and UTs to set up 73 coastal police stations, 97 check posts, 58 out posts and 30 operational barracks and to equip them with 204 boats, 153 jeeps and 312 motor cycles for mobility on the coast and in close coastal water. (c) The Union Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure & Post Harvest Operations to develop Post Harvest infrastructure operations with a view to augment fish production, ensuring food safety, generate more self employment opportunities for fisherwomen in fish processing & marketing, increase per capita fish consumption, improving socio-economic conditions of fishers and empowering women. Besides National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) provides financial assistance for implementation of scheme for establishment of required infrastructural facilities for hygienic handling, post harvest processing, storage, value addition, marketing of fish and modernization of fishing harbour and fish landing centres in various States/UTs. PRODUCTION OF JATROPHA 13th August 2013 LSQ 1241 SHRI RATAN SINGH SHRI IJYARAJ SINGH SHRI S. ALAGIRI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of production of Jatropha for bio-diesel during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (b) whether any target has been for fixed production of Jatropha during the last three years; and (c) if so, the details of the targets fixed and achieved during the said period and the manner in which Jatropha is being used as bio-diesel? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): There is no production of Jatropha for bio-diesel during the last three years and current year. However, some Oil Marketing Companies have undertaken Jatropha plantation in the States of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The plantations are yet to mature. (b) & (c): No targets were fixed for Jatropha plantation. SOLAR PANELS FOR PUMPING WATER 13th August 2013 LSQ 1278 SHRI RAJAGOPAL LAGADAPATI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up solar panels for pumping water in coordination with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to help the farming community in the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Innovative projects, including installation of solar panels for pumping water are eligible for assistance under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) after these are approved for implementation by State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC). USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS 13th August 2013 LSQ 1310 SHRI SAROJ PANDEY SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN SHRI MAHABALI SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme/policy to promote the use of organic fertilizers by the farmers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the percentage rise in the use of organic fertilizers registered under those schemes; and (c) the amount of expenditure incurred by the Union Government on the promotion and expansion programmes of bio-fertilizers during the last three years and the current year? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): The Government is promoting use of organic fertilizers in the country through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY). (b): Under the Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) of NPOF, the Government is providing financial assistance for setting up of organic inputs production units as back-ended subsidy through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to the tune of 33% restricted to Rs. 60.00 lakh for setting up of Fruit/Vegetable market Waste/Agro-waste compost units and 25% restricted to 40.00 lakh for setting up of Biofertilisers production /Bio-pesticides production units. Government is also supporting financial assistance under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. Similar norms of assistance are applicable for assistance given under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY).

To improve the quality standrads of biofertilisers and organic fertilizers, Government has notified the seven Biofertilzers (e.g. Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphorous Solublising Microorganism, Mycorrhiza, Potassium Mobilizing Biofertilzers, Zinc Solubilising Bacteria) and organic fertilizers [like vermicompost, City waste compost, De-oiled castor cake and PROM (Phosphate Rich Organic Manures)] in Fertilizer Control Order-1985. The total production capacity of organic fertilizers and use under the scheme National Project on Organic Farming during the last three year is given below: Year Production and use of organic fertilizer (MT) Year wise total Cumulative total 2009-10 89433 89433 2010-11 121800 211233 2011-12 37800 249033 (c): The amount of expenditure incurred by the Government on the promotion and expansion of Biofertilisers under Capital Investment subsidy Scheme (CISS) of NPOF through NABARD during the last three years and current year is given below: Year (Rs. in lakh) 2009-10 84.03 2010-11 72.20 2011-12 43.29 2012-13 45.00 COMPENSATION TO FARMERS FOR CROP LOSS 27th August 2013 LSQ*241 SHRI RUDRAMADHAB RAY SHRI P. VISWANATHAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there is a constant demand from farmers` organisations in various States for providing adequate compensation for the crop loss in rainfed, irrigated, unirrigated areas in the country due to rain, hailstorm, frost, drought etc.; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria laid down by the Government in this regard; (c) whether the said criteria differs for plantation crops, sericulture and other crops; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that the small and marginal farmers are adequately compensated for such loss? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 DUE FOR REPLY ON 27TH AUGUST, 2013. (a) to (e): Government of India has framed guidelines for providing relief from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)/State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in the event of disasters including natural calamities like cyclone, cloud burst, drought, floods, earthquake, landslides, hailstorm, pest attack, tsunami, avalanches and cold wave/frost. The items and norms of assistance according to which relief assistance may be provided in the wake of these natural calamities are based on award of 13th Finance Commission and are reviewed and revised from time to time. Assistance from SDRF/NDRF is for providing immediate relief and is not to be construed as compensation for loss/damage to life and property. Suggestions have been received from time to time from various quarters regarding upward revision of norms of assistance for crop loss after which these have been enhanced in June 2013 as per details at Annexure-I. Norms of assistance for agriculture input subsidy in respect of loss to agriculture, horticulture, annual plantation/perennial and sericulture crops are at Annexure-II. Assistance is provided for entire holding of small and marginal farmers (SMF) who have suffered crop loss of 50% and more, whereas assistance to other farmers is capped at 1 (one) ha per farmer, irrespective of the size of holding.

ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXEURED STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 DATED 27.08.2013 ANNEXURE-I Salient Suggestions made by States for enhancement of assistance towards crop loss for 50% and above from NDRF/SDRF.

Sl.No. Item Pre-Revised norms of assistance (As issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India on 28.09.2012)

As suggested by States As approved by Government of India (Issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India on 21.06.2013)

1 Assistance to small and marginal farmers: Input subsidy (where crop loss is 50% and above) (a) For agriculture crops, horticulture crops and annual plantation crops

Rs.3,000/- per ha. in rainfed areas;


Rs.4,500/- per ha. in rainfed areas and restricted to sown areas;

Rs.9,000/- per ha. in assured irrigated areas, subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.750 and restricted to sown areas;

Rs.15,000/- per ha. in irrigated areas;

(b) Perennial crop Rs.6,000/- per ha. in assured irrigated areas, subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.500 and restricted to sown areas;

Rs.12,000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.1500/- and restricted to sown areas.

Rs.8,000/- ha. for all types of perennial crops subject to areas being sown and subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.1000/-.

Rs.20,000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops.

2 Assistance to other than small and marginal farmers: Input subsidy (where crop loss is 50% and above) (a) For agriculture crops, horticulture crops and annual plantation crops



Rs.4,500/- per ha. in rainfed areas and restricted to sown areas;

Rs.9,000/- per ha. for areas under assured irrigation and restricted to sown areas;

Rs.15,000/- per ha. in irrigated areas.

(b) Perennial crop Rs.6,000/- per hectare for areas under assured irrigation.

Rs.12,000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops and restricted to sown areas.

Rs.20,000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops.

Assistance may be provided where crop loss is 50% and above, subject to a ceiling of 1 ha per farmer and upto 2 ha per farmer in case of successive calamities irrespective of the size of holding being large.

Rs.8,000/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops.

Assistance may be provided where crop loss is 50% and above, subject to a ceiling of 1 ha per farmer and upto 2 ha per farmer in case of successive calamities irrespective of the size of holding being large.

ANNEXURE-II Norms of Assistance for Agriculture Input Subsidy from NDRF/SDRF Item Items and Norms of Assistance from State Disaster Response

Fund/National Disaster Response Fund for the Period of 2010-2015* Assistance to small and marginal farmers: Input subsidy (where crop loss is 50% and above) (a) For agriculture crops, horticulture crops and annual plantation crops

Rs.4,500/- per ha. in rainfed areas and restricted to sown areas; Rs.9,000/- per ha. in assured irrigated areas, subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.750 and restricted to sown areas;

(b) Perennial crop Rs.12,000/- per ha. for all types of perennial crops subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.1500/- and restricted to sown areas.

(c) Sericulture Rs.3200/- per ha. for Eri, Mulberry, Tussar

Rs.4000/- per ha. for Muga # Issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India on 21.06.2013. ORGANIC FARMING 27th August 2013 LSQ*246 SHRI ANANTH KUMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for promoting organic farming and marketing of organic products on a large scale; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the funds allocated and released to the farmers for encouraging organic farming and the benefits accrued to them during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (d) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other such Institutions/Agriculture Universities have undertaken research and development works on organic farming in the country; and (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 246 DUE FOR REPLY ON 27TH AUGUST, 2013. (a) to (e): Government is promoting organic farming through National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). NPOF scheme provides financial assistance through capital investment subsidy for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/bio-pesticides production units, development and implementation of quality control regime, human resource development, etc. Assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy for establishment of bio pesticides/bio fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. “National Horticulture Mission” (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary, for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares. Assistance for decentralized production and marketing of organic fertilizers is also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee.

Under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), assistance is provided @ Rs.500 per ha for promoting use of Integrated Nutrient Management-Organic Manures. ICAR is implementing a Network Project on Organic Farming to develop package of practices of different crops under organic farming in different agro-climatic regions of the country. ICAR also imparts training and organizes front line demonstrations to educate farmers on various aspects of organic farming. The marketing and export of organic products is promoted though a system of certification of organic produce under National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) being implemented by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Agricultural Grading and Marking Rules, 2009 being implemented by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection. Details of financial assistance released for promotion of organic farming under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13 are given at Annexure I, II, III, IV and V. ICAR is implementing Network Project on Organic Farming to develop package of practices of different crops under organic farming in different agro-climatic regions of the country. The project is running at 13 centres including State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), spread over 12 States. Packages of Practices under organic farming have been developed for 14 crops namely basmati rice, rainfed wheat, maize, red gram, chickpea, soyabean, groundnut, mustard, isabgol, black pepper, ginger, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower. ICAR also imparts training and organizes front line demonstrations to educate farmers on various aspects of organic farming. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURED STARRED QUESTION NO. 246 DATED 27.08.2013 Annexure-I State-wise details of financial assistance under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) for Promotion of Organic Farming during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. (Rs. in Lakhs)

State Year wise Financial Assistance

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Andhra Pradesh 204 282.77 378.25 12.75 Bihar 169.83 0 6.38 85 Chhattisgarh 901 1007.25 1462.72 172.5 Delhi 0 0 0 0 Goa 5.1 0.51 2.55 2.55 Gujarat 66.97 127.5 63.8 28.05 Haryana 274.64 79.48 36.86 31.34 Jharkhand 25.5 17.47 63.75 227.5 Karnataka 752.25 325.47 237.15 544.17 Kerala 0 278.8 140.25 89.25 Madhya Pradesh 488.75 64.18 0 28.56 Maharashtra 1.28 162.35 0 0 Orissa 89.25 0 76.5 425 Punjab 637.5 35.28 67.36 22.53 Rajasthan 105.23 63.76 48.88 102

Tamil Nadu 23.71 12.75 21.25 29.75 Uttar Pradesh 152.24 78.63 73.1 39.31 West Bengal 0 77.02 0 97.75 Total 3897.25 2613.22 2678.8 1938.01

Annexure-II Financial Assistance provided for promotion of Organic Farming under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. (Rs. in lakh) States Financial Assistance Provided

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Arunachal Pradesh

131 25.8 123.48 243.45

Assam 173.1 28.6 35.6 97.3 Manipur 78 51.3 110 260

Meghalaya 0 0 0 0

Mizoram 126.2 152 16.5 20

Nagaland 190 81.5 123 202.5

Sikkim 315.25 332.48 492.5 558.48 Tripura 141 130.4 79.4 52 Jammu & Kashmir

61.5 67.25 117.1 165.91

Himachal Pradesh

107 216.28 398.21 79.45

Uttrakhand 84.31 201 53.6 59.56

Total 1407.36 1286.61 1549.39 1738.65 ANNEXURE-III State wise details of subsidy approved under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) of NPOF through NABARD for Organic Input Production during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13.

(Rs. in lakh)

S.No. Name of State

Amount of Subsidy Approved (Lakh Rs.)

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 10 23.25 20 20

2 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0

3 Assam 2.6 1.38 22.32 0.75 4 Bihar 0 0 5.25 0 5 Chhatishgarh

0 0 0 0 6 Goa 20 0 0 0 7 Gujarat 0 0 0 0 8 Haryana 0 14.75 0 2.03

9 Himachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0

10 J & K 0 0 0 0 11 Jharkhand 0 0 0 0 12 Karnataka 6.18 73.31 0 0 13 Kerala 30.07 0 6.78 0 14 Madhya

Pradesh 5.04 0 0 2.26 15

Maharashtra 38.46 13.75 43.08 23.01 16 Manipur 0 0 0 0 17

Meghalaya 0 0 0 0 18 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 19 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 20 Orissa 0 0 0 0 21 Punjab 61.6 24.86 14.04 0 22 Rajasthan 55.61 30.45 21.34 0 23 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 24

Tamil Nadu 10.99 13.04 0 0 25 Tripura 0 0 20 0 26 Uttar

Pradesh 9.75 25.69 3.3 0 27

Uttrakhand 8.95 8.75 0 0 28

West Bengal 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 259.24 229.23 156.11 48.04

Annexure-IV Statement indicating year-wise fund sanctioned under promotion of organic manure and Field Demonstrations under the scheme National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. S. No

Name of the State

(Rs. Lakh) 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

1 Andhra Pradesh

56.2 0 114.4

2 Bihar 60 0 0 3 Himachal

Pradesh 23 0 0

4 Jharkhand 10.8 0 0 5 Karnataka 76.5 0 0 6 Kerala 65.1 0 0 7 Manipur 50 0 0

8 Tripura 55 0 0 9 Haryana 0 6 0

10 Chhattisgarh 0 0.8 0 11 Gujarat 0 0 35 12 Fert Com. 2.6 5 0

Total 399.2 11.8 149.4 Note: There was no release during 2012-13 Annexure-V State-wise details of assistance for Promotion of Organic Farming given under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. (Rs. in Lakh)

Name of State

Amount of assistance approved 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Andhra Pradesh

12 71 0 1500

Arunachal Pradesh

5 0 0 299

Assam 0 450 900 1157 Bihar 0 3264 10105 0 Chhattisgarh 230 1200 0 196

Goa 0 0 18 0 Gujarat 197 280 10816 1163 Haryana 155 0 151 338 Himachal Pradesh

330 1163 1005 1050

Jammu & Kashmir

87 331 79 237

Jharkhand 0 90 158 400 Karnataka 0 50 2800 2100 Kerala 2 0 123 144 Madhya Pradesh

380 1126 440 569

Maharashtra 0 0 0 0 Manipur 0 35 282 75 Meghalaya 0 0 0 0 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 Nagaland 0 104 150 150 Orissa 442 1115 0 0 Punjab 0 1350 0 0 Rajasthan 2235 675 367 0 Sikkim 196 0 250 120 Tamil Nadu 0 0 0 660

Tripura 40 115 0 0 Uttar Pradesh 398 1537 1656 2818 Uttarakhand 1151 0 1331 0 West Bengal 56 35 0 0 TOTAL 5916 12991 30631 12976

BAN ON USE OF HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES 27th August 2013 LSQ* 259 SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH SHRI P. LINGAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether in the wake of the tragic incident in Bihar where 23 school children died after consuming mid-day meals contaminated with a pesticide, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has urged the Government to speed up the withdrawal of highly hazardous pesticides from the market; (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; (c) whether the use of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture is posing a serious risk to human health, environment and agricultural production; and (d) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to ban the use of such pesticides in the country? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 259 DUE FOR REPLY ON 27TH AUGUST, 2013. (a) & (b): The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recommended governments in developing countries to speed up the withdrawal of highly hazardous pesticides from their markets. Government of India has set up a Committee of Experts to review 66 pesticides which are currently banned/restricted/withdrawn in other countries but continue to be registered for domestic use in India. (c) & (d): the Insecticides Act, 1968 regulates the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of pesticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings, animals and for matters connected therewith. Pesticides are registered under the provisions of the Insecticides Act 1968 only after they are found to be safe to human, animal and environmental health. Use of pesticides as per directions mentioned on label and leaflet of the pesticide container with respect to label claims, dosage, method and time of application approved under the provisions of the Insecticides Act is not likely to cause adverse effect on human animal and environmental health. Government appoints expert groups from time to time to review the continuance of registration of specific pesticides or group of pesticides. As a result, several pesticides/formulations have been banned/restricted for import, manufacture and use in India.

