Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
2015-16
Government of India
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
Directorate of Economics & Statistics
New Delhi
Contents
Sl. Title Page No.
No.
1. Indian Agriculture: Performance, Challenges and the Way Forward 1-39
Growth of the Agricultural Sector 2
Regional Variations in Agricultural Growth 5
Capital Formation in Agriculture 7
Production Performance 9
Performance of the Horticulture Sector 11
Performance of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector 12
Maintaining Food Security Thrust 13
Correcting Land Use Pattern 14
Rejuvenating Soil Health 15
Drought Proofing and Water Use Efficiency 16
Orienting Agriculture to Climate Change 17
Managing Agricultural Inputs Better 19
Integrated Nutrient Management 20
Customized Mechanization 22
Furthering IT-Enabled Farming 24
Broad-basing Agricultural Credit 24
Assuring Farm Insurance 25
Farm Prices 27
Terms of Trade (ToT) 29
Instruments of Agricultural Price Policy 30
Taking Marketing Reforms Further 31
Capitalizing on Global Trade Opportunities 32
Reorienting Farm Management 34
Employment in Agriculture 34
Agricultural Wages 36
Way Forward 37
2. Natural Resource Management 40-66
Land Use 40
Challenges 41
Policies & Programmes 44
i
Contract Farming 45
Soil and Its Survey 45
Way Forward 46
Water Resources 48
Issues & Challenges 49
Programmes & Schemes 52
Way Forward 53
Water Pollution 55
Way Forward 56
Forest Ecosystems 56
Agrobiodiversity 56
Microbial Diversity 58
Climate Change 59
Issues and Challenges 59
Schemes & Programmes 60
Policies 62
Way Forward 62
Drought Management 62
3. Farm Inputs and Management 67-115
Seeds and Planting Material 67
Genetically Modified Crops in India 72
Central Schemes in the Seed Sector 73
Infrastructural Development in the Seed Sector 75
National Seed Reserve 75
National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) 76
Integrated Nutrient Management 77
Issues and Challenges 84
Way Forward 84
Plant Protection 85
Mechanization and Technology 85
Agricultural Credit 92
Insurance 94
Way Forward 103
Extension Services 104
ii
Information Technology 108
Way Forward 111
Rural Development Programmes 111
4. Agricultural Production and Programmes 116-142
Agricultural Performance 116
Commodity Outlook 121
Special Initiatives for Enhancing Agricultural Production 122
Horticulture 125
Major Challenges 134
Way Forward 134
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) 135
Cooperative Development in Agriculture 140
5 Agricultural Prices, Marketing and International Trade 143-172
Agricultural Prices 143
Way Forward 146
Agricultural Price Policy and Minimum Support Price 146
Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) 148
Price Support Scheme (PSS) 148
Procurement of Foodgrains 150
Storage of Food Grains 151
Distribution of Foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) 152
Central Issue Prices of Rice and Wheat 153
Export of Rice and Wheat 153
Way Forward 153
Agriculture Marketing 154
Challenges 163
Way Forward 163
International Cooperation 164
A. Multilateral Cooperations 164
B. Bilateral Cooperations 165
C. Strategic Groups 165
India’s Agriculture Trade 165
Foreign Trade Policy 168
World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiations 170
iii
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy in Agriculture 171
Challenges 171
Way Forward 171
6 Food Processing and Value Addition 173-181
Performance of the Food Processing Sector 173
Major Plan Schemes 178
Challenges 179
Way Forward 180
7 Agricultural Research and Education 182-199
Soil and Water Productivity 182
Farming System 183
Climate Change 184
Hailstorm Occurrence in India 184
Genetic Resources 184
Crop Improvement 186
Livestock Improvement 188
Crop Management 189
Livestock Management 190
Mechanization and Energy Management 192
Post-harvest Management and Value Addition 193
Agricultural Human Resource Development 194
Information, Communication and Publicity Services 198
Intellectual Property and Trade Mark 198
Partnership and Linkages 198
AgrInnovate India Limited 198
New Initiatives 199
8 Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries 200-210
Production Performance 200
Plan Schemes 201
Challenges 202
Way Forward 202
Cattle and Buffalo Breeding 202
Rashtriya Gokul Mission 203
Dairying 204
iv
Livestock 206
National Livestock Mission 206
Sheep and Goat Development 206
Central Schemes 207
Way Forward for the Development of Small Ruminants 207
Poultry Sector 208
Piggery Sector 209
Fodder and Feed Development 209
Fishery Sector 210
9. Agricultural Statistics in India 211-220
Area, Production and Yield of Agricultural Crops 211
Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space Agro-meteorology and Land-based Observa- 212
tions (FASAL)
Methodology for Estimation of Horticulture Crops 213
Cost of Cultivation 218
Land Use Statistics 218
Agriculture Census 219
Annexures 221-252
v
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
2.14 Similarly, the share of operated area under 2.17 Similarly, the National Rehabilitation and
small farm holdings (1 ha to 2 ha) increased from Resettlement Policy, 2007 (NRRP), formulated by
20.2 per cent to 22.1 per cent during the same period. the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural
Small and marginal holdings together constitute 85 Development, recommends that only the minimum
per cent of the number of operational holdings and area of land commensurate with the purpose of
44 per cent of the operated area in the country. a project may be acquired. Also, as far as possible,
industrial projects may be set up on wasteland,
Policies & Programmes
degraded land or un-irrigated land. Acquisition
2.15 National Policy for Management of Crops of agricultural land for non-agricultural use in the
Residue (NPMCR): In our country, harvesting of project may be kept to the minimum; multi-cropped
various crops generates large volume of residues, both land may be avoided to the extent possible for
on and off-farm. A huge portion of crop residues is such purposes and acquisition of irrigated land, if
burnt “on farm” to prepare the field for sowing the next unavoidable, may be kept to the minimum.
crop, as the time gap between the harvesting of kharif
2.18 In addition, the Right to Compensation,
crops and the sowing of rabi crops is very limited.
