Lok Sabha Question No. 1592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-26
Subject: Foodgrain Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR, KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL, RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV, MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, VIRENDRA  KUMAR, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1592

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  26 TH  JULY, 2016

## FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION

1592.  SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER:

SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE   ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  country  is  not  self-reliant  in  several  staple  foodgrains  and  has  to import more than one-third of such grains to meet the requirement in the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to make the country self-reliant in this regard;
- (b) whether  there  is  a  huge  gap  between  estimated  and  actual  production  of foodgrains and if so, the details thereof, crop-wise;
- (c) whether  the  production  of  foodgrains  in  the  rainfed  area  is  lower  to  that  of irrigated  areas  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  affirmative  steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) the details of the foodgrains in which the country has become self-reliant and has surplus stocks to export them; and
- (e) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the major problems being faced by the farmers and if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to address the said problems and achieve sustainable development/growth in agriculture sector?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI  S.S. AHLUWALIA )

- (a): No,  Madam,  the  country  is  self-reliant  in  meeting  the  requirement  of  staple foodgrains viz. wheat and rice.
- (b): In  an  agricultural  year,  the  expected  production  of  major  agricultural  crops including foodgrains is estimated/released through four advance estimates, respectively

in the months of September, February, April and July. The Final Estimates of production are released after about 8 months after expiry of the agricultural year. The successive advance and final estimates of production of crops are firmed up on the basis of more reliable data on crop-wise area coverage and yield received from States/UTs. Normally, the variations in the successive advance and final estimates are insignificant; except in case of unseasonal rains, hailstorms, adverse temperature conditions etc.

(c): Production/productivity  of  most  of  the  agricultural  crops  including  foodgrains  in rainfed  areas  are  generally  lower  than  that  in  the  irrigated  areas  of  the  country. However, the details of production in irrigated and un-irrigated areas are not maintained separately.  In  order  to  bring  more  area  under  assured  irrigation,  reduce  wastage  of water  and  improve  water  use  efficiency,  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojna (PMKSY) is being implemented since 1 st July, 2015.

(d): The country has  become self-reliant  in  meeting  the  requirement  of  rice,  wheat and coarse-cereals. However, the production of pulses in the country is lower than its requirement and shortfall is met through imports.

(e): Twelfth Plan Working Group on Disadvantaged Farmers including Women has identified (i) poor land access, (ii) poor credit access, (iii) poor access to critical inputs such as water, power, seeds and fertilizers/manure; (iv) neglect by extension services and crop  research;  (v)  high  production  risk  and  little  Insurance  coverage;  (vi)  limited market  access  as  the  major  constraints  faced  by  disadvantaged  farmers  including women.

In  order  to  address  the  above  problems and  to boost agricultural production in the  country  to  achieve  sustainable  development/growth  in  agricultural  sector,  the Government  of  India is  implementing  through  State  Governments  several  Crop Development  Schemes/Programmes  such  as  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY), National  Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM),  National  Mission  on  Oilseeds  and  Oil  Palm (NMOOP), National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology (NMAET), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) etc.

Under these Schemes/Programmes, funds are provided to States for implementation  of  State-specific  agricultural  strategies  including  incentives  to  farmers for  use  of  quality  seeds,  Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM),  Integrated  Pest Management (IPM), farm mechanization, etc. The States are also provided support for creation  of agricultural  infrastructure  for  optimal  use  of  water  and  other  natural resources, protection against crop loss etc.

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