MINUTES OF THE NATIONAL RABI CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE - 2019

The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign, 2019 was held on
20th September, 2019 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of
Hon’ble Minister of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Parshottam Rupala.
The Conference started with the National Anthem followed by lightening of the lamp by
the dignitaries. Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare,
Secretary, Department of Fertilizers and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research
and Education & DG-ICAR participated in the Conference alongwith Agriculture
Production Commissioners and Principal Secretaries/Secretaries/Directors of
Agriculture, senior scientists from ICAR and officers & officials from Ministries and
agencies. List of participants is at Annexure-I.

1. Additional Secretary, Smt. Vasudha Mishra welcomed the participants and briefly
outlined regarding the purpose of the Conference. She informed that DAC&FW and
DARE have been working in association in 150 districts across the country on exploring
various options on strengthening and promoting the concept of sustainable
development of agriculture for which support of the State/UT Governments is needed.

2. Secretary, DAC&FW in his address stated that henceforth four conferences

namely Rabi, Kharif, Zaid and Horticulture will be organized by DAC& FW every year
given the importance of agriculture sector. He lauded the efforts of the States in area
coverage of the crops. He highlighted the importance of the seed and its availability /
requirement and requested states to look into seed hub programmes organized for
pulses, millets, oilseeds etc. He requested states for active involvement for distribution
of seed varieties developed by ICAR. He informed that from Rabi 2019 distribution of
seed varieties of more than ten years old shall not be allowed through minikits and
State/UT Governments are required to actively participate in making available the
newly developed seed varieties.

He informed regarding waiving of initial charges, enhancement in limit and fixing

timeline for delivery of KCC and requested State/UT Government to actively monitor
the issue of new KCCs through Saturation device in their respective States and send
quarterly /fortnightly report to this Department. He requested State Governments to
ensure that short term crop loan is disbursed through KCC, and ensure conversion of
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agri. gold loan accounts to KCC accounts for which campaign should be taken up by
them. He urged the States which are yet to furnish their comments on proposed changes
in PMFBY urgently. He informed that an app would be developed shortly for custom
hiring and states should take proactive steps to facilitate it. He informed that for
purchase of kharif crops at MSP necessary permission for procurement would be
granted within 72 hours. He intimated that for smooth enrolment under PM-KISAN and
PM-KMY necessary facility for registration of farmers at nearest CSC would be provided
and the facility for bulk enrolment of farmers by States as well as online facility for
registration by farmers would be provided shortly. He clarified that PM-KMY is a subset
of PM-KISAN and requested states to ensure that every eligible farmers of PM-KISAN
should be covered in PM-KMY. He informed that release of their installment under PM-
KISAN will be made after aadhar seeding of the data hence states should need concerted
efforts in this regard. Secretary further intimated that the data of eight crore farmers
covered under PM-KISAN shall be shared with commercial banks who agreed to look
into their coverage under KCC.

Secretary, AC&FW lauded the efforts of Government of Tamil Nadu in respect of

contract farming and informed that Department of Consumer Affairs has already issued
a notification through which contract farming has been kept outside the EC act.
Implementation of APMC and warehousing has been declared in Andhra
Pradesh/Telangana and requested other states to emulate it. Secretary further informed
that under micro irrigation funds of Rs. 5000 crores available with NABARD may be
used by State/UT Governments.

3. Secretary, DARE in his address reiterated the goal set for enhancing / doubling
the income of farmers by the year 2022 and informed that for achieving the same ICAR
is developing technologies and passing it to states the scheme of DAC and other
Departments. He informed that more than 5000 varieties have been developed by ICAR
so far and out of this more than 1100 varieties have been developed in past 5 years.
More than 50% of the varieties developed in the past three years are climate resilient
and have been documented and already sent to States. 45 varieties developed are bio
fortified genetically with anti-nutritional elements. He gave some examples of mustard
and wheat varieties developed recently, which should be promoted by states. He
informed regarding seed hubs established where pure high quality seeds are available
 3

and requested for support of DAC&FW and states for making available it to farmers. He
highlighted that Fall Army Worm is a serious threat and the IPM practices
recommended by ICAR may be adopted in toto. He urged that State Governments should
take effective steps for flow of information to farmers so that vision of the Government
from lab to land initiated for enhancing the income of farmers by ICAR should reach
them. Secretary, DARE informed that KVKs have identified 2 villages in each district for
doubling the income of farmers and requested for support of states in their emulation.

