Parliament Question: Measures to encourage crop diversification

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2413 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13/03/2026 MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE CROP DIVERSIFICATION 2413. DR. M. DHANAPAL: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government recognises the importance of crop diversification in improving farm incomes, reducing vulnerability to climate change and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across different regions; (b) the measures introduced to encourage cultivation of pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops through financial incentives, extension services and coordination with State Governments, particularly Tamil Nadu; and (c) the initiatives planned to monitor outcomes, expand farmer awareness programmes and replicate successful diversification models across districts to ensure balanced agricultural growth? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) to (c): The Government recognizes the importance of crop diversification for improving farm incomes, promote sustainable agriculture and to reduce vulnerability to climate change. To encourage cultivation of pulses, Government launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” on 1 October 2025 with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore for a period of six years from 2025–26 to 2030–31. The objective of the Mission is to enhance pulses production with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor, promote the production and availability of seeds of climate-resilient varieties, increase the area under pulses cultivation and promote post- harvest storage and management technologies. The Mission is being implemented in 28 States and 3 Union Territories including State of Tamil Nadu. Under the Mission, assistance is provided for seed production, seed distribution, demonstrations, and area expansion under rice fallows, development of post-harvest infrastructure, and research and development. During 2025–26, a central share of ₹582.24 lakh was allocated and released for the State of Tamil Nadu under the Mission. To encourage oilseed cultivation, Government has launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for the period 2024–25 to 2030–31 across the country, includingState of Tamil Nadu, with the objective of enhancing domestic oilseed production, achieving self- reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils, reducing import dependence, and increasing domestic edible oil production. Under the Mission, 100% financial assistance is provided for breeder seeds of oilseed varieties released during the last five years by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). Free seeds are distributed to farmers for cultivation up to one hectare per farmer, and training programmes are conducted under the Value Chain Cluster (VCC) approach. Demonstrations of newly released varieties and improved technologies are also conducted to enhance productivity. Support is provided for the establishment of oil mills to strengthen post-harvest processing and value addition in the oilseeds sector. As on 09.03.2026, total of ₹9848.53 lakh has been released to the State of Tamil Nadu. In addition, to encourage horticultural crops cultivation, Government is implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the holistic development of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants and plantation crops across the country including State of Tamil Nadu. Major activities undertaken include production and distribution of quality planting material, vegetable seed production, area expansion, rejuvenation of old and senile orchards, protected cultivation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), development of post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure etc. During the period 2014–15 to 2024–25, Central Assistance of ₹886.65 crore has been released to State of Tamil Nadu under the Mission. Under the above Missions, demonstrations and training programmes are conducted for farmers during the course of implementation. Additionally, technology demonstrations and capacity- building activities are undertaken through the network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to promote the adoption of improved and climate-resilient agricultural practices. These initiatives help in monitoring outcomes, enhancing farmers’ awareness and facilitating replication of successful crop diversification models across districts to ensure balanced and sustainable agricultural growth. *****