Alternative Crops for Tobacco
26/July/2016
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1409
ANSWERED ON:  26.07.2016
Alternative Crops for Tobacco
SHASHI THAROOR
 
Will the Minister of



AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:-


(a) whether the Government has launched a pilot project on ‘Alternative crops to tobacco in different Agro-Ecological Zones in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), to identify alternatives to tobacco farming;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the crops which have been identified as alternatives to tobacco in various Agro-Ecological zones;

(c) whether the Government is taking any measures to motivate tobacco farmers to grow alternative crops;

(d) if so, the details thereof including awareness campaigns and financial assistance being offered by the Government to enable this transition without adversely affecting the livelihoods of the tobacco farmers; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?


ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India had sanctioned a pilot project entitled “Alternative Crops to Bidi and Chewing Tobacco in different Agro-Ecological Sub-Regions” to ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute for the period 2008-2011.



(b) The following alternative crops/cropping system found remunerative in different Agro-Ecological Zones:-

1. Tamil Nadu 1. Annual moringa + Chilli
2. Annual moringa + Onion
3. Maize – Sunflower
2. West Bengal 1. Potato
2. Maize
3. Wheat
4. Mustard
3. Karnataka 1. Sugarcane (irrigated conditions)
2. Soybean – Sorghum
3. Groundnut – Sorghum
4. Andhra Pradesh 1. Maize – Sunflower
2. Maize – Blackgram
3. Maize – Chickpea
5. Gujarat 1. Castor (K-R)-Pearlmillet (S)
2. Cotton (K-R)-Groundnut (S)
3. Pearlmillet (K) – Rajma (R) – Pearlmillet (S)

(c) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) & State Department of Agriculture are promoting the identified alternative crops for Agro-Ecological Zones under various schemes.

(d) Different stakeholders are being sensitized under the various extension programmes like Kisan Goshthi, Kisan Mela, Farmers Day etc. A National Seminar on Crops Diversification was also organized at ICAR-CTRI, Rajahmundry.

(e) Not Applicable.

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