Burning crop residues not only causes air pollution Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation
but also damages soil property and the available soil and Resettlement Act encompasses proper
nutrients, besides creating human health problems. rehabilitation and resettlement, fair compensation
In view of these, the National Policy for Management and some extent of restriction in diversion of
of Crops Residue (NPMCR) has been formulated agricultural land.
and circulated to all the states for implementation, 2.19 For developing degraded lands, the
to ensure prevention of crop residue burning by Government of India has been implementing various
incentivizing the purchase of modern machinery to programmes, namely, the National Watershed
minimize the crop residue left over in the field and Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA),
to facilitate multiple uses of crop residues and by the Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River
formulation of fodder pellets and briquettes. Valley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP&FPR),
2.16 National Policy for Farmers 2007 (NPF 2007) Reclamation and Development of Alkali & Acid
formulated by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Soils (RADAS), Watershed Development Project
Welfare recommended that “prime farmland must be in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) and the
conserved for agriculture except under exceptional Integrated Watershed Management Programme
circumstances, provided that the agencies that are (IWMP). Under these programmes, about 81.70
provided with agricultural land for non-agricultural million ha area of degraded lands had been
projects should compensate for treatment and full developed during the Eleventh Five Year Plan. As per
development of equivalent degraded or wastelands the decision of the erstwhile Planning Commission,
elsewhere. For non-agricultural purposes, as far Central funding for the RVP&FPR, RADAS and
as possible, land with low biological potential for WADPSCA programmes was discontinued from
farming would be earmarked and allocated”. State 1 April 2013, and states were allowed to undertake
governments have been advised to “earmark lands the interventions of these programmes under the
with low biological potential such as uncultivable Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during the
land, land affected by salinity, acidity, etc., for non- Twelfth Five Year Plan. The IWMP has been merged
agricultural development activities, including with Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
industrial and construction activities”. (PMKSY) as PMKSY-Watershed in 2015-16.
44
Natural Resource Management
45
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
generating a scientific database on soil and land Training and Capacity Building for Officials
resources for planning and implementing soil and Working for Watershed Management &
water conservation through watershed programmes Climate Change
for natural resource management. After completing
the Watershed Atlas of India, the delineation and 2.24 The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
codification of micro-watersheds of the whole was established on 7 July 1948 through an Act
country is near completion. A database is being of Parliament to cater to the training needs of
generated to meet the needs for planning at national, watershed development programmes, soil health
state, basin, district, catchment, village and micro- management, micro irrigation, integrated farming
watershed levels. A Rapid Reconnaissance Survey systems, agroforestry, climate change adaptation and
(RRS) is being conducted to demarcate and identify mitigation, etc. Similarly, a multidisciplinary Soil
high-priority watersheds in the catchment areas on Conservation Training Centre was established at
1:50K scale based on either sediment yield index or DVC, Hazaribagh. Every year, this centre organizes
runoff generation potential index. A Detailed Soil 8 to 10 short-duration training programmes to train
Survey (DSS) is being conducted to generate detailed officials working in the agriculture sector, especially
information on soil and land characterization of the those working in watershed development and climate
priority areas using cadastral map (1:4K/1:8K) or change.
high resolution or satellite images (1:10k to 1:25k) for Table 2.3: Number of Officials Trained
micro-level developmental planning. The survey is
an established tool to identify various morphological, Training During Up to Target
physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of 2014-15 2014-15 2015-16
soils in a systematic way through examination of Number 208 3569 250
soils in the field and in the laboratory. The soils are of officials
classified and interpreted based on the potentials and trained
limitation of the database for various utility purposes,
Way Forward
such as land capability classification, soil hydrological
grouping, suitable cropping pattern and soil fertility. 2.25 Possible initiatives to address these issues have
been listed below.
Table 2.2: Soil Survey Status
a) Incentivize Conservation Agriculture
Survey Type Achievement (million Ha)
During Up to Target Conservation agriculture can be ensured by
2014-15 2014-15 2015-16 incentivizing sustainable farm operations
through reliable power connectivity, timely
Rapid - 258.38 -
availability of quality inputs, low premium on
Reconnaissance
crop insurance, etc.
Survey (1:50 K)
Detailed Soil 0.67 16.14 0.88 b) Land Use Policy
Survey (1:10
K/12.5 K or For proper management of natural resources
larger) and to ensure sustainable agricultural growth
in the country, there is need for a clear land
Land - 45.92 -
use policy. As per the Seventh Schedule of the
Degradation
Constitution of India, land and water fall under
Mapping (1:50 K)
the purview of state governments, and it is for
Soil Resource 5.76 132.29 6.55
states to bring about suitable legislation for
Mapping (1:50 K)
46
Natural Resource Management
regulating conversion of agricultural land into the basis of a more reliable database. A “soil-to-
non-agricultural purposes. Land use planning satellite” approach needs to be promoted, along
should be integrated with all developmental with digitizing land records to make accurate
programmes, especially with the MNREGA, and transparent information on land and land
for holistic rural development, natural resource use easily available.
management and eco-restoration.
f) Policy on Diversion of Land and Land
c) Land Reform Tenancy
Considering the skewed ownership pattern Productive agricultural land should not be
of land, it is necessary to strengthen the diverted to industrial or urbanization activities.
implementation of laws relating to land In case of extreme national need, it should
reforms, with particular reference to tenancy be stipulated that industries provided with
laws, leasing, facilitation of contract farming, agricultural or other land for development
distribution of ceiling-surplus land and projects compensate for the treatment and
wasteland, providing adequate access to full development of the equivalent degraded
common property and wasteland resources land or wasteland elsewhere. Each state should
and consolidation of holdings. promulgate land tenancy legislation or policy,
d) Control on Fragmentation of Land so that tenants—instead of landowners—can
benefit from the various subsidy and crop
Land fragmentation leads to reduction in insurance programmes and, therefore, tenant
landholding size, and makes it uneconomical land is put to crop production.
