Parliament Question: Agricultural Input Assistance

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2904 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10TH MARCH, 2026 AGRICULTURAL INPUT ASSISTANCE 2904. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that the initial cost of horticulture crops like orange, kinnow and cash crops like cumin, Isabgol etc. is very high but agricultural input assistance is very low comparatively; (b) whether Government of India has received any proposals from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other States to increase the input of such crops and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether Government intends to increase the limit of agricultural input grant from Rs.22,500 per hectare to a minimum of Rs.50,000 per hectare in case of failure of horticultural crops like orange, kinnow and cash crops like cumin, Isabgol by amending the SDRF rules; and (d) if so, when the rules are likely to be amended in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b): The cost of cultivation of horticultural crops such as orange, kinnow and cash crops like cumin and isabgol, is input and labour intensive due to requirement of quality planting material, fertilizers, irrigation systems and post-harvest infrastructure. On the requests received from various stakeholders and considering the increase in prices of various inputs and materials in the horticulture sector, operational guidelines of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme were revised in 2025. Under the revised guidelines, the cost norms of various horticultural crops were enhanced, along with the introduction of the latest technologies used in the horticulture sector. A comparative statement on enhanced support is as per Annexure.(c) & (d): As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures on ground level in the wake of notified calamities. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities from funds available in the form of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with the Government of India approved items and norms. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of ‘severe nature’ and is approved on the basis of a Memorandum received from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures. The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not as compensation. The detailed items and norms are available on the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs website: ndmindia.mha.gov.in.Annexure Comparative table of Old vs New Guidelines under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) support for Orange, Kinnow, Cumin and Isabgol cultivation: Crop/ New / Revised Guidelines Category under Old Guidelines (2014) (2025) MIDH Higher cost norms for Under high density, the Cost orchard establishment norms is ₹1.00 lakh/ha without (without drip) and for Regular Fruit Crop (Citrus) integration and ₹1.50 lakh/ha with spacing - ₹1.25 lakh/ha) including Orange drip integration for orchard Support for high-density - and Kinnow establishment. The subsidy given ₹2.00 lakh/ha and for Ultra- is @40% (general areas) and high density - ₹3.00 lakh/ha @50% (NE/hilly areas). Max area: with same subsidy pattern 4 ha/beneficiary. (40–50%). Cost norms was revised Cost norm: ₹30,000/ha with Seed Spice upward to ₹50,000/ha for subsidy @40% in general areas including improved seed, INM, IPM, and @50% in NE/hilly areas. Max Cumin and scientific cultivation area: 4 ha/beneficiary. practices. Cost norm is ₹1.50 lakh/ha Medicinal & with subsidy @ 40–50% Aromatic Plants Medicinal plants were not included depending on region for including in the earlier guidelines. support of quality planting Isabgol material, cultivation, and value-chain development. ******