GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 1373
ANSWERED ON: 28.07.2015
Production of Pulses and Oilseeds
(a) the details of production of pulses and oilseeds in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(b) whether there is huge gap between the production and consumption/demand of pulses and oilseeds
in the country and if so, the details thereof during the said period, crop-wise along with the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to procure pluses and oilseeds at adequate support price across the country and if so, the details thereof along with the details of agencies involved for procurement of the same;
(d) the details of the research and development undertaken by the Government to improve the production and quality of pulses and oilseeds in the country; and
(e) the details of the schemes and programmes launched for the promotion of cultivation of pulses and oilseeds and to provide training to the farmers and incentivise them to increase the production of the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
(a): State-wise details of production of pulses and oilseeds in the country during the last three years and the current year i.e. 2011-12 to 2014-15 are given in the Annexure.
(b): Production and productivity of pulses and oilseeds in the country has remained low due to their cultivation on marginal land under rainfed conditions, low area coverage due to risk of pests and diseases and higher profitability of other competing crops etc. Hence, this has led to gaps between the production and consumption/demand of pulses and oilseeds/edible oils which is met through imports. Details of demand projected by a Sub-group of the Working Group of Planning Commission for 12th Five Year Plan vis- à-vis the estimated production of pulses during 2011-12 to 2014-15 are given below: (Million tonnes)
Year Projected Demand Estimated Production Gap
2011-12 19.0 17.09 -1.91
2012-13 19.0 18.34 -0.66
2013-14 20.0 19.25 -0.75
2014-15* 21.0 17.38 -3.62
*As per 3rd Advance Estimates released by Ministry of Agriculture For oilseeds, annual demands have not been projected. However, the available details of projected demand vis-à-vis estimated production (Projected supply) of oilseeds for the Terminal years of 11th and 12th Plans, i.e., 2011-12 and 2016-17 are given below
(Million tonnes) Year Projected Demand Estimated Production Gap 2011-12 50.82 29.80 -21.02 2016-17 59.00 33 to 41* -26 to -18 *Projected supply as per Sub-group of Working Group of Planning Commission
(c): In order to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, the Government of India announces every season the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of major agricultural commodities including pulses and oilseeds. During Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2015-16 the Government of India has designated
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National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC), National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) as nodal agencies for procurement of pulses and oilseeds.
(d): In order to improve production and quality of pulses and oilseeds, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has undertaken programmes on basic and strategic research related to crop improvement and production technologies in different pulses and oilseeds at five commodity based institutes. The research findings so developed, are validated in relevant agro-ecologies by 10 cropspecific All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs), mostly situated in the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for developing location-specific varieties/hybrids and suitable production technologies for oilseeds and pulses to improve their production and quality.
The improved varieties and production technologies are demonstrated at the farmers’ fields by the ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through Frontline Demonstrations (FLD) Programme to create awareness among the farmers.
(e): To encourage farmers to produce more pulses and oilseeds, Government of India has been implementing 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, establishment of seed gardens of oil palm, distribution of production inputs, transfer of technology through block demonstrations, integrated pest management, supply of plant protection equipments/chemicals, farmers training etc.