Question : DEMAND OF FOODGRAINS



(a) the details regarding demand of foodgrains in the country, State-wise, particularly in Maharashtra and Punjab;and

(b) the details of assistance provided to farmers by the Government to increase production?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a): The demand of foodgrains in the country for 2007-08 is estimated at 214.03 million tonnes and the demand by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan, i.e., by 2011-12 is estimated at 234.26 million tonnes.State-wise details are not available.

(b): Government has launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) from Rabi 2007- 08 to increase the production of rice by 10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 2 million tonnes in the country by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan through area expansion, productivity enhancement, restoring soil fertility, creating employment opportunity and enhancing farm level economy to restore confidence of farmers of targeted districts with a total Plan outlay of Rs.4882.48 crore.

Government has also increased the Minimum Support Prices of rice, wheat and pulses for the agriculture year 2007-08 to provide remunerative prices to farmers and increase the production of these crops.