1. Direction and Administration:
It is a continuing scheme mainly consisting of staff at the district and state headquarters. There is a budget provision of Rs. 60.00 Lacs for the year, 2014-2015.
2. Quality Seed Multiplication and Distribution:
Department owns 25 Seed Farms where foundation seeds of Kharif and Rabi crops are produced. Annually about 3500 to 4000 quintals seed of cereals, pulses and vegetables are produced in these farms. Further about 90,000 quintals of certified seeds of various crops are distributed to the farmers in the state. Under this scheme, expenditure on seed farms, seed stores, seed testing and certification, subsidy on transportation of cereals, subsidy on cost of seeds is met. There is a budget provision of Rs. 387.00 Lacs for the year, 2014-2015.
3. Manure and Fertilizers:
(a) Distribution of Fertilizers:
With a view to provide fertilizers to the farmers at reasonable rates throughout the State, 100% subsidy on transportation of all kinds of fertilizers to retail sale points from Block Head Quarter HIMFED Godown is being given thereby bringing the uniform sale rates of fertilizer in the State. The State Govt. has also allowed subsidy on cost of Urea and Ammonium Sulphate @ Rs.200/- per MT, and on complex fertilizers NPK 12:32:16 and NPK 15:15:15 @ Rs.500/-per MT. These subsidies are provided under Plan and Non-Plan. Outlay proposed under this scheme is to meet expenditure of cost and transport on fertilizers besides staff cost. In order to ensure adequate supply of fertilizers, the Govt. has entrusted this responsibility to HIMFED/Cooperative Societies. The farmers are educated about balanced use of fertilizers as per soil testing nutrient basis. There is a budget provision of Rs. 571.00 lacs for the year, 2014-2015.
(b) Vermi Composting Units :
As per the Budget announcement of Hon'ble Chief Minister, all the farmers shall be covered under Vermi composting by the end of 11th Five year plan. Accordingly Department has provided 2 kg. Vermin culture to the farmers to set up vermin compost unit upto 2009-2010. The scheme have been modified in 2010-2011 and assistance of @ Rs. 3750/- per farmer is being provided (50% assistance for construction of Vermi pit size of 10'x6'x1.5' including 250/- rupees for cost of 2 kg. of Vermiculture) and ISI marked HDPE vermin bed. 409114 such vermin composting units have already been set-up upto 2011-2012. As per modified scheme, assistance of Rs. 4000/- is being provided under RKVY to setup ISI marked HDPE portable Vermi bed for production of vermin compost. About 26000 units will be setup during 2013-2014. It is proposed to set up 28000 such units during 2014-2015. In order to cover all the farming families, the scheme is required to be continued during XIIth Five Year Plan (2012-2017). State Govt. has also approved the organic policy for the state so the major stress shall be laid on the promotion of Organic Farming during the 12th Plan period.
(c) Soil Testing Centres:
Department has 11 Soil Testing Laboratories besides 4 mobile soil testing labs to provide free soil testing facilities to the farmers. About 100,000 samples are analyzed annually. Besides this Soil Health Cards are being provided to the farmers. About one lac farmers are being covered every year. Outlay proposed is to meet expenditure on these labs and salaries and wages of staff appointed under this scheme. In order to strengthen the Soil Testing Services in view of Hon'ble Chief Minister Budget Announcement, all the Soil Testing Laboratories shall have to be strengthened. The Inspection of all the Soil Testing Labs has been got done from the Expert Committee of the University and they have recommended strengthening of these Labs. Funds have been arranged under National Project on Soil Health Management and other CSS scheme. However, in that project there is a state share also which has to be met by the State Govt. out of its plan resources for the year 2013-2014 and as such an expenditure of Rs. 74 lacs has been anticipated. In order to provide Soil Health Cards to all farming families, the Soil Testing programme is to be continued in 12th Plan period. Every year, target of 1.25 lakh Soil Sampling Analysis and issuing of Soil Health Cards has been fixed keeping in view the capacity of Soil Testing Lab in the State. During XIIth Five Year Plan period (2012-2017) and Annual Plan 2014-2015, an outlay of Rs. 219.00 lacs and Rs. 78.00 lacs has been proposed to strengthening of Soil Testing services in the State.
