Parliament Question: Irrigation and Farming Review in Maharashtra

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE& FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1414 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28th JULY, 2026, IRRIGATION AND FARMING REVIEW IN MAHARASHTRA 1414. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH: 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 proposes to approve any new irrigation project to augment irrigation facilities in the Parbhani, Washim- Yavatmal Parliamentary Constituencies and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to make the claims settlement process for farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) simple, transparent, and time-bound; (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce special grants, training programmes, or schemes to promote organic farming in the Parbhani, Washim- Yavatmal Parliamentary Constituencies; (d) whether the Government proposes to implement any special scheme to address the delay in the disbursement of subsidies to farmers under the drip irrigation scheme in the Parbhani, Washim-Yavatmal Parliamentary Constituencies; and (e) if so, the time-frame fixed for its implementation, and if not, the reasons therefor? 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): Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is implementing Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) and Har khet Ko Pani Components of PMKSY which focuses on major, medium and minor irrigation projects. Three major and medium irrigation projects are benefiting the Parbhani and Yavatmal Parliamentary Constituencies under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme and Central Assistance amounting to Rs. 601.92 crore has been released for these projects with an irrigation potential of 37.62 thousand hectares created, so far. Further, 14 minor irrigation projects in Yavatmal district and 18 minor irrigation projects in Washim district have been included under the Special Package for Maharashtra. Central Assistance of Rs. 22.52 crore and Rs. 39.60 crore has been released with creation of an irrigation potential of 5,403 hectares and 4,192 hectares in Yavatmal and Washim districts respectively. (b): The Government is implementing yield-based Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and weather index-based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) to provide financial support to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities and adverse weather events. PMFBY is voluntary for States/UTs and farmers. To make claim settlement simple, transparent and time- bound, the Government has developed the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) for online enrolment, subsidy management and direct transfer of claims into farmers' bank accounts. The Digiclaim Module integrated with PFMS has been operationalised from Kharif 2022 for transparent claim processing. Further, from Kharif 2024, a penalty of 12% is auto-calculated on delayed payment by Insurance Companies. From Kharif 2025, a 12% penalty is also levied on delayed release of State share of subsidy in addition to opening of ESCROW account for advance deposit of premium share by States has been made mandatory. The Government has also leveraged technology through CCE-Agri App, YES-TECH, integration of land records with NCIP and mandatory use of Crop Loss Assessment App (CLAP) for faster and transparent claim settlement.(c): Government is promoting organic farming in all States/UTs including Maharashtra through Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16. The scheme provides end-to-end support covering production, processing, certification and marketing, with preference to small and marginal farmers through formation of organic clusters including training on all aspects of organic farming. Under PKVY, financial assistance of Rs.31,500 per hectare for three years, including Direct Benefit Transfer of Rs.15,000 per hectare for on-farm/off- farm organic inputs are provided to beneficiary farmers. In Maharashtra, since inception of the scheme, Central assistance of Rs.165.56 crore has been released and 69,852 hectare has been covered benefitting 91,259 farmers. District wise details are not maintained centrally. (d) & (e): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme in the Country including Maharashtra. The scheme is implemented by the States/UTs as per their Annual Acton Plan (AAP). Under PDMC Scheme, financial assistance is provided to farmers for installation of micro irrigation systems @ 55% and 45% of the unit cost to small & marginal farmers and other farmers respectively. In addition to above, State Government of Maharashtra is providing top-up subsidy with effective assistance @ 80% and 75% of the unit cost to small & marginal farmers and other farmers respectively. During Current Financial Year, Central Assistance of Rs.249.76 cr is allocated to State under PDMC-PMRKVY against which 1st Mother Sanction has been issued for Rs. 124.88 crore. During the last three years, an area of 8336.75 ha in Parbhani District, 10336.04 ha area in Washim District and 15438.82 ha in of area in Yavatmal District has been covered under micro irrigation through PDMC. *****