4. Secretary, Department of Fertilizer in his address informed that a dashboard has

been developed and requested states to ascertain their utility for supply position to
farmers. Requirement at district level has been created and requested that State
Department of Agriculture may oversee, modify and send it to DAC&FW / Department
of Fertilizers. He highlighted the initiatives of Department of Fertilizer for balanced use
of fertilizers and requested that new and innovative fertilizer is testified and the
knowledge may go to farmers. He further impressed that there is need for awareness
among the farmers regarding bio-fertilizer, vermi compost and other traditional
fertilizers. He informed the House that Department of Fertilizer is deliberating the issue
of passing of subsidy on fertilizer directly to famers as well as working on concept paper
on buffer stocks of urea. He requested the States to give their feedback on the proposed
initiatives in due course.

5. On this occasion, Hon’ble MOS (PR) unveiled a publication of ICAR called Field
Crop Varieties 2014-19. He thanked Secretary DoF for making fertilizers availability to
the farmers in time. He noted that both production and demand are made in time, still
there are problems in smooth transportation of fertilizer to the farmers during crop
season. He urged upon the states to ensure that local transportation facilities are
strengthened for quicker delivery of fertilizer to the farmers during crop season. He
pointed out that due to heavy rain and flood in some parts of the country, farmers have
incurred huge losses in view of damage of standing crops. The concerned States may see
as to whether these areas are covered under Fasal Bima Yojana to compensate the
losses to the farmers.

Honourable Minister while lauding the efforts of the states in achieving record
production of pulses desired that states should aggressively focus on oilseed production
 4

to cut the import subsidy sizeable. He informed that India is celebrating 150th Year of
Gandhi Jayanti and on this occasion we need a concerted effort to integrate schemes of
Central and State Government and launch an awareness programme and showcase
success stories to the farmers through a march. He drew the attention on recent attack
by tidies in Rajasthan and requested to tackle the problem in a cohesive manner. He
desired that district level approach may be adopted for achieving the goal of enhancing
the income of farmers. Hon’ble Minister stated that we are fortunate to work in
agriculture sector and appealed all the participants to work for the benefit of farmers in
an exemplary manner which satisfies your inner soul.

6. After the inaugural session, presentations were made by Agriculture

Commissioner on Kharif review and Rabi prospects followed by presentations by
various Divisional Heads of DAC&FW on schemes, programmes / activities and
presentation by representatives of Department of Fertilizer, ICAR as well as
presentations by representatives of state Government of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and
Uttar Pradesh on following topics :
i. Presentation on Kharif Review and Rabi prospects by Agriculture Commissioner.
ii. Presentation by JS(Seed).
iii. Presentation on Fertilizers by JS (Fertilizers)
iv. Presentation on Flagship Schemes of PMFBY/Credit
v. Presentation on flagship Schemes (PM-Kisan/PM-KMY) by JS(FW)
vi. Presentation on MSP Operation by JS( Cooperation)
vii. Presentation on Active role of KVKs in Promotion of sustainable Agriculture
Practices in Selected Districts to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversrary of
Mahatma Gandhi by DDG (Extn.), ICAR
viii. Presentation on Marketing Reforms by JS ( Marketing)
ix. Presentation by Officers of State Government of Karnataka on Public Private
Partnership for Integrated Agriculture Development (PPIAD).
x. Presentation by Officers of State Government of Tamil Nadu on Micro Irrigation.
xi. Presentation on Extension Initiatives by Officers of State Government of UP.

Copies of all the above presentations have been emailed to all State/UT
Governments and these are also available on the website of this Department i.e.
www.agricoop.nic.in .
 5

7. After the above mentioned presentations open house discussion took place in
which representatives of the states/UTs raised various issues. The issues raised by
States alongwith response of this Department have been detailed at Annexure – II.

