GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3058

ANSWERED ON:08.12.2009

REQUIREMENT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

(a)whether any assessment has been made by the Government with regard to the requirement of agricultural production in the current Five Year Plan;

(b)if so, the details thereof; and

(c)the details of the measures taken to enhance Research and Development activities in order to meet the above requirements?

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):Yes, madam. The working group of Planning Commission on `Crop husbandry, Agricultural inputs, demand and supply projections and agricultural statistics` assessed the demand of different food grains, oilseeds and sugar cane for 11th five year plan.

(c):In order to meet the requirement of foodgrain and other agricultural crops in the country, the following steps have been taken by the Government. Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed crop protection / production technologies, improved varieties /hybrids of different crops/ improved planting material, cost effective amelioration technology for waterlogged, salt affected and acidic soils, for achieving the targeted requirement.

In order to enhance the production & productivity of different crops, several crop Development Schemes namely, National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RVKY), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Technology Mission on Cotton/Jute (TMC- cotton jute), Integrated Scheme of oilseed, pulses, oil plam & Maize (ISOPOM) are being implemented by the government. Minimum support price (MSP) of food grain, oilseed and sugarcane has been increased in the past three years so that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce. Increased in MSP has encouraged farmers to grow more grains which have resulted in record production of wheat and rice during 2007-08 and 2008-09.

The Availability of credit is ensured through Kisan Credit Cards. Besides, Government has takensteps to develop Cold Chains, warehousing storages, as a post harvest management practices for horticultural produce. Terminal market and rural godowns are provided for storage of food grains.