Parliament Question: Schemes for promoting Crop Diversification

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1704 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026 SCHEMES FOR PROMOTING CROP DIVERSIFICATION 1704. SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI: DR. BYREDDY SHABARI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state: (a) the details of the centrally sponsored schemes for promoting crop diversification, scheme-wise; (b) the area covered under crop diversification during the last five years, indicating the original crops and alternative crops adopted, crop-to-crop, State-wise and year-wise; (c) the number of farmer beneficiaries covered under these schemes and the financial assistance provided, scheme-wise and State-wise; (d) whether the Government provides assured procurement, price support, or structured market linkages for alternative crops promoted in identified regions, and if so, details including quantity procured and prices offered; and (e) the details of the steps taken to encourage adoption of alternative crops among small and marginal farmers and to mitigate market and income risks? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (e): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), which is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Pradhan Mantri - Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) in the Original Green Revolution States viz; Haryana, Punjab & Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to divert the area of water guzzling paddy crop to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, etc. The primary objective of the scheme is to demonstrate and promote improved production technologies of alternate crops for diversion of paddy cultivation as well as to restore soil fertility through cultivation of leguminous crops that generate heavy biomassand consume lesser nutrients. Under CDP, assistance is given for alternative crop demonstration, farm mechanization and value addition items, for site specific activities and for awareness, training etc. The programme is being implemented in the districts having more than 50,000-hectare paddy area to give more emphasis to divert paddy area. CDP was extended for replacing tobacco crop in the major tobacco growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal from 2015-16. In view of the negligible area under tobacco cultivation, the states of Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana and Odisha have not availed this scheme from 2022-23. From 2022–23 to 2024–25, Alternate Crop Demonstrations were conducted over a total area of 23247 hectares for paddy and tobacco replacement under the CDP. Area diverted from paddy and tobacco under CDP through alternate crop demonstrations is enclosed at Annexure-I. The financial Assistance under CDP is provided & the cost norms are enclosed at Annexure-II. CDP being a centrally sponsored scheme is implemented by the concerned states covered under the program and beneficiary details are not available centrally. The Government of India has been further encouraging crop diversification among farmers through the state governments to grow crops such as pulses, coarse cereals, nutri cereals (Shree Anna) under the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), oilseeds under the National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)-Oilseeds and horticultural crops under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Now pulses are promoted under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states, for state specific needs/priorities under the Pradhan Mantri – Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). The states can promote crop diversification under the PM-RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC). Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) scheme covers 100 selected aspirational districts across the country, through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector. Under PMDDKY, Crop diversification is one of the main objectives which is addressed through their interventions and convergence policies. Further, DA&FW has approved a pilot project on “Crop Diversification” for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) under NFSNM through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (ICAR-IIFSR), Modipuram with a total outlay of Rs.1326.60 lakhs. The Government fixes minimum support prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated agricultural crops including coarse cereals, pulses, oilseeds etc to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. To improve the farmers’ market access for agricultural produce, including coarse cereals and oilseed crops, the Government has taken many steps, namely (i) expanding outreach of e-NAM in the mandis and beyond the mandis and (ii) promoting FPOs, specially commodity specific FPOs for oilseed and millets to provide the market linkage to the farmer-members of these FPOs. Apart from this, the Government is also strengthening post-harvest and marketing infrastructure under various schemes namelyAgricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) under the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) scheme, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). As per Guidelines the Department of Food and Public Distribution on procurement, allocation, distribution and disposal of coarse grains, States are allowed to procure Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Barley, Ragi and six minor millets from farmers at MSP under the central pool subject to the prior approval of Government of India, in consultation with Food Corporation of India (FCI). Further, Government implements Price Support Scheme (PSS) under Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanskaran Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) for procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme across the country. Pulses namely, Tur, Urad and masoor are being procured upto 100 percent under Price support scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA scheme since 2023-24. The procurement of alternate crops like pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and cotton at MSP are enclosed at Annexure-III. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has set up 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country to promote adoption of new technologies of agriculture and allied sectors through technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development among the extension functionaries of state governments and farmers (including small and marginal farmers). The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is being implemented across the country and is aimed at supporting State Government’s efforts in creating awareness among large number of farmers (including small and marginal farmers) about new technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas, including Crop Diversification, Integrated Farming System, Climate-resilient agricultural practices & Natural Farming etc. through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and Organizing Farm Schools etc.Annexure-I. Area diverted through alternate crop demonstrations under Crop Diversification Programme during the year 2013-14 to 2024-25 Year Alternative Crop Demonstrations (ha.) 2013-14 109723 2014-15 196821 2015-16 98537 2016-17 39406 2017-18 65014 2018-19 35345 2019-20 13604 2020-21 73758 2021-22 40593 2022-23 5747 2023-24 14019 2024-25 3480 Total 696047Annexure-II. Pattern of Assistance under Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) a) CDP in Original Green Revolution States Sl. Component/Intervention Rate of Assistance No. 1. Alternate crop demonstrations i. Pulses Pulse Mission cost norms (Rs.10000/ha) ii. Oilseeds NMEO-Oilseed norms (Groundnut @ Rs.14,000/ha, Soybean @ Rs.10,000/ha, Sunflower @ Rs.9,000/ha, Sesame/Castor/Niger @ Rs.8000/ha) iii. Coarse/Nutri cereals NFSNM norms (i) For variety Rs.7500/ha (ii)For Hybrid of Maize Rs.11500/ha iv. Cotton NFSNM norms Demonstration on Integrated Crop Management (ICM)/ intercropping/ natural colour cotton @ Rs.8000/ha, on Desi & ELS Cotton @ Rs.9000/ha, on HDPS @10000/ha) v. Agro forestry system as sole crop Rs. 10,000/ha vi. Plantation of trees on farm bunds Cost of saplings limited to Rs.2000/ha vii. Inter cropping with agro forestry Rs. 5000/ha system 2. Farm Mechanization &Value According to norms approved under Addition Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization / any Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State scheme 3. Site Specific Activities (like According to norms approved under any underground pipe line, maize Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State dryer, seeds for green manuring, scheme etc.) 4. For awareness training, etc. According to norms approved under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme / State scheme b) CDP for replacing tobacco farming with alternate crops/cropping system Tobacco growing States may take up suitable activities/interventions for replacing the tobacco to alternate crops/cropping system as per the cost norms approved under any Centrally Sponsored Scheme/State Scheme.Annexure – III. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) Minimum Support Prices (MSP) Statement Source: CACP MSP in Rs/Qtl 2024-25 2025-26 Crop Category Crop Season MSP MSP Absolute change % change Cereals Bajra Kharif 2625.00 2775.00 150.00 5.71 Barley Rabi 1980.00 2150.00 170.00 8.59 Jowar-Hybrid Kharif 3371.00 3699.00 328.00 9.73 Jowar-Maldandi Kharif 3421.00 3749.00 328.00 9.59 Maize Kharif 2225.00 2400.00 175.00 7.87 Paddy Common Kharif 2300.00 2369.00 69.00 3.00 Paddy(F)/Grade'A' Kharif 2320.00 2389.00 69.00 2.97 Ragi Kharif 4290.00 4886.00 596.00 13.89 Wheat Rabi 2425.00 2425.00 0.00 0.00 Pulses Gram Rabi 5650.00 5650.00 0.00 0.00 Lentil (Masur) Rabi 6700.00 6700.00 0.00 0.00 Moong Kharif 8682.00 8768.00 86.00 0.99 Tur (Arhar) Kharif 7550.00 8000.00 450.00 5.96 Urad Kharif 7400.00 7800.00 400.00 5.41 Oilseeds Groundnut Kharif 6783.00 7263.00 480.00 7.08 Nigerseed Kharif 8717.00 9537.00 820.00 9.41 Rapeseed/ Rabi 5950.00 5950.00 0.00 0.00 mustard Safflower Rabi 5940.00 5940.00 0.00 0.00 Sesamum Kharif 9267.00 9846.00 579.00 6.25 Soyabean Yellow Kharif 4892.00 5328.00 436.00 8.91 SunflowerSeed Kharif 7280.00 7721.00 441.00 6.06 Commercial Long Staple Cotton Kharif 7521.00 8110.00 589.00 7.83 crops Jute Other 5650.00 Medium Staple Kharif 7710.00 Cotton Sugarcane Other 355.00 Commercial crops Copra (Ball) Other 12100.00 subsidiary Copra (Milling) Other 11582.00Statement Showing Procuremen t of Coarse grains since 2020-21 (Quantity in MT) (Rs. in Crore) Commodity/States 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 Quantity MSP value Quantity MSP value Quantity MSP value Bajra 3,61,871.00 778.02 13,251.00 29.81 1,82,004.84 427.71 Gujarat 11,515.00 24.76 7,284.00 16.39 57,410.80 134.92 Haryana 1,50,000.00 322.50 81,147.00 190.70 Madhya Pradesh 1,95,351.00 420.00 5,400.00 12.15 Maharashtra 5,005.00 10.76 567.00 1.28 9.65 0.02 Uttar Pradesh 43,437.39 102.08 Jowar 1,46,472.00 383.76 1,56,574.79 428.70 85,197.09 253.04 Andhra Pradesh 3,621.00 10.75 Gujarat 685.00 2.03 Karnataka 80,722.00 211.49 1,03,919.79 284.53 76,896.50 228.38 Madhya Pradesh 29,582.00 77.50 32,393.00 88.69 258.15 0.77 Maharashtra 36,168.00 94.76 20,262.00 55.48 3,736.44 11.10 Uttar Pradesh Maize 2,05,315.00 379.83 22,767.00 42.57 13,122.45 25.75 Gujarat 4,133.00 7.65 389.00 0.73 197.00 0.39 Maharashtra 94,769.00 175.32 19,615.00 36.68 12,925.45 25.36 Uttar Pradesh 1,06,413.00 196.86 2,763.00 5.17 Ragi 4,94,350.00 1,628.88 4,37,338.70 1,476.89 4,56,744.99 1,634.23 Andhra Pradesh 4.00 0.01 Gujarat Karnataka 4,74,098.00 