8. Secretary, DAC&FW in his concluding remarks thanked all the participants for
giving valuable suggestions during the course of deliberation. He impressed upon the
States/UTs to include all eligible farmers under PM-KISAN scheme and also requested
to look into the district-wise variation of beneficiaries under PM-KISAN so as to cover
all the eligible beneficiaries and launch a campaign for it. He also requested the states
to complete the task of verification of 5% beneficiaries and send a report to this
Department at the earliest. He requested that all the beneficiaries of PM-KISAN shall be
provided KCC expeditiously. He urged the states to prepare seed plan for meeting the
requirement of seeds including minikits. He requested all the states to actively
participate in the activities of the ICAR plan on the occasion of 150 th Year of Gandhi
Jayanti. Finally, Secretary requested states to take concerted efforts for agri-marketing
reforms as well as for contract farming.

The meeting ended with the vote of thanks to the Chair by Shri Rajesh Verma, Addl. Secy
 6

Annexure-I

List of Participants in the National Conference on Agriculture for

Rabi Campaign, 2019 held on 20th September,2019 at Pusa, New
Delhi

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

1. Sh. Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, DAC&FW

2. Sh. C. Raul, Secretary, Fertilizer
3. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, DG (ICAR)
4. Smt. Vasudha Mishra, Additional Secretary
5. Sh. Rajesh Verma, Additional Secretary
6. Dr. Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary
7. Sh. B. Pardhan, AS&FA
8. Dr. S.K. Malhotra, Agriculture Commissioner
9. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, JS(GC)
10. Sh. Vivek Agarwal, JS(FW/Crops)
11. Dr. Tarsem Chand, JS(Admn)
12. Sh. P.K. Swain, JS (Marketing)
13. Smt. Chhavi Jha, JS(PC/RKVY)
14. Sh. Rajbir Singh JS(MIDH)
15. Dr. Namita Priyadarshee, JS(NRM)
16. Smt. A. Neeraja, JS(INM)
17. Ms. Shomita Biswas, JS(IT/Policy)
18. Sh. Ashwani Kumar, JS(Seeds/M&T)
19. Smt. Shubha Thakur, JS(RFS)
20. Ms. Gurveen Sidhu, JS(GS), DOF
21. Sh. Rajesh Kumar Kamra, ADG, DAC&FW
22. Dr. Ranjeet Singh, DDG, IMD
23. Ms. Subhra, Adviser (Trade)
24. Sh. Amitabh Pradhan, Adviser (DES)
25. Dr. B. N. S. Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner
26. Dr. M. J. M Reddy, GM, IFFCO
27. Dr. Man Singh, Director, DSD, Lucknow
 7

28. Ms. S. Rukmani, Director (Credit)

29. Dr. Virendra Singh, Director, DRD
30. Sh. Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Director (FW)
31. Sh. Pankaj Tyagi, Director(RFS)
32. Sh. K. R. Meena, Director
33. Sh. Arun Kumar, Director (Extn.)
34. Sh. K. C. Sahoo, GM, FCI, New Delhi
35. Dr. Anupam Barik, ADC (Crops)
36. Dr. S.S. Tomar, ADC(Crops)
37. Dr. Y. R. Meena, ADC (Extn.)
38. Sh. Kalash Chaudhry, DS(GC)
39. Sh. Prem Narayan Shukla, DS (Admn.)
40. Dr. Subhash Chandra Ram, DC (RFS)
41. Dr. Ramanand, DC (RFS)
42. Smt. Kamna R. Sharma, DC(Credit)
43. Sh. B. V. N. Rao, DC (RFS)
44. Dr. Ram Saneshi, DC (Crops)
45. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, DC (Hort.)
46. Dr. N. K. Patle, DC (Hort.)
47. Sh. B. K. Srivastava, DC (Crops)
48. Sh. B. L. Meena, Addl. Eco. Advisor, DES
49. Sh. Manish, DD(AC)
50. Sh. S. M. Khailkar, JD(Extn.)
51. Sh. Diganta Thapa, JD
52. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, JD, DoE
53. Sh. Balram Singh, JD, DAC&FW
54. Sh. Anand Krishan, JD(RKVY)
55. Sh. Sajith Kumar, JD, DoE
56. Dr. J. P. Yadav, JD, DoE
57. Sh. K. K. Das, JD(Crops)
58. Sh. L. R. Buldak, JD, DMD, Jaipur
59. Dr. N. Sathyanaran, JD, Faridabad
60. Sh. Sukumarmadi, JD, DCD, Nagpur
61. Sh. Rahul Singh, DD
62. Sh. S. M. Khelikar, JD
63. Dr. K. Ponnusamy, JD, DoD, Hyd.
 8

