LOK SABHA ___

SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES (Proceedings other than Questions & Answers) ______

Thursday, December 5, 2019 / Agrahayana 14, 1941 (Saka) ______

MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

1. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY laid a statement regarding need to strengthen safety measures for women in trains and give preferential treatment to women passengers in railway counters in Mumbai.

2. DR. RAJDEEP ROY laid a statement regarding need to operationlise

CGHS dispensary at Silchar, Assam.

3. SHRI REBATI TRIPURA laid a statement regarding need to bestow more powers to Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council.

4. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR laid a statement regarding need to install bronze statutes of freedom fighters in Shahjahanpur Parliamentary Constituency,

Uttar Pradesh.

5. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL laid a statement regarding need to repair Jaya Prabha Setu road in Maharajganj Parliamentary Constituency, Bihar.

 Laid on the Table as directed by Speaker/Chair. 6. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH laid a statement regarding need to provide life insurance cover to farmers under Kisan Credit Card Scheme.

7. SHRIMATI REKHA ARUN VERMA laid a statement regarding promotion of Sanskrit language in the country.

8. SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI laid a statement regarding need to provide water to Bharatpur Parliamentary constituency, Rajasthan for drinking and irrigation purposes as per Yamuna pact.

9. SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA laid a statement regarding need to review the location of proposed bye-pass connecting NH 96 to NH 231 in Pratapgarh

Parliamentary Constituency, Uttar Pradesh.

10. SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIYA laid a statement regarding need to establish a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Morbi in Rajkot Parliamentary Constituency,

Gujarat.

11. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI laid a statement regarding problems of contract workers.

12. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR laid a statement regarding need to run link express train from Khajuraho to Delhi.

13. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL laid a statement regarding need to ban sale of junk food in school promises.

14. KUMARI RAMYA HARIDAS laid a statement regarding setting up of

National Investment and Manufacturing Zone in Palakkad district of Kerala. 15. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ laid a statement regarding need to establish Eklvya

Adarsh Awasiya Vidyalaya in each block of Bastar Parliamentary Constituency,

Chhattisgarh.

16. SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON laid a statement regarding need to resolve the long pending issue of Patta land of farmers in Kallakurichi

Parliamentary Constituency, Tamil Nadu.

17. SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY laid a statement regarding manufacturing and marketing of fertilizers and allied products by KRIBHCO.

18. SHRI BALLI DURGA PRASAD RAO laid a statement regarding construction of bridges in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.

19. SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL laid a statement regarding need to make Chandkhali Halt Station on Sealdah-Canning railway line in West Bengal functional.

20. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE laid a statement regarding need to expedite proposed inland water transport project between Thane, Kalyan and

Vasai.

21. SHRI M. SELVARAJ laid a statement regarding downgrading of

Tiruvarur Sorting office.

22. SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA laid a statement regarding talks of

ULFA and other outfits with Government of India.

______DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193

Re: Crop loss due to various reasons and its impact on farmers.

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH initiating said: The Ministry of

Agriculture assumed a great importance under the various Congress Governments as the Congress party viewed agriculture as the most important aspect for the livelihood of its people. But the NDA Government systematically diluted the powers of the Ministry of Agriculture. Since independence, the successive

Congress Governments have done a lot for the farmers' welfare. Some of the game changing projects like Bhakra-Beas and Damodar Valley addressed energy shortage and irrigation infrastructure helping the farmers. Fertiliser plants were set up. Then came the Green Revolution under which the productivity of our farmers doubled. This Government talks of doubling of farmers' income but most of the

Kharif crops, except cotton, are going to witness a drop in production. As per

National Crime Records Bureau's Report 11,379 farmers died by suicide in India in

2016. The benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana have not reached the farmers in most of the regions of the country. As per Economic

Survey, growth of agriculture sector has decreased from 6.3 per cent in 2016-17 to

2.9 per cent in 2018-19. Still the Government talks of doubling the farmer's income by 2022. How is it possible? The UPA policies had led to a historical high agricultural output. Growth in gross bank credit for rural and semi-urban areas had been steadily increasing under the UPA Government. The UPA Government announced higher support prices to make farming lucrative again. The UPA

Government had announced the Vidarbha package and had also waived off debt to provide relief to the farmers. But today, the farmers are in distress. There is no compensation to the farmers. Banks are refusing to give loans to farmers. There is no declaration of any special package to help the farmers in this continuing crisis.

The floods and landslides in Kerala caused extensive damage to house, roads, railways, bridges, power supply, communication networks and other infrastructure in the years 2018-2019. All three sub-sectors namely crops, livestock and fisheries have suffered losses and damage in the flooding and landslide of 2018.

SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH: We witness discussion on farmers in every session of the Parliament. The Parliament is always unanimous to solve the problems of farmers. The problems of farmers did not arise over night nor can they be solved over night. The farmers of the country are getting direct cash benefit for the first time. This is very sad that the farmers are committing suicide. Although, farmers committed suicide earlier also but it was never a news. This problem cannot be solved only with financial measures. It needs to be tackled socially and politically. This Government is formed with the support of farmers and it is working for their welfare. The Opposition feels that it will earn some political mileage if it raises the issue of onion prices. It is sad that farmers cannot fix the price of their produce whereas other producers fix the price of their produce. We should develop machines according to the need of our farmers. There is a hue and cry about economic slowdown. However, huge money is deposited in the banks in rural areas because people in our country tend to save money. There was no decrease in shopping during festive season. People say that sale of automobiles has gone down. I do not agree to this. I urge the Government to link MNREGS with agriculture. It should be ensured that claims of farmers under Fasal Bima Yojana are passed. I would like to request the hon. Minister of Agriculture to formulate a scheme for pension to the farmers when they attain the age of 60 years.

SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM: It is a routing affair that farmers are affected every year due to natural calamity and climate change in some parts of the country. Only when the price of an agriculture produce is increased, this House and people of the country intend to think about farmers. A research Centre named

Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology in Thanjavur has found an alternative method as regards onion-drying. The Government started Food

Corporation of India for storing food grains. Similarly, there should be a storage facility for perishable items like onion, tomato etc too. Cyclones have played havoc in different parts of the State of Tamil Nadu during last one year. Due to

Gaja cyclone, more than 60 lakh coconut trees were uprooted in the delta districts of Cauvery basin. The Government should send a Central team to visit the natural calamity affected areas. We expected the Prime Minister or the Union Ministers to visit the Gaja cyclone-affected areas. But nobody tuned up. Farmers should get

 Original in Tamil. help immediately to go for next harvest. The Government has tax period exemption to the industrial sector to the tune of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore. Why can't it waives off all the farm loans availed by farmers? The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu waived off Rs. 7,000 crore worth farm loans. The sugar mill owners engage in exploitation of the cane growers. Union and State Governments concerned should intervene immediately and ensure that the farmers get their pending dues paid to them by the sugar mill owners. Fishermen are equally affected along with farmers at times of natural disasters. Compensation to fishermen should be provided well in time.

Fishermen of Mallipattinam and other areas in my Thanjavur Constituency who had lost their boats due to Gaja cyclone, have not received any compensation till date. I request you to work hard for the welfare not only by mere saying or in writing but also in actions.

SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE: There are a number of reasons for loss of crops in our country. Farmers are using high external synthetic chemicals during farming. The Government must take a policy decision in regard to utilisation of harmful synthetic chemicals in the agricultural field which result in the loss of crops in various parts of our country. A link between expensive genetically modified crops and farmer suicides has been proposed. The higher costs forced many farmers into taking larger loans from private moneylenders, who charge exorbitant interest rates. There is a misdirection of Government subsidies and funds. As per reports by the Central Government and NCRB, the Government farming subsidies from 1993 to 2018 went to the dealers, into the hands of a few entities in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh and to middlemen, not to the farmers. A recent cyclone Bulbul, affected a total 4,89,924 hectares of agricultural land and five lakhs houses damaged in the coastal districts of West Bengal and has caused a loss of Rs. 23,811 crore in the State. The Prime Minister also assured the Chief

Minister that the compensation will be given. But still, no money has been given to

West Bengal. But in case of Gujarat, we have seen, overnight compensation had been given. Why is this discrimination in case of farmers of different States? The crops get damaged by elephants also. We need to reduce this human-elephant conflict to save the crops. Air pollution is not only affecting the human beings, but affecting the crops also. So far as the suicides are concerned, these are increasing day by day. I will tell you a few solutions for ameliorate the condition of farmers like small and marginal farmers should be encouraged to pool their fund and to leverage their land, better water management system, rain water harvesting, farm loans at soft interest rates and resolution of inter-State river water sharing dispute etc. Farmers must be educated about modern farming techniques and practices. It should be ensured that the subsidies should go to the farmers, not to the entities of the cities. I will request to the Agriculture Minister to make payment of compensation to West Bengal expeditiously.

SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY: A large number of farmers undertake subsistence agriculture for survival. Farming is also undertaken on loans, which leads to debt trap most of the times. There have been many instances of farmers committing suicide due to loss of crops. Under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM

Kisan scheme, 51 lakh farmers will receive Rs.13,500 per annum as farm investment support. A conscious effort has been made to include tenant and landless farmers, as they stand excluded from the vision of PM-KISAN Scheme.

The foremost reason for crop losses is found to be infestation by pests, weeds and climatic conditions like cyclones and untimely rains and draughts. Our dedicated effort should go into crop-diversification, to grow less water intensive crops and

Drought Mitigation Programme. The Government should actively procure the crop from the farmers at the MSP rate. India should focus on R&D to tackle agriculture specific challenges of climate change. This should include research in quality of seeds, pesticides, enhancing shelf-life of crops and ensuring these technologies travel from lab to land without burdening farmers. We have to map the cropping pattern and incentivise the shift wherever necessary. The policy of farm loan waivers does not seem to tackle core problems of agriculture and crop losses.

Rather, more investment is needed in efficient infrastructure for agricultural supply chain, including storage, transport, etc.

*SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: All the regions in Maharashtra

have witnessed heavy and unseasonal rains due to which standing crops got

rotten and damaged completely. All the major cash crops like pomegranate,

* Original in Marathi oranges, sweet lime, grapes, cotton, soyabean, sugarcane etc. are totally lost.

Fishermen also had to suffer heavy losses. Farmers, horticulturists and

fishermen all got badly affected. I request the Government to give Rs. 40,000

crore package for the devastated farmers of Maharashtra.

SHRI KAUSHLENDRA KUMAR: India is predominantly an agricultural dominated country. Mahatma Gandhi ji said that the soul of our country resides in our villages. However, the farming community continues to be in a pitiable condition even today. Hon. Prime Minister had promised to provide Rs. 6000 through 2000 quarterly instalments under the Kisan Saman Nidhi and he has fulfilled it. I express my sincere gratitude to him. The Government of Bihar has also made efforts as to how the farmers could be made to progress and prosper.

The then Governor had inaugurated the agriculture roadmap to take the state ahead in the field of agriculture. Since then, the hon. Chief Minister of Bihar has made all out efforts to ensure that farming is undertaken on the basis of that agriculture roadmap. Today, Bihar has got the largest 11 per cent GDP growth in the country.

Bihar has left behind even China in terms of production of paddy and wheat. The

Union Government should take some lessons from it. The Government needs to pay more attention towards the farmers. The income of the farmers should be doubled. Therefore, they should be provided fertilizers and seeds in time so as to ensure that their income is doubled. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: I would start with my State Odisha which has repeatedly been affected by natural calamities. Farmers face the brunt of these natural calamities. The Government of India provides income support to all farmer families who own cultivable land, but the number of land holdings do not necessarily equate with the number of farming households. Should we limit ourselves only to those farmers, who are land owners? I am reminded of this year's

Noble Laureate, Michael Kremer. Mr. Kremer and the company he founded, have impacted the lives of more than six lakh agriculturists in India. A low cost mobile phone based agriculture consulting service, developed by Dr. Kremer's company, led to an annual income growth of about Rs. 7,000 per farmer. I would urge upon the Government to make conscious efforts to empower the farmers through this modern technology so that the income of farmers will grow. The Pradhan Mantri

Fasal Bima Yojana, is the fourth avatar of crop insurance. Did the Pradhan Mantri

Fasal Bima Yojana improve the situation? A reply to an RTI question revealed that

11 insurance firms paid claims worth Rs. 31,602.72 crore against gross premiums of Rs. 47,407.98 crore they had received in two years in 2016 and 2017-18. This is the profit which the insurance sector has received within a period of two years.

