Question : DECLINE IN PRODUCTION OF PULSES AND OILSEEDS

(a) whether the production of oilseeds and pulses has declined in some major producing States during the current year and if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the production of these crops in the country is low in comparison to some neighbouring and developed countries and if so, the details thereof, country- wise and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether `lab to land` mission for research in agriculture has boosted the farming of oilseeds and pulses in order to achieve self-sufficiency and to reduce dependence on import of oilseeds and pulses in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of other measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the production and productivity of these crops in the country?

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

(a): As of now, production estimates of only kharif crops for the current year i.e. 2014-15 are available. As per first Advance Estimates for the current year i.e. 2014-15, production of kharif oilseeds and pulses during the current year has been lower than their estimated production during the last year in all major producing States, except in Madhya Pradesh. The decline in production of oilseeds and pulses has been mainly on account of shortfall in area coverage and lower productivity of these crops due to delayed/deficient rainfall during the monsoon season. State-wise details of production of oilseeds and pulses during kharif:2014-15 vis-à-vis kharif:2013-14 are given in Annexure-I.

(b): No, Madam. Details of production of oilseeds and pulses in India vis-à-vis some neighbouring and developed countries as per reports of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for 2013 (latest available) are given in Annexure-II.

(c) & (d): Research programmes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for developing production and protection technologies in oilseed and pulse crops have led to increased productivity of these crops in the country. This has boosted farming of oilseeds and pulses with the result that their production has increased respectively from 18.44 million tonnes and 11.08 million tonnes in 2000-01 to 32.88 million tonnes and 19.27 million tonnes in 2013-14 (4th Advance Estimates).

(e): Besides research efforts of ICAR to develop high yielding, pest resistance varieties etc. of oilseeds and pulses, the Government of India is implementing through State Governments various Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses, National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc. Under the above schemes, assistance is provided for purchase of breeder seed, production and distribution of certified seed, planting material, production inputs, transfer of technology through block demonstrations, integrated pest management, supply of plant protection equipments/chemicals, farmers training etc.