for optimal farm operations, application of
science and technology and mechanization. g) Contract Farming and Public Private
Besides, fragmentation necessitates too many Partnership
field boundaries and bunds, and leads to Contract or leased farming is seen as a proven
wastage of land. Therefore, laws ensuring path around all the issues that impede Indian
reforms in land tenancy rules and automatic farming. It is expected that contract farming
land rights inheritance need to be legislated to will tap fully the agricultural development
encourage sharecropping and contract farming
potential through modern farming techniques
and to render physical boundaries and fencing
and ensure profitability and ecological
irrelevant.
sustainability. The reason is that it solves
e) Land Utilization Data and Its all agricultural management issues—lack
Computerization of capital; availability of technology and
technological knowhow; and problems of
The net area sown has been hovering around imperfect farm input markets and agricultural
140 million hectares in the last two decades. output markets.
However, it could be even lower as in villages
farmers build houses and put agricultural land to Seen in this perspective, public private
other purposes without recording such changes partnership (PPP) is one ideal modality for
in land use. In this context, a land use survey land and watershed development activities—
need to be looked at for any methodological the government has the funds and policy
change to improve the assessment, and for commitment to enable these activities, and
completing the inventory of land resources in private sector agencies and NGOs have the
each state for ensuring resource allocation on managerial/corporate experience, manpower
47
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
and technology to execute these activities. All above, the estimated utilizable surface water resource
that is required is an enabling framework that is 690 BCM. Apart from the above, the total utilizable
puts government and private sector players in groundwater resource is 431 BCM.As such, the total
agriculture and natural resource management annual utilizable water resource in the country is
on one platform. estimated to be 1,121 BCM.
h) Revisiting of various Succession Acts 2.27 A large number of dams, barrages, hydro power
structures, canal networks, etc., were built all over
Multiple succession acts need to be revised, the country during the successive Plan periods. A
and a common succession act needs to be put cumulative storage capacity of about 225 BCM from
in place for smooth inheritance. It is necessary major and medium irrigation projects has made it
to ensure that land rights go to the inheritors possible to provide assured irrigation in command
but land fragmentation is avoided. areas, extend the supply of drinking water to remote
Water Resources areas and ensure water supply to hydro and thermal
power plants and to meet other requirements. Added
2.26 India has only 4 per cent of the world’s to this is the minor irrigation potential of about 100
renewable water resources. The average annual BCM, created through check dams, small structures,
precipitation in India is estimated to be 4,000 BCM ponds, etc. Finally, groundwater potential of about
(billion cubic metre), out of which the average 243 BCM was available. All this has made it possible
precipitation during monsoon (June-September) is to irrigate about 66.10 million hectares (2012-13) of
estimated at 3,000 BCM. The average annual run off the 139.9 million hectares of net sown area (Figure
in the rivers is estimated to be 1,869 BCM. Out of the 2.3).
Source: Land Use Statistics (2012-13), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
48
Natural Resource Management
Source: Land Use Statistics (2012-13), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Issues & Challenges Southern and Western basins contribute about 15 per
cent each.
Regional Imbalance
Sub-optimal utilization of created facilities
2.28 There is a huge temporal and spatial variation
in rainfall and water availability in the country. Most 2.29 Despite sixty-nine years of concerted efforts
of the water is available during the monsoon, and in to tap the irrigation potential, the gap between the
a few spells of intense rainfall, resulting in floods in potential tapped and the potential possible is not
major rivers. While the average annual rainfall of the only large, but widening. The major causes for these
country is about 1170 mm, average rainfall in the gaps are poor maintenance of the canal system, lack
North East Region is as high as 10000 mm per year, of participatory management, changing land use
but some parts of Western Rajasthan receive annual pattern, deviation from the designated cropping
rainfall of about 100 mm only. Estimates show that pattern, soil degradation and delay in the development
whereas the lower rainfall zone (less than 750 mm of the command area. Whereas the potential created
annual rainfall) accounts for 33 per cent of the net for irrigation is 112 million ha, the gross irrigated
sown area, the medium rainfall zone (750-1125 area is merely 93 million ha—the gap of 19 million
mm) accounts for 35 per cent of the net sown area, ha is staggering.
the high rainfall zone (1125 to 2000 mm) covers
Poor Irrigation Efficiency
24 per cent of the net sown area and the very high
rainfall zone (more than 2000 mm) accounts for the 2.30 As per the Report of the Task Force on Irrigation
remaining 8 per cent of the net sown area. The basin- (2009) constituted by the then Planning Commission,
wise availability of water is quite varied—the Ganga- for a gross irrigated area of about 91 mha, the water
Brahmaputra river basin contributes more than 50 use is 634 BCM, which gives a delta of 0.68 m per ha
per cent of the total annual water availability, and the of gross irrigated area. The average annual rainfall is
49
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
1170 mm (1.17m). Taking 70 per cent of the rainfall per cent of the irrigated area. About 70 per cent of
as effective for crop consumptive use, the gross water the paddy and wheat production in the country is
use is about 1.45 m (4.8 feet) per ha of the gross from irrigated areas. Heavy subsidies in electricity
irrigated area. This is very high compared to water consumed for agriculture have tended to encourage
use in irrigation systems in developed countries, such wasteful use of energy and water. This has also
as the USA, where water allocation is about 90 cm. encouraged farmers to overdraw water from deep
This overuse in the country reflects low irrigation aquifers, causing substantial depletion of the water
efficiency, of about 25 per cent to 35 per cent in most table and deterioration of water quality in many cases.
irrigation systems, with efficiency of 40 per cent to 45 There has been unprecedented crop diversification,
per cent in a few exceptional cases. due to unregulated groundwater development.
