Parliament Question: Farmer Welfare measures to boost Agricultural based Economy

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1607 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28th JULY 2026 FARMER WELFARE MEASURES TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL BASED ECONOMY 1607. SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष और िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to establish a new Agro Processing Cluster (APC) in the Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor region to boost the agriculture-based economy of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor; (b) whether any new laboratory is proposed to be set up under the Integrated Nutrient Management to provide improved seeds and micro-nutrients to the farmers of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts; (c) whether the Government proposes to provide special concessions/subsidies to small and marginal farmers on modern harvesters and technological equipment for sugarcane harvesting; and (d) whether the Government proposes to implement any special incentive package for horticulture and oilseed crops in Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts to promote crop diversification? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष और िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): The Ministry of Food Processing and Industries (MoFPI) is implementing the scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC) across the country, as a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for development of modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach . Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grants-in aid/subsidy @ 35% of the eligible project cost is provided in General Areas and 50% of the eligible project cost in North Eastern States including Sikkim and difficult areas including Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh, J&K & Uttarakhand), notified ITDP areas and Islands subject to a maximum of Rs. 10.00 crore.APC scheme is demand-driven in nature, under which applications are invited online from the potential investors / entrepreneurs against Expression of Interest (Eol) issued by the Ministry from time to time. As on date, there is no project approved in Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts in the State of Uttar Pradesh under APC scheme.As per Government of Uttar Pradesh, 50 food processing units have been established in Muzaffarnagar district under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises( PMFME) Scheme . The PMFME provides credit-linked capital subsidies, financial assistance and training to upgrade or set up small food processing units. It offers a 35% subsidy on project costs (up to ₹10 lakh), focuses on One District One Product (ODOP) items and requires a 10% beneficiary contribution. (b): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare implements programmes for promotion of balanced and integrated nutrient management across the country through support for soil testing, soil health management and dissemination of nutrient recommendations to farmers. Soil testing laboratories are established and strengthened by the States/UTs based on their requirement with assistance under the relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Improved seeds are supplied to the farmers under various schemes such as the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses , National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), and other crop development programmes. Farmers in Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor are also eligible to avail these benefits as per the annual action plans approved for the State of Uttar Pradesh. (c): The Government promotes agricultural mechanization through the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) by providing financial assistance to States/UTs for distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment, establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Farm Machinery Banks and High-Tech Hubs. Assistance is provided to eligible farmers, including small and marginal farmers, as per the scheme guidelines and the Annual Action Plan approved for the State. As per Government of Uttar Pradesh, under SMAM Scheme, farmers are being provided with Sugarcane Cutter Planters, Sugarcane Trash Cutters, Tractor-Mounted Sugarcane Harvesters, and other specialized agricultural machinery at a 50% subsidy for sugarcane harvesting. Harvesters are promoted only through CHCs. As per data available on Krishi mapper, total 74 & 22 CHCs has been established under SMAM in Muzafarnagar and Bijnor Districts respectively.(d): The Government promotes crop diversification through schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses, National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) and the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS). Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for area expansion, quality planting material, integrated pest and nutrient management, post-harvest infrastructure, capacity building and other interventions as part of State Annual Action Plans. The Department has conveyed the approval of Annual Action Plan for 2026-27 for Uttar Pradesh wherein projects amounting to Rs. 357.29 crore under Sub Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation, Rs. 26.87 crore under Soil Health and Fertility, Rs. 43.75 crore under Crop Diversification Programme, Rs.106 crore under NFSNM, Rs.80 crore under MIDH, Rs.64.06 crore under NMEO-OS and Rs.97.18 crore under Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses have been sanctioned for implementation across various districts of the state. Further, as per the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the State Government has launched the Mukhyamantri Rajya Audyogik Vikas Mission in February 2026 to promote crop diversification through horticultural crops. Under the scheme, farmers are provided assistance in the form of subsidy ranging from 25 to 50 percent for various components. *****