Government has also advised State Governments and State agriculture universities to recommend usage of pesticides in conformity with the terms of registration as approved by Registration Committee. Government is popularizing the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for control of pests, diseases and weeds by promoting use of cultural, mechanical, biological means of plant protection and need based and judicious use of chemical pesticides. Central and State Governments are imparting training to farmers for safe use of pesticides. Farmers are advised to use registered pesticides at recommended dosage as per instructions and precautions on the labels and leaflets. BIO TECHNOLOGY REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA 27th August 2013 LSQ 2814 SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a Bill to set up the Bio-technology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) in the country; (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof; (c) whether concerns have been raised from certain fora including stakeholders, NGOs, farmers` organisations, experts and committees in this regard; (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and (e) the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) &(b): The Department of Bio-technology, Ministry of Science & Technology introduced the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill 2013 in the Lok Sabha on 22nd April, 2013. As per legislative process the Bill subsequently was referred to the Department related Parliament Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests for examination and report. The Committee through advertisements in national newspapers invited comments from public, last date for receipt of comments being 25th August, 2013. Petitions are being received from various stakeholders. The scope of the bill is to establish an authority to regulate the research, transport, import, manufacture and use of organisms and products of modern biotechnology in terms of safety and efficacy. The commercial aspects of sale, licensing, price control and distribution of all products of modern biotechnology including agriculture and health care are out of the purview of the BRAI Bill and shall be dealt by the existing policy, acts and rules in the Central and State Governments. (c) to (e): The BRAI Bill has been prepared after several consultative meetings with State Governments and other concerned stakeholders representing farmers` and consumers` organizations, industry, legal experts, media and academia/ scientists from research institutions/ universities. The governmental process of inter-ministerial consultation was completed before the introduction of the Bill.

Objections received from certain stakeholders on the Bill include: conflict of interest in the ministries with regard to promotion of biotechnology versus regulation; aligning certain clauses with the RTI Act in relation to a professional and autonomous statutory body of confidential commercial information of the applicants; the need and provisions related to establishment of separate appellate tribunal to address substantial issues related to biotechnology (than current practice of approaching Supreme Court); the role of state governments in the proposed authority etc. Due administrative and legislative process including recommendations of the department related Parliament Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests will facilitate firming up of the Bill. FLOOD PRONE AGRICULTURAL AREAS 27th August 2013 LSQ 2821 SHRI SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB SHRI EKNATH MAHADEO GAIKWAD SHRI ANAND PRAKASH PARANJPE SHRI KHATGAONKAR PATIL BHASKARRAO BAPURAO Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has identified the agricultural areas which are flood prone in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; (d) whether the Government has made any assessment of the growth rate of such agricultural areas and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide adequate assistance/relief to the farmers of such agricultural areas? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): The XII Plan Working Group on Flood Management and Region Specific Issues has reported 49.815 million hectare as maximum flood affected area in the country. State-wise details are given in Annexure-I. (d) & (e): Agricultural Growth rate is assessed for State as a whole and not separately for flood prone areas. Agriculture being a State subject, the measures for agriculture growth are planned, funded and executed by the State Governments, as per their priorities. Government of India supplements the effort of State Governments through various Schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) etc. In addition, Government of India supplements efforts of State Government by providing financial assistance in the form of input subsidy to farmers who suffer crop loss of 50% or more due to flood from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per extant norms and procedures.

ORGANIC MANURE 27th August 2013 LSQ 2843 SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN SHRI GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESWARA SHRI ANNU TANDON SHRI GHANSYAM ANURAGI SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI SHRI MAHABALI SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is considering to revise the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985 to include organic manure; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has any proposal to provide financial assistance to the farmers for marketing of city compost manufactured as per the Fertilizer Control Order with a view to deal with the challenges of global warming and providing compost to the farmers at fair rates in order to enhance organic carbon in the soil to increase the productivity of the soil; (d) if so, the details in this regard; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to promote the use of organic manure and bio-fertilizers by the farmers and support sustainable agricultural practices? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b) : Government has already notified the general specification of Organic Manure in Schedule IV of the Fertiliser Control Order vide notification dated 16.08.2013. The source of oganic manure is any of the plant biomass/animal biomass/animal excréta. (c) to (e) : There is no such provision to provide financial assistance to farmers directly for marketing of city compost manufactured as per the Fertilizer Control Order. However, under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is being provided as credit linked back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up of fruit/vegetable waste/agro-waste compost unit @ 33% of the total financial outlay of project or Rs. 60.00 lakh per unit whichever is less; National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) provide financial assistance for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary, for setting up of vermi-compost units @ 50% of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares; National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF), financial assistance is provided @ Rs. 500 per ha for promoting use of organic manures; Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for projects formulated and approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee. To improve the quality standrads of biofertilisers and organic fertilizers, Government has notified the seven Biofertilzers (e.g. Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Solublising Microorganism, Mycorrhiza,

Potassium Mobilizing Biofertilzers, Zinc Solubilising Bacteria) and organic fertilizers [like vermicompost, City waste compost, De-oiled castor cake and PROM (Phosphate Rich Organic Manures)] in Fertilizer Control Order-1985. BANANA CULTIVATION 27th August 2013 LSQ 2851 SHRI HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken note of banana plantation hit severely by hailstorm, pests, weeds and other diseases leading to low production in various States including Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh; (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, State-wise; (c) the compensation paid by the Government to the affected farmers to offset the losses during the said period; (d) whether it is a fact that insurance companies have not settled the claims for the damaged banana under the weather based crop insurance scheme; and (e) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): As per available information, in Maharashtra the area affected by hailstorm, pests, weeds & other diseases and compensation paid is as mentioned below: Period Area (Ha) Amount (Rs. In Lakh) 2010-11 170.19 17.02 2011-12 646.00 64.61 2012-13 590.63 59.06 There is no report of damage to banana plantations by hailstorm, pests, weeds and other diseases in Andhra Pradesh or any other state. (d) & (e): Banana crop is covered in Andhra Pradesh under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS)/ Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and in Maharashtra under WBCIS. Claims under these schemes are settled as per provisions of the respective schemes. Details of settlement of claims of Banana crop covered under Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh is as given below: State Year Number of Farmers Claims (Rs. In Crore) Maharashtra 2011-12 3045 29.47 2012-13 564 5.10 Andhra Pradesh 2010-11 0 0 2011-12 2386 2.19

ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT 27th August 2013 LSQ 2867 SHRI KOWASE MAROTRAO SAINUJI SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR SHRI KATTI RAMESH VISHWANATH SHRI S. PAKKIRAPPA SHRI TAWARE SURESH KASHINATH SHRI MUNDE GOPINATHRAO PANDURANG SHRI BHARAT RAM MEGHWAL SHRI KHILADI LAL BAIRWA SHRI CHAUHAN MAHENDRASINH SHRI JEETENDRA SINGH BUNDELA SHRI P. VISWANATHAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has identified the districts prone to drought in various States in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the amount of drought assistance demanded and given to the States/Union Territories during each of the last three years and the current year; (d) whether some of the States/Union Territories have demanded additional drought assistance from the Union Government; and (e) if so, the details thereof and the amount given by the Union Government, so far? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): As per report of the High Level Technical Committee headed by Prof. H.C. Hanumantha Rao, 74.59 million hectare area had been identified for implementation of Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP). State-wise details are at Annexure-I. (c) to (e): Details of assistance demanded by States and approved by the Government of India from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought relief during last three years (2010-11 to 2012-13) and current year (2013-14) are at Annexure-II. ANNEXURE LOK SABHA ANNEXURRED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2867 DATED 27.08.2013 Annexure-I STATES, DISTRICTS AND BLOCKS COVERED UNDER DROUGHT PRONE AREAS PROGRAMME (DPAP)

S. State Number

of Number

of Area in Million

Districts Blocks ha.

1 Andhra Pradesh 11 94 9.9218

2 Bihar 6 30 0.9533

3 Chhattisgarh 9 29 2.1801

4 Gujarat 14 67 4.3938

5 Himachal Pradesh 3 10 0.3319

6 Jammu & Kashmir 6 22 1.4705

7 Jharkhand 15 100 3.4843

8 Karnataka 17 81 8.4332

9 Madhya Pradesh 26 105 8.9101

10 Maharashtra 25 149 19.4473

11 Orissa 8 47 2.6178

12 Rajasthan 11 32 3.1968

13 Tamil Nadu 18 80 2.9416

14 Uttar Pradesh 15 60 3.5698

15 Uttarakhand 7 30 1.5796

16 West Bengal 4 36 1.1594

TOTAL 195 972 74.5913 Annexure-II (LS USQ-2867, DUE ON 27.08.2013) Statement indicating assistance demanded and assistance approved from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought of 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13& 2013-14 (As on 22.08.2013) (Rs in crores)

Sl. State Drought of 2010-11 Drought of 2011-12 Drought of 2012-13 Drought of 2013-14

No. Demand by the State

Assistance approved*

Demand by the State


Demand by the State


Demand by the State


1 Andhra Pradesh

-- -- 3006.41 706.15 1090.78 142.97** None of the States have declared drought and demanded 2 Bihar 6573.45 1459.54 -- -- -- --

3 Gujarat -- -- -- -- 7357.54 864.71 financial assistance from NDRF during 2013-14 so far. 4 Jharkhand 2871 855.3 -- -- -- --

5 Karnataka -- -- 2605.99 469.03 7672.4 526.06

6 Kerala -- -- -- -- 2528.85 170.5

7 Maharashtra -- -- 1073.15 574.71 5033.47 1815.07

8 Odisha 1576.8 376.55 -- -- -- --

9 Rajasthan -- -- -- -- 1107.99 320.64

10 Tamil Nadu 19665.13 642.69**

11 West Bengal

1100 724.99 -- -- -- --

# Subject to adjustment of 75% of available balances in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on concerned State Government. ## Recommended by Inter Ministerial Group (IMG). MANUFACTURING OF FAKE INSECTICIDES 27th August 2013 LSQ 2899 SHRI HUKAMDEO NARAYAN YADAV Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that some foreign companies are manufacturing fake insecticides and weedicides in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government is aware that some companies are selling expired pesticides after importing such pesticides illegally; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether some companies are conducting illegal tests on crops in some States; and (f) if so, the action taken by the Government against these foreign companies? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (f): No such report has come to the notice. NATIONAL DROUGHT RELIEF COMMISSION 27th August 2013 LSQ 2967

SHRI SHETTI RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is considering to set up a National Drought Relief Commission on the lines of the National Water Commission; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the time by which the Commission is likely to be set up? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Ministry of Agriculture is not considering any proposal to set up a National Drought Relief Commission on the lines of the National Water Commission . USE OF BANNED PESTICIDES 10th December, 2013 LSQ *63 SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI DR. SANJAY SINH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is aware that the pesticides which have been banned globally are still in use in the country; (b) if so, the details of such pesticides; (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to establish the adverse impact of the banned pesticides on the human health as well as on livestock; (d) if so, the outcome thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to educate the farmers regarding the harmfulness in using these banned pesticides? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 63 DUE FOR REPLY ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2013. (a) to (d): A Committee of Experts has been constituted on 8th July, 2013 under the chairmanship of Dr. Anupam Verma (Adjunct Professor), Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, to review the use of neonicotinoid pesticides registered in India and to review 66 pesticides which are currently banned/ restricted/

withdrawn in one or more countries but continue to be registered for domestic use in India. A list of these pesticides is annexed. The Registration Committee constituted under the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers pesticides only after establishing their safety to human, animal and environmental health. The continued use of pesticides in the country is reviewed from time to time, as required. (e): Steps taken to educate farmers include training programmes for farmers on safe use of pesticides such as through Farmers Field Schools programme being organized by 31 Central Integrated Pest Management centers located in 28 States and 1 U.T of India on different crops; information dissemination during Krishi Melas and through media. ANNEXURE-I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.63 FOR 10-12-2013

Annexure LIST OF PESTICIDES WHICH HAVE BEEN BANNED/SEVERLY RESTRICTED IN ONE OR MORE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD BUT ARE STILL BEING USED IN INDIA.

Sl. No. Name of the Pesticide 1. Acephate

2. Alachlor 3. Aluminum Phosphide 4. Atrazine 5. Benfuracarb 6. Benomyl 7. Bifenthrin 8. Butachlor 9. Captan 10. Carbaryl 11. Carbendazim 12. Carbofuran 13. Chlorfenapyr 14. Carbosulfan 15. Chlorothalonil 16. Chlorpyriphos 17. Dezomet 18. DDT 19. Deltamethrin 20. Diazinon 21. Dichlorovos 22. Dicofol 23. Diflubenzuron 24. Dimethoate 25. Dinocap 26. Diuron 27. Endosulfan* 28. Ethofenprox 29. Fenpropathrin 30. Fenarimol 31. Fenitrothion 32. Fenthion 33. Iprodione

* Endosulfan has been banned by the Supreme Court of India w.e.f. 13-05-2011 for production, use & sale all over India till further orders vide ad-Interim order in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 213 of 2011. HYBRID RICE 10th December, 2013 LSQ 697 SHRI RAM SUNDAR DAS Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed several varieties of hybrid rice to enhance productivity of rice in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof;

34. 2,4-D 35. Kasugamycin 36. Linuron 37. Methomyl 38. Methoxy Ethyl Mercury Chloride 39. Methyl Parathion

40. Malathion 41. Mancozeb 42. Mepiquat Chloride 43. Metaldehyde 44. Monocrotophos 45. Oxyflurofen 46. Paraquat Dichloride 47. Pendimethalin 48. Phorate 49. Phosphomidon 50. Peitilachlor 51. Propargite 52. Propineb 53. Quinalphos 54. Sodium cyanide 55. Sulfosulfurone 56. Thiodecarb 57. Thiometon 58. Thiphanate Methyl 59. Thiram 60. Triazophos 61. Trichlorofon 62. Tridemorph 63. Trifluralin 64. Zinc Phosphide 65. Zineb 66. Ziram

(c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to intensify the cultivation of rice in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote rice cultivation in the country? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) Yes, Madam. Several varieties of hybrid rice have been developed in the country. (b) Indian Council of Agricultural Research in active collaboration with State Agricultural Universities and the private seed sector has developed 66 hybrids for enhancing productivity of rice in the country. The details of rice hybrids released in India are given in Annexure-I. (c) Yes, Madam. The Government of India has initiated new schemes like National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Integrated Cereals Development Programme in Rice Based Cropping System Areas (ICDP – Rice) and Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) to encourage rice cultivation and enhance the productivity. (d) National Food Security Mission-Rice (NFSM-Rice) is being implemented in 210 identified districts of 24 States of the country. Under this programme Cluster Demonstrations on direct seeded rice/line transplanted rice/System Rice Intensification (SRI)/Hybrid Rice are being conducted. Besides, assistance for supply of seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs)/hybrid rice, need based inputs, improved farm machineries, etc. is also provided. Under “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)” scheme, demonstrations in various ecologies are organized in cluster mode in seven eastern states viz., Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern UP and West Bengal. Assistance is also provided for construction of shallow tubewells/dugwells, purchase of pumpsets and providing marketing support. (e) The government is taking several steps to promote rice cultivation in the country as it is a staple food crop. Programmes have been approved for developing high yielding varieties/hybrids resistant to diseases, production and supply of quality seeds, appropriate pest management methods, use of innovative Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) coupled with launching of schemes like NFSM and BGREI. To have further jump in productivity, the government is giving attention to promotion of hybrid rice which has potential to add about 20-25% additional rice in the basket.

ASSISTANCE TO NGOS 10th December, 2013 LSQ730 SHRI YASHBANT NARAYAN SINGH LAGURI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether any financial assistance for agricultural sector has been provided to any Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in Odisha; (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, NGO-wise; (c) the details of the work done by them; (d) whether the Government has conducted any review of the said work; and (e) if so, the outcome thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (e): No financial assistance for agricultural sector has been provided to NGOs working in Odisha by the Government of India. But State Government can associate NGOs in the implementation of schemes. SUBSIDY ON ORGANIC FERTILIZERS 10th December, 2013 LSQ 740 SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is providing subsidy to farmers for using organic fertilizers; (b) if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has any proposal to promote the usage of organic fertilizers by providing direct subsidy and separate MSPs thereon; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) &(b): Under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial assistance of Rs. 500 per hectare is provided to promote use of organic manure. The financial assistance is provided on the basis of project proposals received from States. Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme there is no provision for direct subsidy to the farmers.