The preference for water-intensive crops like rice,
Groundwater Policy
sugarcane, banana, cotton, etc., is high in regions
2.31 Groundwater has rapidly emerged to occupy known only for groundwater availability. It is to be
a dominant place in India’s agriculture and food clearly understood that despite huge groundwater
security. It has become the main source of growth potential for agricultural growth, the country is
in irrigated area, and it now accounts for over 60 heading towards an irrigation crisis.
Figure 2.5: Categorization of Ground Water
50
Natural Resource Management
2.32 In the total 329 million hectares (mha) of Water Demand (BCM)
geographical area of the country, the total cropped Sector Standing Sub-
NCIWRD
area is about 194 mha, out of which net sown area Committee of MoWR
is only about 140 mha. Only about 66 mha, i.e., 47.6 Year 2025 2050 2025 2050
per cent of the net sown area, is reported as irrigated. Irrigation 910 1072 611 807
There is a need to bring more cropped area under Drinking 73 102 62 111
assured irrigation to increase agriculture productivity Water
and production. The ultimate irrigation potential Industry 23 63 67 81
of the country is estimated at about 140 mha, with Energy 15 130 33 70
about 76 mha from surface water sources and about Others 72 80 70 111
64 million hectares from groundwater sources. High Total 1093 1447 843 1180
priority needs to be accorded to harnessing the
balance irrigation potential. Waterlogging and Soil Salinity
Table 2.4: Ultimate Irrigation Potential 2.34 Overuse of surface water leads to drainage
problems, which in turn leads to waterlogging
Sl. Sector Potential (mha) in some areas. Waterlogging, however, is mostly
associated with unlined or poorly maintained canal
1 Major & Medium Irrigation 58.47 irrigation systems.
51
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
it can have a signal influence, both hydrologically and utilization. Special emphasis will be on creating
ecologically, on river basins as a whole. Its impact protective irrigation by harnessing rainwater at
is further compounded by surging population, the micro level, through “Jal Sanchay” and “Jal
increasing industrialization and associated demands Sinchan”.
on freshwater.
iii. The Scheme is meant for implementation in area
Programmes & Schemes development mode, adopting “decentralized
State-level planning and projectized execution”
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
and allowing states to draw up their own
(PMKSY)
irrigation development plans. Through these
2.36 On 1 July 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi comprehensive irrigation plans at the sub-
Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched with an district, district and state level, it will serve as
outlay of Rs. 50,000 crores over a period of five years a platform for convergence of investments in
(2015-16 to 2019), to boost irrigation facilities. The irrigation.
motto of the PMKSY is “Har Khet Ko Pani” and
iv. The PMKSY will serve as an important tool for
“More crop per drop”. The scheme will coordinate
adaptation to climate change in the agriculture
the ministries, departments, agencies and research
sector. Efficient use of water will avoid anaerobic
and financial institutions engaged in the creation,
conditions in the soil and thereby reduce GHG
use, recycling and potential recycling of water under
emission.
a common platform so that a comprehensive and
holistic view of the entire “water cycle” is taken Programme component
into account, and proper water budgeting is done
for all sectors, namely, household, agriculture and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
industries. (AIBP): To focus on faster completion of
ongoing major and medium irrigation projects,
2.37 The PMKSY amalgamates ongoing schemes, including national projects.
viz., Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
(AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani): Source
Development & Ganga Rejuvenation; Integrated augmentation, distribution, ground water
Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of the development, lift irrigation, diversion of
Department of Land Resources; and On-Farm Water water from water plenty to water scarce
Management (OFWM) component of the National areas, supplementing rain water harvesting
Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) of the beyond the IWMP & the MGNREGA, repair,
DAFC&W. The key objectives and deliverables of the restoration, renovation of traditional water
Scheme are as follows: bodies.
i. The PMKSY envisages an end-to-end solution PMKSY(Per Drop More Crop): Micro level
in the irrigation supply chain, viz., water storage structures, efficient water conveyance
sources, distribution network, efficient farm & application, precision irrigation systems,
level application and extension services on new topping up of input cost beyond MGNREGA
technologies and information. permissible limits, secondary storage,
water lifting devices, extension activities,
ii. It will focus on improving water use efficiency coordination & management.
to reduce wastage and increase availability
both in duration and extend and bridging the PMKSY (Watershed): Ridge area treatment,
gap between irrigation potential created and drainage line treatment, soil and moisture
52
Natural Resource Management
53
State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
54
Natural Resource Management
irrigation systems and also in areas of poor drainage, and its precondition is the convergence of resources of
and results in the accumulation of water. Apart various concerned line ministries and departments.
from lining the canals, drainage development— For instance, for water conservation through
through either surface, sub-surface, bio-drainage, or groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting, the
a combined approach—should be accorded priority, efforts of watershed development project authorities
followed by appropriate agronomic measures. have to converge with those of the ministries of rural
development, agriculture, water resources, urban
Water Pricing development and power, etc., to enable the project
2.49 Like any commodity available in abundance at to deliver results effectively. Enhancing productivity
little or no cost, irrigation water is heavily misused, of water using micro irrigation, supplemental
with serious economic and ecological implications. and deficit irrigation is possible only through the
The only way out is the adoption of volumetric, combined efforts of the Ministries of Agriculture,
metered supply of water as soon as possible. As one Water Resources and Power. A coordinated action
of the most important natural resources, water needs plan needs to be put in place through the collaborative
a serious regulatory system of use to ensure that it is efforts of the concerned ministries not only at the
treated as a national property and used judiciously. Central level but also at the state level.
Effective distribution and pricing is necessary for
Water Pollution
this. Not only regulation of water pricing, but also the
regulation of the price of energy that goes into lifting 2.53 Under the National Water Quality Monitoring
and using water is needed to prevent its side effects Programme, the Central Pollution Control Board
on water as a natural resource. (CPCB) has been monitoring the water quality of
rivers in India in collaboration with State Pollution
Recycling of Water Control Boards. In its February 2015 report, based
2.50 Currently, reuse and recycling of waste water on water quality data for the years 2009-12, the
is not practised on a large scale in India. There CPCB identified 302 polluted river stretches in the
is considerable scope and incentive to use this country based on levels of BoD (bio-chemical oxygen
alternative in irrigation. demand, a critical parameter of water quality) levels.