64. Sh. Ganesh Singh, US( RKVY)

65. Sh. T. Khaling, US (CA-II)
66. Sh. Brijesh Godra, US (Admn.)
67. Sh. Ram Kumar, CAO (DES)
68. Sh. Harit K Shakya, US (RFS)
69. Sh. Ram Naresh, US(GC)
70. Sh. Jay Prakash, US, DFPD
71. Sh. V. K. Srivastava, US (Trade)
72. Sh A. K. Jha, US(FW-II)
73. Sh. Shekhar Bose, US(Coop)
74. Sh. Ashok Kr. Singh, AC (Crops)
75. Sh. D. V. Dilip Kumar, AC
76. Sh. Yogesh, AC
77. Sh. S. P. Gupta, AC
78. Dr. Maan Singh, AC
79. Sh. S. P. Gupta, AC
80. Dr. Maan Singh, AC(NRM)
81. Dr. Chandra Mohan, AC(Seeds)
82. Sh. Mahesh Kumar Pandey, AD(OL)
83. Dr. Somanath Agasimai, AC(Crops)
84. Dr. Rajesh Kr. Singh, AD (Seeds)
85. Dr. Brijesh Tripathi, AD
86. Sh. Avinash Vanam, AD
87. Smt. G. Sandhya Rani, AD
88. Sh. Sushil Kumar, AD
89. Sh. Raj Kumar, Manager, NABARD
90. Sh. Rajesh Kumar Singh, AD
91. Sh. Anoop Kumar, SO (IC)
92. Smt. Sunita Gularia, SO
93. Smt. Jasbir Kaur, SO
94. Ms. Meghna Mukharji, SO
95. Sh. Sanjeev Singh, SO(GC)
96. Sh. Swarnendu Singha, SO(FW-I)
97. Sh. S. Sen Gupta, SO
98. Sh. Manoj Sharma, AD
99. Sh. S. R. Kachru, Consultant
 9

100. Dr. P.K. Saha, NC (NFSM)

101. Dr. Manish Singh, NC (RFS)
102. Sh. Vikram Shekhawat, NC(RFS)
103. Sh. C. M. Pandey, NC
104. Dr. D. S. Rana, NC
105. Smt. Neha Bhalla, Consultant
106. Smt. Akshita Goyal, Consultant
107. Sh. Bhupendra Singh, Consultant (NFSM)
108. Dr. D. P. Singh, NFSM
109. Sh. D. S. Mishra, Consultant, NFSM
110. Sh. Dilip Kr. Tiwari, Consultant
111. Ms. Vandana Vasistha, Consultant
112. Sh. Prem N. Saini, Sr. Tech Assistant
113. Smt. Niti Sukhija, ASO
114. Smt. Renu Ogra, ASO(PC)
115. Smt. Neha Kumari, ASO(Horti)
116. Sh. Raj Kumar Singh, ASO
117. Sh. Raju, Assistant
118. Sh. R. N. Verma, Assitant, NFSM
119. Sh. Prathvi Nath, TO
120. Dr. Subhadip Nandi, TA(NFSM)
121. Sh. Siddharth Tripathi, TA
122. Sh. Dharmendra Singh, ASO(RFS)
123. Sh. Rajendra Kumar Meena, ASO(GC)
124. Smt. Shubhani Saxena, Webcasting Crew, Extension
125. Smt. Poojita Singh, Webcasting, Extension
126. Sh. Jitendra Kumar, Software Programmer, DAC(IT)
127. Sh. Rahul Saini, MO (DMI)
128. Sh. S. K. Joshi, Extn.
129. Sh. Vijay Kumar, ASCO
130. Sh. Brijesh Kumar, STO(Seeds)
131. Sh. Ankit Kumar Verma, STA, DSD, Lucknow
132. Dr. Pooja Pande, TA
133. Smt. Suman, Accountant
134. Sh. Deepak Kr. Yadav, STA
135. Sh. Ambanna. P. STA(Crops)
 10

