Question : AGRICULTURE YIELD



(a) whether increase in agricultural yield has not been commensurate with the increased allocation made for agricultural loan; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

Answer given by the minister


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) & (b): Increase in agricultural yield depends on several factors including availability of agricultural loan. However, studies conducted by different agencies in the country including National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has revealed that the agricultural yields and agricultural loan in the country has been increasing in the recent years. The production of major crops during the last three years and ground level credit flow for agriculture during the last three years are as under:-


Particulars 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Prod. Growth rate (%) Prod. Growth rate (%) Prod. Growth rate (%)

Foodgrains production

(Million tonnes) 217.3 4.17 230.8 6.21 233.9# 1.34
Credit flow (Amt. Rs.Crore) 229,400 27.1 254,658 11.01 287.149## 12.76

# Fourth advance estimates
## Provisional

(Food grains production includes production of major crops, viz., rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses)
It may be seen from the above that the growth rate of production of food grains was 4.17%, 6.21% and 1.3% during the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively; whereas the growth rate in credit flow was 27.10%, 11.01% and 12.76% during the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively.