(a) whether there has been substantial increase in the import of agricultural products
in the country during the last three years;
(b) if so, the details regarding the increase in the import of coconut oil, black pepper,
edible oils, tea-coffee etc., during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has prepared any scheme to increase the agricultural
production in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): The details regarding the imports of various agricultural commodities for the
last three years is annexed.
(c)&(d): The initiatives, programmes and schemes of Government to increse
agricultural production include Credit Policy to increase flow of institutional credit to
agriculture, reduction of rate of interest on crop loans up to Rs.3 lakhs to 7% per annum,
National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas. National Horticulture
Mission, Macro Management of Agriculture, Micro Irrigation, Integrated scheme of
Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize, Technology Mission on Horticulture for North-
Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakahand. Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms and
Development/Strengthening of Agriculturral Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and
Standardization.