Question : Production of Paddy

(a) the names of traditional and aromatic varieties of paddy, which are expensive to cultivate being produced in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has developed several varieties or good quality paddy which are high yielding, cost effective and require less water for cultivation and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the country is self reliant in paddy production;

(d) whether the Government has set up any Task Force to harness the potential of paddy production in the eastern parts of the country and if so, the details thereof along with the works undertaken/done by the Task Force and the outcome thereof, variety and State-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the production of paddy in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) The traditional and aromatic rice varieties (Annexure-I) are mostly low yielding, long duration, take more time to mature, susceptible to diseases, insect-pests and lodging. Hence, the cultivation of these varieties is less remunerative.



(b) The National Agricultural Research System, comprising Indian Council of Agricultural Research and State Agricultural Universities, has developed several improved high yielding paddy varieties which require less water namely, Pusa Basmati 1509, Birsa Vikas Dhan 111, Birsa Vikas Dhan 203, Indira Aerobic-1, CR Dhan 205, CR Dhan 206, DRR Dhan 41, DRR Dhan 42, etc.

(c) A record production of 106.65 million tones of rice was achieved during 2013-14. The country is able to produce 100 plus million tones of rice for continuously two years during 2014-15 and 2015-16 even under adverse drought conditions. India exports surplus rice and is the largest exporter in the world.

(d) A Task Force was constituted by Government of India in pursuance of the decision taken in the meeting of the Committee of Secretaries held on 29th November, 2009 to make short and medium term recommendations for efficient management of water, power and other inputs as well as subsidy to maximize agricultural production on sustainable basis. Accordingly, Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) programme was initiated in 2010-11 to address the constraints limiting the productivity of rice based cropping system in Eastern India comprising seven (7) states namely, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The interventions covered under BGREI are demonstrations of good agronomic practices, seed distribution, seed production incentive for newer varieties/hybrids, integrated nutrient management & pest management, asset building activities, site specific activities, post harvest & marketing support and cropping system based trainings for farmers.

The production and productivity of rice in these states increased significantly after implementation of BGREI programme.

(e) To increase the production and productivity of rice, better varieties and hybrids are developed with higher yield, stress tolerance and good cooking quality by harnessing the modern tools of biotechnology and also through conventional breeding. Special emphasis is given to develop climate resilient rice varieties, and also on conservation agricultural practices to bring down the cost of cultivation. ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad and ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack and All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice are working on irrigated and rainfed ecologies for increasing the paddy productivity in the country. Other institutes like ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi; ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal and ICAR-Vivekanada Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora also undertake research programmes to develop rice varieties for different niches.

Besides, the Central Government programmes like, BGREI and NFSM are also implemented to increase the production of paddy in the country.
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