Question : Cultivation of Kharif Crops

(a) the details of the total estimated acreage under cultivation of Kharif Crops during the current season as compared to that of the last season, crop and State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has estimated the production of Kharif crops for the current season and if so, the details thereof, crop and State-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide adequate incentives/assistances to the farmers for sowing Rabi and Kharif grains and to procure their produce at reasonable price and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to enhance the production and acreage of Rabi Crops also in the country; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to discourage the import of agricultural produce in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): As per the preliminary reports received from State Governments, Crop-wise and State-wise details of area coverage under kharif crops during current year (As on 14.07.2017) as compared to the corresponding period of last year are given in the Annexure- I.

(b): No, Madam. The first official estimates of production of kharif crops are normally released in the month of September.

(c) to (e): To ensure remunerative prices to farmers, the Government has increased Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of kharif and rabi crops for 2016-17 and of kharif crops for 2017-18. In addition, Government has also announced bonus to incentivize farmers for production of pulses and oilseeds. The MSPs fixed by the Government for 2016-17 and 2017-18 are given in the Annexure – II.
Contd…2/-

-2-
In order to increase production and acreage of rabi and kharif crops in the country, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments several Crops Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Soil Health Card 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.

To discourage the import of agricultural produce and to safe- guard the interests of the farmers appropriate duty on import of various agricultural items are imposed from time to time.