1,562.15 4,04,783.70 1,366.95 4,54,404.00 1,625.86 Maharashtra 253.00 0.85 636.48 2.28 Odisha 20,252.00 66.73 32,302.00 109.08 Tamil Nadu 514.60 1.84 Uttar Pradesh Uttarkhand 1,185.91 4.24Commodity/States 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Quantity MSP value Quantity MSP value Quantity MSP value Bajra 6,96,457.45 1,741.14 3,43,352.00 901.30 2,25,289.00 625.18 Gujarat 1,10,085.45 275.21 86,041.00 225.86 11,083.00 30.76 Haryana 2,31,334.00 578.34 1,56,000.00 409.50 233.00 0.65 Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh 3,55,038.00 887.60 1,01,311.00 265.94 2,13,973.00 593.78 Jowar 3,23,162.90 1,027.66 4,14,855.00 1,398.48 44,820.00 165.79 Andhra Pradesh 29,369.00 93.39 35,402.00 119.34 Gujarat 2,946.00 9.37 5,327.00 17.96 Karnataka 1,90,421.00 605.54 1,94,028.00 654.07 Madhya Pradesh 908.00 3.06 379.00 1.40 Maharashtra 87,086.90 276.94 1,32,248.00 445.81 879.00 3.25 Uttar Pradesh 13,340.00 42.42 46,942.00 158.24 43,562.00 161.14 Maize 4,532.00 9.47 19,482.00 43.35 27,367.00 65.68 Gujarat 118.00 0.26 466.00 1.12 Maharashtra 81.00 0.17 52.00 0.12 13,692.00 32.86 Uttar Pradesh 4,451.00 9.30 19,312.00 42.97 13,209.00 31.70 Ragi 2,30,920.45 888.12 3,94,613.00 1,692.89 4,935.00 24.11 Andhra Pradesh 376.00 1.45 1,107.00 4.75 Gujarat 0.75 0.00 5.00 0.02 9.00 0.04 Karnataka 2,26,576.00 871.41 3,46,079.00 1,484.68 Maharashtra 189.00 0.73 233.00 1.00 Odisha 40,000.00 171.60 Tamil Nadu 1,889.00 7.27 4,050.00 17.37 654.00 3.20 Uttar Pradesh 0.70 0.00 Uttarkhand 1,889.00 7.27 3,139.00 13.47 4,272.00 20.87Procurement details of Cotton under MSP Operations since 2020-21 (Quantity in bales) (Rs. in Crore) 2020-21 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 State Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Punjab 5,36,000.00 1,529.00 38,441.00 128.40 1,710.00 6.14 45,546.00 182.11 Haryana 10,57,000.00 2,994.00 43,231.00 143.27 62,236.00 219.72 1,94,142.00 776.24 Rajasthan 9,11,000.00 2,586.00 52,074.00 170.17 50,164.00 181.87 3,39,812.00 1,358.67 Gujarat 4,15,000.00 1,204.00 91,435.00 316.48 14,12,394.00 5,148.33 15,26,063.00 6,101.66 Maharashtra 24,95,000.00 7,083.00 2,44,099.00 838.09 29,41,151.00 10,714.29 19,71,025.00 7,880.00 Madhya 4,44,000.00 1,238.00 1,27,400.00 437.38 3,98,915.00 1,441.09 4,82,450.00 1,928.98 Pradesh Telangana 34,01,000.00 10,168.00 23,99,692.00 8,642.22 40,38,480.00 15,556.95 28,94,138.00 11,571.63 Andhra 3,42,000.00 1,039.00 1,30,064.00 476.00 3,83,236.00 1,478.13 3,85,539.00 1,541.50 Pradesh Karnataka 1,26,000.00 359.00 62,403.00 215.26 5,21,626.00 1,892.38 6,76,112.00 2,703.30 Odisha 2,06,000.00 622.00 94,531.00 344.25 2,06,150.00 796.90 2,33,171.00 932.29 West Bengal - - 219.00 0.77 232.00 0.92 247.00 1.00 Total 99,33,000.00 28,822.00 32,83,589.00 11,712.30 1,00,16,294.00 37,436.73 87,48,245.00 34,977.37 Note: During cotton season 2021-22 & 2022-23, cotton prices were ruling above MSP. Hence no MSP support required by farmersProcurement details of pulses, oilseeds at MSP under PSS since 2020-21 (Quantity in MT) (Rs. in Crore) Oilseeds Pulses Total Year/States Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value 2020-21 2,95,212.34 1,585.17 8,17,046.85 4,528.67 11,12,259.19 6,113.84 Andhra Pradesh 256.87 1.35 10,268.35 52.53 10,525.22 53.89 Gujarat 2,02,629.85 1,068.87 1,51,999.85 775.71 3,54,629.70 1,844.59 Haryana 3,715.00 21.85 1,099.65 7.91 4,814.65 29.77 Karnataka 5,156.14 52.52 30,999.82 166.17 36,155.96 218.70 Madhya Pradesh 0.68 0.00 3,42,666.05 2,057.09 3,42,666.73 2,057.09 Maharashtra 3.69 0.01 2,27,305.16 1,161.68 2,27,308.85 1,161.69 Odisha 2,388.83 12.71 862.35 6.21 3,251.18 18.92 Rajasthan 74,511.43 393.05 29,474.83 175.52 1,03,986.26 568.57 Tamilnadu 48.88 0.49 5,626.95 40.45 5,675.83 40.94 Telangana - - 16,743.84 85.39 16,743.84 85.39 Uttar Pradesh 6,500.97 34.29 - - 6,500.97 34.29 2021-22 1,51,634.73 842.62 30,30,956.91 16,635.70 31,82,591.64 17,478.31 Andhra Pradesh - - 72,603.33 384.23 