Question : Self-sufficiency in Oilseeds and Pulses

(a) the details of promotional programmes being run by the Government to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses sector;

(b) the progress made so far during the last two years under these programmes and the funds spent during the last two years, year-wise;

(c) whether it is a fact that the country is still lagging behind in the field of oilseeds and pulses due to which prices of edible oil and pulses are skyrocketing in the country and the common people are suffering due to it; and

(d) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard so that self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses could be achieved?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) to (d) The Government is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for enhancing production of oilseeds and pulses in the country. Under NFSM, assistance is given through State Governments to farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production and distribution of High Yielding Varieties/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, cropping system based trainings to the farmers etc. In addition, the mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) & State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists. Besides, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana RAFTAAR (RKVY-RAFTAAR) provides provision for crop production related activities on oilseeds and pulses. Under RKVYRAFTAAR, the states can also implement programme on oilseeds and pulses with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) constituted under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary of the state.

Under NFSM-Oilseeds and NFSM- Pulses, physical progress during the last two years is enclosed at Annexure-I and funds released are as under:

(Rs. in Crore)
Years Fund released under NFSM

Oilseeds Pulses
2019-20 213.70 864.95
2020-21 371.01 639.44

The prices of oilseeds and pulses are influenced by various factors viz; domestic production, stock available from past seasons, demand from consumers, agro-climatic conditions etc. The production of oilseeds and pulses increased from 31.52 million tonne and 22.08 million tonne during 2018-19 to 36.10 million tonne and 25.72 million tonne during 2020-21 respectively.

Department of Food and Public Distribution takesvarious measures from time to time to augment domestic availability andstabilize prices of essential food commodities. These steps, inter-alia, Includereleases from the buffer to cool down prices, imposition of stock limits, monitoring of stocks, as also requisitechanges in trade policy instruments.