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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | States to Focus on Availability of Fertilizers, Seeds, Credit for The Coming Kharif

States to Focus on Availability of Fertilizers, Seeds, Credit for The Coming Kharif

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published Published on Mar 1, 2014   modified Modified on Mar 1, 2014
-Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Agriculture)


The two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign has come out with detailed strategy for maximising crop production during the coming kharif season. The focus will be on ensuring timely availability of fertilizers and quality seed and also sufficient credit to farmers. Based on inputs from States and the Fertilizer Ministry, it is established that sufficient quantities of fertilizers and seeds are available in the country, except for some shortage of soybean seeds – and for this too, alternatives have been found.

Summing up the Conference, Agriculture Secretary Shri Ashish Bahuguna, advised States to be fully geared up to meet any eventuality of erratic monsoon rains. The contingency plans already prepared for over 500 districts of the country will provide the first point of reference for checking actions that need to be taken, and the local action will be finetuned with inputs from scientists from ICAR institutes, agricultural universities and KVKs.

The following are the details of deliberations at the Conference:

The National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign-2014 was organized on 26-27 February 2014 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. The Conference was inaugurated by Shri Sharad Pawar, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture followed by special address from Shri Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries. The two-day Conference was attended by Agriculture Production Commissioners/ Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries (Agriculture) from the State Governments, Senior Scientists from ICAR, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Officials from Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), D/o Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, D/o Fertilizers,  Planning Commission etc.

In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Agriculture Minister highlighted the transformation in Indian agriculture witnessed during 2004-05 to 2012-13 that led to significant increase in production of major agricultural crops such as rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane etc. He congratulated farmers, scientists, government officials, extension workers etc. for their efforts in achieving an all time record production of foodgrains expected during 2013-14. He expressed satisfaction over the increasing share of agriculture in national exports and significant increase in GDP during 11th Plan Period. He also highlighted the significant increase in investment in agriculture as share of agri-GDP, agriculture credit and Minimum Support Prices of rice, wheat, other cereals etc. As there is no further scope of area expansion for agriculture, he emphasized upon the need to promote use of bio-technology to achieve higher productivity for meeting ever increasing demand of foodgrains, fruits, vegetables etc.

Expressing concern on continuing import dependence to meet requirement of pulses and oilseeds, he stressed upon the need for better use of technologies, agronomic practices and markets for breaking production barriers in these crops.  He mentioned that the production of oilseeds is expected at ever highest level of 33 million tonnes. However, to bridge the demand-supply gap, the Government needs to produce more oilseeds for which a favourable import-export regime is needed.  Highlighting the achievement under the scheme ‘Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)’ launched in 2010-11, he mentioned that the share of seven Eastern States in rice production has gone up considerably and concerted efforts are needed to tap full potential in area expansion and increasing productivity of rice in these States.

The Minister pointed out that despite enhancement of MSPs, their benefits are not reaching many farmers as procurement machinery is not fully geared up in all regions of the country uniformly. He also mentioned that promotion and strengthening of Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) will be a key strategy to achieve inclusive agricultural growth during 12th Plan. He expressed hope that with launching of Scheme of Crop Diversification, the Government would be able to divert areas from rice and wheat cultivation to other crops such as maize, pulses, horticulture etc. in North-West India. Appreciating the impact of flagship programmes viz. RKVY, NFSM etc., he informed that the State plan expenditure on agriculture and allied sector has increased significantly. He expressed confidence that the deliberations during the Conference would help in formulation of comprehensive strategies and plans for accelerating and sustaining the momentum of agricultural growth.

Shri Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries stated that as a result of Government initiatives of higher investment in irrigation, land reforms etc., leading to expansion of area and enhancement of productivity, the foodgrains output in the country has been continuously increasing since independence. He also recognized contribution of State Governments in accelerating agricultural growth by ensuring availability of quality seeds and other inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides etc. at subsidized rates alongwith expansion of agricultural credit, public investment in irrigation, subsidies on farm machinery and extension services.

In his remarks Secretary, DARE & DG (ICAR) thanked State Governments for taking effective measures to control the problem of pest and diseases and management of excessive moisture in rice and wheat.  He impressed upon the need for more effective involvement of Universities and Institutions in diseases surveillance programme.

