(a) whether the country is facing huge shortage of rice;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the details of the steps taken/proposed to be taken to augment the production and
supply of rice in order to reduce the import bill and to ensure adequate availability of
rice to the general public at affordable prices?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a)&(b): As per Second Advanced Estimates of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation,
production of rice in 2009-10 is estimated at 875.6 lakh tonnes against final estimate of
991.8 lakh tonnes in 2008-09. This decline is due to impact of drought.
(c): The steps taken to increase the production of foodgrains including rice are at
Annexure-I. The steps taken to increase the availability of rice so as to ensure adequate
availability of rice to the general public, including targeted families under the Targeted
Public Distribution System and other Welfare Schemes are at Annexure-II.
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.172 DUE FOR ANSWER ON
23.02.2010 IN THE LOK SABHA
Steps taken to increase the production of Foodgrains
1. To increase cereals production, Centrally Sponsored Integrated Cereals
Development Programme (ICDP) in Rice, Wheat and Coarse Cereals is in operation from October
2000.Under these schemes, assistance is provided on 90:10 basis between the Government of
India and the State Governments for propagation of improved/hybrid production technology, pest
management, farm implements, installation of sprinkler irrigation system, varietal replacement
and production of certified seeds.
2. In order to enhance food security through increase production and productivity of
foodgrains, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been
launched since October, 2007 in a mission mode approach. NFSM has three components for Rice,
Wheat and Pulses. NSFM aims to raise the production of rice by 10 million tonnes (base 88
million tonnes) over the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12).
3. A new State Plan Scheme of Additional Central Assistance (ACS) for agriculture and
allied sectors, namely, Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) was launched during 2007-08 with
an envisaged outlay of Rs. 25,000 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan. The broad objective of
RKVY is to incentivise the States to increase public investment to achieve 4% growth rate in
agriculture and allied sectors in the 11th Five Year Plan.
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.172 DUE FOR ANSWER ON
23.02.2010 IN THE LOK SABHA
Steps taken to increase the availability of rice
The Government has taken the following steps to maximise the procurement:
(i) In KMS 2009-10, the MSP of Rs.950/- and Rs.980/- per quintal was fixed for Common and
Grade ‘A’ varieties of paddy, respectively. The Government also allowed a bonus of Rs.50/- per
quintal on both varieties of paddy during KMS 2009-10 to maximize the procurement. A total of
221.03 lakh tonnes of rice has been procured in KMS 2009-10 (as on 18.2.2010) against an
estimated procurement of 260 lakh tonnes for KMS 2009-10. Procurement of 336.84 lakh tonnes
of rice in KMS 2008-09 has resulted in comfortable rice stock in central pool.
(ii) To have an assessment of major rice purchases by private trade, a notification titled
“Rice (Stock Declaration by Companies or Firms or individuals) Order 2009 was issued under the
Essential Commodities Act 1955 on 11.11.2009. The order provides that any Company or Firm or
individual which purchases paddy (in terms of rice) or rice beyond 10,000 tonnes during Kharif
Marketing Season 2009-10 (October-September) shall furnish a return to the Secretary,
Department of Food of the State from where maximum quantity has been purchased.In case the
purchase of paddy (in terms of rice) exceeds 25, 000 tonnes (throughout the country) the return
in the prescribed proforma is to be submitted to Department of Food & Public Distribution of
Central Government.
(iii) The State Governments have been requested to issue instructions for recording correct
market arrivals and ensuring imposition of at least 50% compulsory levy on rice millers.
(iv) The Government has increased the commission charges for the Cooperative societies and
Self Help Groups to 2.5% in KMS 2009-10 to encourage procurement from small and marginal
farmers especially in state where infrastructure for procurement is not well developed. This
will also ensure payment of MSP & Bonus to farmers.
(v) With a view to expedite the procurement of paddy in the drought year (KMS 2009-10), the
following relaxations have been allowed in the uniform specifications of Custom Milled Raw(CMR)
Rice during Kharif Marketing Season 2009-10 to State Governments of Punjab and Haryana:-
(i) Damaged/slightly damaged grains including pin point damaged grains allowed upto 4% for CMR
Raw Rice for both Grade ‘A’ and Common. (The Fair Average Quality specification is 3%).
(ii) The discoloured /red grains together allowed upto 4% for CMR Raw Rice for both Grade ‘A’
and Common. (The Fair Average Quality specification is 3 %).
(vi) In order to reduce hardships of farmers and to avoid distress sale of paddy in Orissa,
relaxation has been granted on 31.12.2009 for the maximum limit in respect of immature,
shrunken and shriveled grains upto 5% against existing limit of 3% provided under Fair Average
Quality specifications with full value cut, for procurement of paddy in KMS 2009-10 in the
state.
(vii) Besides the above steps, the Government has banned the export of non-basmati rice and has
restricted the export of basmati rice by imposing Minimum Export Price of US $ 900 per Tonne.
(viii) Rice import at zero duty has been allowed.