136. Sh. Vijay Kumar, STA(Crops)

137. Sh. S. Srikanth, STA, DoD, Hyd.
138. Sh. Suraj Prakash, Head Pro.
139. Sh. B. S. Rawat, OS
140. Sh. Shyoram, STA
141. Dr. Ram Narayan, STA, DMD, Jaipur
142. Dr. Arvind Kumar, STA, DRD, Patna
143. Sh. Nitin Chandra, JSO, DoF
144. Dr. S. K. Joshi, Asstt. Editor
145. Sh. Satendra Singh, Steno
146. Sh. Ashwani Kumar, Steno
147. Sh. Santosh Yadav, Steno

ICAR
1. Dr. P. S. Pandey, ADG (Ag. Edn)
2. Dr. T. Janakiram, ADG
3. Sh. S. K. Jha, ADG
4. Dr. D. K. Yadav, ADG (Seeds)
5. Sh. A. K. Singh, DDG (Extn.)
6. Sh. H. P. Singh, Technical Officer
NSC

1. Sh. V. K. Gaur, CMD

2. Sh. Deepak Rastogi, GM

NCDC

1. Sr. Bikramjit Singh, Chief Director

2. Shri Dev Kalyan, Prog. Off
PIB
1. Sh. Joyce Philip, DD
2. Smt. Rity Bora, Production Executor, DD
3. Sh. Arvind Kumar Singh, Rajya Sabha TV.

*****
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STATES & UTs

ANDHRA PRADESH

1. Sh. Arun Kumar, Commissioner

2. Dr. Prabhu Lal Singh, Director

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

1. Sh. Tadu Game, Joint Director

2. Sh. N. Ragrang, ADO (Dte. of Agri)
3. Sh. Okit Palling, ADO(Wet)

ASSAM
Sh. Manoj Kumar, Director Agriculture

BIHAR
1. Sh. N. Saravan Kumar, Secretary, Agri
2. Sh, Dharanjay Pali Tripathi ,Joint Director
3. Sh. Rajendra Kumar Verma, DD Farm (Agri.)
4. Sh. Ani K. Jha, Deputy Director, Agri.

CHATTISGARH

1. Sh M.S. Kerketta, Add. Dircetor, Agri.

2. Dr. S.R. Ratre, G.M, Agri
3. Sh. I.K. Jaiswal, Maneger, Agri

DELHI
1. Sh. Dalbir Singh, Seeds Agronomist
2 Sh.Somvir Arya, Agronomist

GUJARAT
1. Sh. Poonamchand Parmar, ACS (Agri.)
2. Sh. M. Modi, Directorate of Agriculture.
3. Sh, N.M. Shukla, Joint Director
4. Sh, M. Rizawan Ghonchi, Asst Director.
 12

GOA
Sh. Kuldeep Singh Gangar, Secretary, Agri

HARYANA

Sh. Suresh Gehlawat, Addl. Director (Extn.)

HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. Sh. D.R. Rajni, JDA, Agri

2. Sh. H. R. Thakur, DDA, Agri
3. Dr. B.R. Raju, JDA,Agri
4. Dr. R. Dhrenjay, SMS Agri.
5. Dr. Hem raj, DDA, Agri

JHARKHAND

1 Dr. Subhash Singh, Director sameti.

2 Sh. B.K. Zutshi Joint Director, Agri.

KARNATAKA
1. Sh. Prabhash Chandra Ray, Commissioner, Agri
2. Sh. B. K. Dikshit, Commissioner
3. Smt. Deepaja S.M, JD
4. Smt. Shobha H.B, Joint Director
5. Sh. Divakara. M.S, Additional Director

