Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addresses Lok Sabha question 3770 regarding vertical farming. The response outlines existing schemes, namely MIDH and AIF, that support vertical farming through protected cultivation and infrastructure development. While commercial viability assessments are underway, ICAR is actively researching and commercializing aeroponics technology.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):**
* Supports greenhouse-based vertical farming.
* Provides assistance for aeroponics and hydroponics (cost norms at Annexure I).
* **Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):**
* Aims to improve agricultural productivity and food security.
* Supports innovative farming practices, including vertical farming, hydroponic farming, and aeroponic farming.
* Eligible projects are covered under the AIF scheme (details at Annexure II).
* **Research and Development:**
* ICAR-CPRI Shimla has commercialized an aeroponics-based potato culturing technique.
* ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru and ICAR-CISH Lucknow are researching hydroponics technology.
* **Annexure I - MIDH Assistance Details:**
* Polyhouse: Assistance up to 50% for hybrid retractable structures (Rs. 1800/sq.m up to 500 sq.m, Rs. 1600/sq.m for 500-1008 sq.m, Rs. 1500/sq.m for 1008-2500 sq.m) with higher rates for NE Himalayan States, Scheduled areas, vibrant villages, Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
* Hydroponics/Aeroponics: Assistance up to 50% (Rs. 350/sq.m up to 1000 sq.m).
* Circulation Fans: Assistance up to 50% (Rs. 5000/fan, max 6 fans for 2500 sq.m polyhouse).
* Sensor-based Automation: Assistance up to 50% (Rs. 4 lakh/unit, min 2500 sq.m).
* **Annexure II - AIF Assistance Details:**
* Interest Subvention: 3% per annum up to ₹2 crore for a maximum period of 7 years.
* Credit Guarantee: Coverage available under CGTMSE scheme for loans up to ₹2 crore.
* Eligible Projects: Hydroponic Farming, Vertical Farming, Aeroponic farming, Poly house/Greenhouse.
Impact Analysis:
* **Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Access to schemes and technologies that can improve agricultural production, increase income, and enhance food security through vertical farming practices.
* *Action Required:* Explore opportunities under MIDH and AIF, adopt aeroponics and hydroponics technologies, and engage with ICAR institutions for knowledge transfer.
* **Agricultural Institutions (ICAR, CPRI, IIHR, CISH):**
* *Impact:* Continued focus on research, development, and commercialization of vertical farming technologies, particularly aeroponics and hydroponics.
* *Action Required:* Continue research on viability and productivity of vertical farming, disseminate knowledge, and support technology adoption by farmers.
* **Government (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare):**
* *Impact:* Monitoring and implementation of MIDH and AIF schemes to promote vertical farming, enhance agricultural productivity, and ensure food security.
* *Action Required:* Continue supporting and expanding the protected cultivation component under MIDH, promote awareness about AIF scheme, and assess the commercial viability and scalability of vertical farming technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: The Member of Parliament who posed the question about vertical farming.
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who provided the answer.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): A centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for holistic development of the horticulture sector.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A Central Sector Scheme aimed at improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security through infrastructure development.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: An institute under ICAR that developed a programmed air mist based potato culturing technique based on aeroponics technology.
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE): Scheme providing credit guarantee coverage for eligible borrowers under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3770
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025
VERTICAL FARMING
3770. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
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 the Government has formulated any scheme for improving agricultural
production and food security by vertical farming, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the commercial viability and scalability of
vertical farming technologies in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any new Centrally sponsored
scheme exclusively for vertical farming; and
(d) 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 म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), for holistic development of the horticulture
sector. The protected cultivation component has been recently expanded by including
greenhouse based vertical farming under MIDH. The details of cost norms and pattern of
assistance under MIDH for aeroponics and hydroponics are given at Annexure- I.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a Central Sector Scheme, aimed at improving
agricultural productivity and ensuring food security through the development of
infrastructure at the farm gate and post-harvest stages, supports innovative farming
practices such as Vertical Farming. The Hydroponic Farming, Vertical farming and
Aeroponic farming are eligible projects covered under AIF scheme. The details of
component, pattern of assistance and eligible projects under AIF are given at Annexure-II.
The assessment has not been done for commercial viability and scalability of vertical
farming technologies in India. However, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla has developed a programmed air mist-
based potato culturing technique based on aeroponics technology. The Aeroponics
Technology of potato seed production has been commercialized to various stakeholders by
the institute to ensure the quality seed production. ICAR- lndian lnstitute of Horticultural
Research (llHR), Bengaluru and ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH),
Lucknow are also involved in research on hydroponics technology to firm up comparative
productivity, efficiency and viability.Annexure- I
The details of cost norms and pattern of assistance under MIDH under protected cultivation
Protected cultivation
Poly house/ Hybrid/ Retractable structures
Poly house/ Rs. 1800/Sq.m(up to area 500 Sq. m) Assistance @ 50% for
Hybrid/ a maximum area of
Rs. 1600/Sq. m (>500 Sq.m up to 1008 Sqm)
Retractable 2500 sq m per
Rs. 1500/Sq. m (>1008 Sq. m up to 2500 Sq.m)
structures beneficiary or on pro-
Above rates will be 15% higher in the case of rata basis for smaller
North Eastern (NE) & Himalayan States, areas.
Scheduled areas, vibrant villages, Andaman &
Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
Add on Components
i. Rs. 350/- per Sq.mt. Assistance @ 50% for
Hydroponics a maximum area of
Above rates will be 15% higher in the case of
and 1000 sqm per
NE & Himalayan States, Scheduled areas,
Aeroponics beneficiary or on pro-
vibrant villages, Andaman & Nicobar and
rata basis for smaller
Lakshadweep Islands.
areas.
ii. Rs. 5000 per fan. Assistance @ 50% for
Circulation a maximum of 6 fans
Above rates will be 15% higher in the case of
Fans in poly for a maximum area of
NE & Himalayan States, Scheduled areas,
house only 2500 sq.m. per
vibrant villages, Andaman & Nicobar and
beneficiary or on pro-
Lakshadweep Islands.
rata basis for smaller
areas.
iii. Sensor Rs. 4 lakh/unit Assistance @ 50% per
based unit per beneficiary for
Above rates will be 15% higher in the case of
Automation minimum area of 2500
NE & Himalayan States, Scheduled areas,
System for sq.m. per beneficiary
vibrant villages, Andaman & Nicobar and
fertigation under protected
Lakshadweep Islands.
cultivation.Annexure- II
The details of component, pattern of assistance and eligible projects under
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
Sl.No. Name of Component Norms
1. Interest Subvention Cost. All loans under this financing facility will have
interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of
₹ 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a
maximum period of 7 years. In case of loans beyond
₹ 2 crore, then interest subvention will be limited up
to ₹ 2 crore.
2. Credit Guarantee Cost Credit guarantee coverage will be available for
eligible borrowers from this financing facility under
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small
Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to ₹ 2
crore. The fee for this coverage will be paid by the
Government.
3. Eligible Projects Viable Farming Assets: Hydroponic Farming,
Vertical Farming, Aeroponic farming and Poly
house/ Greenhouse.
******