Question : PRODUCTION OF RICE

(a) whether the production of rice in the eastern States, especially in Bihar is on the decline during each of the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) is under implementation to boost the production of rice and to address the constraints limiting the productivity of rice;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated and utilized there under during the said period, State-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage the farmers to go for improved farm technologies, water saving conservation practices/devices and low cost, eco friendly and community based approach for cultivation of rice?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )

(a) & (b): Depending upon the rainfall situation, availability of water in reservoirs, irrigation facilities, use of quality inputs etc. and shift in the area on account of comparative profitability of other competing crops, the annual production of rice in the eastern States including Bihar during the last three years i.e. 2012-13 to 2014-15 has witnessed mixed trend. Production of rice in the above States during 2014-15 has declined mainly on account of deficient rainfall in monsoon season. State-wise details of production of rice in the eastern States are given in Annexure-I.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. In order to address constraints limiting the productivity of “rice based cropping systems” in Eastern India, the programme of “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)” is being implemented as a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in seven Eastern States viz. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal since 2010-11. This programme aiming at interventions in the form of block demonstrations, asset building activities, site specific activities and marketing support is being implemented in identified districts of above States where National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is not implemented. State-wise details of funds allocated, released and utilized under BGREI during the last three years i.e. 2012-13 to 2014-15 are given in Annexure-II.

(e): With a view to encourage farmers to go for water saving conservation practices/devices, the Government of India has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation (MI) since January, 2006. The Scheme was up- scaled as the National Mission on Micro-Irrigation (NMMI) in June, 2010. From 1st April, 2014, NMMI has been subsumed under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and is now being implemented as “On Farm Water Management” (OFWM).

Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) launched in 2015-16, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) is continuing to promote Micro Irrigation with the resources earmarked for PMKSY.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) along with State Agricultural Universities has also been promoting improved high yielding varieties/hybrids and crop production & protection technologies to improve the rice production in the country. Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) is one of the potential alter- natives to transplanted rice addressing the problem of shortages and high costs of water and labour. DSR has potential of saving irrigation water by 20-30% as compared to transplanted rice without any significant reduction in yield.