GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 844

ANSWERED ON:02.03.2010

TECHNOLOGY MISSION ON OILSEEDS

MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI 

(a) whether there was tremendous growth in the production of oilseeds in the country in the early years after the launch of the Technology Mission on Oilseeds leading to a drop in its import;

(b) if so, the details thereof and figures in this regard;

(c) whether at present the country has to import about 55 per cent of the requirement;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons for the drop in growth and production and increase in import of oilseeds despite registering a tremendous growth earlier; and

(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?

Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREbe pleased to state:- 

ANSWER

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):The Government of India launched the Technology Mission on Oilseeds in May, 1986 and the Integrated Scheme of oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) in April 2004. The production of oilseeds has increased from 10.83 million tones in 1985-86 to 29.75 million tones in 2007-08. The productivity of oilseeds has also increased from 570 kg/ha in 1985-86 to 1115kg/ha in 2007-08.

(c):The production of oilseeds in the country is insufficient to meet the domestic requirement. The demand of edible oils is also increasing. The gap in demand and supply is bridged through imports of edible oil.

(d):Through production has increased considerably since 1985-86, the major constraints in oilseeds are as under;

I.Low productivity primarily due to cultivation un-irrigated areas. About 72% area under oilseeds is rainfed.

II.Need for varietal replacement through development of hybrids in crops like Groundnut, Sesame, Soyabean, Niger etc.

III.Production losses due to pests and diseases.

IV.High risk due to vagaries of nature and susceptibility to a number of inset-pests and disease

(e):In order to enhance production of oilseeds, the Government of India is implementing various schemes viz Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). ISOPOM is implemented in 14 major oilseeds growing States to increase the production of oilseeds. The Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) Scheme provides assistance for oilseeds development to the States not covered under ISOPOM. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the States can support crop development activities approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the State.