Question : Agricultural Production

(a) whether agricultural production and productivity in the country is lagging behind the countries which are advanced in the agriculture sector, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) the latest corrective steps taken in this regard;

(c) whether agricultural production and avenues of employment in agriculture sector have decreased due to prevalence of droughts and floods in the country during the last three years and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government has anticipated better production of agricultural produce including wheat and oilseeds in the country during 2016-17 and if so, the estimated production of crops vis-a-vis their domestic consumption during the period, State/UT-wise, if not, the reasons therefor and the action plan to cope with the situation; and

(e) whether the Government has set up any expert body to conduct study to suggest ways and means to increase the production and productivity of foodgrains in the country and if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase agricultural production and create better avenues of employment in the agriculture sector?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): India has performed reasonably well in terms of agricultural production of major crops such as rice, wheat, pulses and sugarcane. In rice and wheat, India is second largest producer and in pulses, India is the largest producer in the world. However, the per hectare productivity of most of the agricultural crops cultivated in India is less as compared to some agriculturally advanced countries of the world.
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Major reasons for low productivity of agricultural crops in India are varied agro climatic conditions, pre-dominantly rainfed agriculture, inefficient use of irrigation resources, weather extremities, fragmented land holdings, complex diseases & pests scenario, low use of good quality seeds and low adoption of improved package of practices, etc. Further, in above countries, the agricultural crops are largely grown in high input management conditions with long growing period and without any stress of moisture, temperature, etc.

The details of production and productivity of major agricultural crops in India vis-à-vis other agriculturally advanced countries of the world are given in Annexure-I.

(b): In order to increase production and productivity of agricultural crops in the country, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments, several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Soil Health Card etc.

Under these Schemes/Programmes, funds are provided to States for implementation of State-specific agricultural strategies including incentives to farmers for use of quality seeds, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), farm mechanization, etc. The States are also provided support for creation of agricultural infrastructure for optimal use of water and other natural resources.

(c): State-wise details of production of major agricultural crops during the last three years i.e. 2012-13 to 2014-15 are given in Annexure-II.

It is observed that while production of most of the agricultural crops during 2013-14 was higher than their production during the previous years, there has been a decline in the production during 2014-15. The decline in production has been mainly on account of deficit/deficient rainfall in several parts of the country during monsoon season, affecting kharif production and unseasonal rains/hailstorms during February-March, 2015 which severely impacted production of rabi crops.

Though, quantitative assessment of impact of droughts and floods on the avenues of employment in the agriculture sector is not available, these events normally have an adverse impact on the avenues of employment in the agriculture sector.

(d): In an agricultural year (July to June), the 1st Advance Estimates of agricultural production (covering Kharif crops only) are generally available by the month of September. As per Sub-Group of the Working Group of Planning Commission for 12th Five Year Plan, the details of projected demand of major agricultural commodities for 2016-17 are as under:

Crop Projected Demand (Million Tonnes)
Rice 110.21
Wheat 89.06
Coarse Cereals 36.40
Pulses 21.68
Foodgrains 257.34
Oilseeds 59.43
Sugarcane 279.00

State-wise demand of major agricultural commodities for 2016-17 has not been projected.
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(e): In order to enhance production and productivity of various agricultural crops including foodgrains in the country, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is having research programmes in different crops in 24 commodity/theme based research institutes. These institutes undertake basic and strategic research programmes related to crop improvement, crop production and protection technologies in different crops. The technical information so developed is used by 31 crop related All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) to develop location specific varieties and technologies for different agro-ecological needs to enhance production and productivity. Improved varieties/hybrids of major crops such as rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, pulses etc. have been released to ensure supply of quality seed to farmers.

These varieties and hybrids are promoted through Front Line Demonstrations and other promotion programmes/ schemes through State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Besides, integrated nutrient, water and weed management strategies have been developed by Crop Institutes of ICAR to meet location-specific requirements to achieve higher productivity.