(a) the quantum and value to edible and oilseeds imported during the last year and the
current year;
(b) whether the farmers have produced a bumper crop of rapeseed during the current year;
(c) if so, whether the Government agencies are procuring only a small portion of this
produce;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether a low import price for oilseeds is expected during the ensuing season; and
(f) if so, the steps being taken to protect the interest of the farmers of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): As per the data of the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics
(DGCI&S), the total quantity of edible oils and oilseeds imported during 2005-06 was
42.88 lakh Metric Tonnes (MTs) and 0.36 lakh MTs respectively. The corresponding value
of imports was Rs.8960.99 crores and Rs.54.60 crores respectively. During 2006-07
(April-September) the total quantity of edible oils imported was Rs.21.58 Lakh MTs
corresponding to a value of Rs. 4798.5 crores. For the period April 2006 to June 2006
the total quantity of oilseeds imported was 0.065 Lakh MTs corresponding to a value
of Rs.10.15 crores.
(b): As per the Second advance estimate of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation,
the production of rapeseed and mustard has been assessed at 75.68 lakh tonnes which
is less than the final estimate of production for the year 2005-06.
(c) to (f): Procurement of rape/mustard seed by the Government agencies is arranged
under the price support scheme at the minimum support price declared by the Government
for fair average quality stocks as and when the prices in the open market rule below
the minimum support price. The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation
of India limited (NAFED), a Central Nodal Agency had procured 22.05 lakh tonnes of
rapeseed/mustard during Rabi 2006 under the Scheme.
It is difficult to make any assessment about the import price of oilseeds expected
during the ensuing season. Government is, however, committed to protect the interest of
the farmers of the country through a series of initiatives and interventions like
declaration of Minimum Support Price for improving production and productivity of oilseeds.