Parliament Question: Utilization of Cultivable Land

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2954 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10th MARCH, 2026 UTILIZATION OF CULTIVABLE LAND

2954. SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether in several States including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha agricultural fields remain fallow from April to July and large number of farmers are unable to utilized their cultivable land due to a lack of resources and awareness during this period;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any specific scheme to ensure the productive use of such land during the said period to enhance farmers income;

(c) if so, the details and if not, the reasons therefore;

(d) whether the crops of farmers are severely damaged by wild animals such as Blue Bulls (Neelgai), Wild Boar, Porcupines and stray cattle;

(e) whether the Government proposes to provide compensation for crop damage caused by such wild animals under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY); and

(f) if so, the details of the compensation amount fixed and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Land and agriculture are the state subjects, as per Entry No. 18 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, land falls under the jurisdiction of State Governments, which are responsible for taking appropriate measures to increase the area under cultivation and ensure optimal use of agricultural lands. However, the Government of India supports these efforts through policy initiatives and budgetary assistance.

To ensure productive use of land, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has implemented several initiatives to promote crop diversification, increase cropping intensity and enhance farmers income. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Crop Diversification Programme, States are supported to adopt region-specific high-value crops, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops, thereby reducing reliance on mono-cropping systems. Schemes such as Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission on Edible Oils

(NMEO)-Oil Palm, National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds, Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for organic and sustainable farming, Rainfed Area Development (RAD) to further encourage farmers to adopt climate-resilient, high-value and diversified crops.The expansion of irrigation facilities under PMKSY and the promotion of micro- irrigation under Per Drop More Crop help optimize water availability during lean periods, supporting efficient cropping patterns and judicious use of water resources. Additionally, the Government facilitates the use of climate-resilient seed varieties, soil moisture conservation practices, and timely agro-advisories through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and digital platforms such as m-Kisan, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding crop selection and land use.

(d) to (f): The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest for the crops/areas notified by the State Government concerned. The losses to crops due to wild animals, being preventable in nature, were therefore not covered earlier. However, at the request of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (M/o EFCC) and State Governments, States have been allowed to notify the losses by wild animals on individual assessment as add on cover at the cost of State Government. Detailed protocol for such coverage are given in the Operational Guidelines of the scheme.

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