**Executive Summary**
This document addresses unstarred question No. 1539 raised in Lok Sabha regarding subsidy support for crops destroyed by pests and diseases. It clarifies that State Governments are primarily responsible for providing relief measures through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), with additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for severe calamities. The response also outlines the process for obtaining financial assistance and specifies the input subsidy rates for crop loss exceeding 33%, based on the type of area. The question is scheduled to be answered on December 9th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Responsibility for Relief:**
* State Governments are primarily responsible for providing relief measures on the ground in case of notified calamities, including pest attacks, as per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM).
* Relief measures are undertaken using the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), in accordance with Government of India-approved items and norms.
* Additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is considered for severe natural calamities.
* **Process for Additional Assistance:**
* The State Government submits a Memorandum to request assistance from the NDRF.
* An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) assesses the damage and required funds.
* The IMCT report is reviewed by the Sub Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC).
* The High-Level Committee (HLC) considers the request based on the SC-NEC recommendations and approves the quantum of NDRF assistance.
* NDRF assistance is subject to adjustment based on the balance available in the State's SDRF.
* **Input Subsidy Rates (for crop loss >= 33%):**
* Rs. 8500/- per hectare in rainfed areas (minimum assistance of Rs. 1000/- per farmer, restricted to sown areas).
* Rs. 17000/- per hectare in assured irrigated areas (minimum assistance of Rs. 2000/- per farmer, restricted to sown areas).
* Rs. 22500/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops/trees including agro-forestry (plantation in own farmland) and restricted to sown areas.
* These rates apply to agriculture crops, annual plantation crops, and horticulture crops to affected farmers (up to 2 hectare) due to notified calamities.
* **Nature of Financial Assistance:**
* Financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments**
* **Impact:** Primarily responsible for providing relief measures to farmers affected by pest attacks and other natural calamities.
* **Action Required:** Manage the SDRF effectively, assess damages accurately, and submit timely Memorandums to the central government for additional assistance from NDRF when needed.
**Stakeholder: Farmers affected by Pests and Diseases**
* **Impact:** Eligible to receive input subsidy if crop loss is 33% or more, subject to the specified rates and conditions.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the existing relief measures and mechanisms, and contact their respective State Governments through the appropriate channels.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare**
* **Impact:** Involved in the overall process through the Secretary (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) and the Agriculture Minister
* **Action Required:** Review the recommendations of the SC-NEC and provide relevant advice and guidance.
Key Entities Referenced
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): Fund providing financial assistance to state governments for natural calamities of severe nature, over and above SDRF.
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Fund available to State Governments for undertaking relief measures in the wake of natural calamities.
National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM): Policy that outlines the responsibilities of the State Government in providing relief measures for notified calamities, including pest attacks.
High Level Committee (HLC): Committee headed by the Home Minister that considers requests from State Governments for additional assistance from NDRF based on recommendations of SC-NEC.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The ministry answering the unstarred question related to subsidy support for crops destroyed by pests and diseases.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1539
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09TH DECEMBER, 2025
SUBSIDY SUPPORT FOR CROPS DESTROYED BY PESTS AND DISEASES
1539. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that there is no clear guidance or uniform
mechanism for providing agricultural input subsidy support in cases where 33 per cent or
more of farmers' crops are destroyed due to pests and diseases, leaving a large number
of small and marginal farmers uncertain about their entitlement to relief;
(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate clear and binding guidelines under
the relief assistance framework, so that pest and disease affected farmers can also get
relief at par with farmers affected by drought, flood or other natural calamities; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
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 (c): As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the State
Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures on ground
level in the wake of notified calamities which includes Pest Attack. The State
Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities from funds
available in the form of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with the
Government of India approved items and norms. Additional financial assistance, over and
above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural
calamities of ‘severe nature’ and is approved on the basis of a Memorandum received
from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures. The financial
assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation.On receipt of Memorandum from the State Government, an Inter-Ministerial
Central Team (IMCT) is constituted and deputed for an on-the-spot assessment of
damage and requirement of funds for relief operations, as per the extant items and norms.
The report of the IMCT is considered by the Sub Committee of National Executive
Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Secretary (Ministry of Home Affairs) /Secretary
(Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare). Thereafter, the High Level Committee
(HLC) headed by Home Minister comprising Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister and
Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog considers the request of the State Government based on the
recommendations of SC-NEC. The HLC approves the quantum of additional assistance
from NDRF which is made available to the State and is subject to the adjustment of the
balance available in the State’s SDRF.
As per Sl. No. 5(B) of Revised Items & Norms of assistance from SDRF and NDRF,
issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, letter No.33-03/2020-NDM-I dated 11.07.2023, relief
is provided as input subsidy (where crop loss is 33% and above) for agriculture crops,
annual plantation crops and horticulture crops to affected farmers (up-to 2 hectare) due
to notified calamities, which are given as under:
(i) Rs.8500/- per ha in rainfed areas (which is subject to minimum assistance of
not less than Rs. 1000/- per farmer and restricted to sown areas).
(ii) Rs.17000/- per ha. in assured irrigated areas (which is subject to minimum
assistance of not less than Rs.2000/- per farmer and restricted to sown areas).
(iii) Rs.22500/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops/trees including agro-
forestry (plantation in own farmland) and restricted to sown areas.
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