Agriculture Commissioner presented a review of current Rabi scenario and Kharif prospects in the country. He stated that due to favorable rainfall during monsoon season combined with good climatic conditions there has been higher area coverage under wheat, rice, maize, gram and mustard.  He mentioned that the States are now more vigilant about the yellow rust disease in wheat and due to timely remedial measures by State Governments the area affected by the disease could be reduced to only 100 hectares in 2013-14. In the context of planning for Kharif 2014, he mentioned that the States have to be prepared to meet different situations arising out of delayed/deficient rainfall, prolonged/spells of drought, excess rainfall etc. While contingency plans for 449 districts in 23 States are ready, the States of Karnataka, Rajasthan, AP, MP and Maharashtra that have higher frequency of drought need to be prepared with sufficient seed of short duration varieties of kharif crops. He also advised States to promote use of bio-fertilizers and micro-nutrients and ensure balanced use of fertilizers. He emphasized that the planning for Kharif 2014, has to focus on Eastern India development, crop diversification in North-Western Region and coverage of higher area under pulses and oilseeds along with adequate administrative and financial back up to farmers.

To facilitate focused deliberations, the States were divided into four Groups namely; (i) Strategy for enhancement of crop production, (ii) Adoption of improved technology for efficient use of water, nutrients and plant protection chemicals, (iii) Strategy for contingency plan in the event of aberrant south-west monsoon, and (iv) Marketing Intervention to ensure remunerative prices of Pulses, Oilseeds and Coarse Cereals/Grains.  The main findings and recommendations of subject-specific Groups were also discussed in the Conference.

In the interactive session, Joint Secretary, Department of Fertilizers informed that as per trends in the last 2-3 years, consumption of Phosphatic and Potashic fertilizers have declined. As such, there is no issue on availability of fertilizers. He expressed satisfaction that consumption of SSP has been increasing.  However, states need to take necessary measures to ensure its quality. He also advised States to ensure online registration of wholesalers and retailers of fertilizers and promote use of SMS portal for indicating their stock position etc.

In his concluding remarks, Secretary (A&C) congratulated States for their immense contribution in achieving 4.1% growth in GDP of Agriculture & Allied Sector during the 11th Plan period. He stated that the growth in agriculture sector is still higher at 4.3%. He expressed that there is sufficient capacity with the States to continue on the growth path and fully achieve the target of 4% growth fixed for the 12th Plan. He was happy to note that significant contribution in growth is now coming from non-traditional areas and States in Eastern region. He expressed concern that despite higher production, there is still a large gap between the farmers’ income and average per capita income in the non-farm sector. In this context, he advised States to shift focus on high value agricultural products and develop marketing infrastructure alongwith procurement facilities. In view of indications of erratic rainfall during the ensuing monsoon season, he suggested States to be fully geared up with the availability of seeds of appropriate varieties suitable to meet different contingent situations. To address soil fertility issues, he emphasized upon the need for soil testing in campaign mode and high focus on use of suitable micro-nutrients. Secretary (A&C) also impressed upon the State Governments to make realistic assessment of the requirement and use fertilizer as per nutrient requirement based on soil fertility maps. He also advised States to ensure sufficient availability of credit to farmers. As Central funds under various schemes will now be released only through State Treasury, he advised States to re-align their system to avoid delay in fund transfer to implementing agencies. Finally, in order to contain the current rabi crops due to likely spells of sporadic rains, he suggested States to impress upon the farmers to ensure that after harvesting, the produce should be immediately shifted to some warehouse / protected area.

A DISTRICT CONTINGENCY PLAN

Each Contingcy Plan contains information about cropping patterns, soil types, irrigation status, productivity levels and other information to the level of blocks / talukas. It also gives information on the status of livestock. Rainfall and soil maps for the entire districts are also given.

The Contingency Plan gives detailed action points in the event of  different levels of rainfall deficiency or excess or other wather-related contingencies such as cyclone, flood and sea-water inundation. These action points relate to different aspects of agriculture and may range from sowing of new short-duration crop in case of crop loss and change in crop to water conservation for the next season and action to be taken for fodder availability and saving livestock from stress.

MP:CP: kharif conference (28.2.2014)


(Release ID :104338)

Press Information Bureau, 28 February, 2014, http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0


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