Whichever insurance company the Government engages, at least, engage it for three consecutive years. What we need is a scheme which makes the public expenditure efficacious and which increases the farmer's incomes. A mechanism to compensate farmers in the event of loss due to crop failure and more so from adverse market conditions is imperative. Odisha is giving some support to farmers through KALIA scheme which has now been subsumed with the PM Kisan Nidhi.

Farmers are paying about Rs. 15,000 crore as GST annually on which they are unable to claim the input tax credit. Government needs to support the farmers.

They are the food suppliers, the annadata.

KUNWAR DANISH ALI: In fact, India lives in its villages, agriculture fields and barns. Until and unless the Government formulates its financial policies keeping the farmer at the centre, the condition of the farmer cannot improve.

How many farmers have been benefited by the Crop Insurance Scheme? This scheme has proved to be beneficial only for the corporate houses and insurance companies. Only in the case of farmer, he cannot decide the price of his produce.

Today, after working hard for one year, the farmer in Uttar Pradesh is still wondering as to what will be the price of sugarcane. The Government has not fixed the price of sugarcane so far. The Government makes announcement for the procurement of paddy and wheat but we all know as to how much Government procurement is done actually. We all know how the input cost is determined.

Only if a formulae for determining the input cost is prepared honestly and the

Government brings transparency in procurement process, no farmer will remain in suffering. Today, 31 farmers are committing suicide in the country everyday and the farmers do not have money even to buy diesel for their tractors. In critical times, a farmer tries to sell his livestock to arrange money to meet the expenses of farming or the marriage of his daughter. But, this Government is trying to disrupt even the livestock market. Where are they taking our country to?

ADV. A. M. ARIFF: Our country is passing through a huge farm distress.

Prices are soaring up, but the farmer is still living in poverty. It is shocking that over 12,000 farmers in Maharashtra committed suicide in three years. Crop failure is recurring every year. Insurance companies, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal

Bima Yojana, have missed the deadline to pay claims worth over Rs.5,000 crore made by the farmers. The failure to tackle the middleman is another major issue.

As a result, 90 per cent of the profit is looted by these middlemen. The Kerala farm sector is facing different challenges due to climatic variations and unfair import policies of the Central Government. In 2016, it faced the worst drought in

115 years and in 2018 and 2019, it had to face two floods, which was unheard of in

Kerala’s history. Thousands of hectares of land has become unuseable due to wide spread landslides. Kerala State had requested for Rs.2,101 crore, but the Centre refused to provide even a single rupee of the Emergency Relief Fund. The permanent solution to the farm sector can be achieved only through the policy measures that would make agriculture a sustainable business.

SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO: Within six years of the formation of

Telangana state, the farmers there are being provided free electricity 24x7. This facility is not being provided in any state of the country. Farmers are provided

Rs.10,000 per acre of land. If someone has six acres of land then he receives Rs.60,000. Only after this scheme, the hon. Prime Minister has started providing

Rs.6,000 to the farmers in the country. I demand that each farmer in the country should be provided Rs.10,000 instead of Rs.6,000 per acre. Telangana is high above sea level and the farmers could not get the water. Now, we are providing water to the farmers by lifting the water of Godavari river through Kaleshvaram project. A water grid should also be created by interlinking of rivers on the lines of electricity grid and national highway grid. Palm oil worth Rs.50,000 crore is being imported in the country. Farmers of Andhra Pradesh are also engaged in Palm oil plantation, but they do not get the proper rates. The Government should support these farmers. It should also provide better prices for sugarcane. We want to thank the Government for giving remunerative prices for ethanol. The Government should also pay attention to food processing. It should formulate an Indian

Farmers Policy. I would like to request the hon. Minister that the problems of the farmers must be addressed after this discussion.

*SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE: India is an agrarian country but we are not serious of farmers' issues. Our farmers in Maharashtra are facing hard times due to flood and unseasonal rain. The rich grape growers in Nashik are completely devastated this time and we are completely ruined. So, we should come forward and help them by increasing MSP. We should increase MSP immediately and Swaminathan Commission Report should be implemented. Concrete steps

* Original in Marathi should also be taken in this regard. I would like to urge upon the Government to help the distressed farmers of Maharashtra who had suffered severely due to the flood and unseasonal rain.

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH: My Constituency is totally dependent on agriculture. Being a farmer, I understand the suffering of farmers very well. No

Government, no system can prevent the damage caused by nature. But, the

Government can compensate the loss of crops adequately so that the farmers are not affected very badly. My Parliamentary Constituency is facing the menace of

Nilgai. A large number of herds of Nilgai forage in agriculture fields and destroy the standing crops there. The Government needs to make any arrangement to end the menace of Nilgai and stray animals. If the Government does not want to kill them, it should catch and keep them in protected area. Moreover, they can be castrated in order to put a check on the rapid increase of their population. I would like to suggest that the farmers should be given concessions on the purchase of agricultural implements. At the same time, they should be given loans at cheaper rate of interest from the banks enabling them to purchase those agricultural implements. The Uttar Koyal Irrigation Project which has been lying pending for

45 years in my Parliamentary Constituency should be completed at the earliest as its completion will lead to the irrigation of 1.25 lakh acres of land. Moreover, efforts should be made to interlink the rivers. Our hon. Prime Minister has exhorted to adopt 'one drop, more crop' technology for agriculture. Israel has already adopted it but farmers of our country are not able to adopt it as this is a costly technology. Hence, all the equipments required in this technology need to be made cheaper so that it may be accessible to the farmers in view of doubling their income.

