Lok Sabha Question No. 2526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Import of Agricultural Products
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2526

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

2526. SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESHNARAYAN DHANORKAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is still importing agricultural products, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has introduced any measures to reduce dependency on agricultural imports, if so, the details thereof; and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
- (c) the policies and schemes to ensure self sufficiency in agriculture?

## ANSWER

MINISTER of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): During 2019-20 the import of Agri commodities was 19.91 USD Billion. 78% of the Agri import consisted of vegetables oil (48%) and Pulses (7%), fresh fruits (10%), Cashew  nut  (6%)  and  Spices  (7%).  The  import  of  Vegetable  oils  and  Pulses  was undertaken with a view to bridge the gap between domestic demand and supply. Raw cashew  is  imported  to  process  it  into  cashew  kernel  as  we  have  huge  processing capacity  and  resulting  goods  are  partly  exported.  Further,  fresh  fruits  are  imported mainly due to preference for specific products in India. Among the various spices being imported, turmeric comes first in terms of quantity, as Indian turmeric is low in curcumin content which is the key ingredient to extract essential oils from turmeric.

(b): To  reduce  dependency  on  imported  pulses  and    edible  oils;  Government  has been  implementing  various  programmes  such  as  National  Food  Security  Mission (NFSM)  and  National  Mission  on  Oilseeds  &  Oil  palm  (NMOOP)  to  improve  the production of pulses,  and essential edible oils in the country. Besides, under RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojana  (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):            With  a  view  to  ensure  self  sufficiency  in  agriculture,  Government  is  also implementing flagship scheme of distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that the use  of  fertilizers  can  be  rationalize0d..'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.'ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana (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 'HarMedh 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 of farmers.

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