(c) & (d): In addition to above, under National Project on Organic Farming scheme, assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs. 40 lakhs and Rs. 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio-pesticides/bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. There is no MSPs on Organic Inputs under the scheme. Besides, under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. DRIP IRRIGATION 10th December, 2013 LSQ 747 SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has launched a scheme to promote micro and drip irrigation in water stressed and quality affected areas across the country; (b) if so,the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has prepared any other special plan/scheme to face drought like situation in many States; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated under the drip irrigation scheme during each of the last three years, and the current year, State/UT-wise? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation was launched in January, 2006 in all states, except North Eastern & Himalayan States. In June, 2010, the scheme was upscaled as National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) covering all states in the country. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided for the installation of drip and sprinkler irrigation system for both agriculture an horticulture crops. (c): NMMI scheme is being implemented during the 12th Plan, in all states, including water stressed and drought prone areas. Further, Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing requisite financial and logistic support in the wake of calamities of severe nature. Additional financial assistance, over and above the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), is also provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature as per established procedure and extant norms. (d): The details of state wise allocation of funds under the National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) during the last three years and current year is annexed. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 747 FOR 10-12-2013

Annexure

Allocation of Funds under National Mission on Micro Irrigation

Rs. in Crore

S.No. States 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 1 Andhra Pradesh 240.00 287.00 295.00 295.00 2 Bihar 0.00 6.00 70.00 70.00 3 Chhattisgarh 25.00 50.00 40.00 40.00 4 Goa 1.00 0.50 0.39 0.40 5 Gujarat 120.00 180.95 190.00 200.00 6 Haryana 15.00 27.00 32.00 40.00 7 Jharkhand 10.00 10.00 25.00 30.00 8 Karnataka 130.00 112.15 150.00 175.00 9 Kerala 2.00 2.00 3.00 7.50 10 Madhya Pradesh 75.00 110.95 100.00 110.00 11 Maharashtra 225.00 282.80 250.00 250.00 12 Orissa 15.00 9.00 12.00 15.00 13 Punjab 15.00 16.00 20.00 20.00 14 Rajasthan 120.00 160.95 150.00 150.00 15 Tamil Nadu 70.00 95.00 90.00 90.00 16 Uttar Pradesh 10.00 10.00 15.61 15.61 17 West Bengal 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 18 NE and Himalayan States 30.00 15.50 50.00 45.83

DROUGHT MANAGEMENT 10th December, 2013 LSQ 748 SHRI GHANSYAM ANURAGI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the schemes formulated by the Government for drought management; (b) whether these schemes have been implemented successfully in the country; and (c) if so, the extent to which these schemes are likely to be beneficial for the farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): There are no specific schemes for Drought Management. State Governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, including drought, from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is readily available with them. Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing requisite financial and logistic support, over and above SDRF, from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature as per established procedure and extant norms. Besides, Ministry of Rural Development was implementing Desert Development Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme and Integrated Watershed Development Programme, which have been integrated into a single scheme namely, Integrated Watershed Management Programme w.e.f. 26.02.2009 for promoting insitu moisture

conservation & water harvesting measures for improving production and productivity in rainfed and degraded areas. Watershed interventions contribute significantly towards drought mitigation in rainfed areas. CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE 10th December, 2013 LSQ 791 SHRI KISHANBHAI VESTABHAI PATEL SHRIPRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the National Conference on Agriculture on Rabi Campaign, 2013 was held recently; (b) if so, the details of the issues and problems discussed during the said Conference; (c) whether any concern has been raised regarding the availability of actual variety of seeds of different crops required by farmers of various regions in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of the strategies chalked out to improve agricultural production during the ensuing Rabi season in the country? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Yes, Madam. The Conference was held on 24th and 25th September, 2013 in New Delhi and inaugurated by the Union Minister of Agriculture. (b): Wide range of issues concerning development of agriculture and with specific reference to the crops to be raised in ensuing Rabi season were discussed by the officers of the Central & State Governments and UT administrations. The States raised various issues of their concern, such as approval mechanism for pesticides; conduct of location specific research on pesticides by State Agricultural Universities; development of heat tolerant varieties; management of yellow rust; management of fallow lands; need to increase area under protected cultivation; farm mechanization to off-set high labour cost; subsidy on chemical fertilizers; additional rake points for fertilizers; treatment of acidic/saline soils, etc. The issues raised were responded to by the officers of the Union Ministries of Agriculture and Fertilizers. (c) & (d): Some of the issues raised regarding availability of quality seeds for stress prone areas; need for making arrangement of Breeder / Foundation seeds for seed production / multiplication; availability of quality / certified seeds of early maturing varieties of wheat, lentil, khesari, groundnut, sunflower and their integration with seed rolling plan etc. States were advised to tie up for their next year’s requirement of high yielding and quality seeds with National Seeds Corporation and other agencies identified for the purpose which were fully geared up to meet the requirement. (e): The main strategies chalked out are:- # timely pre-positioning of agricultural Inputs like Seeds, Seed treating bio-agents/chemicals, Fertilizers, Micro-nutrients, Weedicides & Pesticides; # timely sowing; # focus on the districts having higher target area; # moisture conservation and timely sowing in rainfed areas in view of early withdrawal of Monsoon; and # optimum and efficient use of conserved water.

CROP INSURANCE SCHEME 10th December, 2013 LSQ 795 SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL SHRI RAVNEET SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is being implemented in various States including Punjab to protect farmers against natural calamities, pests and diseases etc.; (b) if so, the details of total number and percentage of small, marginal and large farmers covered under the scheme during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (c) whether the farmers covered under the scheme are not being paid against their claims on time and have to wait for more than one year for their claims in many cases; (d) if so, the details of total number of claims received and disposed off during each of the last three years and the average time taken in disposing off claim requests and the reasons therefor, State-wise; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely payment of claims and to cover maximum percentage of agricultural families in various States under NAIs? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was implemented from Rabi 1999-2000 season and remained under implementation till Kharif 2013 season in the country. The scheme was voluntary for the States and was implemented by 25 States and 2 Union Territories in one or more seasons. The Punjab Government had not opted for the scheme in any season. (b): The State-wise details of coverage of farmers including percentage of small & marginal farmers and claims paid during last three years are given in the Annexure-I. (c): According to provision of the scheme, the admissible claims are worked out based on yield data arrived from requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) as submitted by the State Governments. Normally, Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) which is the Implementing Agency of NAIS, processes the admissible claims within one month after the receipt of yield data from the concerned State Government. Claims if any, are paid immediately thereafter provided the share of funds of the Central and State Government have been received by the AIC. However, sometimes, due to discrepancies in yield data, legal cases etc. settlement of claims are delayed and requests from the States/farming community for early settlement of the claims are received. Under such circumstances the matters are promptly referred to the Implementing Agency (i.e. AIC) for taking urgent action and as far as possible, all the complaints are suitably addressed wherever feasible. (d): State-wise details of claims reported & settled are given in Annexure-II. (e): At the beginning of each financial year, State Governments have been requested to make adequate budgetary provisions for the crop insurance. State Government has also been requested to release their share towards premium/claims to expedite the settlement of claims. Continued efforts are made to create awareness about crop insurance schemes by the implementing agencies in coordination with implementing states. The salient activities under awareness campaign, involve the publicity of features & benefits of the scheme through advertisements in

leading National/local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets, participation in agriculture fairs/mela/gosti and organization of workshops/trainings etc. For making National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) more farmers’ friendly, some provisions have further been modified and a Modified NAIS has been launched for implementation on full-fledged basis as one of the components of National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP) and NAIS has been rolled back from Rabi 2013-14. Under MNAIS, on account payment @ 25% of likely claims is being paid in advance to eligible farmers. Private insurance companies have also been allowed in implementation of the scheme to facilitate better service delivery to farmers.

DROUGHT RELIEF 10th December, 2013 LSQ 796 SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of all the drought relief packages allocated to Maharashtra during the last three years and the manner in which the quantum of package was utilised/being utilised by the State; (b) whether the Union Government has issued some directions to the State Government in this regard and sought the district-wise details of the allocation; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of the assistance provided/being provided by the Union Government to the families of farmers who committed suicide in the State owing to drought?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (c): Government of India has approved financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought relief in Maharashtra as detailed below. (Rs. in Crore) Year Kharif Rabi Total 2010-11 - - - 2011-12 574.71 - 574.71 2012-13 778.09 1036.98 1815.07 Besides Government of India had also approved a special package of Rs. 400 crore during 2012-13 under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) for rejuvenation of orchards in the drought affected districts of the State in view of deficient rainfall situation in Marathwada and parts of Western and Central Maharashtra. This allocation has been enhanced by Rs.157.60 crore during 2013-14. (d): National Disaster Relief Fund does not have any provision for assistance to families of farmers who commit suicide owing to drought. ASSISTANCE UNDER NICRA 10th December, 2013 LSQ 815 SHRI LAXMAN TUDU SHRI MANSUKHBHAI D. VASAVA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government provides assistance to the farmers affected from climate change under the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) scheme; (b) if so the details of assistance given to the farmers during the last three years, State/UT-wise; and (c) the procedure for granting the assistance under the NICRA? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) No, Madam. National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is a research project aiming at enhancing resilience of Indian agriculture through Strategic Research Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and Sponsored/ Competitive Grant Projects. Under technology demonstration, climate resilient technologies are being demonstrated in farmers’ fields in 100 villages located in 100 vulnerable districts through KVKs and no direct financial assistance is given to farmers. (b) Does not arise. (c) Does not arise. DEMAND OF PESTICIDES INSECTICIDES 10th December, 2013

LSQ 915 SHRI JAGDISH THAKOR SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR SHRI GANESH SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the total quantity of pesticides/insecticides produced at present in the country; (b) whether the Government has assessed the requirements of pesticides/insecticides in the country; (c) if so, the quantity of pesticides/insecticides demanded and allotted to each State/UT during each of the last three years and the current year, cropwise; and (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to supply adequate quantity of pesticides/insecticides to the States/UTs? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): The total quantity of pesticides/insecticides produced in the country during the last three years is as under: 2010-11 - 124.46 thousand MT 2011-12 - 134.49 thousand MT 2012-13 - 133.20 thousand MT (Based on the data received from Deputy Director General, Ministry of Chemical & Petorchemicals) (b): Yes, Madam. Government has assessed the requirement of pesticides/insecticides in the country. (c) & (d): The quantity of pesticides/insecticides demand during the last 3 years as well as in the current year is annexed. Sufficient quantities of pesticides are available in the country as none of the representatives of various States/UTs have reported short supply of pesticides during the Zonal Conferences on Agricultural inputs organized by Ministry of Agriculture. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 915 FOR 10-12-2013

Annexure-I State-wise Demand of chemical pesticides during 2010-11 to 2012-13 and current year 2013-14

Unit M.T (Tech. Grade) S. No. States/UTs 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Projected

1 Andhra Pradesh 10000.00 9000.00 9000.00 9000 2 Bihar 851.00 870.00 930.00 975 3 Chhattisgarh 570.00 600.00 800.00 1000 4 Goa 8.30 8.50 9.50 7 5 Gujarat 2700.00 2100.00 1240.00 2220 6 Haryana 4120.00 4085.00 4200.00 4200 7 Himachal Pradesh 335.00 320.00 315.00 325 8 Jammu & Kashmir 3407.85 4693.48 1738.89 9 Jharkhand 98.55 128.44 170.00 173

10 Karnataka 1700.00 1750.00 1750.00 1800 11 Kerala 632.69 591.25 726.19 770 12 Madhya Pradesh 723.00 906.00 879.00 622 13 Maharashtra 4315.00 8554.00 7855.00 8174 14 Orissa 810.75 532.25 706.25 706 15 Punjab 6500.00 6150.00 6300.00 6400 16 Rajasthan 2875.00 2775.00 2725.00 2675 17 Tamil Nadu 2472.40 2088.50 1970.00 1921 18 Uttar Pradesh 8372.00 8571.00 8860.00 9096 19 Uttarakhand 225.61 283.72 259.18 304 20 West Bengal 3550.00 3550.00 4000.00 4000

SUB TOTAL 54267.15 57557.14 54434.01 54368 North-Eastern

21 Arunachal Pradesh 10.00 17.00 18.00 22 Assam 180.00 190.00 201.00 205 23 Manipur 33.82 35.10 33.51 34 24 Meghalaya 10.05 9.82 9.81 25 Mizoram 3.36 3.36 4.20 4 26 Nagaland 19.00 22 27 Sikkim 28 Tripura 36.00 472.02 497.08

SUB TOTAL 273.23 746.29 763.60 265 Union Territories

29 A & N Islands 17.82 6.42 8 30 Chandigarh 31 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 32 Daman & Diu 33 Delhi 50.00 34 Lakshadweep 35 Pondicherry 46.94 46.94 44.50 44

SUB TOTAL 96.94 64.76 50.92 52 GRAND TOTAL 54637 58368 55249 54685

Source: States/UTs (Zonal Conferences on Inputs (Plant Protection) USE OF BIO FERTILIZERS 17th December, 2013 LSQ *170 SHRI S. SEMMALAI SMT. RATNA SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has launched certain schemes in the recent past to promote use of bio-fertilizers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated during 11th and 12th Five year Plans under various schemes for the purpose; (c) the details of production of major crops achieved during the last one year using bio-fertilizers vis-a-vis chemical fertilizers in the country; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to popularise the use of bio-fertilizers amongst the farmers in the country? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 170 DUE FOR REPLY ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2013. (a) to (d): Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Government is promoting production of various organic inputs in the country including biofertilizers NPOF provides financial assistance of upto 25% of total financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs as credit linked back-ended subsidy for setting up Bio-fertilizers production units. Under the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), assistance is provided for supply of Rhizobium culture / Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, Azotobacter, Azospirillum culture @50% cost of culture or Rs. 100/- per hectare whichever is less. Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on Pulses, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising bacteria is provided to the farmers under cluster demonstrations. Similarly, under Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria/ Azotobacter culture is provided to the farmers as the part of technology demonstration. Details of funds allocated under NPOF, INSIMP and ISOPOM during 11th and 12th Five Year Plans are at Annexure-I. Government has been advocating integrating use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures including biofertilizers for increasing production of major crops. All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) is implemented by ICAR for R&D on biofertilizers. Government is also promoting use of bio-fertilizers as advisory in package of practice for all crops and as important component of Integrated Nutrient Management. Besides, the Government of India has notified biofertilisers like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria, Acetobacter, Potash Mobilizing Bacteria and Zinc Solubilzing Bacteria under the Fertilizer Quality Control Order (FCO), 1985. As a result of popularization of biofertilisers under the NPOF, production of biofertilisers in the country has increased significantly. Further, different human resource development programmes through Trainings on Organic Farming are also imparted through National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) and its six Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOFs) throughout the country and information on importance, usage and quality control of biofertilisers is being disseminated. Other steps includes publication of Biannual Biofertiliser Newsletter, publication of various leaflets, booklets, brochures etc. Importance of biofertilisers is also broadcasted through Radio Jingles on FM channels.

Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 170 FOR 17-12-2013 Details of funds allocated under various schemes for use of biofertilizers are as under:

(Rs in Lakh.)

Scheme 11th Five Year Plan 12th Five Year Plan Year 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14*

NPOF 250.00 118.33 - 150.00 - 109.7426 300.00 INSIMP** - - - - 300.00 175.00 100.00

ISOPOM 454.83 604.27 427.41 850.63 854.47 554.04 433 73* *Upto 30.11.2013

**INSIMP Scheme was launched w.e.f.2011-12 Under NFSM Pulses, the fund is allocated for Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) components including biofertilizers. Separate record for bio-fertilizers component is not maintained. FERTILITY OF SOIL 17th December, 2013 LSQ *180 SHRI DUDHGAONKAR GANESHRAO NAGORAO SMT. JYOTI DHURVE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether excessive use of chemical fertilizers for increasing foodgrains production has harmful effects on fertility of soil and human health; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to launch campaigns to educate the farmers regarding balanced use of chemical fertilizers and to adopt organic farming to improve the quality of soil as well as reduce the input costs of agricultural production and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government proposes to identify the areas where the soil is malnourished and lacks vital nutrients and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of soil testing centres established and soil health cards issued to the farmers to replenish the quality of soil in the country, State-wise? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 180 DUE FOR REPLY ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2013. (a) & (b): There is no scientific evidence of declining soil fertility from judicious use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter may result in multinutrient deficiencies and deterioration of soil health over time. There is possibility of contamination of ground water due to excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly in light textured soils, that has consequence on human and animal health if used for drinking purpose. (c): Government is recommending soil test based balanced and Integrated Nutrient Management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers thereby preventing deterioration of soil health and contamination of ground water. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending split application and placement of fertilizers, use of slow releasing nitrogenous fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, and growing of leguminous crops. ICAR also imparts training and organizes Front Line Demonstrations to educate farmers on these aspects. Under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility, financial assistance of Rs. 10,000/- per training is provided to State Governments for organizing training programmes for farmers on importance of soil testing and on balanced use of fertilizers in crop productivity.

