Question : Cultivation of Rabi Crops

(a) the details of the total estimated acreage under cultivation of Rabi Crops during the current season as compared to that of the last season, crop and State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has estimated the production of Rabi crops for the current season and if so, the details thereof, crop and State-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide adequate incentives/assistances to the farmers for sowing Rabi and Kharif grains and to procure their produce at reasonable price and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to enhance the production and acreage of crops in the country; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to discourage the import of agricultural produce in the country?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): It is early to assess the acreage and production of rabi crops for current rabi season as sowing is still in progress in some parts of the country. As per the release calendar of advance estimates of crop production, the production and acreage of Rabi crops are normally released in mid February.












(c) to (e): To ensure remunerative price to farmers, the Government had increased Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other Commercial crops with a return of atleast 50 percent over all India weighted average cost of production for the season 2018-19. Government has recently increased the MSPs for all mandated Kharif and Rabi crops for 2019-20 season in line with the principle of providing atleast 50 percent return over all India weighted average cost of production. Details of MSP, Cost and return over cost for year 2018-19 and 2019-20 are given at Annexure.

Further, in order to increase production and acreage of agricultural crops in the country, 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 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, improve soil health under 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.

Government keeps close watch on import of agriculture produce in the country and take necessary steps from time to time so as to restrict cheap import of agriculture produce and protect vulnerable farmers of the country by imposing Minimum Import Price, increasing import duties, imposing Quantitative restrictions on imports and restricting their import through licensing as and when required.