Friday, 12 April 2013

Major Recent Initiatives in Farm Sector

Annual Report of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation Released

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a mega scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture, has been able to encourage farmers to adopt scientific knowhow and modern practices, leading to perceptible rise in production of food grains.

The area-focused scheme Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) also has resulted in increase in rice area, higher adoption of technology, and greater participation of small and marginal farmers.

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has resulted in State governments allocating more funds to the farm sector. The funding pattern, flexibility and down-to-top strategy of this scheme have led to greater investments in agriculture and better utilization of funds.

These are some of the major outcomes of recent landmark initiatives taken in the agriculture sector, outlined in the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture.

National Food Security Mission
On the National Food Security Mission, the Annual Report says: “Mission has helped to widen the food basket of the country with significant contributions coming from the NFSM Districts. The Production of wheat has increased from 75.81 million tons in 2006-07 (pre-NFSM year) to 94.88 million tons during 2011-12, i.e. nearly 19 million tons against the envisaged target of 8 million tons. Similarly, production of rice has increased from 93.36 million tons in 2006-07 to 105.31 million tons in 2011-12 with an increase of nearly 12 million tons against the target of 10 million tons. The total production of Pulses has also increased from 14.20 million tons during 2006-07 to 18.24 million tons during 2010-11, with an increase of 4 million tons against the target of 2.0 million tons. During 2011-12, production of 17.09 million tonnes of pulses was achieved.

There has been an increase in input consumption of seeds, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), IPM and machinery components under Rice, Wheat and Pulses from 2007-08 to 2011-12 which indicates the awareness generated towards use of quality seeds, nutrients, plant protection chemicals and farm machinery. Farmers have enthusiastically responded to NFSM supported farm machinery components, especially to Zero till seed drills, rotavators etc. which is evident from the increased sale of these machines. The awareness generated through demonstrations and distribution of seed minikits of newly released varieties to the farmers has triggered substantial increase in the use of high yielding varieties of wheat and rice seed in identified districts. Capacity building exercises for farmers through Farmers Field Schools were found to be helpful in orienting the farmers towards adoption of new agricultural technologies”.

Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India

On BGREI, the Annual Report states: “During 2010-11, the major focus of the states was on promotion of improved crop production technologies of major crops, water harvesting measures and their utilization for over all agriculture development. However, during 2011-12 and 2012-13, more focused approach was adopted by promoting activities of Block demonstrations of rice and wheat; Asset building for water conservation & utilization; and Site Specific Activities ( construction /renovation of irrigation channels, electric power supply for agriculture purposes, etc.) in a cluster approach. This approach adopted by the Department has resulted in the following outcomes:


· Increase in rice area in implementing States


· States could adopt the technology more easily


· Adoption of Cluster approach and line sowing


· Larger participation of small & marginal farmers


· Increase in distribution of hybrid rice


· Promotion of submergence tolerant varieties

As per the 2nd advanced estimates, the total rice production in the 7 implementing states is estimated at 55.62 million tonnes out of the all-India production of 101.80 million tonnes”.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Annual report says, “RKVY is a transformational jump in evolution of agricultural development schemes from variegated schematic approach followed so far through diverse but strait-jacketed schemes to a completely new approach in agriculture planning by allowing the States to plan their strategy and design appropriate schemes to implement that strategy with complete flexibility in scheme designs and autonomy in its implementation. RKVY has imparted definite momentum to the agriculture sector. Regular activities starved of resources, promising strategies languishing for lack of support, and limited opportunities for experimentation and innovation, have found a new hope in RKVY. States are allocating more funds to agriculture to take up schemes of agriculture development.


This is reflected in additional plan allocation to agriculture sector. There is a sense of hope and optimism. Agriculture, which had slid back stage, is making a comeback. One timely policy instrument - RKVY – has accelerated revival of agriculture and put it on growth path”.

The Annual Report can be accessed at: www.agricoop.nic.in





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