4. Plant Protection:
The Department exercise vigil on pest situation. To overcome this, about 650MT of pesticides through 991 sale centers are supplied to the farmers. Besides this, Pesticide Testing Laboratory at Shimla has been set up with a capacity of 150 to 250 samples per year. One Bio Control Laboratory has been set up at Palampur and Mandi where conservation pest situation augmentation, rearing and multiplication of bio-agents and training to extension staff and farmers are being done. This is a continued scheme and the provision is made for meeting the expenditure on cost subsidies of plant protection material. The plant protection material including equipments are supplied to the SCs/STs/IRDP families and farmers of the backward areas at 50% cost. The outlay proposed is to meet expenditure on subsidies and staff. There is a budget provision of Rs. 22.98 lacs for the year, 2014-2015.
5. Commercial Crops:
Under diversification approach, major emphasis is being laid on the production of Off-season vegetables, quality vegetable seeds, Potato and Ginger besides Soyabean, Oilseeds and Pulses.
(a) Development of Seed Potato:
The Department owns 14 Potato Development Stations where foundation seed potato is produced. Due to "Seed Plot Technique" in the plains, the Potatoes of plains is causing tough competition in marketing of seed Potato from H.P. Therefore, a policy has been devised to diversify the area under Potato towards cash crops, market maximum potato as table produce only that much seed potato which can easily be marketed outside the State.
(b) Development of Vegetables including Farms:
Himachal Pradesh gained reputation for the cultivation of off-season vegetables and production of quality vegetable seeds. There is a great demand of off-season vegetables in the plains. The ongoing programme i.e. cultivation of off-season vegetables and production of vegetable seeds is proposed to be strengthened and organized on an extensive scale during 12th Plan period for providing higher income and employment. The suitable areas in the State for the purpose of vegetable cultivation would be intensively surveyed and identified and the farmers in the newly identified areas would be encouraged to take up these programme, demonstration on vegetables cultivation and subsidy on agricultural inputs will be provided to the small and marginal farmers especially to the Scheduled Caste farmers in these areas so that the farm income of these rural poor can be improved and country can be supplied with the vegetable in off-season. The cropping pattern shifts from cereals to vegetables would be specially monitored in all such areas as are being brought under the culturable command area of the new irrigation schemes. For this purpose, an outlay of Rs. 4.03 crore and 60.00 lacs has been proposed for XIIth Five Year Plan period (2012-2013) and Annual Plan 2014-2015 respectively so that the income of the farmers of the state may be increased.
(c) Ginger Development:
For production of disease free ginger, the Department is providing training, demonstrations and quality seed. About 35,000 tonnes of green ginger is produced annually which is marketed within the State and at the neighboring States. For the development of Ginger an outlay of Rs. 0.40 crore and Rs. 14.98 lacs has been proposed during XIIth Plan period and Annual Plan 2014-2015 respectively.
(d) Tea Development:
Total area under Tea is 2300 hectares with a production level of 15 lac Kgs. Small & marginal tea planters are provided agriculture inputs on 50% subsidy. In the last few years, there is slump in the market and tea industry has been affected badly. Three of the four factories are out of production. The outlay proposed under above (a) to (d) is towards meeting subsidies on cost of inputs, training, demonstrations and maintenance of nurseries. There is a budget provision of Rs. 15.00 lacs for the year, 2014-2015.
6. Extension and Farmers Training:
Main function of the Department is to disseminate the technology to farmers. The Department runs two training centres, one at Mashobra and other at Sunder Nagar. Besides this farmers training camps are organized at village, block and district level. The outlay proposed is for meeting, expenditure on training and demonstrations. An expenditure of Rs. 4.05 crore has been anticipated during 2013-2014. In view of it an outlay of Rs. 56.96 crores and Rs. 420.04 lacs has been purposed for the XIIth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) and Annual Plan 2014-2015 respectively so that the extension activities in the interest/welfare of farmers may be continued.