Emphasis on Awareness Generation & Training 2.54 The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
aims to improve the water quality of polluted stretches
2.51 Awareness training on the use of irrigation of rivers by preventing pollution loads from reaching
water in critical stages of crop growth under different rivers by undertaking various pollution abatement
soil and environment conditions should be imparted works. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and
to farmers, and be an integral part of water resource Climate Change (MoEFCC) is working with state
development and management. Such training should governments to make the NRCP a success. The works
be conducted for all categories of farming personnel, include (i) sewerage works to capture the raw sewage
and should focus on information systems, sectoral flowing into the rivers through open drains and
planning, project planning and formulation, project diverting them for treatment; (ii) sewage treatment
management, operation of projects and their physical plant for treating the diverted sewage; (iii) low-cost
structures and systems and the management of water sanitation works to prevent open defecation on
distribution systems. river banks; (iv) electric and improved wood-based
Coordination & Convergence Mechanism crematoria to conserve the use of wood and help in
ensuring the proper cremation of bodies brought to
2.52 The key to higher, cost-effective yield and burning ghats; and (v) riverfront development, such
sustainable water use is efficient water management, as improvement of bathing ghats, etc.
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
2.55 Pollution abatement/sewerage works are also fertility, structure and water-holding capacity of
being taken up under the schemes financed by soils in the high rainfall region. Forests provide food
the Ministry of Urban Development as well as the directly in the following categories: fruits, flowers,
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & leaves, stems, seeds, roots, tubers, mushrooms, etc.
Ganga Rejuvenation. Forests are vital for maintaining the hydrological
cycle and regulating water flows and sub-soil water
2.56 The efforts of state governments are
regimes, recharging aquifers and maintaining water
supplemented by financial support for conservation
flow in rivers and rivulets. However, the relationship
of lakes and wetlands under the National Plan for
between forests and water flow, especially low base
Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA),
flows, is not always as straightforward as often
MoEFCC.
believed. Forest ecosystems are the source of a large
Way Forward number of rivers and rivulets in the country. Forested
watersheds have better availability as well as quality
2.57 To address the problem of ever-increasing of water than watersheds under alternative land uses.
pollution loads in river and other water bodies, which
are the lifeline of mankind, the following possible 2.59 The National Afforestation Programme is a
corrective measures can be adopted. major scheme that was launched in 2002-03. It is being
implemented by the National Afforestation & Eco-
i. Reuse of treated sewage for agriculture and Development Board (NAEB), MoEFCC. Over the 10
horticulture purposes. years of its implementation, the scheme has acquired
ii. Use of sludge generated at sewerage treatment a pan-India ambit. It is implemented by states of the
plants (STP) as manure and soil conditioner if country through a twin institutional set-up of Forest
such sludge does not contain heavy metal. Development Agencies (FDA) at the forest division
level and Joint Forest Management Committees
iii. Water use-efficient technologies such as drip (JFMC) at the village level. In 2010-11, the State
irrigation, micro irrigation, sprinklers, etc., Forest Development Agency (SFDA) was created to
may be encouraged to reduce the pressure smoothen the fund flow from the NAEB to FDAs.
on water consumption by the agriculture This decentralized three-tier institutional structure
sector and reduce the excessive withdrawal of (SFDA, FDA and JFMC) allows greater community
groundwater. participation, in both planning and implementation,
to improve forests and the livelihood of people living
iv. The farming community to be educated
in and around forest areas. An amount of Rs. 243.78
on the diversification of cropping patterns
crore was released during 2014-15.
and introduce the crop varieties requiring
minimum water. Agrobiodiversity
v. An awareness campaign to be launched to 2.60 Agriculture remains the mainstream and one
apprise the farming community of the adverse of the dominant drivers of economic growth in India.
effects of indiscriminate use of pesticides The direct and indirect drivers of loss of biodiversity,
and fertilizers and of the benefits of compost, particularly in developing economies, may include
manure, sewage sludge, etc. a high rate of human population growth and high
population density, increasing consumption, effects
Forest Ecosystems
induced by technological change and inadequate
2.58 Forests are essential for maintaining favourable awareness of biodiversity values among the public
and stable conditions needed for sustained agricultural and at the decision-making levels. The demands of
productivity. Organic matter is essential to maintain a growing human population for food, medicine,
56
Natural Resource Management
fibre, fodder, shelter and fuel, along with the need commercial utilization, bio-survey or bio-utilization
for economic development, are increasing the for commercial utilization, previous approval of the
pressure on biodiversity and ecosystems throughout NBA/SBB, as the case may be, is required as per the
the country. A reduction in agrobiodiversity would provisions of the Act.
make farming communities vulnerable to future
2.65 The NBA has exempted 190 plant varieties,
environmental changes and accentuate poverty.
including several crop varieties. The NBA, in
2.61 To protect the agrobiodiversity, 17 consultation with various stakeholders, is in the
agrobiodiversity hotspots have been identified process of augmenting the list.
jointly by the Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmer’s Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Relevance of the Nagoya Protocol
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). 2.66 On 29 October 2010, the Nagoya Protocol
on access and benefit-sharing was adopted in
2.62 The National Biodiversity Authority has issued
Nagoya, Japan. It recognizes the interdependence
guidelines to states for identifying biodiversity
of all countries with regard to genetic resources
heritage. Under Section 37 of the Biodiversity
for food and agriculture. The Protocol recognizes
Act, 2002, the state may declare as biodiversity
the special nature of genetic resources and their
hotspots areas that contain significant domesticated
importance in achieving food security worldwide
biodiversity components and/or representative agro-
and for the sustainable development of agriculture
eco-systems with ongoing agricultural practices that
in the context of poverty alleviation and climate
sustain this diversity.
change. It acknowledges the fundamental role of the
Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for
Food and Agriculture.
