Question : National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign- 2019

(a) whether the Government organized National Conferences of Agriculture for Rabi Campaign, 2019 with the officials of the State Governments/UT Administrations, research scientists and extension functionaries to formulate strategy for Rabi crops;

(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof;

(c) whether there is high demand for fertilizers in our country, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government to tackle crop failure at the crucial stage;

(d) the details of the area under cultivation of Rabi crops during the current season as compared to the last season, crop and State/UT-wise;

(e) whether the practice of unplanned growing of crops is still prevalent in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign, 2019 was organized on 20.09.2019 at National Agriculture Science Centre (NASC), Pusa Complex, ICAR, New Delhi to deliberate on the following topics: Kharif Review and Rabi Prospects; Quality Seeds for Farmers; Interest Subvention Scheme and Kisan Credit Card; Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) etc.


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The minutes of the said Conference have been circulated to all States/UTs and other Stakeholders for information, necessary action and compliance.

(c): This Ministry assesses the requirement of Fertilizer on a season to season basis. Before each season i.e. Rabi and Kharif, this Ministry organizes Zonal Conferences with States to assess the requirement of fertilizer while taking into account cropping pattern, cropped area, crop wise recommended dose of fertilizers, requirement of nutrients in soil as per soil health status & recommended doses, irrigated area, consumption pattern etc.

The total quantity of fertilizers (namely Urea, DAP, MOP, Complexes and SSP) assessed for Rabi 2018-19 and Rabi 2019-20 is as:

Season Quantity assessed (in Lakh Metric Tonnes)
Rabi 2018-19 299.56
Rabi 2019-20 326.78

The Government takes appropriate corrective measures for crop failures when required.

(d): The details of the area under cultivation of current Rabi season as on 15.11.2019 along with the last season, crop and State/UT-wise is given at Annexure. As per the records, the current year Rabi season commenced from 5th October, 2019 and will extended upto February, 2020. The data are very preliminary.




(e) & (f): Farmer’s decision on the choice of crops to be planted depends upon a number of factors and to help them in making proper choices, advisories are issued from time to time and Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) are announced before the sowing season.