Question : Contract Farming in African Continent

(a) whether the Government is considering to bring a legislation on contract farming in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has convened a meeting of all State Governments and other agencies to have a consensus in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has made any effort for cooperative/contract farming in the African continent by forming a network of farmers in the concerned country and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has entered into pacts with Mozambique and Namibiya to import pulses in a bid to thwart the shortage of pulses in the country and if so, the details thereof along with their impacts on domestic production of pulses?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): A meeting was held on 21.10.2016 under the Chairmanship of Shri Ramesh Chand, Member NITI Aayog to discuss the reforms in agriculture sector which included contract farming , inter-alia. In the meeting, State Governments were advised to enable contract farming by bringing suitable changes in their regulatory framework.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Government of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mozambique for import of pulses on Government-to Government (G2G) basis on 7th July, 2016. The MoU aims at promoting the production of Pigeon Peas/Tur and other pulses in Mozambique through active cooperation between the two countries by encouraging progressive increase in the trading of these pulses, with the objective of doubling the trade in pulses in five years. It also fixes targets of minimum quantities of exports of Tur and other pulses from Mozambique to India over the next five financial years, whether through the private channels or through Government to Government sales. If there is any shortfall in private imports from the targeted imports as above, the Government of India, through MMTC, would purchase surplus stocks available with the Government of Mozambique, up to the above limits, at the price linked to the Minimum Support Price; with suitable adjustments for cost of procurement, freight, etc.

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