Question : Production 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 sowing area of important Kharif crop viz. rice, jute and Mesta has been reduced compared to the previous year, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the estimated production of Kharif crops for the current year;

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide adequate incentives to the farmers for sowing Kharif grains in view of covid-19 pandemic and to procure their produce at higher price and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to boost the production of Kharif crops to meet the demands for foodgrains and other crops in the country?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): As per reports from the states, the kharif crops have been sown in an area of 1104.54 lakh hectare as on 11.09.2020 as compared to 1045.18 lakh hectare on corresponding date last year. The state wise and crop wise area sown is at Annexure-I and Annexure-II, respectively.

(b): The area coverage under rice and jute/mesta as on 11.09.2020 has increased in kharif 2020 as compared to last year as given below:
(Area in lakh ha)

Crop 2020-21 2019-20
Rice 402.25 373.87
Jute/Mesta 6.97 6.86

Contd…2/-
-2-
(c): No advance estimates for kharif 2020 production have been released.

(d) & (e): The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare is already providing incentives to the farmers for increasing production of kharif foodgrains under National Food Security Mission (NFSM). An allocation of Rs.1600 crore has been made for NFSM during 2020-21.

Under NFSM, the Annual Action Plan of the states have been approved for 2020-21 and an amount of Rs.643.01 crore has already been released to the states / agencies as on 11.09.2020.

Under NFSM, incentives are given to the farmers for critical inputs, farm machinery, water saving devices and transfer of technology through cluster demonstrations & trainings. The incentives are given for the interventions viz; cluster demonstrations, distribution of certified seeds/hybrids, improved & resource conservation farm implements/machines, water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, bio pesticides, cropping system based training to the farmers and soil ameliorants etc.

As a result of the favourable monsoon, farmers motivation and support of the State and Central Government, kharif field crops area coverage has been reported at 1104.54 lakh ha during 2020 as on 11.09.2020, which is an all time record.

The procurement of kharif crops is also undertaken under Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM- AASHA). Besides, to provide relief to the farmers during COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India has taken several steps including timely implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes of agriculture sector & other measures given as under:

• Launched new Central Sector Scheme of financing facilities under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs.1.00 lakh crore.
• 6th installment of Rs.17000 crore released to 8.5 crore farmers to their bank account under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 9th August, 2020.
• Scheme for formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Campaign for providing Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) to 2.5 crore farmers without KCCs.
• Laws for direct marketing and contract farming.
• Launch of kisan rail.