MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): Details of production of foodgrains, oilseeds and sugarcane in the country during
the last three years i.e. 2006-07 to 2008-09 are as under:-
Year Production (Million Tonnes) Foodgrains Oilseeds Sugarcane
2006-07 217.28 24.29 355.52
2007-08 230.78 29.76 348.19
2008-09 234.47 27.72 285.03
(b) & (c): Production of foodgrains and oilseeds has increased whereas the production
of sugarcane has declined in the year 2008-09 as compared to 2006-07.
To increase the production of foodgrains, oilseeds and sugarcane in the country,
the Government is implementing a number of schemes/programmes, namely, National
Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Integrated Cereals
Development Programme in Rice Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Rice), Integrated
Cereals Development Programme in Wheat Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Wheat)
and Integrated Cereals Development Programme in Coarse Cereals Based Cropping
Systems Areas (ICDP-Coarse Cereals), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm
and Maize (ISOPOM) and Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping
System (SUBACS).
(d) & (e): As per the projections made by the Working Group of Planning
Commission for the 11th Five Year Plan and taking into account the initiatives taken by
the Ministry of Agriculture, the position of estimated production and demand for major
agricultural commodities during 2008-09 is as under:-
(Million tonnes)
Crop Estimated Projected Production Demand
Foodgrains 234.47 219.01
Oilseeds 27.72 47.43
Sugarcane 285.03 275.91
(f): In order to increase the cultivable area in the country, the Government has set up
a National Rainfed Area Authority as an advisory, policy making and monitoring body to
provide knowledge inputs regarding systematic up-gradation and management of
country’s dryland and rainfed agriculture. Programmes like National Watershed
Development Project for Rainfed Areas, Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River
Valley Projects and Flood Prone Rivers, Watershed Development Project in Shifting
Cultivation Areas, Reclamation and Development of Alkali & Acid Soils are being
implemented for development of rainfed and degraded land including arid and barren
land through soil and water/moisture conservation measures.