MADHYA PRADESH
1. Sh. Mukesh Shukla, Dir, Agri,
2. Sh. G.S. Chowan, J.D.A, Agri

MAHARASHTRA
1. Sh. Ekanath Dawale, Secretary, Agriculture
2. Sh. Shisode N.T, Director.
3. Dr. Bhaskar Pathi, Dy G.M
4. Sh. P.D Sigedar, Deputy Director
5. Sh. Hari Babtiwale, Deputy Director.
MIZORAM
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1. Ms. Lolengzami Haoai, Deputy Director, Agri

2. Sh. Varzamliana, PPO, Agri
NAGALAND

1. Sh. L. Hangering, JD, Agri

2. Smt. Temsunaro Aier, Addl. Secretray
3. Sh. Letkhalal Haugshing, Joint Director.

ODISHA

1. Sh. Saurabh Garg, Principal Secretary, Agriculture

2. Sh. S. P. Mohopatra, Project Director (Bamboo Dev.
Agency)
3. Sh. B.K Upadhyaya, Director Horticulture

PUDUCHERRY

Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, ARC, Agriculture

PUNJAB
Sh Sarbjeet Singh, Joint Director, Agriculture.

RAJASTHAN

Sh. B.L. Meena, Joint Director, Agri

SIKKIM
1. Sh. Jagdish Pradhan, Addl. Director, Agri.
2. Sh. R.P. Thapa, Addl. Director, Agri.
3. Sh. Tilak Gajmer, Addl. Director, Agri.
TAMIL NADU

1. Sh. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, APC/Principal Secretary

2. Smt.S. Shoba, Deputy Director
3. Sh. P. Sankaralingam, Additional Director
4. Sh. S. Sankra Subramani
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TELANGANA

Sh. Balu, Joint Director, Agri

WEST BENGAL

Sh Saraj Gwose, Addl Director, Agri

TRIPURA
1. Dr. D.P. Sarkar, Director (Agri)
2. Sh. R. Deb Barua, Dy. Director

UTTAR PRADESH

1. Sh. A.M Prasad, Principal Secretary

2. Sh. G.S. N. Kumar, Spl. Secretary
3. Sh. B.P. Singh, ADA, Agri.
4. Sh. Pushpraj Singh, DDA, Agri.
5. Sh. Masoom Ali Sama, SS, Agri.
6. Dr. R.S. Verma, PPO, Agri
7. Sh. R.S. Dixit, Engg, Agri.
8. Smt. Vijay Laxmi, PHD, Agri.
9. Dr. Saraj Singh, Director, Agri
UTTRAKHAND

1. Shri Gouri Shankar, Director, Agri

2. Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, Agri
3. Sh. Vijay Kumar, MD
 15

Annexure – II

Issues raised by State/ UT Governments and response of this Department thereto

during open house discussion in the Rabi Conference, 2019

Odisha :

i. Under PSS there is a need to assure farmers for purchase of pulses and oilseeds
based on last three years production and accordingly target may be fixed.
ii. Under Fasal Bima Yojana although there is a provision for crop damage by wild
animals but 100 % of the premium is borne by states. Further, the coverage due
to inundation provided previously has been removed.
iii. Smart phone are used for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) for data collection for
which incentives should be given to farmers.
iv. Dashboard has been developed at block level for monitoring of various Central /
State schemes and further, farmers profiling for customized advisory has been
set up through which voice messages are given to farmers within 48 hours.
v. Under PM-KSY subsidy calculation includes GST which may be excluded from it.

Response of this Department:

Secretary appreciated the dashboard and customized advisory developed by

Government of Odisha and requested states to emulate it. The issue of exclusion of GST
from subsidy component under PMKSY would be looked into. Based on estimated
production state may send their proposal for purchase of pulses and oil seeds any time
and the necessary permission would be granted by this Department.

Tamil Nadu:

i. Out of 150 active markets under e-NAM, fund for infrastructure

development have been provided only to 63 markets. For the remaining
market, software and use credentials may be provided.
ii. Under NFSM there is a cap of more than 10000 hectares for getting
assistance which may be relaxed for the production of millets and pulses.
iii. Under Seed Village Programmes, assistance is provided to 1 acre of land per
beneficiary which may be increased to 1 hectare (2.5 acre).
 16

iv. For seed storage godowns, assistance of Rs. 60 lakh is provided for 500 MT
godowns which is only sufficient to set up 300-350 MT capacity. The cap of
500 MT capacity may be removed.
v. Necessary assistance may be given in case of attack by Fall Army Worm.