2.63 Section 13(1) of the Biodiversity Act defines
the term “agro-biodiversity” as “biological diversity Fulfilment of Obligation to the International
of agriculture-related species and their wild relatives” Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and provides for the constitution of a committee to and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
deal with matters related to agrobiodiversity. In 2005,
2.67 In 2002, India ratified the International Treaty
the National Biodiversity Authority constituted the
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Expert Committee on Agro-biodiversity to deal with
(ITPGRFA), which creates the multilateral system
the biological diversity of agriculture-related species
of access and benefit-sharing. The ITPGRFA states
and their wild relatives. The Expert Committee
that “contracting parties shall take necessary legal
discussed various agrobiodiversity issues in the Act
and other appropriate measures” to facilitate access
and provided valuable inputs and recommendations
to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
to the Authority.
included in the multilateral system. As such, there is a
Exemption of Biological Resources When need to harmonize the provisions of the Biodiversity
Normally Traded as Commodities Act with India’s commitment to provide facilitated
access to plant genetic resources in the multilateral
2.64 Pursuant to the notification issued by the
system, and more particularly, to enable providers
Central Government, biological resources which
within India to use the standard material transfer
are normally traded as commodities are exempted
agreement (SMTA) when exchanging such resources.
from the purview of the Act under Section 40.
Such exemption is available only when the notified 2.68 In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 40
item is normally traded as a commodity. However, of the BD Act and in fulfilment of the obligations of the
if these biological resources are used for research, Government of India to the ITPGRFA for facilitating
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
access to plant genetic resources for food and Seed Industries, etc., for inputs whenever sought for.
agriculture, the Central Government, in consultation
with the National Biodiversity Authority, has declared
Microbial Diversity
that the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & 2.71 Microbial diversity is the largest of the
Farmers Welfare may, from time to time, specify such diversities. However, what has been collected,
crops as it considers necessary from among the crops characterized, conserved and utilized is not to the
listed in the Annex I of the ITPGRFA, being food desired level, despite various public institutions
crops and forages covered under the multilateral (ICAR, DBT, CSIR, etc.) engaged in this effort. Their
system thereof, and accordingly exempted them from value and use in agriculture as bio-control and bio-
Section 3 and 4 of the said Act, for the purpose of fertilizer agents (Trichoderma and Psuedomonas
utilization and conservation for research, breeding and many endophytes) is assuming importance in
and training for food and agriculture. However, our effort to develop ecologically and economically
such exemption shall not be applicable for includes sustainable agriculture. Research needs to be
chemical, pharmaceutical and/or other non-food strengthened to collect, conserve, and evaluate
or feed industrial uses. Accordingly, out of the 64 more and more microbes for addressing many
crops at Annexure-I of ITPGFRA in notification of more problems like mitigation of greenhouse gases
the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate from rice paddies. In this context the following
Change (MoEFCC) dated 18.12.2014, 9 crops have interventions are important:
been exempted by the Seed Division, Department
i. The farmers should be incentivized to practice
of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
agro-biodiversity on their farms. This will
(DAC&FW). Details of such crops are given in
greatly help the bio diverse farmers and provide
Annexure 2.3.
a new impetus. Ecological criteria would be
National Biodiversity Authority and a double benefit since organic agriculture
Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights is a mandate of the state also. International
Authority Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
(IFOAM) definition of organic cultivation
2.69 As per section 6 (3) of the BD Act, the provisions includes biodiversity as a compulsory element.
of this section viz. seeking approval of the NBA for
obtaining IPR protection in or outside India for any ii. The definition of agro-biodiversity can be
invention based on any research or information on multiple crops on the field. For the sake of
a biological resource obtained from India, shall not easy comprehension traditional definitions of
apply to any person making an application for any mixed cropping as in Saatdhan of Rajasthan,
right under any law relating to protection of plant Navadhanya of Karnataka, Baranaja of
varieties enacted by Parliament (Protection of Plant Uttarakhand and Pannendu Pantalu of Deccan
Varieties & Farmers’ Right Act, 2001). can be accepted. The coexistence of 6 to 12
crops on the field denotes agro-biodiversity.
Consultative Process Further, the crops must be complementary and
companion such as millets and pulses, rice and
2.70 The NBA follows the principle of continued
legumes etc.
consultative process while implementing the provisions
of the BD Act/ Rules and conducts meetings with iii. Irrigation and electricity subsidies form a
several agriculture-related stakeholders, including the significant part of the agricultural subsidies.
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers There is a case to extend similar assistance to
Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of Agricultural dry land farmers who grow their crops only
Research and Education (DARE), CGAIR centres, under rainfed conditions. They should be
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Natural Resource Management
treated as water conservers for the nation. It temperatures. Such climatic fluctuations could
is estimated that every rainfed millet farmer adversely affect agricultural sustainability resulting
conserves between 6 million to 10 million litres in unforeseen situational shortages which could also
of water every cropping season in comparison impact other economic sectors.
to the rice and sugarcane farmers. This happens
2.73 Agriculture is an important source of Green
due to the principles of diversity they follow in
House Gas (GHG) emissions and 17.6 per cent
which leguminous crops on the side of millets
of the annual emissions were from agriculture
enhances soil fertility, increases soil moisture
in India during 2007 (INCCA, 2010). The major
by fixing soil carbon. All these are critical
sources of emission in agriculture sector are enteric
elements in keeping soils alive and moist
fermentation (63.4 per cent), rice cultivation (20.9
without demanding irrigation.
