12 Bihar districts identified as drought-vulnerable, CDP gets ₹112.46 crore

The government responded with details on identified drought-vulnerable districts, ongoing schemes, and procurement mechanisms.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Raja Ram Singh; Answered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan).

What the government said

• 12 districts in Bihar identified by ICAR-CRIDA as drought-vulnerable (including Patna, Nalanda, and Sheohar).
• Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) is implemented in Bihar to diversify tobacco-growing areas.
• Central assistance of Rs. 112.46 crore provided under MIDH, Rs. 180.114 crore under NFNSM, Rs. 18.59 crore under NMEO-Oilseeds, and Rs. 16.25 crore under the National Mission for Atmanirbharata in Pulses over the last five years.
• Procurement is handled by FCI in coordination with State Governments based on state-submitted plans.
• 227.97 LMT of pulses and oilseeds procured at MSP under the Price Support Scheme since 2020-21.

Also in the document

• The government stated that district-wise data and the number of beneficiaries for the mentioned agricultural programmes are not maintained centrally.
• The answer does not provide specific details on the 'special assistance' proposed for crop diversification in drought-prone districts, but lists general schemes implemented in the state.