Government is promoting organic farming through National Project on Organic Farming, National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and Network Project on Organic Farming under ICAR. Under National Project on Organic Farming various books / leaflets etc. prepared by National Centre of Organic Farming are distributed free of cost to educate farmers on adoption of organic farming. During the current financial year, initiative has been taken for broadcasting of Radio Spots on benefits of organic farming and judicious use of fertilizers to retain soil health. Under National Horticulture Mission, Human Resource Development has been included as one of the major component under which training and exposure visits are used to educate the farmers about the use of balanced fertilizers and adoption of organic farming. (d): Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal has prepared geo-referenced soil fertility maps of 170 districts. These geo-referenced maps are useful in identification of areas where soil is malnourished and lacks vital nutrients, in monitoring soil fertility, and in fertilizer recommendations for balanced nutrient application. (e): Statements indicating State-wise number of soil testing laboratories and soil health cards issued to the farmers are given at Annexure - I & II respectively.

Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 180 FOR 17-12-2013 State-wise Number of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) in the country

Sl. No. Name of the State/UT No. of STLs I South Zone 1 Andhra Pradesh 90 2 Karnataka 58 3 Kerala 24 4 Tamil Nadu 48 5 Puducherry 2 6 A&N Island 2 Total 224 II. West Zone 7 Gujarat 139 8 Madhya Pradesh 31 9 Maharashtra 158 10 Rajasthan 59 11 Chhattisgarh 13 12 Goa 2 Total 402 III North Zone 13 Haryana 3 14 Punjab 71 15 Uttarakhand 16 16 Uttar Pradesh 282 17 Himachal Pradesh 15 18 J&K 13 19 Delhi 1 Total 401 IV East Zone 20 Bihar 39 21 Jharkhand 8

22 Orissa 22 23 West Bengal 20 Total 89 V NE Zone 24 Assam 11 25 Tripura 6 26 Manipur 5 27 Meghalaya 6 28 Nagaland 3 29 Arunachal Pradesh 6 30 Sikkim 6 31 Mizoram 6 Total 49 Grand Total 1165

Annexure II

State wise distribution of Soil Health Cards to the Farmers

State/UTs

Soil Health Cards issued (Till March 2013) ( in lakhs)

South Zone Andhra Pradesh 47.36 Karnataka 60.81 Kerala 20.37 Tamil Nadu 51.00 Pondicherry 0.06 A&N Island 0.03 S Zone Total 179.63 West Zone Gujarat 54.24 Madhya Pradesh 24.27 Maharashtra 37.05 Rajasthan 27.90 D&N Haveli 0.05 Chhatisgarh 5.67 Goa 2.36 W Zone Total 151.54 North Zone Haryana 19.60 Punjab 26.45 Uttarakhand 2.74 Uttar Pradesh 150.18 Himachal Pradesh 11.68 J&K 1.80 Delhi 0.07 N Zone Total 212.52 East Zone Bihar 10.70 Jharkhand 1.73 Orissa 23.41 West Bengal 3.50 E Zone Total 39.34 North East Zone

Assam 6.33 Tripura 1.28 Manipur 1.79 Meghalaya 0.92 Nagaland 0.51 Arunachal Pradesh 1.89 Sikkim 0.82 Mizoram 2.87 NE Zone Total 16.41 Grand Total 599.44

FUNDS FOR MICRO IRRIGATION 17th December, 2013 LSQ 1843 SHRI P. K. BIJU Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the funds allocated by the Government for micro irrigation to various States including Kerala during the 12th Five Year Plan; and (b) the amount sanctioned and released, so far? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Details of state-wise funds allocated and released, including Kerala, under the National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) scheme during the 12th Five Year Plan period are annexed.

Annexure Statement with reference to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1843 for 17.12.2013 regarding Funds for Micro Irrigation. Allocation and Release under National Mission on Micro Irrigation during 12th Five Year Plan

Rs. in Crore S.No. States 2012-13 2013-14

Allocation Release Allocation Release (as on 11.12.2013)

1. Andhra Pradesh 295.00 289.93 295.00 147.50 2. Bihar 70.00 52.00 70.00 32.50 3. Chattisgarh 40.00 31.72 40.00 30.00 4. Goa 0.39 0.00 0.40 0.17 5. Gujarat 190.00 182.00 200.00 200.00 6. Haryana 32.00 30.00 40.00 25.00 7. Jharkhand 25.00 25.00 30.00 15.00 8. Karnataka 150.00 140.65 175.00 113.70 9. Kerala 3.00 3.00 7.50 2.00 10. Madhya Pradesh 100.00 63.84 110.00 106.52 11. Maharashtra 250.00 150.18 250.00 102.21

12. Orissa 12.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 13. Punjab 20.00 10.00 20.00 0.00 14. Rajasthan 150.00 110.00 150.00 80.00 15. Tamil Nadu 90.00 83.00 90.00 62.50 16. Uttar Pradesh 15.61 5.95 15.61 2.00 17. West Bengal 1.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 18. NE & Himalayan States 50.00 4.75 45.83 16.90 AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES 17th December, 2013 LSQ 1885 SHRI GANESH SINGH SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has implemented various agricultural schemes for the development of agriculture in various States including Jharkhand; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of such schemes and the amount incurred thereon during the 11th Five Year Plan and the amount likely to be incurred during the 12th Five Year Plan period; (d) the details of the targets set and achieved under these schemes; and (e) whether these schemes have proved a failure due to floods and droughts in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a ) & (b): Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is currently implementing a number of schemes for the development of agriculture in the country, including the State of Jharkhand. Government has decided, in principle, to restructure these schemes into five Missions, five Centrally Sponsored Schemes and one State Plan Scheme in order to have more focused approach. (c) & (d): An amount of Rs.61,527.90 crore was allocated for all schemes (around 50) during XI Five Year Plan period viz.2007-12. An expenditure of Rs.61,065.28 crore was, however, incurred during the said period. For the XII Five Year Plan Period (2012-17), an outlay of Rs.1,34,746 crore has been approved. Rs.17,868.32 crore and Rs.21,609 crore have been provided during the years 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. Actual expenditure incurred during the year 2012-13 was Rs.17,730.72 crore. During 2013-14 and expenditure of Rs.13000 crore (approximately) has been incurred so far. For the XI Plan period, a target of additional food-grain production of 25 million tonnes was fixed. The achievement has surpassed the target. For the XII Plan period again a target of additional food-grain production of 25 million tonnes has been fixed. The target of agriculture growth rate fixed for XI Plan period was 4%. However, the achievement has been 3.64%. For XII Plan period, a target of 4% growth in agriculture sector has been fixed.

(e): No, Madam. The schemes have been very successful in increasing the food-grain production. During 2011-12, the food-grain production was 259.32 million tonnes, which was a record production. During 2012-13, the food-grain production has been 255.36 million tonnes despite drought in some parts of the country. Despite natural calamities like flood, cyclone in some parts of the country, the food-grain production during 2013-14 is targeted at 259 million tonnes. MERGER OF AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES 17th December, 2013 LSQ 1893 SHRI PRABHAKAR PONNAM Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is considering to merge all agricultural schemes into one scheme; and (b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): No, Madam. (b): Does not arise. SUBSIDY ON BIO FERTILIZERS 17th December, 2013 LSQ 1895 SHRI CHAUHAN MAHENDRASINH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide subsidy on bio-fertilizers to promote organic agriculture in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): Under National Project on Organic Farming scheme, assistance upto 25% financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio-fertilizers production units. Under Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), assistance is provided for different types of components including supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solublizing Bacteria, Azotobacter, Azospirillium culture @50% cost of culture of Rs.100/- per hectare whichever is less.

Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on Pulses, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium culture/ Phosphate Solubilising bacteria culture are provided to the farmers under cluster demonstrations. Similarly, under Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, PSB/Azotobacter culture are provided to the farmers as the part of input for technology demonstration at 100% assistance. (c): Does not arise. FERTILIZERS FROM WASTE AND DUNG 17th December, 2013 LSQ 2008 SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH DR SANJAY SINH SMT RATAN SINGH SHRI HARI MANJHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to make fertilizers from waste and dung and provide the same on subsidy to the farmers; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government is implementing any scheme to promote organic farming amongst the farmers; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the necessary steps taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): Under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial assistance of Rs. 500 per hectare is provided to promote use of organic manure. The financial assistance is provided on the basis of project proposals received from States. In addition, Ministry of Agriculture Government of India is implementing a scheme to promote organic farming among the farmers under National Project on Organic Farming. Under this scheme an assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and Rs. 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio- pesticides/bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. Besides, under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. Besides, ICAR under Network Project on Organic Farming with lead centre at Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram is developing package of practices of différent crops and cropping system under organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country. Presently, the project is running at 13 co-operating centres including State Agricultural Universities(SAUs) spread over 12 states. ICAR institutes including State Agricultural Universities impart training and organise Front Line Demonostration (FLD) to educate farmers on aspects related to organic farming. CROP INSURANCE SCHEMES 17th December, 2013

LSQ 2014 SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR SHRI KIRTI (JHA) AZAD SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI GANESH SINGH SHRI HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE SHRI YASHVIR SINGH SHRI JOSE K. MANI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the total number of farmers benefited under crop insurance scheme and weather based crop insurance scheme in the country, State-wise including Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh; (b) whether the Government has conducted any review to compensate the loss in several States in regard to these insurance schemes; (c) if so, the details thereof along with the Reference Weather Stations set up in various States including Maharashtra to measure weather data; (d) the names of the States which have sent proposals for compensation of loss under these insurance schemes; (e) the details of the claim amount distributed by the Government to the beneficiaries during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (f) whether the Government is aware of large scale bogus and ineligible beneficiaries reported under these schemes; and (g) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) : Details of total number of farmers benefited under crop insurance schemes including Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh are given in Annexure-I. (b) to (d): Claims under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS)/Modified NAIS (MNAIS) and Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) are worked out and paid/settled by the concerned insurance companies and not by the Central/State Government as per the provisions of the respective scheme. Under yield based schemes namely NAIS/MNAIS, claims are assessed on the basis of actual yield data furnished by the respective State Government based on the requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). Under WBCIS, claims are worked out on the basis of weather parameters and triggers thereon and data recorded by weather stations notified by the State Government. As per provisions of the WBCIS, claims are worked out and settled based on the data of Weather Stations. These weather Stations are notified by the concerned State Government at the time of notification of the scheme. State-wise list of Automatic Weather Stations / Rain Gauges which are used as Reference Weather Stations in WBCIS implementing States is at Annexure-II. (e) : Details are given in Annexure-III. (f) & (g): Only 2 such complaints have so far been received which include one from Rajasthan against ICICI-Lombard under WBCIS and recently another from Bihar against AIC under NAIS. Government of Rajasthan has been requested to enquire into the complaints. Based on outcome of the inquiry conducted for Rajasthan complaint,

this Department has asked the State Government and ICICI-Lombard to fix the responsibility of the persons for insuring 381 farmers who are not aware about insurance of their crops during Rabi 2010-11 season and also to return the Government amount of premium collected.

Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2014 FOR 17-12-2013 Details of No. of Farmers Insured/Benefitted

1 States / Uts. Farmers Insured under NAIS & MNAIS (no.)

Farmers Insured under WBCIS (no.) Total

1 Andhra Pradesh 29261980 1961273 31223253 2 Andeman & Nicobar 2532 2532 3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 4 Assam 338447 0 338447 5 Bihar 6541080 7455055 13996135 6 Chandigarh 0 0 7 Chhatisgarh 9774564 214461 9989025 8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 9 Daman & Diu 0 0 10 Delhi 0 0 11 Goa 7892 7892 12 Gujarat 13298984 497661 13796645 13 Haryana 801441 188765 990206 14 Himachal Pradesh 296287 88082 384369 15 Jammu & Kashmir 44520 44520 16 Jharkhand 6097036 239342 6336378 17 Karnataka 13325416 605858 13931274 18 Kerala 434061 54401 488462 19 Lakshdweep 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 28184679 881773 29066452 21 Maharashtra 32803620 578765 33382385 22 Manipur 19629 19629 23 Meghalaya 29155 0 29155 24 Mizoram 121 121 25 Nagaland 0 0 26 Orissa 14467093 315755 14782848 27 Pondicherry 36577 36577 28 Punjab 0 67 67 29 Rajasthan 16360357 24460928 40821285 30 Sikkim 1893 1893 31 Tamilnadu 5208862 119204 5328066 32 Tripura 19573 19573 33 Uttar Pradesh 22452617 203453 22656070 34 Uttarakhand 439119 45413 484532 35 West Bengal 11695518 98513 11794031

Total 211943053 38008769 249951822 N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented.

Annexure-II

Position of State-wise & Agency-wise No. of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) & Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) Installed

(Figures rre NO.)

Sl. No.

State/UT IMD# State Govt. ISRO$ NCMSL Weather

Risk Total

AWS

ARG

AWS

ARG

AWS

ARG

AWS

ARG

AWS

ARG

AWS

ARG

1 A&N ISLANDS 1 0 1 2 ANDHRA PRADESH 22 900 28 950 0

3 ARUNANCHAL PRADESH 8 8 0

4 ASSAM 24 5 29 0 5 BIHAR 28 407 1 436 0 6 CHANDIGARH 22 22 0 7 CHHATTISGARH 18 18 0 8 D&N HAVELI 0 0 9 DAMAN & DIU 0 0

10 DELHI 12 5 17 0 11 GOA 1 5 1 5 12 GUJARAT 27 60 27 60 114 60 13 HARYANA 25 16 35 20 80 16

14 HIMACHAL PRADESH 22 15 36 24 82 15

15 JAMMU & KASHMIR 10 10 0 16 JHARKHAND 14 108 122 0 17 KARNATAKA 21 800 33 20 74 800 18 KERALA 10 10 16 36 0 19 LAKSHADWEEP 0 0 20 MADHYA PRADESH 48 2 39 38 125 2 21 MAHARASHTRA 35 67 98 26 159 67 22 MANIPUR 9 9 0 23 MEGHALAYA 8 8 0 24 MOZORAM 8 8 0 25 NAGALAND 7 7 0 26 ORISSA 30 174 8 38 174 27 PUDUCHERRY 0 0 28 PUNJAB 25 24 25 74 0 29 RAJASTHAN 36 508 32 576 0 30 SIKKIM 3 3 0 31 TAMIL NADU 17 224 12 21 274 0 32 TRIPURA 7 7 0 33 UTTAR PRADESH 44 74 31 38 113 74 34 UTTARAKHAND 12 7 12 31 0 35 WEST BENGAL 17 29 46 0

ALL INDIA 548 414 112

4 800 100

0 140

5 0 400 0 347

7 121

4 N.B.: Zero stands for not implemented.

Annexure-III Details of the Claims Distributed under Crop Insurance Schemes

(Rs. In lakh)

Sl. No. States / Uts. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 (tentative)

1 Andhra Pradesh 74907 84679 54214 27912.02 2 Andeman & Nicobar 0 3 5 0 3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 4 Assam 398 85 375 0 5 Bihar 85172 55818 14210 15559.95 6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 7 Chhatisgarh 12424 136 6017 1295.82 8 Dadar & Nagar Haveli 0 0 0 0 9 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0

10 Delhi 0 0 0 0 11 Goa 0 0 0 0 12 Gujarat 81147 7293 32040 0 13 Haryana 433 1055 5230 460.78 14 Himachal Pradesh 1069 833 2490 13.43 15 Jammu & Kashmir 101 12 0 0 16 Jharkhand 25701 9225 597 1751.3 17 Karnataka 20005 5228 17808 4284.38 18 Kerala 227 370 294 58.08 19 Lakshdweep 0 0 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 8360 38452 40676 7324.27 21 Maharashtra 38583 3737 21914 20976.95 22 Manipur 223 11 70 466.51 23 Meghalaya 10 1 4 0 24 Mizoram 11 0 9 0 25 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 26 Orissa 6090 14351 70119 265.88 27 Pondicherry 3 9 54 0 28 Punjab 0 0 0 0 29 Rajasthan 159859 30855 57763 58217.64 30 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 31 Tamilnadu 13123 24190 6757 138.13 32 Tripura 0 0 0 0 33 Uttar Pradesh 17127 10999 4176 173.41 34 Uttarakhand 960 1342 674 2319.25 35 West Bengal 3889 4370 10736 0.05

Total 549821 293054 346232 141218 WEATHER BASED INSURANCE SCHEME 17th December, 2013 LSQ 2031 SHRI PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has publicised/advertised the Weather based Insurance Scheme for the upcoming rabi season;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the other schemes with which the farmers can cover the risk for the upcoming rabi season; and (d) the steps taken by the Government to popularise these schemes adequately so that maximum farmers can get benefits of these schemes? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): With the aim to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers for losses in their crop yield, Government of India (GOI) has been implementing various crop insurance schemes since 1985. These schemes are improved to make more farmer friendly from time to time based on evaluation studies, experience gained through implementation and feed-back of the stakeholders. Recently, various improvements/changes have been made in yield index based Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), weather index based Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) & crop specific based Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) and a new central sector scheme in the name of ‘National Crop Insurance Programme’ (NCIP) has been introduced by merging MNAIS, WBCS & CPIS throughout the country from Rabi 2013-14. Continued efforts are made to create awareness about crop insurance schemes including WBCIS by the implementing agencies in coordination with implementing States. The salient activities under awareness campaign, involve the publicity of features & benefits of the scheme through advertisements in leading National/local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets, participation in agriculture fairs/mela/gosti and organization of workshops/trainings and SMS through Kisan Portal etc. USE OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES 17th December, 2013 LSQ 2050 SHRI GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESWARA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has recently launched an awareness programme to educate farmers on sustainable use of groundwater resources in rainfed areas of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has launched this programme through the print/electronic media for the farmers; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the success achieved so far, in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): Government has constituted Advisory Council on Mass Awareness on Water Conservation in June, 2013 with the objective to initiate a major awareness campaign on water conservation to propagate the policies and programmes of Ministry of Water Resources with a view to achieve the goals of the National Water Policy 2012 and National Water Mission. Mass awareness campaigns on various aspects of ground water management were organized by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). So far about 455 mass awareness programmes on rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water throughout the country involving Central/State/Non-Government/Voluntary/Welfare Organizations, educational institutions, industries, and individuals were conducted.