per cent), agricultural soils (13.0 per cent), manure
Climate Change management (2.4 per cent) and on-field burning
of crop residues (2.0 per cent). Quantification and
2.72 Climate Change refers to statistical variations reduction of GHGs from agriculture is fundamental
in properties of the climate system such as changes for identifying mitigation solutions that are consistent
in global temperatures, precipitation, etc., due to with the goals of achieving greater resilience in
natural or human drivers over a long period of time. production systems, food security, guiding national
Climate change could drastically alter the distribution planning for low carbon development, informing
and quality of natural resources thereby adversely consumers’ choices with regard to reducing their
affecting livelihood security of people. It is a serious foot prints and supporting farmers in adopting less
global environmental concern. It is primarily caused carbon intensive farming practices. Agriculture
by the building up of Green House Gases (GHG) sector has the potential to reduce GHG emissions and
in the atmosphere. The global increase in carbon can also contribute towards sequestering carbon in to
dioxide (CO2) concentration is primarily due to fossil vegetation and soils which has multiple advantages
fuel use and land use change. Global warming is a and also contributes towards enhancing the
specific example of the broader term ‘climate change’ productivity and to the sustainability of agricultural
and refers to the observed increase in the average production systems. Different farm management
temperature of the air near Earth’s surface and oceans practices, fertilizer materials and application
in recent decades. Its effect particularly on developing techniques can significantly towards GHG emission
countries is adverse as their capacity and resources reduction and increased carbon sequestration rate.
to deal with the challenge is limited. Observations of
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Issues and Challenges
indicate that adverse impact of climate change 2.74 Vulnerability of India in the event of climate
due to rising temperatures and extreme weather change is more pronounced due to its ever increasing
events on food production system could impact dependency on agriculture, excessive pressure on
agricultural growth. Consistent warming trends and natural resources and poor coping mechanisms.
more frequent and intense extreme weather events The warming trend in India over the past 100 years
are being observed across India in the recent years. (1901-2000) is estimated to be 0.4 degree Celsius.
Several areas have been identified as risk prone due The projected impact of further warming is likely
to impact of climate change like coastal areas, Indo- to aggravate yield fluctuations of many crops. While
Gangetic plains and the drought and flood prone in the short run the impact might not be severe,
regions of the country. Besides production from crops many crops may witness yield decline after 2020
and livestock, fresh water and marine ecosystem is when the temperature threshold limit of many crops
also likely to be affected due to warming of sea surface might get breached. A one-degree Celsius rise in
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
mean temperature is likely to affect wheat yield in for livelihood security in the farming sector could be
the heartland of green revolution. There is already much more severe vis-à-vis other economic sectors.
evidence of negative impacts on yield of wheat and While short term mitigation measures would always
paddy in parts of India due to increased temperatures, demand immediate attention, the complexities of
increasing water stress and reduction in the number of abiotic stress on crops and livestock in the long
rainy days. Irrigation requirements in arid and semi- term would require intensive research to effectively
arid regions are estimated to increase by 10 per cent address the adaptation processes required for making
for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature. Rise in our production systems resilient to climate change.
sea level is also likely to have adverse effects on the
2.77 India’s commitments under Intended
livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities.
Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
Climate change is likely to significantly alter the
submitted to the UNFCCC included all elements
dynamics of extreme events such as tropical cyclones,
pertaining to climate change with a targeted approach
associated storm surges and extreme rainfall events;
to be fulfilled by 2030. The session of Conference
possibly increasing their frequency and intensity.
of Parties (COP 21) involving 196 countries held
Low lying regions, including small islands, will face
at Paris, during December 2015 agreed to mitigate
highest exposure to rising sea levels, which will
the climate change impact and targeted to maintain
increase risk of floods bringing more cultivable area
the global rise in temperature below 2 degree
under submergence and degradation.
Celsius specifically by 1.5 degree Celsius, addressing
2.75 Agriculture represents a core part of the Indian particularly the emission of GHG and to create an
economy and provides food and livelihood activities to additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of
much of the Indian population. While the magnitude CO2equivalent through additional forest and tree
of impact varies greatly by region, climate change is cover by 2030. In the context of agriculture, the
expected to impact on agricultural productivity and major programmes, namely, National Mission for
shifting crop patterns. The policy implications are Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri
wide-reaching, as changes in agriculture could affect Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PKVY), Paramparagat
food security, trade policy, livelihood activities and Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMKSY), National Initiative
water conservation issues, impacting large portions for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), National
of the population. The impact of climate change on Food Security Mission, Soil Health Card Scheme
agriculture could result in problems with food security (SHC), Mission for Development of Integrated
and may threaten the livelihood activities upon which Horticulture (MIDH), etc., have been factored in the
much of the population depends. Climate change can climate resilient initiatives. A specific sub-mission
affect crop yields (both positively and negatively), as on Agroforestry has is also under pipeline for
well as the types of crops that can be grown in certain implementation.