SHRI FRANCISCO SARDINHA: Our country is an agrarian country as around 61 per cent of our population depends on agriculture. Though our land holdings are small in proportion to our population, we produce just about to feed our huge population and if in this scenario we suffer massive crop loss due to variety of factors, our agriculture sector, our people and the economy will be adversely affected. So, I urge the Government to tackle it forthwith. It is estimated by several credible agencies that the annual loss of crops is in the tune of

17 per cent, amounting to 17.28 billion US dollars. Overall loss due to climate change is 15-18 per cent in irrigated land and 20-25 per cent in unirrigated areas.

Due to vagaries of nature and conditions leading to sudden climate change, an estimated 1,53,000 hectares of crops were destroyed. I would like to propose some solutions. National Disaster Mitigation Authority should advise the farmers with early warning system to mitigate the impact of climate change. I would request the hon. Minister that whenever the farmers suffer, the Government should come to their rescue so that the farmers' suicides stop, their income increase and the farming community of our country prospers. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA: The imminent consequence is nothing less than committing suicide by the farmers as they have no other option if there is crop loss, due to rains or floods or droughts and they are unable to pay back their loans. It has become a ritual to take up the discussion on the issues relating to farmers. But

I do not find any improvement over this last six years in the condition of farmers and farmers' suicides are going on unabated. In this scenario, I wish to make some suggestions to better the condition of farmers and the farming community. My first suggestion is the implementation of all the recommendations of Dr.

Swaminathan Commission, which have been only partially implemented so far.

My second suggestion is that the consumption of foodgrains has to go up through effective implementation of the Food Security Act, Mid-Day Meal Scheme and other such schemes. India has set the target as 2020 to double the farm productivity. Hence, I would like to know from the hon. Minister what blueprint the Ministry was prepared and what roadmap it has to reach these targets, as we are only days away from entering 2020. I suggest for granting at least one national project to every State and also request the Government of India to complete the

Polavaram Project, which is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh by approving its revised

DPRs within a time-bound manner. The Government of Andhra Pradesh deliberately mismanaged the flow of flood water to prove that the Capital City of

Amaravati is prone to floods without considering that there will be thousands of acres of crop loss and thousands of farmers would suffer as a result of their actions. SHRI M. SELVARAJ: Farmers face several difficulties in ensuring growth of their crops. In 12 districts of Tamil Nadu agriculture is the main profession and because of inadequate water for agriculture, farmers are not able to follow periodic farming activities there. Union Government should ensure supply of water to agricultural areas. All the southern rivers should be interlinked. This Scheme should be implemented immediately. Farmers spend approximately Rs. 1800 per quintal for production of paddy. He is unable to get remunerative price for his produce as MSP is fixed by the Union Government. Almost 12 districts of Tamil

Nadu were affected of Gaja cyclone. 80 lakh coconut trees were uprooted. 12 lakh hectares of land was inundated. But till date crop insurance claims have not been settled. There should be a national crop insurance scheme. Private players should be restricted in this field. I urge upon the Union Government to intervene in this matter and ensure that appropriate compensation is given to farmers who lost their crops due to Gaja cyclone.

*DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: Maharashtra has faced flood

situation due to heavy rains. Hon. Governor of Maharashtra had announced the

relief assistance but that is insufficient. We should try to help the farmers

honestly. We give compensation at the time of natural calamities but we should

focus on some long term schemes also. Monetary help to farmers is for them

and for their families but not for farm labourers. I request the Government to

* Original in Marathi categorise the help. Availability of fodder for the cattle should also be ensured.

We must also work for their health and hygiene. Met Department should also

issue timely alerts to the farmers. I also demand to give reservation to the

children of farmers and farm labourers in higher education.

SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: The farmers of the country face many problems due to unseasonal rain, torrential rain, hailstorms and other calamities.

But the present Government has paid attention to many problems of the country alongwith problems of farmers in the last five years and has formulated a big scheme to waive off farmers loans. Now we should provide water to each farm of drought hit areas by interlinking of rivers in the country. The Government has covered many crops under Minimum Support Price and implemented the

Swaminathan Commission Report. I request to implement Pradhan Mantri Fasal

Bima Yojana effectively and also request that assessment of damage to crops should be made immediately and compensated accordingly.

SHRIMATI ANUPRIYA PATEL : Crop harvesting involves many risks but the number of farmers who insure their harvest are very few. One of the main reasons for this is that farmers are not aware of crop insurance and the facilities being provided by the Government. I would like to ask the hon. Minister to what extent the guidelines issued to the Insurance Companies are implemented and the progress made in increasing the coverage of non borrower farmers under Crop

Insurance Schemes. For assessing the crop loss, Ministry should insist state governments to adopt modern technology aids. Under the Crop Insurance Scheme, the claims should be settled within two months and an institutional mechanism should be set up for their monitoring. The food provider to the 130 crore Indians do not have the right to fix the rate of his crop. Therefore, I demand from the

Government to provide the status of industry to agriculture.

SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA : Several areas of Maharashtra have suffered a lot due to heavy rains. I will request the hon. Minister to send a special team for Maharashtra which can assess the loss all over Vidarbha, West

Maharashtra and Marathwada. There are some other issues of our farmers in

Maharashtra including load-shedding etc. I will request the Government to resolve the issue of load shedding in Maharashtra. Fencing of fields adjacent to forest area should be done so that wild animals should not be able to destroy the crops.

Today, condition of our farmers in Maharashtra is very bad. Farmers of our state should get the assistance of at least Rs.50 thousand crore both from state and

Centre. The loan of our farmers should be waived off. I will also request the

Government to direct the nationalized banks to provide all facilities on single window so that they can get loan easily and cultivate their land properly.

SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH: Crops of 13 states have been damaged.

