Parliament Question: Sustainable Crop Planning

**Executive Summary:** This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding sustainable crop planning. It addresses concerns about over-dependence on water-intensive crops, ecological zoning for crop selection, and integrating incentives to promote crop diversification. The information provided reflects the government's current initiatives and assessments as of July 29, 2025. **Key Points / Main Content:** * **Groundwater Assessment:** * The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments are jointly assessing the country's dynamic groundwater resources annually since 2022. * CGWB has not conducted specific assessments on structural over-dependence on water-intensive crops in groundwater-depleted states. * **Agroecological Crop Planning:** * The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has prepared agroecological and district crop plans for 14 major crops. * Plans combine Relative Spread Index (RSI), Relative Yield Index (RYI), Sustainable Yield Index (SYI), and Soil-climate suitability index (SCSI). * **Crop Diversification Program (CDP):** * The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) implements CDP under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) in Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh. * CDP aims to shift area from water-intensive paddy to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri-cereals, and cotton. * Assistance is provided for crop demonstrations, farm mechanization, value addition, and awareness/training activities. * Crops also promoted under National Food Security Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) for pulses, coarse cereals, nutri cereals and oilseeds under the National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO-Oilseeds). * **Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Procurement:** * The government fixes MSPs for 22 mandated crops, including coarse cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs Prices (CACP). * States can procure Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Barley, Ragi, and six minor millets at MSP under the central pool with prior Government of India approval. * Procurement of pulses and oilseeds is made at MSP under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) scheme of DAFW. * Procurement of Notified Pulses are done under Price support Scheme (PSS) by the Central Nodal Agencies through State designated Agencies during harvesting season. **Impact Analysis:** * **Farmers:** * *Impact:* Farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh are encouraged to diversify away from paddy towards alternative crops. They may benefit from government assistance, MSPs, and procurement programs. * *Action Required:* Consider participating in the Crop Diversification Program and adopting alternative cropping patterns to improve sustainability and potentially increase income. * **State Governments:** * *Impact:* State governments are involved in groundwater resource assessment, implementation of the Crop Diversification Program, and procurement of crops at MSP. * *Action Required:* Collaborate with the Central Ground Water Board for groundwater assessment, implement the CDP effectively, and ensure efficient procurement of crops at MSP. * **Central Government (DAFW, CGWB, ICAR):** * *Impact:* DAFW is responsible for implementing the Crop Diversification Program and MSP policies. CGWB is tasked with groundwater assessment. ICAR provides research and planning support for crop diversification. * *Action Required:* Continue to monitor and refine the Crop Diversification Program, ensure accurate groundwater assessment, and provide necessary research and support for sustainable crop planning.

Key Entities Referenced