Parliament Question: Support for Peri-Urban Farmer

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3998 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026 SUPPORT FOR PERI-URBAN FARMER 3998. SHRI PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL: 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) whether Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in peri-urban areas are eligible for specialised infrastructure support such as aggregation centres, cold storage and direct urban market access; (b) whether any schemes exist to promote high-value cultivation, protected farming or rooftop and vertical agriculture in metropolitan regions including Delhi; (c) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of challenges faced by peri-urban farmers in rapidly urbanising regions such as the National Capital Region, particularly relating to land fragmentation, water access and market linkages; (d) whether the Government proposes a dedicated framework for urban and peri-urban agriculture to strengthen food security and local supply chains; and (e) the steps taken to integrate urban agriculture into climate-resilient agriculture initiatives? 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 म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a): Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), including those located in peri-urban areas, are eligible to set up infrastructure/facilities such as aggregation centers, cold storage and direct urban market access. They may avail credit guarantee fund under Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) or other eligible Central or State schemes. (b) to (d): Support for protected cultivation and high-value horticulture is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which is implemented across the country. In addition, under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme facilitates setting up and modernization of key elements of the agricultural value chain including viable farming assets such as hydroponic farming, vertical farming and aeroponic farming etc. Further, the schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India are designed to benefit farmers across the country irrespective of their location. (e): Per Drop More Crop scheme promotes micro-irrigation for water-use efficiency. Rainfed Area Development (RAD) programme encourages Integrated Farming Systems (IFS). Soil Health Card provides farmers with soil nutrient recommendations to improve soil fertility. Along with support under MIDH, these measures support climate-resilient practices that benefit all farmers including urban and peri-urban farming systems. *****