Films produced by Central Ground Water Authority on rain water harvesting, ground water pollution etc., were shown during various mass awareness programmes. Apart from these Jal Yatras, Run for Water, Speech Competition, Hoardings, Distribution of brochures, Exhibition on water Conservation & Protection were also organized. Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a scheme namely Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension to spread awareness about modern technologies and research in agriculture and allied areas. Under this scheme, agriculture related programmes covering various aspects of agriculture including judicious use and conservation of water are broadcast through Doordarshan, All India Radio and private channels. (e): Stage of ground water development has increased from 58% in 2004 to 61% in 2009 where as Blocks/Mandals/Talulkas categorized as overexploited, critical and semi critical have reduced from 29% to 26% during this period. ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT 11th February, 2014 LSQ *293 SHRI RANJAN PRASAD YADAV SHRI UDASI SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the names and the number of districts in various States including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra which are facing problem of drought almost every year; (b) whether the Government has received any suggestions from these States to deal with the problem of drought; (c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the response of the Government thereto; (d) the details of the assistance provided by the Government to these drought affected States including the subsidy on diesel to farmers on the basis of land-holding records; and (e) the other steps taken by the Government to mitigate the problem of drought in the country? ANSWER MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 293 DUE FOR REPLY ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2014. (a) to (e): The names and number of districts in various States including Karnataka and Maharashtra that have declared drought during the last three years (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13) and current year (2013-14) is given at Annexure-I. State Governments are empowered to initiate appropriate relief measures in the wake of loss/damage to crops due to natural calamities from funds readily available under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), upon receipt of a detailed memorandum from the State Government following which Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed for assessing the situation and recommending central assistance as per established procedure and extant norms. Assistance provided by Government of India to various States since 2010-11 for dealing with drought situation is at Annexure-II. Government of Madhya Pradesh has not declared drought during these years.

Government of India has been implementing Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) since 1973-74 with the objective of minimizing adverse impact of drought on production of crops & livestock and on productivity of land. This programme is now subsumed under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). Watershed activities include land development, water resource development and afforestation/pasture development. Besides, Government is also implementing several other Central Sector Schemes namely, Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP), Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Rural Drinking Water Programe (NRDWP) etc. for mitigating adverse impact of deficit rainfall through watershed development; water harvesting structures; major, medium and minor irrigation projects; repair & restoration of water bodies; augmentation of drinking water facilities; etc.

ANNEXURE-I Lok Sabha Starred Question No.293 due for reply on 11.02.2014 STATE-WISE DETAILS OF DISTRICTS DECLARED DROUGHT AFFECTED 2010 - 2011

Sl. No.

Name of State No. of district declared

Name of districts

1 Bihar (38)

38

Arwal, Aurangabad, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gaya, Jehanabad, Jamui, Kaimur, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Rohtas, Saran, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Vaishali, Araria, Gopalganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Purnea, Saharsa, Supaul and West Champaran

2 Jharkhand (24)

24

Bokaro, Chatra, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Giridih, Jamtara, Khunti, Latehar, Palamu, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Deoghar, Garhwa, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Dumka, Godda, Koderma, Lohardaga, Pakur, Sahibganj, Simdega and West Singhbhum

3 West Bengal (19)

11 Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan, Hooghly, Malda, Medinapur, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, Paschim Purulia, and South 24-Parganas

4 Orissa (30)

17 Angul, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Sundargarh, Bhadrak and Bolangir

2011-2012

Sl. No.

Name of State No. of district declared

Name of districts

1 Andhra Pradesh (23)

22

Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, East Godavari, Guntur, Karimnagar, Krishna, Khammam, Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Prakasham, Ranga Reddy, SPSR Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizayanagram, Warangal, West Godhavari, YSR Kadapa

2. Karnataka (30) 24

Bagalkote, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Chamarajanagara, Chikkaballapur, Chikamagalur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Hassan, Haveri, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore, Raichure, Ramanagara, Tumkur, Yadgiri, Bangalore Rural

3. Maharashtra (35)

15

Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Ahmadnagar, Latur, Osmanabad, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Nagpur, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Buldhana

2012-2013 Sl. No.

Name of State No. of districts

Name of districts

declared 1. Gujarat (26) 17

Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kheda, Kutch, Mahesana, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Vadodara.

2. Karnataka (30) 26

Bagalkote, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagalur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulburga, Hassan, Haveri, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore, Raichure, Ramanagar, Shimoga, Tumkur, Yadgiri

3. Kerala (14)

4 (Kharif)

14 (Rabi)

Idukki, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad Alappuzha, Kannur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kasargode, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad

4. Maharashtra (35)

16 (Kharif)

9 (Rabi)

Nasik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Ahmadnagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Buldhana, Aurangabad, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad Pune, Satara, Sangli, Ahmadnagar, Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Osmanabad, Solapur

5. Rajasthan (33) 12 Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Ajmer, Banswada, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Rajsamand, Pali, Sikar

6. Andhra Pradesh (23)

9

Anantapur, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool, Prakasham, Chittoor, Nalgonda, SPS Nellore, Mahabubnagar, Guntur

7 Tamil Nadu (32)

31 Kancheepuram, Vellore, Tiruvallur, Salem, Coimbatore, Vilupuram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Cuddalore, Tiruppur, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Erode, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Nammakkal, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Thiruvallur, Theni, Karur, Ariyalur, The Nilgiris and Perambalur.

2013-2014

Sl. No.

Name of State No. of districts declared

Name of districts

1. Bihar (38) 33

Gaya, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Nawada, Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Munger, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Begusarai, Khagaria, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Saran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Sheohar, East Champaran, West Champaran, Madhepura, Supaul, Saharsa, Purnea, Katihar

2. Karnataka (30) 22 Bangalore Urban, Ramanagar, Kolar, Chickballapur, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagara, Mysore, Mandya, Bellary, Koppal, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Belgaum, Bagalkote, Bijapur, Gadag, Haveri, Dharwad, Hassan, Uttara Kannada

ANNEXURE-II

Lok Sabha Starred Question No.293 due for reply on 11.02.2014 Statement indicating assistance approved* from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought of 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14

(Rs. in crores)

Sl. No.

State Drought of 2010-11

Drought of 2011-12 Drought of 2012-13

Drought of 2013-14

1. Andhra Pradesh -- 706.15 142.97 -- 2. Bihar 1459.54 -- -- 931.87 3. Gujarat -- -- 864.71 -- 4. Jharkhand 855.30 -- -- -- 5. Karnataka -- 469.03 526.06 -- 6. Kerala -- -- 62.61

107.89 --

7. Maharashtra -- 574.71 778.09 1036.98

--

8. Odisha 376.55 -- -- -- 9. Rajasthan -- -- 320.64 -- 10. Tamil Nadu -- -- 624.69 -- 11. West Bengal 724.99 -- -- --

* Subject to adjustment of 75% of available balances in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of concerned State Government. Statement indicating assistance given towards Diesel Subsidy 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14:

(in Rupees)

Sl. No.

State Drought of 2010-11 Drought of 2011-12

Drought of 2012-13

Drought of 2013-14

1. Jharkhand 421520 -- -- -- 2. Gujarat -- -- 39000 -- 3. Bihar -- -- 338883000 --

GM CROPS 11th February, 2014 LSQ *299 SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI SHRI N.S.V. CHITTHAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of research conducted by Agricultural Universities/Research Institutions in the country on Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country; (b) the GM crops introduced along with its success rate in the country; (c) whether these crops have adverse impact on the environment, human health and on livestock; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that traditional crops are not replaced with GM crops without adequate research?

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 299 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/02/2014 REGARDING “GM CROPS” (a) The National Agricultural Research System comprising of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State /Central Agricultural Universities are engaged in developing Genetically Modified (GM) Crops, viz., cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibres, fruits and vegetables. The target traits for the development of GM crops comprise of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, herbicide tolerance, nutritional and keeping quality. The details are given in Annexure-I. (b) Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop approved for cultivation in India subsequent to extensive evaluation and regulatory process in the year 2002. Bt cotton was introduced primarily for bollworm control. Yields of cotton stagnating at about 300 kg/ha from 1992 to 2002 rose to 488 kg/ha during 2013. Further, subsequent to its introduction, the average insecticide usage decreased from 0.88 kg/ha (2002) to 0.56 kg/ha during 2011. Presently, about 95% cotton area is under Bt cotton. (c) & (d): No Madam; there are no credible scientific reports indicating that GM crops have adverse impact on the environment, human health and livestock. (e) The Government of India follows a policy of case by case approval of genetically modified (GM) crops. The bio-safety assessment, efficacy and agronomic performance of transgenic seeds, extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process takes place before any GM crop is approved for commercial cultivation. A final view on the commercialization of GM crops is taken only when there is a clear economic and technical justification for release. The Government is also taking necessary steps such as maintenance of isolation distance, measures to prevent pollen flow, storage of germplasm in gene banks/repositories etc. to ensure that traditional crops are not replaced by GM crops without adequate research. Besides, traditional crops are maintained with option of using in pre-breeding or hybridization for crop improvement. Annexure-I ANNEXURE-I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.299 for 11-02-2014

Sl. No. Crop Trait Institute 1. Brinjal Insect resistance Indian Agricultural

Research Institute (IARI) New Delhi; National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi; Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi; University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore

2. Castor Insect resistance Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR), Hyderabad; NRCPB, New Delhi

3. Groundnut Virus resistance; Abiotic International Crop

stress tolerance/Insect Resistance

Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Andhra Pradesh; Directorate of Groundnut Research (DGR), Gujarat; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

4. Potato Fungal/Viral resistance/Protein Quality

Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla; IARI, New Delhi; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

5. Rice Insect/ Disease resistance/ Pro Vitamin A/ Salinity tolerance / Sheath blight / High Iron, Zinc/Aroma and Cooking quality/Nutritional quality/Allele mining for selected genes using landraces

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi; NRCPB, New Delhi; Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal; TNAU, Coimbatore; Bose Institute Kolkata; Osmania University, Hyderabad; Calcutta University, Kolkata; Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad; National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi; MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai

6. Cotton Insect/ Disease / Virus resistance

Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur; Delhi University South Campus, New Delhi; IARI, New Delhi; NRCPB, New Delhi

7. Tomato Insect/ Disease resistance/ Abiotic Stress Tolerance/ Virus resistance/ Fruit ripening

IARI, New Delhi, NRCPB, New Delhi; IIVR, Varanasi; Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore; University of Delhi, South Campus

8. Potato Tuber sweetening/ Resistance to viruses, late blight and cold induced sweetening

CPRI, Shimla; NRCPB, New Delhi

9. Chickpea Pod Borer resistance, Abiotic stress tolerance

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – North Eastern Hills; ICRISAT, Andhra Pradesh; Indian

Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur; Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, Bose Institute, Kolkata; NRCPB, New Delhi; IARI, New Delhi; Calcutta University, Kolkata

Sl. No. Crop Trait Institute 1. Sorghum Insect resistance/ Abiotic

stress tolerance Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad; Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad; NRCPB, New Delhi;

2. Watermelon Virus resistance Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore

3. Papaya Virus resistance IIHR, Bangalore; IARI, New Delhi; Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow; NRCPB, New Delhi

4. Sugarcane Insect resistance Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore

5. Mustard Abiotic/Biotic stress tolerance/ Heterosis (Male sterility)

NRCPB, New Delhi; Directorate of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (DRMR), Rajasthan; DU, South Campus, New Delhi

6. Jute Drought resistance, Herbicide tolerance

Calcutta University, Kolkata; Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Kolkata

7. Flax Fibre quality NRCPB, New Delhi 8. Wheat Herbicide tolerance,

Drought tolerance, Terminal heat tolerance, Bread-making quality, Allele mining for selected genes using landraces

Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR), Karnal; NRCPB, New Delhi; IARI, New Delhi

9. Sugarcane Red rot Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow

10. Maize Stem borer resistance, Drought tolerance, Downy mildew resistance, Allele

IARI, New Delhi; Directorate of Maize Research (DMR), New

mining for selected genes using landraces

Delhi; Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Almora

11. Pigeonpea Pod borer/ Edible Vaccine IIPR, Kanpur; NRCPB, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

12. Soybean Virus Resistance IARI, New Delhi; Directorate of Soybean Research (DSR), Indore

13. Banana Disease Resistance National Research Centre on Banana (NRCB), Tamil Nadu; IARI, New Delhi; IIHR, Bangalore

14. Cassava Disease Resistance Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Kerala; IARI, New Delhi

GREEN REVOLUTION 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3089 SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has prepared an approach paper to bring a second green revolution in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to set up any committee of Chief Ministers on green revolution; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): No specific approach paper has been prepared to bring a second green revolution in India. However, an approach paper in XI Plan ‘Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth’ was prepared by Planning Commission which envisaged higher growth in Agriculture. For the XII Plan, a growth target of 4% has been set for the agriculture sector. The Centre has more than doubled its plan expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors during XII Plan. (c) & (d): the Government has also taken several initiatives to increase the productivity and production in the areas which did not benefit from the Green Revolution. They include special attention to rainfed areas through Integrated Watershed Development Programme, Micro-Irrigation and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and in eastern India through a special programme under “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)” which focuses on enhancing the production of rice and rice based cropping systems. In order to provide a momentum to the BGREI programme, a Committee was constituted

under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister along with Chief Ministers of Governments of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and representative of Planning Commission. The TORs of the Committee include developing strategic plans for improving agriculture production and productivity in the rice based cropping system of eastern India, recommending suitable initiatives for inter departmental policy and programmatic convergence for integrated delivery of inputs and services to farmers in eastern India as well as for technical and institutional support for marketing and procurement in the region recommending specific areas of strategic research on issues constraining agriculture production in the region, reviewing physical and financial progress of the programme, reviewing and recommending suitable monitoring structure for the programme, commissioning impact evaluation, etc. DRIP AND SPRINKLER IRRIGATION 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3121 SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is true that the existing technology being used in the Drip and Sprinkler irrigation system is not yielding the desired results; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the existing methods are not so beneficial for the farmers; (d) if so, whether the Government is making any efforts to adopt new technology in drip and sprinkler irrigation; and (e) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): No, Madam. (c) to (e): Existing technologies of drip and sprinkler irrigation system have helped in achieving high water use efficiency in agriculture, resulting in saving water to the extent of 30-40%. It also results in increase of yield, saving in fertilizer usage and better quality of produce. Under the ongoing scheme National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI), all types of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems are being promoted, depending on the crop and agro climatic conditions. ORGANIC FARMING 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3130 SHRI KATTI RAMESH VISHWANATH SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY SHRI GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESWARA SMT SHRUTI CHOUDHRY SHRI LAXMAN TUDU SHRI YASHBANT NARAYAN SINGH LAGURI SHRI O. S. MANIAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop the cultivation of different crops as well as pulses under organic farming to improve soil health degenerated due to indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the area under organic farming and the estimated production and value of organic cash and food crops grown in the country during each of the last three years and the current year; (c) whether the Government provides financial assistance for promotion of organic farming under the National Horticulture Mission in the country; (d) if so, the details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government on suggested ways and means by some Non-Governmental Organisations to improve soil health and organic farming in the country? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Network Project on Organic Farming is developing package of practices of different crops and cropping systems under Organic Farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country. The project is running in 13 co-operating centres including State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) spread over 12 States. Organic farming package of practices for 14 crops namely basmati rice, rainfed wheat, maize, redgram, chickpea, soybean, groundnut, mustard, isabgol, black pepper, ginger, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower have been developed. State wise area and production of certified organic products (including forest produce) during last 3 years and current year is given at Annexure1A & 1B. (c) & (d): Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), subsidy is provided for adoption of organic farming @ 50% of the maximum permissible cost of Rs. 20,000/ha for a maximum area of 4 ha per beneficiary. The programme is linked with organic certification. Subsidy under organic certification is project based, which is Rs.5.00 lakh for a cluster of 50 ha. For setting up of vermi-compost units, assistance is provided @ 50% of cost of Rs.60,000/unit. Details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years and the current year, State- wise is given at Annexure-II (e): Funding to NGOs for promotion of organic farming has been discontinued since 2010.

