Lok Sabha Question No. 3263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-16
Subject: Reducing Depedency on Agricultural Imports
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263

TO BE ANSWERED ON  THE 16 TH  MARCH, 2021

## REDUCING DEPENDENCY ON AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS

3263.    SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has introduced any measures to reduce dependency on agricultural imports;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that edible oil accounts for the largest share of imports in country;

(d) if so, the Government's plan to reduce the dependence on import of edible oil in the country; and

- (e) the  policies  and  schemes  to  ensure  self  sufficiency/self-reliance  in  the agriculture sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): India's agricultural imports are mainly dominated by vegetable oils, pulses, cashew nuts, fresh fruits and spices. To reduce dependency on imported pulses and edible oils, Government has been implementing various programmes such as National Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM)  and  NFSM-Oilseeds  &  Oil  Palm,  to  improve  the production of pulses and essential edible oils in the country. Besides, under Rashtriya Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY),  funds  are  being  provided  to  states  for  improving  the production  of  pulses.  To  address  high  import  of  turmeric,  steps  are  being  taken  to organize cultivation of varieties with high curcumin content in clusters in suitable areas. To meet the growing demand of raw cashew nuts in the country, the government seeks to  increase the area with high yielding varieties, high density planting, rejuvenation of senile orchards, canopy management, etc.

(c)  &  (d):        Yes,  sir.  During  2019-20  the  import  of  Agri  commodities  was  19.91  USD Billion  and  the  import  of  vegetable  oils  constituted  the  largest  share  i.e.    48%.  The import of vegetable oils was undertaken with a view to bridge the gap between domestic demand  and  supply.  The  Government  has  been  implementing  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme, National Food Security Mission (Oilseeds and Oil palm) in the country. This mission  comprises  of  three  Sub  missions  namely,  NFSM-Oil  Seeds,  NFSM-Oil  palm and  NFSM- Tree Born Oil seeds (TBOs) being implemented  through Agriculture  and Horticulture departments of State Governments.

A  special  programme  on  Targeting  Rice  Fallow  Area  (TRFA)  and  special programme on rapeseeds & mustard have also been initiated in ten States.

(e):          With  a  view  to  ensure  self-sufficiency  in  agriculture,  Government  is  also implementing  several flagship schemes namely, scheme of distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that the use of fertilizers can be rationalized; 'Per drop more crop' initiative under which drip/sprinkler irrigation is being encouraged for optimal utilization of water, reducing cost of inputs and increasing productivity; 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  (PKVY)'  is  being  implemented  for  promoting  organic  farming;  Under  e-NAM initiative  farmers  are  being  provided  an  electronic  transparent  and  competitive  online trading  platform;  Under  'Har  Medh  Par  Ped',  agro  forestry  is  being  promoted  for additional  income;   Bee  keeping  has  been  promoted  under  Mission  for  Integrated Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)  to  increase  the  productivity  of  crops  through pollination  and  increase  the  honey  production  as  an  additional  source  of  income  to farmers.

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