Question : Production of Wheat and Rice

(a) the details of production and acreage of wheat and rice in the country during the last three years and the current year, Statewise;

(b) whether the production and acreage of these crops have come down in the country during the said period and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the steps taken to check the shortfall;

(c) whether the Government has launched any scheme to boost the production of wheat and rice for bridging the gap between their demand and supply in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Central Government to increase MSP (Minimum Support Price) for wheat and rice?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Depending upon weather, rainfall conditions, shift in area to other profitable crops etc., the production and acreage of wheat and rice in the country have been fluctuating. The details of area coverage and production of rice and wheat in the country during the last three years and the current year i.e. 2013-14 to 2016-17 are given in the Annexure.

The first assessment of area and production of Rabi crops is available with the Second Advance Estimates, normally released around mid-February every year. As such, it is too early to arrive at an assessment of production of rabi rice and wheat in the country during 2016-17.

(c): In order to increase production of rice and wheat 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
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Yojana(RKVY), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), etc.

(d): To ensure remunerative prices to farmers of the country, the Government has increased Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of wheat and rice for the agricultural year 2016-17 as per the details given below:

Crops Minimum Support Price Increase
(Rs. in quintal)
2015-16 2016-17
Wheat 1525 1625 100
Rice (Common) 1410 1470 60
Rice (Grade A) 1450 1510 60