(a) whether there has been a constant decline in Agricultural production in the country during the last three years and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the major reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has formulated any plans to increase agricultural production and productivity and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government for the welfare of farmers in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a): Except in the years of erratic/deficient rainfall and unfavourable weather conditions, the production of agricultural crops in the country has been generally increasing.
The year 2013-14 was an excellent agricultural year with very good quantity and distribution of monsoon rainfall. Consequently, production of most of agricultural crops registered increase over their production levels during the previous years. However, the country suffered two consecutive droughts in many parts during 2014-15 and 2015-16. As a result of these droughts and unseasonal rains/hailstorms in February-March, 2015, the agricultural production declined.
The State/UT-wise details of production of major crops in the country during the last three years i.e. 2013-14 to 2015-16 are given in the Annexure.
(b): In order to increase production and productivity of agricultural crops in the country, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments, several Crop 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 Sinchai Yojana, Soil Health Card etc.
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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.
Further, to achieve higher agricultural productivity, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting basic and strategic research relating to crop improvement, production and protection technologies suitable to different situations including development of location-specific varieties/hybrids and technologies.
(c): The approach of the Government for improving farmers’ welfare rests on making farming viable by way of reducing cost of cultivation, increasing production and productivity and providing remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. To meet this objective, Government is implementing various schemes/ programmes viz., Soil Health Card, promotion of Neem Coated Urea, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Agriculture Market, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, etc.
Besides above, short term crop loan upto Rs.3.00 lakh is provided to farmers at an interest rate of 7% per annum with interest subvention of 3% for timely payment. In order to discourage distress sale by farmers and to encourage them to store their produce in warehouse against receipts, the benefit of interest subvention scheme has been extended to small and marginal farmers having Kisan Credit Card for a further period of six months post harvest on the same rate as available on crop loan.
Further to ensure remunerative price to farmers, the Government has also increased Minimum Support Price (MSPs) of different crops for 2016-17. In addition, to incentivize farmers for production of pulses and oilseeds, a bonus of Rs.425/- per quintal of Arhar, Moong and Urad, Rs.200/- per quintal for Sesamum and Gram, Rs.150/- per quintal of Masur and Rs.100/- per quintal for Groundnut, Soyabean, Sunflower, Nigerseed, Rapeseed/Mustard and Safflower has also been announced.