Agriculture

1. PRICING POLICY FOR CROPS
Unstarred Question 2962
8/12/2009

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to change the pricing policy of the crops;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to reconsider the MSP for wheat, rice and mustard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): The Government fixes the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of different agricultural commodities based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and in consultation with the concerned Departments of the Central Government, State Governments etc. Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee to Examine Methodological Issues in Fixing MSP headed by Professor Y.K. Alagh, the Government has revised the Terms of Reference of the CACP. The revised Terms of Reference includes, inter-alia, additional items of cost such as premium actually paid by farmers for crop insurance and marketing & transport charges incurred by farmers.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

2. INCREASE IN AREA UNDER GROUNDNUT AND SUGARCANE CULTIVATION:
Unstarred Question
701 24/11/2009

(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the area under soyabean, groundnut and sugarcane cultivation during the current financial year;

(b) if so, the target set in this regard, State-wise; and

(c) the steps taken to achieve the said targets?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (c): In order to enhance production of oilseeds, the Government of India is implementing various schemes viz; Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). ISOPOM is implemented in 14 major oilseeds growing States to increase the production of oilseeds including soybean and groundnut. The Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) Scheme provides assistance for oilseeds development to the States not covered under ISOPOM. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the States can support crop development activities approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the State.

The Government of India is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping System (SUBACS) under MMA in major sugarcane growing States. The State-wise targets for production of soybean, groundnut and sugarcane during 2009-10 are at Annexure.
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3. AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVES:
Unstarred Question 3244
28/7/2009

(a) whether agricultural cooperatives have been given financial grants by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the grant is utilized in the proper manner;

(d) whether any grant has been given by the Government to agricultural cooperatives for downstream industries;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Government monitors the utilisation of such funds by way of having representatives; and

(g) if so, the details therefore ?

ANSWER

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MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (e): Yes, Madam. As per the recommendations of the Vaidyanathan Committee, the Government of India has approved a Revival Package for Short Term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCCS). Revival Package envisages an out lay of Rs. 13,597 crore for recapitalization of STCCS. An amount of Rs.6072.71 crore has been released by NABARD as Government of India share for recapitalization of 37,599 PACS in ten states, while the State Government had released Rs.608.13 crore as their share. Under the Central Sector Scheme for Cooperative Education and Training, assistance has been given to National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT) for implementing Cooperative Education & Training in the country. During the 10th Five Year Plan Rs. 216.17 crore was released. An out lay of Rs. 149.00 crore is proposed for 11th Five Year Plan.

The Government of India also implements its cooperative development programmes, through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The programmes/ schemes being implemented through NCDC are

(i) Integrated Cooperative Development Projects in selected districts,

(ii) assistance to cooperative marketing, processing and storage etc. in cooperatively under-developed/least developed states/ union territories, and

(iii) share capital participation in growers`/ weavers` cooperative spinning mills. During the 10th Five Year Plan Rs. 143.15 crore was released. An out lay of Rs. 320.00 crore is proposed for 11th Five Year Plan.

` The Central Government also provides grants to the National Federation of State Cooperative Banks (NFSCOB) and National Federation of Agricultural and Rural Development Banks (NCARDBF). During the 10th Five Year Plan, Rs.1.20 crore was released to these federations. Further, an amount of Rs. 71.60 lakhs has been released so far, in the 11th Five Year Plan.

The grants are released to these organizations on the basis of utilization certificates duly signed by the Chief Executive of the organization and statutory audit report stating that the funds are utilized for the purpose for which it was sanctioned.

(f) to (g): Under the revival package for STCCS, financial assistance to States is released subject to legal and institutional reforms for democratic, self-reliant and efficient functioning of cooperative institutions. Section 48 of the MSCS Act,2002 provides for nomination of the Central Government or a State Government on Board of such multi state cooperative society which receive share holding or grant from the Central Government or a State Government, as the case may be.

4. CULTIVATION OF PULSES:
Unstarred Question
2215 24/11/2009

(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the area under cultivation of pulses during the current plan period;

(b) if so, the details of the Central Scheme undertaken for the said purpose;

(c) the funds earmarked under the scheme;

(d) whether there is a vast scope to increase the areas under pulses cultivation in Orissa;

(e) if so, the funds sanctioned for the same; and

(f) the incentives granted to the farmers growing pulses particularly in the KBK districts of the State?

ANSWER

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MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): The Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) in 14 major pulses growing States w.e.f. 01-04-2004. Under ISOPOM, flexibility has been given to the States for implementation of pulses development programme based on regionally differentiated approach for enhancing production and productivity of pulses.

Government of India has also launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) covering rice, wheat and pulses in 2007-08. Under NFSM-Pulses, 171 districts of 14 major pulses growing States have been taken for bringing 4 million ha additional area under pulses through promotion of intercropping and by utilization of rice fallows. Assistance is provided for production of breeder seed, purchase of breeder seeds, production and distribution of foundation and certified seeds, integrated nutrient management, lime/gypsum, micronutrients, integrated pest management, distribution of sprinkler sets, zero till seed drills, multiple crop planter, seed drills, rotavator, diesel pump sets, knapsack sprayers, extension and mass media campaign, award etc.

