(a) whether India, being the second most populous country in the world and is likely
to overtake the population of China by 2040, is increasingly finding it difficult to feed the
surging population;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the increase in petroleum prices in the world has also created
inflationary conditions of food prices; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to meet the challenges
and increase the foodgrains production in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)
(a) & (b): India is presently meeting its food requirements mostly through domestic production.
It is a net exporter of foodgrains.
(c): Yes, Madam. Persistently high crude petroleum prices during the last two years also created inflationary conditions in food prices as crude petroleum is a major input for the fertilizer industry
and the transport sector which have their impact on the food prices through cost push factors.
(d): There has been a record production of foodgrains during the current year at 250.42 million
tones comprising of 102.75 million tones of rice, 88.31 million tones of wheat, 42.08 million
tones of coarse cereals and 17.28 million tones of pulses. However, with a view to increase the
production and productivity of foodgrains and other crops such as oilseeds, fruits and vegetables
on a sustainable basis, a number of crop development schemes and programmes such as Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Macro Management of Agriculture
(MMA), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize
(ISOPOM) are being implemented through the State Governments. Besides the above schemes, two
new initiatives, viz `Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India` (BGREI) and Integrated
Development of 60,000 Pulses and Oilseeds Villages in Rainfed Areas have been initiated
under RKVY since 2010-11.