Question : Foodgrain Production

(a) whether the country is not self-reliant in several staple foodgrains and has to import more than one-third of such grains to meet the requirement in the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to make the country self-reliant in this regard;

(b) whether there is a huge gap between estimated and actual production of foodgrains and if so, the details thereof, crop-wise;

(c) whether the production of foodgrains in the rainfed area is lower to that of irrigated areas in the country and if so, the details thereof and the affirmative steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;

(d) the details of the foodgrains in which the country has become self-reliant and has surplus stocks to export them; and

(e) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the major problems being faced by the farmers and if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to address the said problems and achieve sustainable development/growth in agriculture sector?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA )

(a): No, Madam, the country is self-reliant in meeting the requirement of staple foodgrains viz. wheat and rice.

(b): In an agricultural year, the expected production of major agricultural crops including foodgrains is estimated/released through four advance estimates, respectively

Contd..2/-


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in the months of September, February, April and July. The Final Estimates of production are released after about 8 months after expiry of the agricultural year. The successive advance and final estimates of production of crops are firmed up on the basis of more reliable data on crop-wise area coverage and yield received from States/UTs. Normally, the variations in the successive advance and final estimates are insignificant; except in case of unseasonal rains, hailstorms, adverse temperature conditions etc.

(c): Production/productivity of most of the agricultural crops including foodgrains in rainfed areas are generally lower than that in the irrigated areas of the country. However, the details of production in irrigated and un-irrigated areas are not maintained separately. In order to bring more area under assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water and improve water use efficiency, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) is being implemented since 1st July, 2015.

(d): The country has become self-reliant in meeting the requirement of rice, wheat and coarse-cereals. However, the production of pulses in the country is lower than its requirement and shortfall is met through imports.

(e): Twelfth Plan Working Group on Disadvantaged Farmers including Women has identified (i) poor land access, (ii) poor credit access, (iii) poor access to critical inputs such as water, power, seeds and fertilizers/manure; (iv) neglect by extension services and crop research; (v) high production risk and little Insurance coverage; (vi) limited market access as the major constraints faced by disadvantaged farmers including women.

In order to address the above problems and to boost agricultural production in the country to achieve sustainable development/growth in agricultural sector, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology (NMAET), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) 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, 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, protection against crop loss etc.


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