MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)
(a) & (b): The foodgrains production in the country has increased from 193.12
million tonnes in 1997-98 to 217.28 million tonnes in 2006-07 with an average
annual growth rate of 1.88%. The reasons for slow growth in foodgrains production
during the above period include deterioration in terms of trade for agriculture,
deceleration in growth in fertilizer use, poor power supply to agriculture and
also dietary diversification away from cereals.
(c) & (d): As per assessment made by the National Centre for Agricultural
Economics & Policy Research (NCAP) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), the total demand for foodgrains by 2020-21 has been projected at 280.6
million tonnes. Taking into account the current year`s estimated production of
250.42 million tonnes of foodgrains (2nd advance estimates), the average annual
increase of 1.34% would be required to achieve the production level of 280.6
million tonnes of foodgrains during 2020-21.
(e): In order to increase foodgrains production in the country, a number of Crop
Development Schemes and Programmes, namely: National Food Security Mission (NFSM),
Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Integrated
Cereals Development Programme for Rice/Wheat/Coarse Cereals under Macro Management
of Agriculture and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) are being implemented by
the Ministry of Agriculture through State Governments. In addition to above
schemes, during 2010-11, two new programmes viz. Bringing Green Revolution to
Eastern India and Integrated Development of 60,000 Pulses and Oilseeds Villages
in Rainfed Areas have been initiated under RKVY. National Food Security Mission
has been strengthened from 1.4.2010 with the merger of pulses component of ISOPOM
and inclusion of two new potential States namely; Assam and Jharkhand for pulses
production. A new programme `Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P)` in the
form of block demonstrations has also been started to cover 1000 units of 1000
hectares each of five pulses crops in 16 pulses growing States of the country.
To achieve higher agricultural productivity, the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) is also conducting basic and strategic research related to crop
improvement, production and protection technologies in these crops towards
profitable cropping systems suitable to different situations including development
of location specific varieties and technologies as per the agro-ecological zones,
development of varieties/hybrids, related production and protection technologies
suitable for non-traditional areas and seasons. As a result of these initiatives,
improved varieties/hybrids of crops have been developed with good adaptability to
different agro-ecological zones with specific traits. Promotion and adoption of
technologies are ensured through Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs).