Annexure-1A ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3130 FOR 11-02-2014 STATEWISE AREA IN Ha UNDER ORGANIC CERTIFICATION (INCLUDING WILD HARVEST)

States 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Andhra Pradesh 44395.67 14350.72 47456.77 7909.13

Arunachal Pradesh 1897.27 243.00 520.43 231.49

Assam 6223.12 2047.33 2048.27 2299.21

Andman & Nicobar 0 334.68 0 321.28

Islands

Bihar 1096.30 1303.62 188.60 9351.95

Chhattisgarh 29084.97 8448.94 299970.60 98817.31

Delhi 12734.36 265.82 100238.70 58.4

Goa 13175.72 13303.70 153684.60 8290.6

Gujarat 102488.40 48518.91 41978.94 47775.62

Haryana 21951.60 14763.61 17442.36 7562.16

Hinachal Pradesh 683697.85 631901.99 933798.20 1364655.50

J&K 32687.11 776.48 26834.26 30121.14

Jharkhand 100.00 24300.00 29794.42 35889.94

Karnataka 121507.56 88728.64 118739.70 84607.82

Kerala 15372.62 6597.65 15790.49 10568.40

Lakshadweep 0 12.13 891.93 350.68

Madhya Pradesh 2829249 2866571.88 432129.50 2582439.75

Mahrashtra 35449.98 177345.48 245339.30 74409.92

Manipur 10871.30 2792.03 1296.91 11.25

Meghalaya 2254.12 2419.67 288.23 3580.49

Mizoram 38674.62 12544.13 7023.97 1182.00

Nagaland 29715.28 1603.54 7762.60 9771.96

Orissa 92452.47 24417.55 43868.18 21079.31

Punjab 5264.23 6025.78 927.28 1601.47

Rajashthan 260827.88 217712.19 222319.10 483292.33

Sikkim 7393.09 1726.34 25716.55 46560.40

Tamil Nadu 78442.90 34878.09 38554.33 35253.97

Tripura 281.06 348.39 4.05 209.72

Uttar Pradesh 26567.68 111644.83 2593821 170353.91

Uttarakhand 33181.30 105465.98 122880.60 71305.35

14861.22 6125.72 19095.55 1279.41

Total 4551899 4427519 5550405 5211142

(Source: Data provided by APEDA Accredited Certified Agencies (in Trace net).

Annexure-1B STATEWISE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCTS (INCLUDING FOREST PRODUCE) States

Production ( Wild + Organic) MT


Production (Cultivable

production) MT

Production (Wild +

Organic) MT 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12) 2012-13

Andhra Pradesh 11129.24 59470.76 3658.43 5935.626

Arunachal Pradesh 710.02 2127.29 60.622

Assam 2328.89 14716.95 1200.20 4832.723

Andman 0.00 4189.10 - - Bihar 410.27 15153.35 - -

Chhattisgarh 1278.76 1695.82 3153.66 3811.683

Daman & Diu 0.00 0.00 0.01 - Delhi 4765.60 2172.26 - -

Goa 2765.91 28262.50 156.65 2547.619

Gujarat 26386.80 191667.84 9859.58 37943.994

Haryana 3275.85 119789.39 1731.57 3353.171

Himachal Pradesh 237105.14 74973.30 472.43 169.616

Jammu & Kashmir 12232.56 10382.95 3513.68 5139.394

Karnataka 45472.00 220901.31 10324.01 322466.465

Kerala 5752.93 58177.29 12277.72 5784.102

Lakshdeep 0.00 22.55 - -

Madhya Pradesh 164694.54 1220809.58 83404.75 425923.866

Jharkhand 37.42 0.00 - -

Maharashtra 53496.16 694275.26 211740.81 271098.436

Manipur 4068.39 19239.25 3.11 28

Meghalaya 843.56 15674.64 9654.38 1771.28

Mizoram 14473.28 177509.02 - - Nagaland 11120.41 6627.47 560.00 - Orissa 62391.68 166183.41 4438.42 48750.489

Punjab 1970.04 68177.83 880.123

Rajasthan 23612.61 265341.01 138635.84 95949.276

Sikkim 2766.73 5174.44 4121.78 -

Tamil Nadu 23847.43 41640.73 19797.66 17516.162

Tripura 105.18 527.25 36.919

Uttar Pradesh 970832.69 294156.10 27526.75 47797.892

Uttarakhand 10030.05 79765.04 22 439.79 29011.386

West Bengal 5561.54 28393.48 3159.97 10738.465

571831.19 + 119195.12

(Wild collection)

Total Production In MT

1703465.70 3887197.19 691026.316 1341547.31

(Source: Data provided by APEDA Accredited Certified Agencies in Tracenet).

Annexure- II Details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise for adoption of organic farming under National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

State Assistance provided during 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Andhra Pradesh 40.86 00.00 00.00 00.00 Bihar 103.25 43.42 00.00 00.00 Chhattisgarh 103.60 79.50 00.00 36.00 Goa 03.07 00.00 00.00 00.00 Gujarat 240.00 60.00 00.00 20.00 Jharkhand 09.17 06.79 118.40 82.00 Kerala 19.23 59.50 06.40 00.00 Madhya Pradesh 00.11 00.00 00.00 00.00 Maharashta 14.43 00.00 08.25 00.00 Odisha 00.00 32.86 258.23 200.00 Rajasthan 16.55 197.68 78.50 00.63 Tamil Nadu 16.00 00.00 00.00 34.00 West Bengal 00.00 54.58 00.00 00.00 Andman & Nicobar

00.00 00.00 1.40 00.00

Total 566.27 534.33 471.18 372.63 DAMAGE TO CROPS 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3155

SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN SHRI RAM SINGH KASWAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether damages to various crops due to cold wave/frost and unseasonal rains have recently been reported in different parts, of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) to (c): During 2013-14, none of the State Governments have furnished any memorandum indicating damages to various crops attributed to cold wave/frost and unseasonal rains. Since cold wave/frost are localized events, State Governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which is readily available with them. PRODUCTION OF JATROPHA 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3175 SMT KAMLA DEVI PATLE Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the efforts made by the Government to promote the production of Jatropha which is used as bio-diesel in the country; (b) whether the desired results, have not been achieved by the Government in the farming of Jatropha; (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and (d) the other corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote the farming of Jatropha in the country? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a): Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is carrying out Research & Development (R&D) activities involving State Agricultural Universities, institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE), Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) since 2004-05 on various issues pertaining to jatropha, such as identification of Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) with higher oil content and higher seed yield, multi location trials of superior genotypes, development of High Yield Varieties/ hybrids, post harvest tools and technology; etc. (b) & (c): Under R&D network programme on Jatropha, five nos. of hybrid clones of jatropha namely CJH-3, CJH-5, CJH-9, CJH-12 and CJH-13 have been developed and are currently under evaluation.

(d): Provision for plantation of jatropha has been made in the XII plan under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) of Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. IMPACT OF AGRO CHEMICALS ON FOODGRAINS 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3197 SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether any assessment has been made regarding the impact of agro chemicals on the targeted pests and subsequently the production of foodgrains; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken/ is planning to take any measures to regulate the usage of inorganic chemicals and promote biological pest control measures; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): The Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers pesticides after evaluating the data on chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicity and packaging and processing to ensure its efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and the environment. Alongwith Certificate of Registration, an approved label claim having details of directions for use, dose, dilution, waiting period, safety etc. is provided to registrants. Pesticides need to be used as per the approved label claim available with each pack. There is no report to suggest that use of the agro chemicals has any adverse affect on agricultural production of foodgrains if used as per approved label claim. On the contrary, use of these insecticides has helped in mitigating the menace of insect pests. (c) & (d): To minimize the use of chemical pesticides, Government is implementing a scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” since 1991-92 by adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as main plank of plant protection strategy in overall crop production programme. Under the ambit of IPM programme, Government has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 States and one UT. Biological control measures of pest management are being promoted in the States through these Centres for which the activities like mass production and release of bio control agents against different pests and weeds and augmentation and conservation of the bio-control agents are being undertaken. The farmers are also being empowered through Farmers Field Schools programme being organized in different States of India for the adoption and popularization of bio-control measures against different crop pests and weeds. AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3214 DR RANJAN PRASAD YADAV

SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN DR SANJAY SINH SHRI RATAN SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has recently reviewed Centrally Sponsored Schemes meant for agricultural development in the country; (b) if so, the outcome thereof including the deficiencies identified during the review scheme-wise; and (c) the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure that the farmers get the benefit of these schemes? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Centrally Sponsored Schemes being implemented by the Department are reviewed from time to time to assess their effectiveness and identify shortcomings and bottlenecks for remedial measures. Some of the suggestions/ deficiencies identified as a result of review were: generally low pace of expenditure in all North Eastern States, poor deployment of manpower due to less remuneration for the post of SMSs under Scheme of Support to State Extention Programmes for Extention Reforms; supply of quality planting material, focus on rejuvenation of senile orchards, training of farmers on latest technologies and creation of better infrastructure facilities for poor harvest management and marketing under the Scheme of National Horticulture Mission. Two flagship schemes of the Ministry namely (i) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and (ii) National Food Security Mission introduced/ implemented during 11th Plan period for development of the agriculture in the country have been reviewed and are continuing for implementation during the 12th Plan period. The suggestions/ deficiencies pointed out as a result of review have been taken care of in the restructured schemes. To avoid overlap and for more focused attention the 50 odd schemes of the Department have been restructured into five Missions, five Schemes and one State Plan Scheme. The restructured schemes have been approved for implementation from the year 2014-15. (c): Farmers are getting the benefit of the schemes which is evident from the record level of production of 250.29 million tones of foodgrains during the year 2012-13 as against a production of 218.10 million tones in the year 2009-10 and 244.49 million tones in 2010-11. Foodgrain production is expected to cross 259 million tones during 2013-14. Among various various other steps taken by the Government for development of agriculture include ensuring remunerative price to farmers for their product; procurement of produce; ensure income security through insurance schemes; make institutional credit available to farmers at lowest affordable rate of interest; ensuring timely and hassle free credit to farmers; making available the results of various research in agriculture to farmers through media and extension programmes. Government is committed to provide full support and encouragement to farming community through various programmes and schemes. PROMOTION OF ORGANIC MANURE 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3241 SMT RAJKUMARI RATNA SINGH DR BHOLA SINGH SHRI S. RAMASUBBU

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to develop organic/chemical free fertilizers throughout the country by involving the private sector in view of the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers; (b) if so, the quantum of funds allocated by the Government during the 11th Five Year Plan to encourage organic manure and organic farming and to improve the quality of soil in the country; (c) whether the Government has achieved the desired targets in this regard; and (d) if not, the steps taken by the Government to achieve the set targets along with the success achieved, so far? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a): Government is already promoting organic/chemical free fertilizers under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme of National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) through NABARD by setting up of Fruit & Vegetable Waste/Agro Waste Compost Units under Municipalities, Agricultural Produce marketing Committees (APMCs), Public Sector/Private Sector Companies, individual entrepreneurs and Bio-fertilizer/Bio-pesticide Production Units through Public Sector, Co-operative/Private Sector Companies, NGOs and individual entrepreneurs. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed technologies to prepare various types of organic manures such as Phospho-compost, Vermi-compost, Municipal Solid Waste Compost etc. from various organic wastes. (b) to (d): During the 11th Five Year Plan, the funds Rs.101.00 crore was allocated by the Government for National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) to encourage organic farming including organic manure. Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme of NPOF, subsidy amounting to Rs.11.53 crore was released through NABARD during 11th plan period. ICAR is implementing a Network Project on Organic Farming to develop package of practices of different crops and cropping systems under Organic farming in different agro- ecological regions of the country with an allocation of Rs.5.34 crore. Organic farming package of practices for 14 crops namely basmati rice, rainfed wheat, maize, redgram, chickpea, soyabean, groundnut, mustard, isabgol, black pepper, ginger, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower have been developed. Soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic source of plant nutrient is recommended by ICAR to maintain quality of soils. National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) was launched during 2008-09 with a total outlay of Rs.429.85 crore during 11th Plan to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. NPMSH&F provides assistance for setting up of new static/mobile soil testing laboratories (STLs), strengthening of existing STLs, trainings of STL staff/extension officers/farmers, field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers, promoting use of organic manure, soil amendments and micro nutrients. During 11th Plan 294 STLs were set up/strengthened, 118 new mobile STLs were set up, 1,221 trainings and 1344 demonstrations were organized, 99,000 ha were covered under organic manure, 34,000 ha under soil amendment and 1,08,800 ha under micro nutrients. Under Horticulture Mission for North-East & Himalayan States (HMNEH) financial assistance is provided for various horticulture activities. Setting up of vermicompost units is one of the components under the scheme for which financial assistance upto Rs.30000 per unit for permanent structure and Rs.10000 per unit for HDPE vermin bed is provided on prorata basis. Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), subsidy is provided for adoption of organic farming @ of 50% of the maximum permissible cost of Rs.20,000/ha for a maximum area of 4 ha per beneficiary in three installments. The programme is linked with organic certification. Subsidy under organic certification is project based, which is Rs.

