Question : WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE

(a) whether the Planning Commission has constituted a Working Group on crop, husbandry, agricultural inputs, demands and supply projections and agricultural statistics for Eleventh Five Year Plan;

(b) if so, whether the Working Group has given the demand and supply projections for the plan period for foodgrains, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, jute and mesta;

(c) if so, whether the Working Group foresees a gap between demand and production during the plan period;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to take necessary steps to improve the condition of soil, its nutrient content, water management and to grow alternative crops;

(e) if so, the details thereof ; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefore?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, PERSONNEL PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSION (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c): Demand and Supply projections in respect of foodgrains, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, jute and mesta made by the Working Group on crop, husbandry, agricultural inputs, demands and supply projections and agricultural statistics are presented in the enclosed Annexure. The production levels achieved so far during 11th Five Year Plan are also presented in the Annexure.

(d) & (f): The Eleventh Five-Year Plan strategy for agriculture aims to improve access of farmers to technology; enhance public investments; encourage diversification towards higher value crops and livestock while at the same time protecting against food security concerns; and a more decentralised decision-making to focus on local problems. Some of the major initiatives taken in this regard include launching of National Horticulture Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and National Food Security Mission. Some of the specific major steps taken to improve the condition of soil, its nutrient contents, water management and grow alternative crops include; Soil and Water Conservation measures through Integrated Watershed Management Programme, the assets being created under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Grantee Scheme and promotion of water saving devices under Micro Irrigation Scheme. Assistance is being provided by the Government of India to strengthen soil testing facilities in the States and the fertilizer policy has been reoriented with nutrient-based fertilizer subsidy which will promote balanced use of fertilizers.