Response of this Department:

Secretary informed that a meeting to deliberate the issue of Fall Army Worm has been
fixed on 1st October, 2019. Not a single reference of any State /UT is pending under e-
NAM. State may send a reference. The issue of Seed Village Programme raised by State
has been noted. JS (Crops) advised the states to send a proposal for assistance under
NFSM as a replacement of paddy area and for utilizing 10 % flaxi funds, amended action
plan may be sent to this Department.

Maharashtra :

i. The area declared as drought is not qualifying in CCE under guidelines / drought
manual.
ii. State may be allowed age relaxation for crop varieties in Vidarbha.

Response of this Department:

Secretary informed that in case of variation in monsoon state may use SDRF /NDRF
funds. Any damage of crop is covered under PMFBY. Additional Secretary, Smt. Vasudha
Mishra suggested the States to send a proposal in this regard. Agriculture Commissioner
informed that only for promoting pulses, oilseeds, millets and new varieties of gram, age
relaxation is provided. JS (Crops) advised to send specific case in this regard.

Karnataka :

i. For settlement of claim under PMFBY private companies are insisting on bank
guarantee.
ii. In Karnataka 100% crop survey are made through app developed.
 17

Response of this Department:

Secretary assured to look into the matter relating to PMFBY issue. He informed that for
CCE app has been developed and from kharif 2020, 100% CCE report of the State would
be through these apps.

Gujarat:

i. For promoting natural farming there is a need to develop crop-wise standard

practice.
ii. Necessary recommendation for pest management in field crop may be provided.
iii. Under micro-irrigation for MIS adoption there is a need to increase the command
area.

Response of this Department:

Secretary advised the representative of Gujarat to be in touch with JS concerned for

promotion of natural farming. For locust control only trained person would be allowed
for locust control activities in the farm field and promised to send alternatives in this
regard. For micro-irrigation state may send a proposal to this Department.

Andhra Pradesh:

i. Inundation of paddy earlier included under PMFBY has been removed is an issue.
ii. For quality testing of pesticides samples are sent to referral lab which is located
at Faridabad and takes a lot of time to test the sample.
iii. Under farm mechanization scheme the user charges in Tribal areas may be
further subsidized.
iv. There is a need to extend the age of beneficiary from existing years under PM-
KMY

Response of this Department:

Agriculture Commissioner clarified that the central insecticide lab establishment is

mandated to send the report within 30 days of its receipt. However, any delay in getting
the report would be reviewed. The issue of inundation of paddy under PMFBY has been
 18

noted. Any subsidy of user charges under customer hiring may be borne by State
Government. The extant decision of the Government i.e age group of 18-40 years will
remain eligible under PM-KMY.

Arunachal Pradesh:

i. Under PMKSY, subsidy @ 55 % is allowed under sprinkler irrigation system

which may be considered to be increased.
ii. The number of harvesting unit may be considered to be increased under NFSM.

Response of this Department:

Secretary informed that 5000 crore of funds are available with NABARD which may be
used by the states under micro irrigation system. State should suggest the number of
units required under NFSM and accordingly send the proposal to this Department.

Bihar:

i. In Bihar, there is large variation in the area shown due to floods and there is no
system for supporting such farmers. Hence, Government of Bihar has allocated
Rs. 3000 to farmers in the current kharif season. Government of India should
consider to supplement the subsidy for diesel and support to farmers in such a
situation.
ii. Registration of 95 lakh farmers have been made through DBT portal of State
Government and benefits under PM-KISAN, PM-KMY and other schemes of the
State Government are provided to these registered farmers.

Response of this Department:

Secretary advised the states to study the drought manual and advised that drought
should be declared tehsil –wise. He further informed that no proposal in this regard has
been received from State Government. Secretary pointed out that Bihar has a potential
to benefit 1.5 crore beneficiaries under PM-KISAN. However, only 43 lakh eneficiaries
have been identified. As such there is need to review the modalities for enrolment of
farmers which appears to be complicated one. Government of Bihar may replicate the
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scheme for identification of beneficiaries in UP and Haryana and consider to change in

the strategy so as to increase the coverage of beneficiaries under PM-KISAN.

