Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Drop in Kharif Crop Yields
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 502

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## DROP IN KHARIF CROP YIELDS

## 502. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान क̵  याण मंũी be pleased to state;

- (a)  whether there will be a further slow down in farm sector growth in the second half which could weaken rural demand and accentuate food price pressures and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether with kharif crop yields dropping, foodgrain output is set-to hit a four year low and rabi crop sowing significantly lagging last year's levels by mid December, 2023 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)   whether the decline in the output of most crops by larger than the fall in their area sown, reflecting a contraction in yields and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान क̵  याण मंũी

(SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a) to (c) As per the estimates of Gross Domestic Product for the Second Quarter (JulySeptember) of the FY 2023-2024 released by NSO, MoSPI, the details of GVA growth during April- June, 2023(Q1) and July- September, 2023(Q2) are as below:

|                     | Growth rate of GVA %(at 2011-12 prices)   | Growth rate of GVA %(at 2011-12 prices)   |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Year/Quarters       | Whole Economy                             | Agriculture & Allied Sector               |
| Q1 (April-June)     | 7.8                                       | 3.5                                       |
| Q2(July- September) | 7.4                                       | 1.2                                       |

The area sown and yield of various crops has been fluctuating over the years and depends on various factors such as weather conditions, rainfall situation, irrigation facilities, inter-crop profitability, soil conditions and expectation of better remuneration from other competing crops etc.  Further,  the  Second  Advance  Estimates  covering  both  kharif and  rabi crops is usually released during February, hence it is too early to comment upon the rabi crop sowing. However, as per weekly report of Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG) as on 02.02.2024 area coverage under rabi crops is 709.29 lakh hectares in comparison to 648.33 lakh hectares normal area. The area, production and yield of kharif crops from 2019-20 to 2023-24 is at Annexure.

Government of India is implementing a comprehensive range of central sector as well  as  centrally  sponsored  schemes  and  programmes,  such  as  National  Food  Security Mission  (NFSM),  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY),  Pradhan  Mantri  Annadata  Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri  Kisan  Samman Nidhi  (PM-Kisan),  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Maan-Dhaan  Yojana  (PMKMY)  for  the  welfare  of  farmers,  to  provide  incentive  and  enhance  production  across  the States. These schemes and programmes encompass entire spectrum of agriculture including credit, insurance, income support, infrastructure, crops including horticulture, seeds, mechanization, marketing, organic and natural farming, farmer collectives, irrigation, extension, procurement of crops from farmers at minimum support prices, etc. The ultimate aim of these initiatives is to secure the well-being of farmers by providing an incentive and facilitating an increase in overall agricultural production, including food grains, and enhancing productivity.

Each year the Government of India announces Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated agricultural crops. Further, the Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined principle to keep MSPs at levels of one and half times of the cost of production. Accordingly,  Government  had  increased  MSPs  for  all  mandated  Kharif,  Rabi  and  other Commercial crops with a minimum return of 50 percent over all India weighted average cost of production from year 2018-19 onwards.

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q No. 502 Due for reply on 06.02.2024

## All India: Crop-wise Area, Production & Yield (Kharif)

| Crop       | Area (Lakh Hectares)   | Area (Lakh Hectares)   | Area (Lakh Hectares)   | Area (Lakh Hectares)   | Area (Lakh Hectares)   | Production (Lakh Tonnes)   | Production (Lakh Tonnes)   | Production (Lakh Tonnes)   | Production (Lakh Tonnes)   | Production (Lakh Tonnes)   | Yield (Kg./ha.)   | Yield (Kg./ha.)   | Yield (Kg./ha.)   | Yield (Kg./ha.)   | Yield (Kg./ha.)   |
|------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| Crop       | 2019-20                | 2020-21                | 2021-22                | 2022-23                | 2023-24                | 2019-20                    | 2020-21                    | 2021-22                    | 2022-23                    | 2023-24                    | 2019-20           | 2020-21           | 2021-22           | 2022-23           | 2023-24           |
| Pulses     | 135.35                 | 134.30                 | 141.19                 | 120.95                 | 118.54                 | 79.21                      | 86.18                      | 82.35                      | 76.21                      | 71.18                      | 585               | 642               | 583               | 630               | 600               |
| Foodgrains | 708.62                 | 724.42                 | 728.96                 | 706.96                 | 704.19                 | 1438.14                    | 1505.76                    | 1553.64                    | 1557.11                    | 1485.67                    | 2029              | 2079              | 2131              | 2203              | 2110              |
| Oilseeds   | 192.84                 | 209.33                 | 197.53                 | 197.15                 | 188.85                 | 222.47                     | 237.23                     | 239.72                     | 261.50                     | 215.33                     | 1154              | 1133              | 1214              | 1326              | 1140              |

Data for the year 2023-24 is of 1ˢᵗ Advance Estimates

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## Annexure