(c): The allocation under ISOPOM and NFSM-Pulses during last three years of XI plan is as under:

(d) to (f): Considering the scope of pulses production in Orissa, the Government India has approved an annual action plan of Rs.180.75 lakh (Central Share) under ISOPOM and Rs.2473.88 lakh under NFSM-Pulses for the State during 2009-10. The schemes provide assistance to the pulses growers on approved components of the schemes in the State of Orissa including KBK districts.

5. BRACKERISH WATER FISHERIES:
Unstarred Question 1261
14/7/2009

(a) Whether the Government proposes to promote brackish water fisheries in the country including Orissa; and

(b) if so, the details of funds allocated for the purpose during each of the last three years and in the current year, State-wise?

ANSWER

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MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b) Development of Brackish water Aquaculture is one of the components of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme `Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture`. Various States of the country including Orissa can take-up this component for implementation for which financial assistance is shared between the Centre and State in a proportion of 75:25. However, no funds have been allocated under this component during the last three years and the current year so far.

6. TECHNOLOGY MISSION ON OIL SEEDS
Unstarred Question 315
7/7/2009

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(a) the details of States where Technology Mission on oilseeds have started work;and

(b) the assistance extended by the Technology Mission to increase oilseeds production in the KBK districts, Orissa?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) : The Government of India launched Technology Mission on Oilseeds in May, 1986 with a view to increase the production and productivity of oilseeds. Subsequently, pulses, oilpalm and maize were also brought under the ambit of Technology Mission in 1990, 1992-93 and 1995-96 respectively. Subsequently the above Mission was merged into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme i.e. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) w.e.f. 1.4.2004. Details of States covered under ISOPOM are at Annexure.

(b): Under ISOPOM, assistance is provided to the State of Orissa including the KBK districts. The funds released by Government of India under ISOPOM to Orissa during the last 5 years are as under:           

Year	Rs. in lakhs
2004-05	455.00
2005-06	500.00
2006-07	525.00
2007-08	900.00
2008-09	575.00

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RICE RESEARCH CENTRES:
UNSTARRED QUESTION 431
7/7/2009

(a) whether the Union Government is laying adequate emphasis over research network of Rice Research Centres in the country so as to make these institutes farmers friendly;

(b) if so, the action plan formulated in this regard;

(c) the programmes drawn up by the Rice Research Institute, Bidyadharpur and Chiplima in Orissa to assist the farmers;

(d) the new variety of crops developed by these centres and popularized among the farmers;and

(e) the extent to which the farmers reacted positively to such varieties?

ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is giving adequate emphasis over research networks of Rice Research Centres in the country. Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, coordinates rice research networks of 47 funded centres across the country established in various State Agricultural Universities/State Department of Agriculture etc. with the major mandates of coordinating the multi-location, multidisciplinary testing of varietal and management technologies under the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme.

Rice Research is also conducted at Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (Orissa), Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi specially for basmati rice and Vivekanand Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora for hill rice and ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hills Region (NEH), Uniam (Meghalaya).

More than 800 rice varieties/hybrids alongwith their production/protection technologies suited for various ecologies have been developed and also tested under the frontline demonstrations for their suitability in farmers field. To address the various problems of the farmers, Kisan melas, farmers training etc. are also being organized through various State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country.

(c) to (e): A close coordination exists between Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack (Bidyadharpur) and Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar having its research station at Chiplima/other places and the State Department of Agriculture. Interaction meetings are held twice a year (one before Kharif and the other before Rabi seasons) between the officials of the State Department of Agriculture,

CRRI and OUAT to discuss about the action plans to be adopted for improved rice cultivation practices for the ensuing crop season. CRRI and OUAT have developed several rice varieties/hybrids.Some of the popular varieties/hybrids are: Vandana, Gayatri, Savitri, Rajalaxmi (hybrid), Ajay (hybrid), Virendra, Abhishek, Chandrama, Varshadhan, Lalat, Bhanja, Birupa, Gajapati etc.

The farmers are highly receptive to the new varieties and technologies developed at CRRI/OUAT which have performed very well under the frontline demonstrations in the farmers field.

8. ALLOCATION FOR AGRICULTURE
UNSTARRED QUESTION 486
7/7/2009

(a) Whether emphasis is being laid on the development of Agriculture during the current plan period;

(b) if so, the funds earmarked under various schemes for the Agricultural sector, State-wise; and

(c) the steps taken to remove regional imbalance in the allocation of funds to States including KBK Districts of Orissa?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): Yes, Madam. The allocation for the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) was Rs.13,883 crore in the 10th Plan period and has been enhanced to Rs.66,577 crore (inclusive of State Plan Schemes) in the 11th Plan period.

(b): The Plan allocation of DAC is Rs.11,307.07 crore in 2009-10. State-wise allocation of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes being implemented by the Department in 2009-10 is given in the Statement enclosed.

(c): Funds are allocated to the States on the basis of Work Plans prepared by them under the various Schemes of DAC.Schemes of DAC being implemented in Orissa also cover KBK Districts.

9. SCHEME FOR FRESH WATER AQUA CULTURE
UNSTARRED QUESTION 501
7.7.2009