Question : CULTIVATION OF CASH CROPS

(a) whether there is a gap between actual and potential of production and productivity of various crops including plantation crops in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether there are reports of shifting of farmers from the cultivation of traditional crops including rice and wheat towards cash crops in various States in the country including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the likely impact of this shift on the production of rice and wheat in the country;

(d) whether the Government has received any demand/representation from various foodgrain producing States including Punjab for granting such States as special agricultural zone/area; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )

(a): Yes, Realization of potential of agro-production technologies including varieties depends on input management, environmental and edaphic factors, social and management practices. The front line demonstrations, a mechanism to showcase developed technologies as compared to farmers’ practices, revealed a gap of 17-44% in cereals (rice, wheat and millets); 22-23% in pulses (moong, urad, pigeon pea); 19-28% in oilseeds (groundnut, soybean, rapeseed mustard, sunflower and safflower) and about 12-15% in cotton. The difference between average yield and potential yield of coconut is 45%, arecanut is 60% and cocoa is 26%.

(b) & (c): There is no reduction in area coverage under traditional crops like rice and wheat in the country including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The area under rice and wheat in the States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and India is given below. (Area in million ha) State Rice Wheat Year Year 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14# 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14# Punjab 2.82 2.84 2.85 3.53 3.51 3.51 Haryana 1.23 1.22 1.23 2.52 2.50 2.50 Rajasthan 0.13 0.13 0.15 2.94 3.06 2.81 All India 44.01 42.75 43.95 29.86 30.00 31.19 (4th Advance Estimates)
(d) & (e): No such representation from any State has been received as per information available.