Parliament Question: Schemes to promote Hill and Terrace Farming

**Executive Summary** This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 444 in the Lok Sabha, regarding schemes to promote hill and terrace farming, specifically in the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam. The response, dated December 2, 2025, provides details of the schemes implemented by the Government of India through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It lists a comprehensive range of schemes, including the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, along with financial assistance details and coverage in the mentioned districts. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Government Schemes:** * Agriculture is a state subject; however, the Government of India implements Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for farmers across all terrains and encompassing the entire spectrum of agriculture. * These schemes include credit, insurance, income support, infrastructure, crops (horticulture, seeds), mechanization, marketing, organic/natural farming, farmer collectives, irrigation, extension, procurement (at minimum support prices), and digital agriculture. * **Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme:** * Focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler systems). * Provides financial assistance for micro irrigation systems: 55% of unit cost for small/marginal farmers, 45% for other farmers. * A higher unit cost (25% more) is considered for calculating subsidies for North Eastern States under the PDMC scheme. * From 2015-16 to 2025-26 (till date), 60778 ha have been covered under Micro Irrigation in Assam through PDMC. * This includes 1912 ha and 125 ha in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, respectively. * **Annexure: Major schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:** * Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) * Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) * Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) * 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 * Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE) * National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) * Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Detailed Project Report (RKVY-DPR) * Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) * Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) * Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) * Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F) * Rainfed Area Development (RAD) * Agroforestry * Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) * Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) * 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 * Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region * Digital Agriculture Mission * National Bamboo Mission **Impact Analysis** **Farmers in Assam, especially in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao** **Impact** * Access to various government schemes covering aspects like credit, insurance, income support, infrastructure, irrigation, and technology adoption. * Potential for improved water use efficiency and increased agricultural productivity through the PDMC scheme. * Access to financial assistance for installing micro-irrigation systems. **Action Required** * Farmers should apply to leverage the benefits of schemes to improve their farming practices. * Farmers should check the applicability of schemes and the guidelines for their area. **Government of India (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare)** **Impact** * The ministry is responsible for implementing and monitoring various schemes. * The ministry is responsible for providing financial assistance. * The ministry is responsible for ensuring coverage of agricultural land and farmers in Assam under relevant schemes. **Action Required** * The Ministry needs to continue implementing and monitoring the schemes. * The Ministry needs to increase the coverage of the land to the north east. * The Ministry needs to provide required assistance to farmers in the region.

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