7. Agricultural Economics and Statistics:
Under this programme, three centrally sponsored schemes viz (i) Timely Reporting Scheme(TRS) for estimation of area and production of crops (ii) Improvement of Crop Statistics (ICS) for bringing quality in the land record data at grass root level and (iii) Estimation of Production of Commercial crops like Potato and Ginger. The estimation is done accordingly to statistical techniques. Production estimates on principal crops like Wheat, Barley of Rabi season and Maize, Paddy, Potato and Ginger crops of Kharif are released on the basis of results of crop cutting experiments conducted accordingly Random Sampling Method. The Director of Land Records is the agency in the State responsible for collection and release of area estimates, forecast report etc. These are continued scheme for meeting salaries of the staff under Timely Reporting Scheme and the Scheme of Improvement of Crop Statistics. These schemes converted into 100% Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) from the Financial Year 2008-2009 onwards.
8. Agricultural Engineering:
Under this scheme, new farm implements/machines are popularized among the farmers. Testing and demonstration of new machines is also done under this program.
9. Scheme of Assisting Small and Marginal Farmers for increasing Agriculture Production:
Under this scheme minikits of seeds are to be distributed to the farmers of Tribal Areas of free of cost. The outlay proposed is for meeting this cost.
10. Quality Control:
Under this scheme, implementation of various acts on seeds, fertilizer and pesticides is ensured. Quality control functionaries have been notified. The Department has two fertilizer labs, one state pesticides testing lab and two seed testing labs.
11. Agricultural Marketing:
This is controlled in the State through H.P. Agricultural and Horticultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2005. Under this Act, H.P. Marketing Board has been set-up. At present, 10 market committees are functioning. 48 markets have been made functional. Market information is being disseminated through different media i.e. AIR Doordarshan Print Media and through Net to farmers. Market fee has been reduced from 2% to 1%. The work of development of marketing infrastructure is done out of the funds of APMC's. Information on daily market rates is also disseminated through AIR/DD. Market rates of 39 nodes are also disseminated through agmarknet.nic.in.
12. Provision for JICA Project:
Crop Diversification Project being supported by JICA through ODA loan. The loan Agreement has been signed on 17th February, 2011 at DEA, MOF, New Delhi between Govt. of Japan and Govt. of India for Rs. 321.00 Crores and project has been started in 2011-2012. During 2012-2013 an expenditure of Rs. 7.59 crore has been incurred. The flow of funds from ODA shall be on the basis of reimbursement; therefore, earmarked, token provision for this project in the Annual Plan Budget has been made under 2401 Crop Husbandry. For XIIth Five Year Plan period (2012-2017) and Annual Plan 2014-2015 outlay of Rs. 195.45 crore and Rs. 5500.00 lacs has been proposed for execution of this project respectively.
13. Soil and Water Conservation:
Due to topographical factors the soil is subject to splash, sheet and Gully erosion resulting into degradation of the soil. Besides this, there is biotic pressure on the lands to the curb this menace particularly on the agricultural lands. The Department of Agriculture, H.P. is executing two Soil and Water Conservation schemes under State Sector Scheme. The schemes are: (i) Soil Conservation Works. (ii) Water Conservation and Development. (iii) Integrated Watershed Management. (iv) RIDF (Poly Houses and Micro Irrigation Projects). (v) Macro Management of Agriculture. For the execution of these programmes, an outlay of Rs. 352.94 crore and Rs. 2970 lacs including BASP has been proposed for the period of XIIth Plan and Annual Plan 2014-2015 respectively under Soil and Water Conservation Works/Schemes.
14. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (R.I.D.F.):
The Department of Agriculture is participating in RIDF for creation of irrigation potential through minor irrigation/WHS. The Department got funds under RIDF-V during 1999-2000 where NABARD sanctioned 157 FIS amounting to Rs. 14.85 crores which has created irrigation potential of 3560 hect. These schemes are being executed through Water Users Associations who will also maintain them after their completion. Under RIDF-VI, 140 flow irrigation schemes where posed to NABARD which have been sanctioned for Rs. 11.37 crores covering an area of 3031 hect. In order to achieve faster and more inclusive growth in agriculture sector in the 11th Five Year Plan and to fulfill the Budget Assurances/ promises made in Election Manifesto, the Department of Agriculture has prepared a project on Production of Cash crops by Adoption of Precision Farming Practices through Poly House Cultivation. The objectives of the project are higher productivity and income per unit area, judicious use of natural resources like land and water, year round availability of vegetables, assured production of quality produce and increased efficiency of monitory inputs. The project components include construction of poly houses providing micro irrigation in the poly houses through sprinkler and drip. For both these programmes, the farmers were provided 80% subsidy and 20% would be beneficiaries' contribution. Besides this, the farmers also provided 50% assistance for creation of water sources for these poly houses like farm tanks, shallow wells, pumping sets, small lifts etc. In all, 28820 poly houses /micro irrigation systems shall be constructed during the project period covering an area of 147 Hects. Besides this, 2650 Nos. water sources like tanks, shallow well; pumping sets constructed on the basis of actual need. During 2011-2012, an expenditure of Rs. 48.97 crores have been incurred under RIDF for implementing on-going and new schemes, Adoption of precision farming practices (Poly Houses & Micro-Irrigation). An outlay of Rs. 281.61 crores and Rs. 2000 lacs for Phase-I & II has been proposed under XIIth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) and Annual Plan 2014-2015 respectively for execution of this project.
15. Special Project on Diversification of Agriculture through Micro-Irrigation and other related Infra-Structure in Himachal Pradesh:
Although water is a renewable resource, it's availability in appropriate quality and quantity is under severe stress due to increasing demand from various sectors. Agriculture is the largest user of water, which consumes more than 80% of the country's exploitable water resources. The overall development of agriculture sector and the intended growth rate of GDP is largely dependent on the judicious use of the available water resources, while the irrigation projects (major and medium) have contributed to the development of water resources, the conventional methods of water conveyance and irrigation, being highly inefficient, has led not only to wastage of water but also to several ecological problems like water logging, Stalinization and soil degradation making productive agricultural lands unproductive. It has been recognized that use of modern irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler irrigation is the only alternative for efficient use of surface as well as ground water resources. Hence, this project on Diversification of Agriculture through Micro-Irrigation and other related Infrastructure aims at increasing the area under efficient methods of irrigation viz drip and sprinkler Irrigation. The NABARD has sanctioned this project under RIDF-XIV amounting to Rs. 198.09 crores which shall be implemented in 4 years starting from 2008-2009. In all, 17312 sprinkler/ drip irrigation systems shall be installed during the project period. Besides this, 16020 Nos. of water sources like tanks, shallow wells, shallow tube wells, deep tube wells, small and medium lifts and pumping sets shall also be constructed on the basis of actual need. For installation of Sprinkler and dip system farmer is being provided with 80% subsidy and for creation of water resources 50% subsidy.
16. Agriculture Research and Education:
Under this, GIA is given to Agriculture University for Teaching, Research & Extension. Emphasis is being laid on location specific research for adoption of the same by the farming community of the State. The Govt. has reviewed its earlier decision and decided that the expenditure on account of GIA to CSKHPKVV, Palampur may be incurred under Plan as well as Non-Plan where the Budget has been kept for this purpose. For 12th Five Year Plan period and Annual Plan 2014-2015, an outlay of Rs. 324.71 crore and 6017.00 lacs have been purposed respectively under this GIA to Agriculture University for Teaching, Research & Extension activities. Plan of work during XIIth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) is at G.N. -II..