5.00 lakh for a cluster of 50 ha. For setting up of vermin compost units, assistance is provided upto Rs.30000 per unit. A sum of Rs.206.87 crore was released to the State Horticulture Missions during 11th Plan for taking up organic farming activities. The coverage of area achieved under organic farming is 128074 ha against target of 67710 ha and 142140 vermi compost units have been set up against target of 115951 units. BALANCED USE OF FERTILIZERS 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3261 SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL SHRI SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union Government has set up a task force on balanced use of fertilizers to advise on formulation of appropriate policy to encourage the balanced use of fertilizers; (b) if so, whether the said task force has since submitted its report to the Government; (c) if so, the details of the recommendation made by the said task force; (d) the steps taken by the Government to encourage the farmers to use bio-fertilizers; (e) whether the Government has discontinued the National Project on Use and Development Bio-fertilizers; and (f) if so, the alternative steps taken by the Government to promote the use of biofertilizers which is environment friendly and a cheaper source of plant nutrients? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a): Yes, Madam. (b) & (c): The Task Force submitted its report in October, 2005. The recommendations of the Task Force are to enhance supply of NPK nutrients from organic sources, soil test based judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures, preparation of soil fertility maps for blocks, soil health cards for farmers, etc. (d) to (f): Under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Government is promoting production of various organic inputs in the country including biofertilizers. NPOF provides financial assistance upto 25% of total financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs as credit linked back-ended subsidy for setting up Bio-fertilizers production units. Under the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), assistance is provided for supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, Azotobacter and Azospirillum culture to farmers. Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium cultutre/Phosphate Solubilising bacteria is provided to the farmers under cluster demonstrations. Similarly, under Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria/Azotobacter culture is provided to the farmers as part of technology demonstration. Government has been advocating integrated use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures including biofertilizers for increasing production of major crops. All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers is implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for R & D on biofertilizers. Government is also

promoting use of biofertilizers as advisory in package of practice for all crops and as important component of Integrated Nutrient Management. Besides, the Government has notified biofertilizers like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria, Acetobacter, Potash Mobilizing Bacteria and Zinc Solubilzing Bacteria under the Fertilizer Quality Control Order (FCO), 1985. As a result of popularization of biofertilizers under the NPOF, production of biofertilizers in the country has increased significantly. Further, different human resource development programmes through Trainings on Organic Farming are also imparted through National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) and its six Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOFs) throughout the country and information on importance, usage and quality control of biofertilizers is being disseminated. Other steps include publication of Biannual Biofertilizer Newsletter, publication of various leaflets, booklets, brochures etc. Importance of biofertilizers is also broadcasted through Radio Jingles on FM channels. National Project on Use & Development of bio-fertilizers was sub-sumed under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) with effect from October, 2004. DRY LAND FARMING 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3272 SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the funds allocated and sanctioned by the Government for promoting dry land farming in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT- wise; (b) the areas covered under dry land farming during the said period, State/UT-wise; (c) the incentives given to the farmers for dry land farming during the said period; and (d) the extent of success achieved in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) to (d): “Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP)” was launched in the year 2011-12 as a sub-scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to ensure agriculture growth in the rainfed/dryland areas. The scheme aims at improving quality of life of farmers’ especially, small and marginal farmers by offering a complete package of activities to maximize farm returns. RADP focuses on Integrated Farming System (IFS) for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variabilities. It seeks to harness efficiency of natural resources/assets/commodities by supporting location-specific farming systems. Apart from promoting crop specific farming systems, activities like construction of ponds, land development, water management are converged/supplemented to promote value addition through a sustainable farming system. The achievements made under RADP in the first two years and the allocation and releases made during the current year i.e., 2013-14 is annexed.

Annexure Annexure to the Lok Sabha USQ NO. 3272 for Reply on 11.2.2014 Amount Allocated, released and Progress of Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) during 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14

(Rs. in crore: Area in ha.)

S. No. State

Amount Allocated Amount Released Area Covered

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (as on

3.2.2014) 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andra Pradesh 15.0 20.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 20.0 4395 5559 2 Chattisgarh 15.0 0.0 15.0 0.0 1740 1966 3 Gujarat 30.0 20.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 20.0 9734 8909 4 Karanatak 20.0 10.0 20.0 20.0 10.0 10.0 15936 1819 5 Madhya Pradesh 25.0 10.0 10.0 25.0 10.0 5.0 23896 13895 6 Maharashtra 35.0 25.0 45.0 35.0 25.0 22.5 8300 6200 7 Odisha 20.0 0.0 20.0 0.0 3633 110 8 Rajasthan 35.0 25.0 40.0 35.0 25.0 40.0 59250 51690 9 Tamil Nadu 25.0 10.0 20.0 25.0 10.0 18.4 12437 11425

10 Uttar Pradesh 30.0 0.0 20.0 30.0 0.0 10.0 354 8409 11 Jharkhand 5.0 5.0 2.5 2.5 7700 12 Arunachal Pradesh 2.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 250 13 Assam 5.0 7.0 5.0 3.5 4100 14 Manipur 1.0 3.0 0.5 1.5 490 15 Mizorun 1.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 108 16 Nagaland 2.0 4.0 2.0 2.0 374 17 Sikkim 1.0 3.0 0.5 1.5 309 18 Tripura 1.0 4.0 1.0 4.0 19 Kerala 1.0 0.5 20 Meghalya 1.0 21 Bihar 5.0 22 West Bengal 5.0

Total 250.0 150.0 250.0 250.0 124.0 167.9 139675 123313

SUICIDES BY FARMERS 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3277 SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN SHRI SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE SHRI P. VENUGOPAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has identified the areas which are prone to suicides by farmers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the incidents of suicides by farmers reported in these areas during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; (c) whether the Government has issued any advisory to agricultural universities to assist the families of the deceased farmers; (d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent suicides by farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT ) (a) & (b): Agriculture including agricultural research and education and agricultural indebtedness are State subjects under the Constitution. Therefore, State Governments formulate appropriate policies/programmes for development of agriculture and welfare of farmers including identification of areas prone to suicides. The Central Government, however, supplements the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support. Sixteen districts in Andhra Pradesh, six districts each in Maharashtra and Karnataka and three districts in Kerala were identified for inclusion in the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package which was announced by Government in the year 2006, to mitigate agrarian distress. State-wise details of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons in identified districts during last three years, as reported by respective State Governments, are at Annexure. No incident of suicide by farmers during the current year 2014 has been reported by the State Governments. (c): No, Madam. (d): Question does not arise. (e): Government of India has announced several packages to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers including Rehabilitation Package of Rs.19998.85 crore covering 31 suicide prone districts in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Package of Rs.1840.75 crore for development of Kuttanad Wetland Eco-system in Kerala, Package of Rs.764.45 crore for mitigating agrarian distress in Idukki district of Kerala, Bundelkhand Special Package of Rs.7266 crore for drought mitigation and Vidarbha Intensified Irrigation Development Programme (VIIDP) with total allocation of Rs.3250 crore from 2012-13 to 2016-17. Government has also taken several other steps to revitalize the agriculture sector and improve condition of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension, marketing, etc. Various programmes/schemes for the development of agriculture sector are being implemented in a decentralized manner with flexibility to State Governments to formulate and implement appropriate projects to suit their specific requirements. The focus of Government is primarily on expansion of farm income, creation of non-farm income opportunities, improvement in productivity of rainfed agriculture, increasing coverage of farming areas under protective irrigation and forging appropriate backward and forward linkages. Other measures taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers include enhancement in minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, interest subvention on crop loans, introduction of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs), revival package for strengthening Short Term Rural Cooperative Credit Structure etc. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3277 FOR 11-02-2014

ANNEXURE Number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons in identified districts during the last three years as reported by State Governments.

Sl. No.

Name of State/UT Year Number of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons as reported by State Government.

1. Andhra Pradesh 2011 277 2012 169 2013 32

2. Karnataka 2011-12 (Fin. Year) 60

2012-13 (Fin. Year) 48 2013-14 (Fin. Year) 23

3.

Maharashtra *

2011 608 2012 642 2013 407

4. Kerala**

2011 21 2012 17 2013 01

(as on 13.8.2013) # The information in respect of Maharashtra is for the entire State and in respect of those cases of suicides where ex- gratia has been paid. ## The information in respect of Kerala is for the entire State. NATIONAL WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 11th February, 2014 LSQ 3278 SHRI KAPIL MUNI KARWARIYA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the target set forth and the achievements made under the National Watershed Development Project in Rainfed Area (NWDPRA) for the development of sustainable farming systems across the country during the last three years and the current year; (b) the works undertaken under the said scheme in the country during the said period, State-wise; (c) whether the World Bank has sanctioned any loan to the Union Government for the development of watershed projects in the western part of the country; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Union Government to encourage the National Watershed Development Programme in various States? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) (a) & (b): National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) was implemented as a component under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) till 31st March, 2013. A statement indicating State-wise achievements made under the scheme during each of the last three years (2010-2011 to 2012-13) is annexed. (c) & (d): No Watershed Project with World Bank assistance is being implemented by the Union Government in the Western Parts of the Country. (e): To encourage watershed development, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in the Country.

Annexure Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3278 due for Reply on 11.2.2014 Progress under NWDPRA during the last three years (2010-11 to 2012-13) (Physical & Financial Achievement) Area in Ha. Rs in Lakhs

Sl State/UT 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Physical Financial Physical Financial Physical Financial

1 Andhra Pradesh 4166 246.75 3143 459.57 5896 1009.76 2 Arunachal Pradesh 12139 1061.80 4250 310.30 2124 409.07 3 Assam 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 Bihar 2792 334.96 4361 537.99 5873 704.81 5 Jharkhand 9286 1114.30 7245 869.45 7946 953.00 6 Goa 1129 82.60 2483 274.00 2821 198.41 7 Gujarat 9419 982.16 7603 794.35 6754 708.71 8 Haryana 2865 267.39 2132 170.95 870 57.72 9 Himachal Pr 4913 589.98 2823 338.70 3039 373.87

10 J&K 4986 298.94 7915 474.63 6758 385.82 11 Karnataka 14503 1250.00 12228 1125.98 15346 722.22 12 Kerala 8784 640.36 12711 936.36 3760 409.00 13 Madhya Pradesh 17867 1729.00 16454 1831.90 13216 1725.00 14 Chattisgarh 8282 729.43 17067 1286.45 12422 572.00 15 Maharashtra 22325 2679.10 15434 1852.00 15434 1852.07 16 Manipur 8862 1096.00 7122 716.75 7648 572.68 17 Mizoram 20834 2500.00 5000 600.00 18989 1276.00 18 Meghalaya 8788 1054.50 7761 975.00 6000 700.00 19 Nagaland 14600 1460.00 8583 1030.00 4333 519.96 20 Odisha 11385 1347.20 7315 873.79 4832 459.00 21 Punjab 4190 496.25 0 0.00 0 2.55 22 Rajasthan 11500 1175.30 9598 994.99 6973 662.25 23 Sikkim 4860 553.97 736 86.27 0 0.00 24 Tamil Nadu 9487 569.24 11568 664.03 19764 1215.85 25 Tripura 10375 1245.10 5983 718.03 2608 361.00 26 Uttar Pradesh 48612 4832.60 40890 3040.49 0 0.00 27 Uttrakhand 14487 1252.20 10995 1171.98 8243 930.00 28 West Bengal 1659 185.82 125 14.32 9305 1101.39

TOTAL 293095 29775.00 231525 22148.28 190954 17882.14 BANNED PESTICIDES 18th February, 2014 LSQ *346 SHRI RAJENDRA AGARWAL SHRI JEETENDRA SINGH BUNDELA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken note that certain banned pesticides are used for production and artificial ripening of fruits, vegetables and other crops which have an adverse impact on human health, soil and livestock;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to identify the level of pesticide residues in the fruits, vegetables and other crops; (d) if so, the outcome thereof; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ban the use of harmful pesticides in the country? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 346 DUE FOR REPLY ON 18TH FEBRUARY, 2014. (a) & (b): There have been reports in the media regarding the use of calcium carbide for artificially induced ripening of fruits and vegetables. Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibit the sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, produced from calcium carbide. The Food Safety/Food (Health) Authorities of States/UTs who are responsible for implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its Rules/Regulations have been requested to keep a strict vigil against use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits. The State Governments have also been advised to generate awareness amongst the public against consumption of such artificial ripened fruits. Users have been advised to use safe products like ethylene in gaseous form upto 100 ppm for ripening of fruits or Ethephon 39% SL for ripening of mango, tomato & coffee berries. (c): Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” under which samples of various food commodities including fruits and vegetables are analyzed for presence of pesticide residues. (d): During the period April 2009 to March 2013, a total of 54,195 samples of vegetables, fruits, spices, rice, wheat, pulses, milk, animal feed, fish/crustacean, tea, honey, meat, egg, irrigated water etc. were collected and analyzed for the possible presence of organo-chlorine, organo-phosphorous, synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates, herbicides etc. groups of pesticide residues including banned pesticides. Residues were found above maximum residue limit (MRL) in 1085 (2%) samples. No banned pesticides were detected in any of the samples analyzed. (e): The Registration Committee, constituted under the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers pesticides only after satisfying themselves regarding their safety to human, animal and environmental health. From time to time, the Committee, on receipt of additional information on toxicity, etc. reviews the pesticides which are banned/restricted in other countries but continue to be registered for use in India, and takes suitable decision regarding their further continuance. FERTILITY OF SOIL 18th February, 2014 LSQ *353 SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI SHRI GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has evaluated the fertility of soil/arable land across the country;

(b) if so, the norms adopted for the purpose and the extent of micronutrients deficiency noticed, State/UT-wise; (c) the details of the schemes and projects under implementation to check the declining fertility of agricultural land and improve the fertility of soil for increasing agricultural production in the country including Chhattisgarh; and (d) the success achieved thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year? MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 353 DUE FOR REPLY ON 18TH FEBRUARY, 2014. (a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has evaluated soil fertility in respect of micronutrients and secondary nutrients in 15 States under All India Coordinated Project on Micro- and Secondary- Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants (AICRP-MSPE). The fertility status of soils with regard to micronutrients (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese and Boron) have been delineated by collecting and analysing soil samples. The extent of micronutrient deficiencies noticed State-wise is given at Annexure-I (c): National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) is being implemented to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and productivity in all States including Chhattisgarh. NPMSH&F provides assistance for setting up new static/ mobile Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs), strengthening of existing STLs, setting up/ strengthening of Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories (FQCLs), training of STL Staff/Extension Officers/ Farmers, field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers, promoting use of organic manure, soil amendments and micronutrients etc. Under Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM), assistance is provided to the farmers for micronutrients, gypsum, lime and bio - fertilizers. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yajana (RKVY) funds can also be used by States to provide assistance for improving soil fertility. (d): Details of sanctions under NPMSH&F during last three years and the current year are given at Annexure-II.

Annexure-I State-wise extent of micronutrient deficiencies

State Samples analyzed

% samples deficient in Samples analyzed for Boron (B)

% samples deficient in Boron

Zinc (Zn)

Copper (Cu)

Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Fe)

Andhra Pradesh 10,162 44.3 0.24 1.82 1.14 7456 5.6 Assam 3,830 23.8 0.31 0.00 0.00 3830 16.5 Bihar 10,223 55.7 4.01 8.37 6.53 3788 30.5 Gujarat 11,463 31.2 0.13 15.90 9.15 6254 2.8 Haryana 7,555 16.9 2.02 22.41 8.60 2555 2.1 Jharkhand 3,788 9.8 5.60 0.89 1.05 2564 65.9 Maharashtra 10,654 47.7 4.32 17.32 1.12 4674 9.8 Madhya Pradesh 10,359 46.7 0.67 8.09 0.41 7256 22.1 Odisha 12,200 11.3 1.25 0.80 0.00 8956 66.5 Punjab 9,675 24.6 2.69 22.11 19.65 2562 10.8 Tamil Nadu 13,816 68.6 32.91 16.10 10.17 8256 12.1 Uttar Pradesh 15,131 55.7 6.04 8.92 8.29 7158 24.3 Uttarakhand 3,012 8.6 1.14 1.84 0.79 2012 3.9 West Bengal 1,657 41.6 12.16 0.93 2.06 1657 68.4 All India 123,525 42.7 4.23 14.19 5.96 72178 32.6

Annexure-II Details of sanctions under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F),ISOPOM and NFSM

Sl. No

Components Unit 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

1. Setting up/strengthening of Soil Testing Laboratories

Nos 35 17 1 17

2. Setting up/ Strengthening of Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories

Nos 2 7 0 2

3. Trainings Nos 184 297 0 160 4. Demonstrations Nos 274 210 0 472 5. Promotion of Integrated

Nutrient Management (INM)

Ha. 0 82,000 0 11,140

6. Total amount sanctioned under NPMSH&F

Rs. in crore

16.89 11.29 8.29 19.15

7. Total amount sanctioned under ISOPOM

Rs. in crore

55.80

64.88 32.35 27.00

8 Total amount sanctioned under NFSM

Rs. in crore

185.33 151.25 165.05 229.70

ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT RELIEF 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3780 SHRI KHILADI LAL BAIRWA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- he time by which the amount sought is likely to be released by the Union Government to the drought affected States including Rajasthan for the year 2009-2010 according to the norms of the National Calamity Contingency Fund? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) Based on the reports of Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) that visited drought affected States to assess the damage/losses and recommendations of Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), Central Government had approved financial assistance from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to 15 States during 2009-10. Details are at Annexure-I.

ANNEXURE-I LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3780 DATED 18.02.2014 Assistance approved to States from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) during 2009-10 in the wake of drought.

