Meeting of Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare related to National Food Security Mission

Meeting of Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare related to National Food Security Mission

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that country has been self dependent in respect of wheat and rice. However, the real challenge which we have to face is concerned with oilseeds and pulses. Only then the food security will be ensured and people will be provided required and nutritious food grains. The Minister of Agriculture while expressing his hope said that in a few years we shall be self sufficient in the production of pulses. The Union Minister stated it today in the meeting of Consultative Committee related to National Food Security Mission.

On this occasion, the Union Minister briefed that according to the third advance estimate the total production of food grains was 252.23 million tonnes in 2015-16 which is a little bit more in comparison to 252.02 million tonnes in the year of 2014-15. He stated that a target has been fixed for the whole food grains production as 270.10 million tonnes for the year 2016-17.

Shri Singh observed that India ranks first on global scenario in respect the consumption of edible oils. Our country requires has a total demand of edible oils in terms of 23 million tonnes. However, we are capable to produce only half of this requirement. To fulfil this scarcity we have to import 12 million tonnes edible oils every year. Keeping this in view, the Government of India is implementing a project as National Oilseeds and Oil Taad, project. Under this project oilseeds crops, production of improved seeds to promote the production of oils generated through Taad and trees, micro irrigation, agriculture mechanisation etc. is being encouraged. A special emphasis is being put to promote the farming of oil taad keeping in view the potentiality of its farming in North-Eastern States. He briefed that recently the custom duty has been increased on the import of edible oils so that domestic oilseeds producers might be inspired.

The Minister of Agriculture and Family Welfare added that the production of pulses was 8.41 million tonnes on 19.09 million hectare area in 1950-51 and the average productivity was 441 kg per hectare whereas in the year 2013-14 a production of 19.27 million metric tonne was obtained on 25.23 million hectare area and average productivity was 764 kg per hectare. This enhancement is not like that of the enhancement of the crops like rice and wheat in respect of production of pulses. The availability of pulses per capita has reduced to 15.3 kg per year in comparison of 22.1 kg per year in 2013. During this period the availability of rice and wheat per capita has increased from 58 kg per year to 84.8 kg per year and from 24 kg per year to 66.9 kg per year respectively.

The Union Minister further added that Modi Government has taken a number of steps to increase the productivity of pulses in the country after they have assumed the charge of government in May, 2014. Up to the year of 2013-14 under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) the programmes related to pulses were implemented in 468 Districts of 16 States. However, the NDA Government expended this mission to North-Eastern States, Hilly States, Kerala as well as Goa. Now, under NFSM the pulses programme is being conducted in 638 Districts of 29 States. Apart from this the crops of pulses are being promoted on rice fallow land under Eastern India Green Revolution Programme (BGREI) in the year of 2015-16.

The Minister of Agriculture further said that top priority is being given to increase the production of pulses in the country by Government of India. During the year 2016-17 under NFSM a sum of Rs. 1100 crore has been earmarked as a central share for pulses programmes out of the whole allocation of Rs. 1700 crore.

The Members of Parliament, Shri Chintaman Navsha Wanaga(Lok Sabha), Shri Rodmal Nagar (Lok Sabha)), Shri G.Hari (Lok Sabha), Shri M.B. Rajesh (Lok Sabha), Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre (Lok Sabha), Dr Tapas Mandal (Lok Sabha) and Dr Chandrapal Singh Yadav (Rajya Sabha) were present in the meeting. The Members of Parliament raised their concern about seeds certification quality and rise in price of seeds for the farmers. They suggested the Ministry should take the step for the strict monitoring of the seed certification and ensure farmers to get best hybrid quality seeds. The Union Minister instructed to the officials to take necessary steps as per the suggestions from the Members of Parliament.

SS/AK
(Release ID :147077)