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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 405
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st JULY 2026,
IMPACT OF GROUNDWATER CRISIS ON AGRICULTURE
405. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the economic losses suffered
by farmers in Bhiwani-Mahendergarh Lok Sabha Constituency due to declining groundwater
availability and increasing irrigation costs, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any district-wise assessment has been made regarding the suitability of climate-
resilient and low-water-consuming crops for the region, if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government proposes to introduce a special pilot programme for millet, olive,
medicinal plants and arid horticulture cultivation in the constituency, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any proposal is under consideration for establishment of a Dryland Agriculture
Research and Demonstration Centre in South Haryana; and
(e)if so, the details thereof along with the expected benefits to farmers of Bhiwani and
Mahendergarh districts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Government has not conducted any study regarding the economic losses to farmers
in Bhiwani-Mahendergarh Lok Sabha Constituency due to declining groundwater. However,
Central Ground Water Board jointly with the State Ground Water Departments, carries out
annual assessment of dynamic groundwater resources at the block level. The assessment
provides updated estimates of annual groundwater recharge, annual extractable groundwater
resource, annual groundwater extraction and stage of groundwater extraction, and categorizes
assessment units as Safe, Semi-Critical, Critical and Over-Exploited based on stage of
groundwater extraction. Out of 19 groundwater assessment units in Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and
Mahendragarh districts 14 units fall under over-exploited, critical and semi-critical units.
(b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Central Research Institute for
Dryland Agriculture has prepared District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for all districts
of the country, which identify district-specific climate-resilient and low-water-requiring crops and
suitable varieties based on local agro-climatic conditions. For Bhiwani and Mahendragarh
districts of Haryana, the recommended crops include pearl millet, greengram, mothbean,
clusterbean, cowpea, castor, sesame, mustard, and chickpea.
(c) to (e): As per the information received from the Government of Haryana, the Centre
of Excellence for Semi-Arid Horticulture Crops, Gignow, Bhiwani and the Integrated Horticulture
Development Centre, Sundrah, Narnaul are operational in the constituency to promote semi-
arid horticulture cultivation. The Centres demonstrate improved varieties of semi-arid
horticultural crops along with modern technologies such as micro-irrigation, automation and
protected cultivation. They also serve as centres for production of quality planting material and
hybrid vegetable seedlings and impart training to farmers on improved horticultural practicesand efficient water management. Government assistance is also being provided for area
expansion of horticultural crops through financial support for establishment of new orchards and
cultivation of vegetables, spices, flowers and aromatic plants to promote crop diversification. To
promote diversification towards horticulture, Government assistance is being provided to
farmers for the area expansion of fruit crops such as ber, aonla, citrus (kinnow), guava, and
strawberry, as well as for the cultivation of vegetables, spices, flowers and aromatic plants.
During the year 2026–27, in District Bhiwani and Narnaul a target of approximately 2,360 acres
with a total financial outlay of Rs. 3.18 crore has been earmarked for the area expansion of
horticultural crops. Government assistance at the rate of 40% to 50% is being provided to
farmers for establishment of new orchards and for the cultivation of vegetables, spices, flowers,
and aromatic plants.
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