S.No. State Amount (Rs. in crore)*

1. Andhra Pradesh 575.30 2. Assam 89.94 3. Bihar 1163.64 4. Himachal Pradesh 88.93 5. Jammu & Kashmir 156.77 6. Jharkhand 200.955 7. Karnataka 116.49 8. Kerala 32.90 9. Madhya Pradesh 246.31 10. Maharashtra 671.88 11. Manipur 14.57 12. Nagaland 21.12 13. Orissa 151.92 14. Rajasthan 1034.84 15. Uttar Pradesh 515.05

*Approved by High Level Committee (HLC), subject to adjustment of 75% of available balance in Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) in concerned States. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs) BT. COTTON CULTIVATION 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3790 SHRI P. VISWANATHAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the estimated cotton production for the year 2013-14, State wise; (b) whether the Government has received any reports that the cultivation of Bt. cotton has affected the traditional cotton crops in various parts of the country; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the action taken by the Government to protect the interests of the farmers? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a): State-wise details of estimated production of cotton during 2013-14 are given in the Annexure (b) & (c): The area under traditional cotton has declined due to extensive cultivation of Bt. Cotton in more than 93% of the cotton area of the country. However, as the yield in Bt. Cotton is almost stagnant for the last 3-4 years, efforts are being made to convince farmers to go for cultivation of traditional cotton by using latest technology i.e. High Density Plant System (HDPS). (d): Under Mini Mission – II of Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), Government is encouraging farmers to boost up cotton production and reduce the cost of its cultivation by way of transfer of technology through Front Line Demonstrations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and training activities, etc. Further, to ensure remunerative price to cotton growers in the country, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cotton has also been increased.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3790 due for answer on 18.02.2014 State-wise production of cotton during 2013-14

State Production * (000 bales of 170 kg each Andhra Pradesh 7140.0 Gujarat 10850.0 Haryana 2550.0 Karnataka 1400.0 Madhya Pradesh 951.5 Maharashtra 8450.0 Odisha 380.0 Punjab 2250.0 Rajasthan 1050.0 Tamil Nadu 500.0 Others 80.0 All-India 35601.5

*As per 2nd advance estimates released on 14.02.2014 USE OF SPURIOUS PESTICIDES 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3826 SHRI ADHIKARI SUVENDU Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has estimated the loss of crops due to use of spurious pesticides; (b) if so, the quantum of loss and the steps taken by the Government to combat the situation; (c) whether the Government is emphasing on agriculture based vocational training programmes to improve crop yield ratio; and (d) if so, the details thereof? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a): No, Madam. (b): Monitoring of quality of pesticides is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments. Central Government and State Governments notify Insecticides Inspectors and Insecticide Analysts to check sale of misbranded pesticides. States also appoint Licensing Officer. Insecticide samples are drawn on regular basis and analyzed in 68 State Pesticides Testing Laboratories (SPTLs) and at the two Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories at Chandigarh and Kanpur.

The Central Insecticides Laboratory, Faridabad, inter alia, acts as the referral laboratory under Section 16 of the Act in case of any dispute. Licensing Authorities of State Agriculture Departments take administrative action by suspending or cancelling licenses in case of any violation. Insecticides Inspectors launch prosecution in the Court of Law. The Central Government provides grants in aid to the states to strengthen SPTLs and conducts awareness campaign against use of spurious pesticides. (c) & (d): National Institute of Plant Health Management, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture imparts, inter alia, vocational training programmes to graduate participants on pest management. The details are annexed.

Annexure Annexure to the Reply to Parts (c) and (d) of Unstarred Lok Sabha Question No. 3826 for reply on 18.02.2014 asked by Shri Suvendu Adhikari regarding Use of Spurious Pesticides. Details of Training Courses (Vocational) offered by NIPHM from 2011-12 to 2013-14 Sl. No.

Training Programme

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (Up to Jan, 2014)

No. of Trg. Prg.

No. of trainees

No. of Trg. Prg.

No. of trainees

No. of Trg. Prg.

No. of trainees

1. Forced Hot Air Treatment

- - 2 61 3 40

2. Fumigation 2 26 2 33 2 27 3. Urban Integrated

Pest Management 2 23 3 52 2 40

Total 4 49 7 146 7 107 Source: NIPHM ARSENIC IN PADDY 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3854 SHRI SULTAN AHMED Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether there are reports indicating the presence of arsenic in paddy grains in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has any programme for creating awareness among paddy cultivators regarding toxic free cultivation; and (d) if so, the details thereof ? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. There have been sporadic reports of presence of arsenic in paddy grains. As per one published research report, concentration of arsenic in rice grain varied from 1.48 to 6.87 µg per kg, while in another report, arsenic content in paddy grains ranged from 0.10 - 0.89 mg/kg. These are less than the permissible limit of arsenic in rice, which, according to WHO, is 1.0mg/kg. (c) & (d): Various mitigation methods have been suggested by the State Agriculture Universities to minimize arsenic uptake by rice, including changing paddy water management, selection and breeding of low arsenic rice cultivars, use of silicon fertilisers, zinc sulphate and iron sulphate and increased use of organic manure. PROMOTION OF COW URINE BASED INSECTICIDES 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3884 SHRI KAPIL MUNI KARWARIYA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to promote cow urine based insecticides instead of chemical insecticides in the agricultural sector; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government is working on formulating any scheme in this regard; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the financial assistance proposed to be given by the Government for the same? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) to (e): Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed and patented cow urine based bio-pesticide formulation comprising of twelve ingredients in which eleven of them are bio-botanical and one is natural product for controlling insect pests and fungal pathogen in tomato crop. However, cow urine product has neither been standardized under the ambit of Integrated Pest Management nor the product has been included in Insecticide Schedule under Insecticides Act, 1968. WEATHER STATIONS AT KVKS 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3886 SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) the details of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in which weather stations have been established by the Indian Meteorological Department, State and year-wise; and (b) the measures taken by the Government to constantly update weather information to farmers to enable them to improve their agricultural production?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has established weather stations in 87 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The State-wise and KVK-wise details along-with year of establishment of these weather stations are given in Annexure-I. (b) The measures taken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research include, creating a network of 100 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the selected KVKs and State Agricultural Universities under The National Initiative on Climatic Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project; hosting of a dedicated website (www.aicrpam-nicra-aws.in) for continuous online monitoring of instant weather data across locations; preparation and dissemination of micro level weather-based agro-advisories to farmers by 25 centres of The All India Coordinated Research Project on Agro-Meteorology (AICRPAM) located in 25 Agricultural Universities. Besides, weather information and related agro-advisories are provided to farmers by KVKs through Kisan Mobile Advisory messages, Radio & TV programmes and news papers. Further, The Meteorological Department also issues weather forecasts at district level.

Annexure-I [Part (a) of Lok Sabha USQ No.3886 for 18-02-2014] Weather Stations established in KVKs with the support of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Sl.No. State/UT Number of KVKs with

Weather Stations set-up by IMD

Name of KVK with Weather Station

Year of establishment of weather station

1 Bihar 15 Bhagalpur 2008 Jehanabad 2008 Samastipur 2008 Madhepura 2008 Nalanda 2008 Araria 2008 Banka 2008 Saharsa 2008 Aurangabad 2008 Munger 2008 Muzaffarpur 2008 East Champaran 2008 West Champaran 2008 Begusarai 2008 Bhojpur 2008

2 Gujarat 3 Dangs 2009 Navsari 2011 Surendranagr 2011

3 Haryana 14 Jhajjar 2008 Jind 2008 Kaithal 2008 Sonepat 2008 Bhiwani 2009 Faridabad 2009 Hisar 2009 Mahendergarh 2009 Rohtak 2009 Sirsa 2009

Yamunanagar 2009 Fatehabad 2010 Kurukshetra 2011 Panipat 2011

4 Himachal Pradesh 4 Una 2009 Hamirpur 2011 Kangra 2011 Bilaspur 2012

5 Jammu and Kashmir

3 Kathua 2011 Kulgam 2012 Poonch 2012

6 Jharkhand 2 Dhanbad 2006 Dumka 2006

7 Karnataka 1 Bangalore Rural 2008 8 Madhya Pradesh

11 Hassan 2005 Mandla 2009 Damoh 2009 Shajapur 2009 Shivpuri 2009 Dhar 2009 Betul 2009 Shahdol 2009 Seoni 2009 Panna 2009 Guna 2012

9 Mizoram 6 Kolasib 2011 Mamit 2011 Lawntlai 2011 Serchip 2011 Saiha 2011 Champai 2012

10 Odisha 5 Kalahandi 1995 Rayagada 2010 Sundergarh-I 2010 Jagatsinghpur 2011 Kendrapara 2011

11 Punjab 13 Amritsar 2006 Bathinda 2009 Fatehgarh Sahib 2009 Ferozepur 2009 Gurdaspur 2009 Hoshiarpur 2009 Jalandhar 2009 Ludhiana 2009 Moga 2009 Muktsar 2009 Patiala 2009 Ropar 2009 Sangrur 2009

12 Rajasthan 5 Dungarpur 2009 Jalore 2009 Jhalawar 2009

Nagaur 2010 Rajsamand 2010

13 Uttar Pradesh 1 Jhansi 2010 14 Uttarakhand 1 Haridwar 2010 15 West Bengal 3 South 24 Parganas 2008

Hooghly 2009 Uttar Dinajpur 2013

Total 87 POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF PESTICIDES 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3917 SHRI HARISH CHOUDHARY Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the labels on the products containing pesticides provides detailed information on the potential hazards associated with the product; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has come across any case where the said information was found missing from the labels of such products; and (d) if so, the details thereof during the last three years along with the action taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The label contains information on the name of insecticides, expiry date, symptoms of poisoning, warning and cautionary statements, suitable and adequate safety measures, emergency first-aid treatment, antidote statement, symbol, signal word and colour of identification band as per toxic category of the pesticides. (c): No such information has come to the notice of this Department. (d): The question does not arise. BAN ON ENDOSULFAN 18th February, 2014 RSQ 3932 SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO SHRI ANANTH KUMAR SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI AJAY KUMAR SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA SHRI K. P. DHANAPLAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that several harmful pesticides and agrochemicals including endosulfan are still in use in agriculture in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government is planning a nationwide ban on these pesticides including endosulfan; (d) whether the Government has conducted any study on the use of endosulfan for the purpose of pest control; (e) if so, whether the Government is considering to develop and distribute chemical free fertilizers throughout the country and promote organic fertilizers; and (f) if so, the subsidy/assistance provided by the Government to various States in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) to (d): Pesticides are inherently toxic by nature and are to be used as per label claim approved by Registration Committee. Pesticides are registered only after establishing their safety to human, animal and environmental health. A Committee of Experts was constituted on 8th July, 2013 under the chairmanship of Dr. Anupam Verma (Adjunct Professor), Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, to review the use of neonicotinoid pesticides registered in India and to review 66 pesticides which are currently banned/ restricted/ withdrawn in one or more countries but continue to be registered for domestic use in India. Government of India in compliance of Supreme Court ad interim order passed in writ petition (civil) 213 of 2011 on 13-05-2011 has banned the production, use and sale of Endosulfan all over India till further orders of the court. The Court also appointed a Joint Committee headed by the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Commissioner (Agriculture) to conduct a scientific study on the question whether the use of Endosulfan would cause any serious health hazard to human beings and environmental pollution. (e): Government is also promoting organic fertilizers through National Project on Organic Farming scheme. Financial assistance upto 25% and 33% of total financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs and Rs.60 lakhs, respectively, is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio-pesticides/bio- fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. (f): Year wise subsidy/assistance provided by the Government to various States under National Project on Organic Farming is annexed. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3932 FOR 18-02-2014

Annexure State wise details of subsidy released under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) through NABARD during last five years for promotion of organic farming (2008-09 to -2012-13)

Sl. No. STATE Subsidy released ( in lakh) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

1 Andhra Pradesh 8.907 10.000 23.252 20.000 20.000 2 Arunachal Pradesh 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 3 Assam 0.938 2.596 1.375 22.319 0.750 4 Bihar 4.500 0.000 0.000 5.250 0.000

5 Chattisgarh 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 6 Delhi 20.000 20.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 7 Goa 4.630 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 8 Gujarat 27.064 0.000 14.750 0.000 2.030 9 Himachal Pradesh 0.083 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

10 Jammu & Kashmir 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 11 Jharkhand 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 12 Karnataka 12.184 6.183 73.309 0.000 0.000 13 Kerala 0.000 30.066 0.000 6.784 0.000 14 Madhya Pradesh 1.802 5.040 0.000 0.000 2.258 15 Maharashtra 17.144 38.458 13.750 43.084 23.005 16 Manipur 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 17 Meghalaya 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 18 Mizoram 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 19 Nagaland 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 20 Orissa 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 21 Punjab & Haryana 37.218 61.602 24.860 14.040 0.000 22 Rajasthan 11.392 55.610 30.450 21.335 0.000 23 Sikkim 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 24 Tamil Nadu 7.799 10.993 13.044 0.000 0.000 25 Tripura 0.000 0.000 0.000 20.000 0.000 26 Uttar Pradesh 77.126 9.750 25.687 3.300 0.000 27 Uttarakhand 9.810 8.945 8.750 0.000 0.000 28 West Bengal 7.469 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

Total 248.065 259.243 229.227 156.112 48.043 As provided by NABARD CAMPAIGNS TO IMPART INFORMATION TO FARMERS 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3943 SHRI HARISCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Union and the State Governments organise any camps or campaigns to impart information to the farmers regarding organic farming and use of fertilizers and manures to increase agricultural production; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether most of the farmers in the country are lagging behind in increasing their agricultural production due to lack of the said knowledge and illiteracy and they fall into indebtedness; and (d) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government to increase the knowledge of farmers regarding organic farming through advertisements and other experiments? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a) to (d): An ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programme Reforms” popularly known as ATMA Scheme is under implementation in 630 districts of 28 States & 3 UTs of the country. The scheme

promotes decentralized farmer-driven and farmer-accountable extension system through an institutional arrangement for technology dissemination in the form of an Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at district level. Under the scheme grants- in-aid is released to the state designated agency of respective states with an objective to support State Government efforts of revitalization of the extension systems and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different thematic areas including organic farming and use of fertilizers and manures to increase agricultural production through extension activities viz. Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and Setting up of Farm School. Areas for farmers’ campaign, training, exposure visits etc. Extension activities are chosen by the State based on bottom-up planning and requirement of farmers. Since inception (2005-06), over 280 lakh farmers have benefitted under the Scheme so far. The ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstration etc. to educate farmers on technologies to prepare various types of organic manure, efficient bio-fertilizers developed under Network Project. ICAR has also uploaded package of practices 14 crops in their Project Directorate for Farming System Research (PDFSR) website. Under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Ghaziabad exhibits big stall in International Trade Fair every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Technical expert used to test the soil samples of visiting farmers. Details of organic farming, use of bio-fertilizers/ manure are discussed by technical experts with farmers students and other visitors. Besides, whenever State Government organize farmers fair or other related event and invite to Regional Centre of Organic Farming of their jurisdiction, technical experts used to attend the event to disseminate the technical knowhow to farmers. In addition soil testing campaigns are organized by states under their own scheme to promote balance use of fertilizers. NCOF/RCOFs are regularly distributing leaflets pamphlets and other technical literatures in bilingual and vernacular to farmers during various programmes/trainings to farmers. Recently, radio jingles on organic farming has been broadcast through FM radio for farmers. USE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEEDS 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3954 SHRI HAMDULLA A. B. SAYEED Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that farmers go into more debt since signing initial contracts with Monsanto for crop packages` relating to genetically modified seeds like Bt. cotton, that require a companion herbicide for best results; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the farmers have to buy expensive seeds each year as it is a breach of contract with Monsanto to save seeds and as a result, farmers had to resort to taking loans for this purpose; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT) (a): No such report has been received from any cotton growing states. (b): Question does not arise.

(c) & (d): The seeds of hybrid varieties of all crops are required to be purchased every year to obtain higher yield. More than 30 to 35 private seed companies are producing and marketing Bt. Cotton seed. The seed cost of Bt. Cotton hybrids are determined by the respective State Governments before every crop season. GUIDELINES FOR ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT RELIEF 18th February, 2014 LSQ 3979 SHRI KHILADI LAL BAIRWA Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:- he time by which the Government is likely to modify the guidelines of the State Disaster Response Fund and the National Disaster Response Fund in case of drought period exceeding 90 days? MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR) It has generally been the practice to review and revise the items & norms of assistance from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after the award of successive Finance Commissions are accepted by the Government. Government of India reviews/revises the norms of financial assistance from SDRF/NDRF from time to time. Latest revision of items & norms from SDRF/NDRF has been recently made on 28th November, 2013. There is no imminent proposal to modify the guidelines of SDRF and NDRF in case of drought period exceeding 90 days.

Agriculture on Environment: Lok Sabha 2013-14 - wwf@envis ...

Documents

Transcript of Agriculture on Environment: Lok Sabha 2013-14 - wwf@envis ...