Kerala, Gujarat, Karnatak, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and other states are included in it. I belong to Hadoti area. There has been excessive rain in my area. The state Government has not paid anything for the damaged crops. I demand from the Government to conduct a survey so that the farmers of our area also get the money. Kharif crop was destroyed and so is the case with rabi crop. Parvan Dam is located in our area for water of which people are craving. The earlier Government of Rajasthan had provided about Rs. 7,000 crore for this purpose. The work related to water linking is going on very slow. I request the Government to talk with the state government and complete the work at the earliest. Our Prime Minister has increased the MSP of bajra, corn, mung, urad and soyabean. Our Prime Minister launched Crop Insurance Scheme. Our

Government had announced Rs. 31,062 crore for this scheme in the year 2014-15.

Assistance should be provided also for the damaged crop. Hon'ble Prime Minister launched Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme. In my state Rajasthan only 27,000 people have benefited from it. In our area organic cultivation is carried out. In our Hadoti area ashwagandha and white musli is cultivated. All these things should be promoted so that our region progresses.

SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN: The farmers in the entire country are in great distress. They should be assured of a minimum basic price for all the agricultural produces. Dr. Swaminathan, father of Indian Green Revolution mentioned that the farmers should get a minimum of one-and-a-half times more of the cost of production. The farmers should be made eligible to get a minimum support price. India has entered into many international trade agreements of which more than 10 are Free Trade Agreements and six are Preferential Trade

Agreements. These agreements have adversely been affecting the farming community. This should be reviewed at the earliest. I request the Government to consider giving a minimum pension to the old age farmers. They should be given a minimum pension of Rs. 10,000/-.

SHRI N. K. PREMACHANDRAN: India’s backbone is agriculture. But due significance and importance is not given to the farming community in India even after 70 years of Independence. Agriculture production in the country is shrinking due to various reasons which has to be addressed on top most priority.

The question is whether by 2050, we will be able to meet the food needs of the population of India, which is increasing. Animal-man conflict is the main reason.

Definitely the animals should be protected and also, the farmers should be protected, for which a huge investment is required. In the areas of western ghat in my constituency, farmers are suffering because of the animals. The animal-man conflict can be prevented by using scientific methods now-a-days. Climate change or weather change is the main reason for loss of the crops. If that be the case, the position will be very devastating because we will not be able to meet the minimum requirements to feed the people of our country. We are importing onions from

Egypt. If this goes on like this, there will be a disastrous condition. My suggestion is that an innovative system based on indigenous and traditional knowledge that protects the natural resources’ base while increasing the productivity is needed. Subsequent to the Green Revolution, the fertility of the soil has gone down. So, we have to protect the environment and the ecological system also. If there is a crop loss due to flood, drought or any other natural calamity, the compensation, which is being provided is very meager. I urge upon the Government to kindly review the compensation and increase it according to the cost of production. The main problem the farmers are facing is that there is a big difference in the cost of production and the price of product. I fully support the suggestion that the farmers should be considered equal to the Government servants for all purposes.

SHRI NANDKUMAR SINGH CHAUHAN: The floods have caused unprecedented damage to the farmers. Due to the inefficiency of the state government the benefits of the schemes of Central Government have not reached my Lok Sabha Constituency. Under Kisan Samman Nidhi each farmer gets the benefit of Rs. 6000/-. Hon'ble Kamalnathji had promised to waive loans of farmers up to Rs. 2 lakh, so, the farmers did not repay their loans. The farmers did not took new loans in the hope of loan waiver, so the premium was not paid for Bima Fasal

Yojana, and they now stand deprived of the benefits of Fasal Bima Yojana. I request the Government to connect MANREGA with agriculture. It will provide relief to the farmers. Madhya Pradesh has been provided relief of Rs. One thousand crore and I request you to provide more relief. *SHRI ABU TAHER KHAN: Today, farmers are committing suicides because they are not getting remunerative price of their crops. The atmosphere in the country is not conducive for agriculture. Farmers are in a pathetic situation.

MGNREGA should be linked with agriculture for the betterment of farmers. Good quality seeds and agriculture equipments should be provided to farmers at subsidized rates. Supply of water and power should also be ensured to them.

Cyclone Aila and cyclone Bulbul have wrecked havoc in the State of Bengal. I request the Hon. Minister to extend helping hand to the Bengal farmers. Also there is lack of storage facility for onions. If storage facilities are opened, it can be highly beneficial for the farmers.

SHRI RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU: As of now, under the Fasal

Bima Yojana, the time given is only three days for the farmers to submit the proposal. At least ten days’ time should be given for that. In our State, our hon.

Chief Minister has started a scheme, Cultivator Credit Card as more than 50 per cent of farming in this country is being done by the cultivators. For the cultivators, unfortunately, there is no availability of credit. As 50 and 60 per cent land is with the cultivators, so the rights of cultivators should be protected. The hon. Prime

Minister is implementing the Fasal Bima Yojana. In our State, our Chief Minister is giving 50 per cent, in addition to the insurance that is given by the Government

* Original in Bengali of India. I would urge the Government of India to consider giving premium under the Fasal Bima Yojana.

SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH: Today the entire country is concerned about the well being of farmers. Ever since the hon'ble Modiji has implemented the

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and announced MSP of crops, unprecedented benefits have been received particularly in Haryana and my constituency during the last four years in comparison to the last 50 years. If the rates are increased under MSP, I believe that farming will again be converted into a profitable venture.

The whole of the produce of farmers covered under MSP should be procured so as to enable farmers to sell their whole produce. It is necessary that tomato and onion should be covered under MSP. Food Corporation of India (FCI) spend around Rs.

500/- for loading, unloading and maintenance of per quintal foodgrains. If the said amount is provided to farmer then he will make better storage of foodgrains and the money will be saved. It is requested to accord approval for setting up of one

Food Park in each district so as to enable farmers to ensure livelihood of their family through food processing of vegetables. I would like to say about Parali that the Government of India and state governments should provide reaper machine to farmer community so that crop residue may be utilized for livestock feed.

Direction should be issued to the effect to include small farmers under

MGNREGA. There is need to include milk products and milk under MSP.

Similarly farmers should be allowed to purchase sprinkler set or any other item used in drip irrigation from any company. There is need to promote organic farming. I urge upon the Government that farmers who undertake organic farming should be provided Rs. 20,000 per acre per year from the Union or State

Governments.