Uttar Pradesh:

i. Under Seed Village Programme, there is cap on subsidy especially on rate of

seed which is high. The same should be considered and be removed.
ii. The cap of 1 acre area fixed under Seed Village Programme may be enhanced
to 1 hectare (2.5 acre).
iii. Under Soil Testing Lab scheme assistance of Rs. 1.20 crore per unit is
provided. For setting of 6 STLs fund of Rs. 7.2 crore is required against which
State Government has proposed to purchase 6 STLs of Rs. 60 lakh each
costing Rs. 3.60 lakh which may be considered.
iv. Age relaxation of seed variety may please be considered.

Response of this Department:

JS (Crops) clarified that seed subsidy for normal crop( high volume low value) seems
adequate. He further requested all the states to involve their agencies for distribution of
seed minikits. He informed that age relaxation provided upto 7 years will remain
applicable so that newly developed seed varieties can be populated. The proposal of
State Government to purchase STLs would be looked into.

West Bengal:

i. Under NFSM, oilseeds of less than five years old are promoted which may be
increased upto 10 years.
ii. For production of maize in new districts of West Bengal the provision of area of
10000 acre under NFSM may be relaxed. Use of flexi funds could not be utilized
as provided in BGREI.
iii. Seed subsidy for pulses may be given in rice fallow area.
iv. Financial allocation under mechanization scheme should be considered.
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Response of the Department:

JS (Crops) clarified that for commercial crops 5 plus 2 is equal to 7 years are provided
under NFSM and NMOOP. Flexi fund could be utilized and revised Annual Action Plan
may be sent to this Department. State should consider crop replacement model from
water guzzling to less water crop. For mechanization flexibility is already provided
machine –wise. He further informed that State Conference in this regard i.e. TFRA
meeting has already been scheduled to be held in West Bengal on 21st October, 2019.

Rajasthan:

i. Cap on subsidy on other intervention in PMKSY should be removed.

ii. No support for fertigation is provided.

Response of this Department:

State Government was advised to use labour component under MNREGA. For fertigation
support State Government may send a proposal with justification.

Chhattisgarh:

i. Under BGREI, availability of seeds has been ensured however, subsidy has not
been provided.
ii. Seeds of thyrus, niger and mustard are available which may be utilized by the
states.

Response of this Department:

JS(Corps) advised to furnish revised Annual Action Plan for increase in area as well as
requirement for seed subsidy. Representative of state was advised to discuss the issue
of seed with CMD, NSC alongwith available varieties for their disposal.

Telangana:

i. Under seed control order bulk seed samples are drawn however, the desired
companies are not coming forward.
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Response of this Department:

State Government was advised to send a reference to this Department for consideration.

Jammu and Kashmir:

Area expansion under maize and provision for vegetable seed should be considered.

Mizoram:

i. Oil palm should be included under PS Scheme.

ii. Oil palm cultivation in hilly areas i.e. hapunterrace where there is heavy rainfall
should be supported.
iii. There is a need for establishment of oil palm refinery in the State.

Response of this Department:

Agriculture Commissioner informed that Government is considering to fix MSP for oil
palm. Hapunterrace is a highly technical matter and IIOR would be involved. He further
advised that one private company namely, Godrej is already working in the State which
may be contacted.

Tripura:

i. For promotion of MI against the tender call only 2-3 companies quoted the rates
which were found at a higher side hence, further progress in MI is hampering.
ii. Under RKVY, funds for infrastructure Development should be provided.

Response of this Department:

JS (RKVY), clarified that the main objective of revamped RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme is to

strengthen pre and post harvesting infrastructure. The issue would be examined during
revision of scheme.

Sikkim:

Support may be provided for nutritional management.

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National Seed Corporation

Representative pointed out that various States had not paid outstanding dues towards
supply of seeds by that Corporation. He mentioned that nonpayment of outstanding
dues by States is accumulating in shape of losses to NSC.

Response of this Department

Secretary, DAC&FW requested to the representatives of State Governments to expedite

the settlement of outstanding dues to NSC.