**Policy Summary: Promoting Less Water-Intensive Crops in India**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 324 on July 22, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addressed government initiatives to promote the cultivation of less water-intensive crops and enhance water management awareness among farmers, including those in Rajasthan.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DAFW) is implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) in Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh. This program aims to shift land use away from water-intensive paddy crops towards alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna). The CDP provides assistance for alternative crop demonstrations, farm mechanization, value addition, site-specific activities, awareness campaigns, and farmer training.
Furthermore, the DAFW supports state government efforts, including those in Rajasthan, to encourage diversified crop production through various national missions. These include the National Food Security Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) for pulses, coarse cereals, and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna); the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oilseeds (NMEOOS) for oilseeds; and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for horticultural crops.
The Government of India also offers states flexibility under the PMRKVY to address state-specific needs and priorities. States can promote less water-intensive crops under the PMRKVY with the approval of the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC), headed by the Chief Secretary of the respective state.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A department of the Government of India responsible for agriculture and farmers welfare.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW): A department responsible for implementing agricultural policies and programs.
Rajasthan: A state in India, mentioned in the context of promoting water management techniques and crop diversification.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY): An initiative to promote agriculture development.
Crop Diversification Programme (CDP): A program under PMRKVY to divert area from water-intensive crops to alternative crops.
Haryana: A state in India, specifically mentioned as an Original Green Revolution State.
Punjab: A state in India, specifically mentioned as an Original Green Revolution State.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned as an Original Green Revolution State.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 324
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025
CULTIVATION OF LESS WATER-INTENSIVE CROPS
324. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has initiated any policy measures to promote cultivation of
less water-intensive crops and to create awareness among farmers regarding various water
management techniques for agriculture in the country, including Rajasthan; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
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 RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) & (b): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare ( DA&FW) is implementing the
Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) under the Pradhan Mantri- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas
Yojana (PM-RKVY) in the Original Green Revolution States viz; Haryana, Punjab and
western Uttar Pradesh to divert the area of water intensive paddy crop to alternative crops
like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri-cereals (shree anna) etc. Under the CDP,
assistance is given for alternative crops demonstration, farm mechanization and value
addition, site-specific activities, awareness, farmers training etc.
The DA&FW also supplements the efforts of state governments including Rajasthan to
encourage diversified production of crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and nutri-cereals
(shree anna) under the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), oilseeds under
the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and horticultural crops under the
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state specific
needs/priorities under the PM-RKVY. The states can promote less water intensive crops
under the PM-RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed
by the Chief Secretary of the respective states.
******