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: Flood is a calamity as natural as it is man- made. It causes irreparable losses to the farmers. Unseasonal hailstorms and flood have gripped the entire state of Maharashtra and farming in Konkan Nasik,

Aurangabad, Amravati, Nagpur and Pune regions is totally destroyed. Standing crops and horticulture are badly affected and a large number of cattle have been killed. Compensation has not been given in proportion to the damage caused in

Maharashtra. My demand is that at least 40 thousand crore rupees should be announced as grant-in-aid. For farming, in place of Rs. 8 thousand per hectare Rs.

20 thousand per hectare and for horticulture, in place of Rs. 18 thousand per hectare, Rs. 30 thousand per hectare should be paid immediately as compensation to the affected farmers. Tax on agricultural produces should be reduced, school fees of children should be waived, interest on farm loans should be waived completely, the term of farm loans should be extended till next crop season and harvesting and the bill of electricity pumps used for farming should also be waived. More employments should be made available for the farmers and affected families. SHRI RITESH PANDEY: The employment rate in rural areas of our country is the highest in agricultural sector. Approximately, 70% people are engaged in farming and agriculture, however, the purchase of food products has declined in the rural areas which is causing huge crisis for the farmers. Its main causes are climate change and some wrong policies of the Government. The crops of farmers get affected mostly by stray animals. Particularly the danger of stray animals has increased to such an extent in my district Ambedkar Nagar that they have destroyed each crop. Recently after the rains, the crop of paddy got affected by a fungus which turned the paddy seeds black and it is not getting sold in the market. This caused a great loss to the farmers. Climate change is particularly affecting the monsoon. Recently, in Maharashtra, the crops of cotton and Soyabean got destroyed which caused huge loss to the farmers. The Government should take cognizance of it and there is a need for providing huge funds for climate change issue. The glaciers in the Himalayas are melting. The whole world is getting affected by it. If we don’t take it seriously, it will bring about a great trouble for us.

Therefore, a comprehensive policy should be formulated on climate change. Issue of pension was raised for farmers here. The manner in which the animals have destroyed the crops, the Government should at least compensate for it by giving pension of more than ten thousand rupees to them. *SHRI RAMULU POTHUGANTI: The farmers are the back-bone of our country. It is the responsibility of the Government to take care of those farmers who are feeding the entire country. Due to untimely rains, droughts and floods, farmers are suffering huge losses and are committing suicides. There is a need to declare a 'National Policy' for agriculture in our country and save our farmers.

Prominent agricultural scientist, Dr. Swaminathan's Committee, made some recommendations for determining Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce. The Government should see that those recommendations are implemented in letter and spirit to provide better MSP to our farmers. Whenever, there is a natural calamity, the Central Government sends teams to assess the damage/loss in that region. Relief should be provided immediately in such circumstances without much delay. There is an urgent need to mechanise agriculture. MGNREGA should be linked with agriculture to help farmers in the long run. We should also encourage horticulture. I can proudly say that in our state

Telengana our Chief Minister Shri K Chandrashekhar Rao is emerging as a role model in implementing welfare schemes for farmers.

SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN: Today, under Rule 193, the House is discussing the loss of crops and its impact on farmers. India is an agriculture-based country. Sixty percent of India's populations live on agriculture-based activities. I also have a small suggestion to improve the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

* Original in Telugu The State Governments should run its own insurance companies instead of private companies which are currently in operation for crop insurance as the State has its own mechanism. This way the Government can compensate for the loss of farmers in true sense. Climate change is having a huge impact; Gujarat has suffered a lot due to this. After almost 40 years, the state has to suffer such huge loss. The

Government of Gujarat has tried to compensate for this loss by giving a package of about 4,000 crores to 56 lakh farmers of about 248 blocks and 33 districts in 18 thousand villages. The Government has constructed 100 dams out of 130 dams. It has constructed 3 major dams in Gujarat, 2 in Rajkot and 1 in Jamnagar. Whether it is the Government of Gujarat or any other State Governments, it should run its own insurance company, only then we can provide benefits to the farmer in the true sense.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE: While there was a bumper crop 3-4 months ago, the farmers were demanding that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry should take a decision as early as possible for granting them permission to export. If such permission had been granted to them at that moment of time, we would not have faced such an situation. There is a big organization of scientists in my Parliamentary Constituency. A number of posts of scientists are laying vacant in that organization. It will go down well, if these vacancies are filled up. The farmers are in distress. The Government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh waived off loan for them. Such sorts of steps, if taken by the Government will bring a huge relief to the farmers.

*DR. SUJAY VIKHE PATIL: I am thankful to our Hon'ble Prime

Minister Narendra Modi ji for implementing so many schemes for farmers like

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. PM crop insurance scheme has lots of lacunae. The insurance companies who have awarded the contracts of insurance should be more helpful and positive. The crops like onions, soyabean, maize, barely, millet, grapes etc have got completely devastated due to heavy rains.

The Government of Maharashtra helped them with some terms and conditions; but that was not sufficient. The issue of flood is also very important and very serious to. Our ex-Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee dreamt of interlinking_of rivers. This project should be implemented immediately.

ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE: The Ministry of Agriculture do not have any data on farmer’s suicide in the country. In the absence of data how will the

Government achieve the target of doubling the income of farmers by the year

2022? The issues of farmers differ from State to State. We have to adopt State- centric policies for resolving the issues of farmers. The economy of our area is based on agriculture. The notable cultivations are pepper, cardamom, rubber, tea etc. The drastic fall in prices of these commodities have affected their livelihood.

Kerala is a flood-affected State. More than 11,000 hectares of agricultural land

* Original in Marathi was washed away during the last floods. Thousands of households have been destroyed and seventy people have lost their lives due to flood and other natural calamities. Our crops and plants got infected with deadly diseases. This resulted in low production and consequently the income of farmers also went down and similarly they lost their repayment capacity. In my district, 10 farmers committed suicide and all over the State the number is 30. We have to adopt policies that help in income generation of farmers. As far as pepper farmers in my area are concerned, there has been a drastic fall in the price of pepper in 2019 as compared to the price in 2017. It is Rs. 290 per kilogram now. I am requesting a pepper cluster for Idukki District. The price of cardamom is a little bit high but due to low production, there is no benefit for the farmers. We have to address the issues of rubber farmers of Kerala also by increasing the MSP to at least Rs. 200 per kilogram.

*SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV: Unseasonal rain lashed Maharashtra in the

month of September-October. We lost our crops and cattle. As far as my

Buldhana district is district is concerned around 6 lakh farmers have got directly

affected. Farmers were expecting good returns this season as the rain was

satisfactory initially. They might be planning for higher education and

marriages of their children and even repaying their loans. This government has

taken many courageous decisions like repealing article 370 and Triple Talaq.

* Original in Marathi Around 243 farmers committee suicide in my Buldhana district. If we really

want to stop there suicides, State and Central Governments should extend

adequate help to these distressed and needy farmers. Farmers in Maharashtra

are expecting a total loan waiver and State Government act accordingly.

SHRI DEVAJI PATEL: We want the farmers to prosper. We can help farmers become prosperous only when agriculture is linked with MNREGA and money reach every household of the farmers. The hon. Prime Minister has launched a very good scheme called Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana . Under that scheme, 300 crore rupees have been allocated for my district and that money was credited into the accounts of the farmers for which I am thankful to him.

Farmers need to provide intimation within 72 hours regarding crop damage on helpline number which is not possible. I request that a 4 digit number should be issued. It should be made obligatory for the insurance company to stay there for 3 years and set up an office in each block so that the survey work of every field can be carried out wherein pictures of every 'Khasra' is taken by them, only then the farmers can become prosperous. My constituency is facing water crisis.

Sabarmati Basin Jawai Recharging Scheme should be implemented. If Narmada water is provided to Jalore district through Dantiwada and Sipu dam then people of Bhilwara and Raniwara can get water for irrigation purposes.

DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI: Every year, farmers lose around Rs. 63000 crore for not being able to sell their produce. The country is lagging behind in agri-logistics required to bring the produce from farm to markets.

To ensure that crop losses are minimized, sensitive handling; of demand and also adequate transportation support is required. As per the National Horticulture

Board, in the absence of robust and sustainable logistic mechanism, more than half of fruits and vegetables end up as waste even before they arrive in the market, especially tomatoes at Anantapur and Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh. The perishables must not be stored at production centres, but moved to places while still fresh and firm to withstand the rigours of transport. We cannot change the climate and its side effects on the crops as it is not in our hands. However, we can change whatever is possible, like increasing transportation from road to rail and by building more post harvest facilities.

*SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL: If somebody has really cared for farmers, it is our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. Sixty percent people are getting employment from agriculture. But, farmers are facing many problems like flood, drought, unseasonal rain, cyclones, etc. The unseasonal rainfall has caused a lot of damage to the farmers in the current year. I want to mention here that the Gujarat Government awarded compensation of Rs. 4,000/- to the farmers who sustained loss due to unseasonal rain. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima

Yojana is a very good scheme for farmers. The shortcomings in Pradhan Mantri

Fasal Bima Yojana should be rectified. Farmers are being given Rs.6,000/- as a

* Original in Gujarati part of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana. Minimum Support Price, Soil

Health Card, supporting farmers during drought and floods, compensating soil erosion and crop failure, etc. are very good steps have been taken by this government. I request that all these schemes should be clubbed to make them more effective.

SHRI SHRINIVAS DADASAHEB PATIL: Less sugarcane was produced due to floods in my Constituency Satara. Milk is being supplied upto Delhi from my Constituency. Milk production has also been reduced due to death of cattle.

Production of eggs has also been reduced due to less poultry. The production of pomegranate and the production of other vegetables has declined. If it is known by the Government that which type of crops are likely to be produced, what is the production cost and the amount likely to be earned by the farmers from export, then a policy in this regard should be formulated immediately. I will request all the States to think about farmers, then only farmers can be benefitted. I urge the

Government that the loan should be waived off or their installments should be reduced of the farmers who have suffered loss so that they can have a sigh of relief and there can be less burden of interest on them.

*SHRI BHAGWANT MANN: Punjab is an agrarian state. The farmers of

Punjab used to feed the entire country after Green Revolution. However, today , they are hungry and neck-deep in dept. The groundwater level in Punjab has gone

* Original in Punjabi down to the depth of 600 to 700 foot below the ground. Experts are of the opinion that in the coming 15-20 years, Punjab may turn into a desert. We are ready to alter the sowing of our crops. Our farmers are ready to sow maize, pearl millet, sunflower etc. Hence, these alternative crops should also have remunerative MSP.

Perishable vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes sometimes have a bumper growth. However, due to the glut, they have to be thrown on the roads as no one buys these vegetables. In Punjab and Maharashtra, this happens. If these vegetables could be exported, that will be very helpful for the farmers. Timely and proper compensation should be provided to the farmers ,when crops fail or are damaged due to natural calamities.

SHRI BHAGIRATH CHAUDHARY: If any community is suffering in the country, it is that of the farmers. Today, his financial condition is pitiable and we need to go deep into it. The cost input of farmer is increasing but not the price of his commodity. MGNREGA should be linked with agriculture. The Government should make payment under MGNREGA and link the farmers with it. Interlinking of rivers should be done in Rajasthan.

SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL: There are four rivers Beas, Ravi, Satluj and

Ghaghar in my area. Rainwater causes flood and crops in lakhs of acres get damaged. Therefore, I demand that dams should be built on these rivers. There is requirement of crop audit there. It has to be decided as to what quantity of any crop like paddy, wheat etc has to be grown there. The report of the audit should be conveyed to farmers. Punjab is a land-locked State. Here quality vegetables are grown. If there is any by air export facility the farmers of Punjab will be benefitted.

SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: I would like to thank Hon. Prime Minister Modi ji and the Minister of Agriculture Shri Narender Singh Tomar ji for providing an amount of Rs. one thousand crore as a relief measure to the Government of

Madhya Pradesh. If we do an honest appraisal then it is clear that no other Prime

Minister other than former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpaye ji had shown so much of concern about the farmers during the last 70 years. Then comes the name of our hon. Prime Minister of Modiji who has shown a great concern for the farmers. He ensured to provide Rs.6000 per annum to the farmers under Pradhan

Mantri Kisan Samaan Nidhi Yojana. He has also taken a step to provide a pension of rupees three thousand for the farmers above the age of 60 years, under the

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana. The Prime Minister have also started

Fasal Bima Yojana which is benefiting lacks of farmers. I would like to request hon. Minister as well as Hon. Prime Minister to link more benefits of MGNREGA to the farmers akin to the various welfares schemes launched for the farmers.

*SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: Farmers in

Maharashtra are distressed and facing hardships due to flood and unseasonal rain.

Kolahapur and Sangli districts were the worst affected districts and my

* Original in Marathi constituency Hatkanangle which falls in Sangli district was also badly affected.

The farmers in this area were completely helpless and waiting for the government's help. To counter water scarcity, river linking project should be implemented immediately. I would like to request the Government to declare a complete loan waiver package for the farmers at the national level.

SH. AJAY BHATT: The State of Uttrakhand is getting all the benefits of various measures taken by the Modi Government for the farmers. We have recently got an amount of rupees 1500 crore for undertaking organic farming in the State.

There is a need to formulate comprehensive agriculture policy which also takes care of measures to contain the crop losses caused by wild animals. Earlier we used to get rupees 84 crore under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana but this amount has been reduced to rupees 21 crore this year while the smaller State like Tripura has got rupees 54 crore and Uttrakhand has only got rupees 21 crore. I would certainly like to drawn the attention of Hon. Minister of Agricultural towards this issue, I sure he will certainly pay heed to it.

DR. AMAR SINGH: Climate change is one of the reasons for damaging crops. Secondly, in Punjab and in my Lok Sabha Constituency crops are damaging equally due to floods and by stray animals. We should save farmers and their crops from the damage done by stray animals. There is no policy formulated for safety of agriculture. Think about it. I would like to urge one more thing that eight thousand compensation has been fixed if 100% crop is damaged. If the crop loss is 50%, Rs. 4000 is given as compensation. This compensation amount should be increased at least from Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 thousand.

SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN: Kisan Credit Card and Kisan Samman Nidhi

Schemes have been introduced during the Government of Bhartiya Janta Party.

Under Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Central Government provides Rs. 6000 to farmers but this amount is not transferred to farmers of West Bengal by the West

Bengal Government. If Dwarkeshwar and Damodar rivers are interlinked, it would be beneficial for farmers. We should help farmers in the area of organic farming. I would like to submit that prices of crops should be increased. My

Constituency is dominated by farmers. The middlemen should be removed so that money reaches directly to the farmers. The farmers should have direct access to consumers. Elephants have become a problem in my area. The crops get damaged and nobody helps farmers in this area. Interlinking of rivers will help the farmers.

*SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL: First of all , I would like to congratulate hon. Prime Minister for depositing Rs. 6000 per year in farmers accounts. He has framed a policy to provide seeds, fertilizer, pesticides etc. to the farmers. Availability of water is necessary for the survival of farms and farmers.

Padalse project of my Jalgaon constituency should be brought under PMKSY to do justice to the farmers. Central NDRF team has visited our State of Maharashtra and

* Original in Marathi the farmers are expecting the desired help. Necessary help should be given to the farmers are early as possible.

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: Every time, a long discussion has been held in the Lok Sabha on the issue of farmers. Our eastern Uttar Pradesh, which used to be the largest producer of sugarcane area, particularly Deoria and Kushi

Nagar region, where earlier there were 13 sugar mills, all have closed down due to the short sighted decision of the previous Governments and our sugarcane farmers have ruined. Secondly, I would like to say that today the prices of onions are skyrocketing in the country. But when our farmers produce large quantity of potato, onion and tomato then they do not get buyers. Through you, I would like to tell the Government and to this House that when our farmers produce large quantity of potato, onion and tomato and if they do not get remunerative price for their produce then in that situation, the Government should make proper arrangement for the storage of their crops so that our farmers get remunerative price for their crops.

SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI: Delhi is the capital of India which comprises of 360 villages and their population is significantly agrarian. The farmers have been cheated after acquisition of their land. The people who came from outside

Delhi and settled here after acquiring land would have been either laborers or small farmers. The Government should think of their concern. If a scheme on the lines of

"Ayushman Bharat' could be implemented in Delhi, it would look after the concerns of the farmers' family. Electricity is not being provided to 20 per cent farmers residing in the interiors of Delhi. Their connections have been commercialized. Their tube wells have dried up. They are not permitted to re bore their tube wells. The hon. Minister is requested to repeal section 81. The lands of the rural population were acquired by the Governments and alternative plots used to allotted to them so that they could settle down in those urban areas and earn their livelihood. So, the Government should make arrangements for providing them alternative plots.

SHRI E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: Climate change is one of the most important factors for crop loss. Global warming, floods, droughts we make very earnest efforts for controlling and resolving these issues. Similarly, pest and disease control is an important issue. We have to give emphasis on pest control as well as disease control. Man-animal conflict also needs serious attention. We are not giving that much importance to the agricultural sector. Mechanisation increases production, efficiency, per man productivity and yield per unit . Innovation in the farm technology, make farming more attractive. The youngsters will be attracted to go to the fields and engage in farming. The shortage of labour and manpower.

Mechanisation will result in better use of land we have to promote mechanisation in the agricultural sector. I want to speak about the agricultural universities, there is tremendous contribution made by the agricultural universities. We have to revamp the curriculum of the agricultural universities and modernise them. In my constituency of Ponnani the first phase of the Thrissur-Ponnani project is over. We are trying for the completion of the second phase of the project. A proposal has been submitted to the Government in this regard.

The discussion was not concluded.

SNEHLATA SHRIVASTAVA Secretary General

© 2019 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debate of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

English and Hindi versions of Synopses of Lok Sabha Debates are also available at http://loksabha.nic.in.