areas, by impacting agricultural inputs such as water
Schemes & Programmes
for irrigation, amounts of solar radiation that affect
plant growth, as well as the prevalence of pests. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
(NMSA)
2.76 Significant negative impacts are being projected
in the medium-term (2010-2039) depending on the 2.78 NMSA, one of the eight missions under
magnitude and distribution of warming. In the long the National Action Plan on Climate Change
run, the effect could even be more detrimental “if no (NAPCC), seeks to address issues associated
adaptation measures are taken”. The negative impact with climate change. Adaptation and mitigation
on agricultural production will imply significant strategies were devised for ensuring food security,
percentage fall in the annual GDP. However, its fallout equitable access to food resources, enhancing
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Natural Resource Management
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
62
Natural Resource Management
calamities and are empowered to initiate immediate National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural
relief measure to address the situation arising out calamities of severe nature and is approved on the basis
of drought. Government of India supplements the of Memorandum received from State Government in
efforts of state governments with financial assistance. accordance with established procedure, keeping in
For undertaking relief measures, funds are available view items and norms in vogue for assistance. Details
with the State Government in the form of State of amount sought and sanctioned from NDRF to
Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial various states during 2014-15 and 2015-16 is as
assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from under:
Table 2.7: Assistance sought and approved from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for Natural
Calamities (Drought & hailstorm) in the States
(Rs. in crores)
During 2014-2015
S.No. State Calamity Amount sought Amount approved
1. Haryana Drought 4829.25 168.87
Hailstorm 1925.97 369.09
2. Karnataka Drought 779.20 200.85
Hailstorm 151.28 105.33
3. Uttar Pradesh Drought 4819.49 777.34
Hailstorm 7573.70 2801.59
4. Maharashtra Drought 6013.28 1962.99
5. Andhra Pradesh Drought 1532.00 237.51
6. Rajasthan Hailstorm 11885.45 1447.73
7. Bihar Hailstorm 2041.10 791.42
8. Telangana Hailstorm 117.59 83.744
9. Himachal Pradesh Hailstorm 353.395 71.534
Total: 42021.71 9017.998
During 2015-2016
1. Karnataka Drought-K 3830.84 1540.20
Drought-R 1417.14 #
2. Chhattisgarh Drought-K 6093.79 1276.25
3. Madhya Pradesh Drought-K 4821.64 2032.68
4. Maharashtra Drought-K 4002.82 3049.36
5. Odisha Drought-K 2217.08 815.00
6. Telangana Drought-K 2601.17 791.21
7. Uttar Pradesh Drought-K 2057.79 1304.52
8. Andhra Pradesh Drought-K 2000.56 433.77
9. Jharkhand Drought-K 2142.78 336.94
10. Rajasthan Drought-K 10537.02 1193.41
Total: 41722.63 12773.34
K: Kharif, R: Rabi
# Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) meeting is scheduled to be held on 5.4.2016.
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
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Natural Resource Management
2.92 States were advised to keep aside about 5-10 structures under MGNREGA and other such
per cent of fund allocated under Rashtriya Krishi schemes, promoting agronomic practices for
Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for undertaking appropriate moisture conservation, promoting cultivation of
interventions, if the situation so warrants, to minimize less water consuming crops and restoring irrigation
the advance impact of an aberrant monsoon on the infrastructure by desilting canals, energizing
agriculture sector. The allocation under Centrally tubewells, replacing/repairing faulty pumps, to
Sponsored Scheme to the tune of 10 per cent may carry out periodic assessment of preparation for
be utilized in flexible manner by the States to meet kharif crops, particularly contingency crops and also
contingent requirement arising out of deficient rains.
investment made in water conservation structure
2.93 To mitigate the adverse impact of drought, under various schemes like Integrated Watershed
State Governments were advised to initiate advance Management Programme (IWWP) to verify their
remedial action e.g. constructing water harvesting utility in harvesting the rainfall.
To provide immediate relief to the farmers, in view of the deficit monsoon during kharif 2015, Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a proposal for providing the following relief measures to the
farmers:
i. Implementation of Diesel Subsidy Scheme with an allocation of Rs.100 cr: Government decided to
provide diesel subsidy to the farmers to enable them to provide lifesaving irrigation through diesel pump
sets in the drought and deficit rainfall areas to protect the standing crops. The farmers in the affected regions
would be covered between South-West monsoon periods till 30th September, 2015. The scheme on diesel
subsidy will be implemented with the participation of the State Governments/UT Administration, with a
view to offset the cost of diesel used for pumping water for providing supplementary irrigation/protective
irrigation. The scheme will be applicable to such districts/talukas/areas where the rainfall deficit is more
than 50 per cent as on 15 July 2015, as reported by India Meteorological Department (IMD) or to such
districts/talukas/areas, which have been declared as drought affected area by the respective State Govt./ UT
Administration or areas with prolonged dry spell continuously for 15 days, i.e., scanty rainfall (deficit of 60
per cent or more of normal) for any continuous 15 days period, after the onset date of the monsoon as per
reports of IMD. It is proposed to provide 50 per cent subsidy on the cost of diesel (Rs 2000 per hectares)
to the affected farmers, limited to maximum of two hectares per farmer. Assistance so provided through
subsidy shall be shared between the Government of India and the State Government/UT Administration
concerned on 50:50 basis. The Government of Bihar, Nagaland and Jharkhand have informed that they have
implemented the diesel subsidy scheme during kharif 2015.
ii. Enhancement of ceiling on seed subsidy: In order to partially compensate the farmers in the drought
affected districts for the additional expenditure incurred in the sowing and /or purchasing appropriate
varieties of drought resistant seeds it has been decided to raise the extant ceiling on seed subsidy by 50 per
cent for distribution in drought notified districts. The enhancement is valid till 31.12.2015.
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State of Indian Agriculture 2015-16
iii. Implementation of interventions for saving perennial horticulture crops with an additional
allocation of Rs. 150 cr: Appropriate input support measures will be provided to rejuvenate water stressed
horticulture crops. The scheme is proposed to be implemented in all drought affected districts/blocks in
the country which are covered under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), being
implemented by Dept. of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare. Farmers in the drought affected
districts/blocks will be provided assistance at the rate of Rs. 6000/- per hectares as per cost norms for a
maximum area of two ha per beneficiary for taking up appropriate combination of interventions. Assistance
so provided through subsidy shall be shared between the Government of India and the State Government/
UT Administration concerned on 50:50 basis.
iv. Implementation of additional fodder development programme with an allocation of Rs. 50 cr.:
Assistance will be provided for additional interventions for production of fodder for mitigating adverse
impact of drought on livestock. Farmers in the drought affected districts/ blocks will be provided assistance
at the rate of Rs.3200/- per hectares as per cost norms for a maximum area of two ha per beneficiary for
taking up additional production of fodder in these districts/blocks. Assistance so provided through subsidy
shall be shared between the Government of India and the State Government/UT Administration concerned
on 50:50 basis.
66