Question : Production of Oilseeds and Pulses

(a) whether there has been a significant increase in the cultivation and production of pulses and oilseeds during the current year as compared to those of the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State, crop and year-wise and along with their average production during the said period;

(c) whether the Government has developed and released a super variety of arhar in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the extent to which this variety will help in increasing pulses output and bridge the gap between demand and supply of pulses in
the country;

(e) whether the Government has formulated several schemes/action plan including introduction of better policy and technology to enhance the production of pulses and oilseeds and reduce their dependence on imports in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof along with the funds sanctioned, released and utilized for the purpose during the last three years and the current year, State-wise and the achievements made thereunder?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) & (b): As a result of significant increase in the area coverage and productivity of pulses, the total production of Kharif pulses, as per the first Advance Estimates for 2016-17, is estimated at a record level of 8.70 million tonnes which is higher by 3.16 million tonnes than the last year’s production of Kharif pulses and also higher by 2.95 million tonnes than the last three years’ average production. Total production of kharif oilseeds, as per the first Advance Estimates for 2016-17, is estimated at 23.36 million tonnes which is significantly higher than the production of kharif oilseeds of 16.59 million tonnes during 2015-16 and also higher by 3.90 million tonnes than the average production of last three years.
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The State-wise details of the area and production of pulses and oilseeds during the last three years and current year i.e. 2013-14 to 2016-17 are given in the Annexures I and II respectively.

(c) & (d): The research programmes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have resulted in the release of 79 varieties / hybrids of different oilseeds and 67 varieties of different pulses including arhar (tur) that have fair degree of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses during the last five years (2012-2016). The improved varieties and production technologies are demonstrated at the farmers’ fields by the ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through Frontline Demonstrations (FLD) Programme to create awareness among the farmers.

In addition, ICAR and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare are jointly working on two-pronged approach of productivity enhancement and increasing production through area expansion for attaining self-sufficiency in pulses since rabi 2015-16.

(e) & (f): In order to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds, Government of India has been implementing various Crop Development Schemes / Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses, National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Soil Health Card, etc.

Under the above schemes, assistance is provided for purchase of breeder seed, production and distribution of certified seed, planting material, establishment of seed gardens of oil palm, distribution of production inputs, transfer of technology through block demonstrations, integrated pest management, supply of plant protection equipments / chemicals, farmers training etc.

Further, the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of pulses and oilseeds have also been increased over the years to encourage farmers to grow more pulses by ensuring remunerative prices.

State-wise details of allocation, release and expenditure under NFSM-Pulses and National Mission of Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) during 2013-14 to 2016-17 are at Annexures III and IV.