72,603.33 384.23 Gujarat 95,183.10 528.27 5,57,160.77 2,937.18 6,52,343.87 3,465.45 Haryana 1,882.45 11.32 2,466.06 15.41 4,348.51 26.73 Karnataka - - 99,666.05 562.43 99,666.05 562.43 Madhya Pradesh - - 10,77,921.39 6,201.54 10,77,921.39 6,201.54 Maharashtra - - 7,67,019.95 4,018.97 7,67,019.95 4,018.97 Odisha 271.42 1.52 3,800.95 27.65 4,072.37 29.17 Punjab - - 2,559.20 18.62 2,559.20 18.62 Rajasthan 53,203.93 295.28 3,55,946.23 1,978.66 4,09,150.16 2,273.94 Tamilnadu 32.95 0.34 4,292.40 31.20 4,325.35 31.54 Telangana - - 60,431.03 318.14 60,431.03 318.14 Uttar Pradesh 1,060.88 5.89 27,089.55 141.68 28,150.43 147.57Oilseeds Pulses Total Year/States Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value 2022-23 11,70,656.63 6,599.51 28,31,401.10 16,128.72 40,02,057.73 22,728.23 Andhra Pradesh - - 63,132.10 336.81 63,132.10 336.81 Assam 3,273.30 17.84 - - 3,273.30 17.84 Gujarat 84,336.97 459.64 3,28,480.43 1,752.52 4,12,817.40 2,212.15 Haryana 3,41,758.49 1,862.58 812.33 6.30 3,42,570.82 1,868.88 Karnataka 1,629.68 9.21 1,04,845.35 620.60 1,06,475.03 629.80 Kerala 255.85 2.71 - - 255.85 2.71 Madhya Pradesh 1,67,090.96 910.65 11,36,102.96 6,771.04 13,03,193.92 7,681.68 Maharashtra - - 7,73,077.66 4,124.86 7,73,077.66 4,124.86 Odisha 204.69 1.25 1,878.88 14.57 2,083.57 15.82 Punjab - - 2,019.01 15.66 2,019.01 15.66 Rajasthan 4,86,580.39 2,652.27 3,41,022.24 2,046.12 8,27,602.63 4,698.39 Tamilnadu 40,593.51 429.89 2,135.20 16.56 42,728.71 446.44 Telangana 6,500.00 41.60 50,296.35 268.47 56,796.35 310.07 Uttar Pradesh 38,432.79 211.88 27,598.59 155.23 66,031.38 367.11 2023-24 14,41,356.22 8,953.79 6,93,769.32 5,272.67 21,35,125.54 14,226.46 Andhra Pradesh 4,035.95 43.83 - - 4,035.95 43.83 Assam 11,102.05 62.73 - - 11,102.05 62.73 Gujarat 1,16,561.61 659.35 1,408.85 11.62 1,17,970.46 670.97 Haryana 3,33,101.09 1,889.97 741.00 6.34 3,33,842.09 1,896.31 Karnataka 55,310.24 623.95 - - 55,310.24 623.95 Kerala 1,118.30 12.14 - - 1,118.30 12.14 Madhya Pradesh 3,58,649.99 2,026.37 5,77,120.98 4,371.79 9,35,770.97 6,398.17 Maharashtra 769.47 3.54 - - 769.47 3.54 Odisha 1,398.28 8.94 3,757.57 32.16 5,155.85 41.10 Rajasthan 3,98,299.46 2,284.16 54,294.13 460.76 4,52,593.59 2,744.92 Tamilnadu 79,003.03 857.97 1,924.15 16.47 80,927.18 874.44 Telangana 9,812.23 53.19 564.35 3.07 10,376.58 56.26Oilseeds Pulses Total Year/States Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Quantity MSP Value Uttar Pradesh 72,194.52 427.64 53,958.29 370.46 1,26,152.81 798.09 2024-25 44,13,059.41 26,235.70 18,39,504.77 13,796.03 62,52,564.18 40,031.73 Andhra Pradesh 1,036.80 11.57 86,266.45 657.76 87,303.25 669.33 Assam 3,133.80 18.65 - - 3,133.80 18.65 Chhatisgarh 117.85 0.69 2,075.70 11.73 2,193.55 12.42 Gujarat 13,32,359.49 8,887.83 3,25,202.52 2,190.13 16,57,562.01 11,077.96 Haryana 3,31,232.88 1,982.62 2,669.45 23.16 3,33,902.33 2,005.78 Karnataka 94,259.48 963.20 2,43,031.90 1,865.15 3,37,291.38 2,828.34 Madhya Pradesh 6,72,431.02 3,343.02 7,20,618.89 5,515.84 13,93,049.91 8,858.86 Maharashtra 11,20,014.50 5,479.11 1,39,310.68 1,042.45 12,59,325.18 6,521.56 Odisha 2,089.85 14.20 10,629.50 91.88 12,719.35 106.08 Rajasthan 6,07,066.17 3,872.66 2,00,254.92 1,573.83 8,07,321.09 5,446.49 Tamilnadu 28,189.65 314.60 3,892.60 32.51 32,082.25 347.11 Telangana 86,379.91 433.77 19,984.22 140.95 1,06,364.13 574.72 Uttar Pradesh 1,34,748.01 913.78 85,567.94 650.65 2,20,315.95 1,564.43 2025-26 28,75,400.79 19,368.54 2,38,183.27 1,986.82 31,13,584.06 21,355.36 Andhra Pradesh - - 24,512.30 196.10 24,512.30 196.10 Gujarat 18,18,904.12 13,058.95 3,955.15 31.68 18,22,859.27 13,090.63 Karnataka 51,745.20 297.10 26,471.33 214.49 78,216.53 511.59 Maharashtra 6,03,342.20 3,214.61 1,845.42 14.39 6,05,187.62 3,229.00 Rajasthan 3,09,326.94 2,213.04 1,18,132.73 1,035.57 4,27,459.67 3,248.60 Telangana 43,385.20 231.16 936.65 7.49 44,321.85 238.65 Uttar Pradesh 48,697.13 353.69 62,329.69 487.10 1,11,026.82 840.79 *******