MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)
(a) to (c): Madam, there has been no shortage in production of vegetables and
fruits during the current year as evident from table below:
Hort. Commodity Production (‘000MT) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 (Estimated)
Fruits 68466 72282 75770
Vegetables 129072 133545 141354
Source: National Horticulture Board, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation
Recent higher prices of onion were mainly due to lower and delayed arrivals
in markets caused by initial damage of Kharif crop attributable to untimely rains
during November and December, 2010 in some parts of major onion growing States.
However, total estimated production of vegetables and fruits in 2010-11, shows an
increase as compared to the production in 2009-10:-
Production in ‘000 MT
Crops 2009-10 2010-11 (Estimated)
Onion 12190.7 13147.1
Tomato 12424.9 12909.4
Peas 3011.0 3157.6
Cabbage 7245.5 7397.6
Beans 494.1 782.1
Carrots 305.4 308.9
Banana 27142.0 27862.0
Apple 1772.0 2402.0
Source: NHB, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation
(d): The retail selling prices of fruits and vegetables depend upon a large
number of factors primarily the demand – supply position, cost of transportation,
cost of cold storage, etc. The most effective measure for stabilizing prices of
horticulture products is to establish good Post Harvest Management infrastructure
in the country for which Department of Agriculture & Cooperation provides assistance
under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North-East
and Himalayan States (HMNEH). This includes establishment of cold storages, setting
up of terminal markets, whole sale markets and rural primary markets/apni mandies
to ensure adequate supply of fruits and vegetables to the consumers at reasonable
prices and also to provide remunerative returns to the farmers. National
Horticulture Board is also implementing a scheme “Capital Investment Subsidy
for Construction/Expansion/Modernization of Cold Storages for Horticulture Produceâ€.
In order to contain the prices of horticulture products especially onion,
government have taken a number of steps including raising the Minimum Export Price
(MEP) of onion from US $ 275 PMT to US $ 1200 PMT from September, 2010 to December,
2010. Further, from 22nd December, 2010, export of onion was banned and duty free
imports of onion were allowed to enhance domestic supply. To give relief to
consumers, Government started distribution of onion through NAFED and other
agencies in Delhi during January, 2011, at a subsidized rate. In the second
week of February, 2011, a decision has been taken by the Government to remove
ban on export varieties like Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram onion as these are
not domestically consumed, cannot be stored for long periods and moreover farmers
are adversely affected by the ban. Recently, the Government has taken a decision
to totally remove the ban on export of all varieties of onions in view of the
improved arrivals and falling prices of onions across the country and reduced
the MEP to US $ 600 per metric ton.
