(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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