(a) whether the Government has recently convened a meeting with the
Chief Ministers of all States to discuss the strategies on achieving higher
agriculture growth;
(b) if so, the details of the issues discussed and the outcome
thereof; and
(c) the follow-up action taken/being taken by the Government to bolster
food production and tackle the shortage of essential commodities?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)
(a) & (b): Working Group on Agricultural Production was constituted by the
“Core Group of Central Ministers and State Chief Ministers on Prices of Essential
Commodities` in their meeting held on April 4th, 2010 under the Chairmanship of the
Prime Minister. This Working Group, comprising Chief Ministers of Haryana
(Chairperson) Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar met on 7th June & 30th August 2010.
The Working Group deliberated on and recommended measures for increasing agricultural
production and productivity, including on long term policies required for sustained
agricultural growth.
A summary of major recommendations of Working Group on Agriculture
Production are enclosed at Annex- A.
(c): Government has taken up several programmes for increasing food production
and initiated action on new initiatives on Extending Green Revolution to Eastern India,
60,000 Pulses Villages in Rainfed Areas, Vegetable Clusters Programme, Promotion of
Nutrients Millets and bringing rate of interest effectively to 4% for short term crop
loans announced in the budget.