Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addresses concerns regarding agriculture in Kerala, including promoting agriculture in light of the state's unique circumstances, promoting agriculture in small holdings, resolving issues with mechanized farming, promoting food crop cultivation, protecting farmers from market instability, and providing harmless pesticides. The response details various centrally sponsored schemes implemented through State Governments and UTs, supported by policy measures and budgetary allocations. The budget for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) has increased from Rs. 21,933.50 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore in 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government Support and Schemes:**
* Agriculture is a state subject; centrally sponsored schemes are implemented through States/UTs.
* The Government of India supports states through policy measures and budgetary allocations.
* Schemes aim to increase production, provide remunerative returns, and income support to farmers.
* DAFW budget has substantially increased from Rs. 21,933.50 crore (BE 2013-14) to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore (BE 2025-26).
* **Major Schemes of DAFW:**
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN)
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PMKMY)
* Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) / Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
* Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
* Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
* Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs)
* National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
* Namo Drone Didi
* National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
* Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PMAASHA)
* Agri Fund for Start-Ups Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE)
* Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
* Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
* Soil Health Fertility (SHF)
* Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
* Agroforestry
* Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
* Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
* Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
* National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)
* Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM)
* Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
* National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oil Palm)
* National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oilseeds)
* Digital Agriculture Mission
* National Bamboo Mission
* **Specific Initiatives in Kerala:**
* Under SMAM, Kerala received Rs. 313.23 crore since 2014-15, facilitating the distribution of over 1,18,105 subsidized agricultural machines and the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres and Farm Machinery Banks.
* Under MIDH (2014-15 to 2024-25), 51,359 hectares were brought under horticulture crops, nurseries established, areas rejuvenated, and land covered under protected cultivation.
* A seed hub for pulses was set up at AICRP, Pattambi and onboarded on the SAATHI portal.
* As of July 3, 2025, Rs. 1,279 crore has been sanctioned for 3,572 AIF projects (project cost of Rs. 1,984 crore).
* Under PMKSY-PDMC, 6,331 hectares have been covered with micro-irrigation since 2015-16 with Rs. 89.56 crore in central assistance.
* Under Price Support Schemes, in 2023-24, 1,118.30 metric tonnes of Copra was procured for Rs. 12.14 crore from 6209 farmers.
Impact Analysis:
* Farmers in Kerala
* Impact: Access to schemes for increased production, income support, protection from market instability and price fluctuations, subsidized machinery, and improved irrigation.
* Action Required: Engage with state government and relevant agencies to access available schemes and resources.
* State Government of Kerala
* Impact: Responsible for implementing centrally sponsored schemes and developing annual action plans for agricultural development. Receives financial support and policy guidance from the central government.
* Action Required: Develop and implement effective action plans, coordinate with central government for scheme implementation, and disseminate information to farmers.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India, focus of the agricultural promotion efforts.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN): A central government scheme that provides income support to small and marginal farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): A government-sponsored crop insurance scheme.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A scheme to improve agriculture infrastructure through financial assistance.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A scheme by Government of India to promote natural farming.
Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM): A sub-mission focused on promoting mechanization in agriculture to enhance productivity.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): A mission to promote holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO): A mission to enhance the production of edible oils.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3901
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025
Promoting Agriculture in Kerala
3901. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:
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 promote agriculture in Kerala taking into account of
the special situation in Kerala, if so, the details of action taken thereon;
(b) whether the Government has initiated action to promote agriculture in small holdings due
to division of land into small plots, if so, the details of action taken thereon;
(c) whether the Government has initiated action to resolve the hindrance of mechanized
farming reduces agricultural productivity, if so, the details of action taken thereon;
(d) whether the Government proposes to promote the cultivation of food crops in Kerala, if
so, the details of action taken thereon;
(e) whether the Government has initiated action to protect the farmers in Kerala from the loss
due to market instability and price fluctuations, if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the details of action taken to provide harmless pesticides so as to improve organic farming?
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) to (f): Agriculture is a state subject & all the centrally sponsored schemes are
implemented through States/ UTs concerned. For the agricultural development in the States,
including Kerala, arrangements are put in place by the State Governments as per their Annual
Action Plan sanctioned for various schemes.
Government of India supports the States through appropriate policy measures and
budgetary allocation for schemes for farmers welfare. Schemes/ programmes of Government
of India aim to increase production, provide remunerative returns and income support to
farmers. The Government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of Department of
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) from Rs. 21,933.50 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs.
1,27,290.16 crore BE during 2025-26. The major schemes of DA&FW for the country,
including Kerala are as under:1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)/ Restructured Weather Based Crop
Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
4. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
5. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
6. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs)
7. National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
8. Namo Drone Didi
9. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
10. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
11. Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (AgriSURE)
12. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
13. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
14. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
15. Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F)
16. Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
17. Agroforestry
18. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
19. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
20. Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
21. National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)
22. Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM)
23. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
24. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm
25. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds
26. Digital Agriculture Mission
27. National Bamboo Mission
These schemes are aimed at promoting agriculture in small holdings, enhancing
agricultural productivity, encouraging the cultivation of food crops, protecting framers from
losses due to market instability and price fluctuations, and ensuring remunerative returns and
increased income for farmers.
Since 2014–15, under SMAM, in order to promote mechanization and increased
productivity Kerala received ₹313.23 crore in central funds. This facilitated distribution of
over 1,18,105 subsidized agricultural machines, establishment of 91 Custom Hiring Centres,
and 1,596 Village Level Farm Machinery Banks. Under MIDH (2014–15 to 2024–25), 51,359
hectares were brought under horticulture crops, 34 nurseries established, 4,994 hectares
rejuvenated, and 510 hectares covered under protected cultivation. A seed hub for pulses
was also set up at AICRP, Pattambi, and onboarded on the SAATHI portal. As of 3rd July
2025, ₹1,279 crore has been sanctioned for 3,572 AIF projects with a project cost of ₹1,984
crore. Under PMKSY-PDMC, 6,331 hectares have been covered with micro-irrigation since
2015–16, with ₹89.56 crore in central assistance. Under Price Support Schemes, in 2023-
24 1,118,30 metric tonnes Copra was procured for Rs.12.14 crore from 6209 farmers.
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