21-Dec-2022: 205 LT Nutri Cereals production targets for the year 2022-23

The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today shared that the Government has planned to increase millets production and annually fixes target for the millet production. For increasing the production of Nutri-Cereals under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme, the NFSM-Nutri Cereals is being implemented in 212 districts of 14 states. Under NFSM, assistance is given through state governments to farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, distribution of seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs)/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, processing & postharvest equipments, cropping system based trainings to the farmers etc.

The mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) & State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists. The research organizations are supported for undertaking research projects that can help enhancing production and productivity of food crops.

The State Governments can also promote cultivation of millets under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture & Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY- RAFTAAR) with the approval of the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) of the respective states.

19-Jul-2022: Production of Coarse Grains

The production of coarse cereals has increased from 276.5 lakh tonne in 2016-17 to 347.7 lakh tonne in 2021-22 (3rd Advance Estimates). Government is implementing coarse cereals development programme under National Food Security Mission - Coarse Cereals to promote the cultivation of coarse grains like maize & barley. Maize development programme is being implemented in 237 districts of 26 states, 2 Union Territories, and barley in 39 districts of 4 states. In addition, the states have the flexibility to take up maize development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in the area of 50-100 km around distilleries to use maize as feed stock for production of ethanol. The production of Coarse Cereals (maize & barley) during last 4 years is as under;

* As per 3rd Advance Estimates 2021-22

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:

1. Establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (AC&ABC)
2. Skill training programmes (minimum 200 hours’ duration) for Rural Youth and Farmers including women farmers
3. Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY)
4. Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
5. Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) to promote Agri-Startups
6. Certified Farm Advisor/Certified Livestock Advisor programme
7. Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agri Business Management) [PGDM (ABM)]

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements the following schemes/programmes to attract youth towards agriculture and other related industries and for the development of entrepreneurship:

1. Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
2. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA)

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship takes special initiative for skill development among youth who want to pursue a career in the agriculture sector, though apprenticeship programmes, vocational training courses in schools and higher educational institutes. Various initiatives implemented through Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), a subsidiary under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are furnished below:

1. Entrepreneurship training
2. Apprenticeship programme
3. Vocationalization of School Education
4. Vocationalization of Higher Education (UGC affiliated Colleges)

The Banks and Lending Institutions provide loan to farmers including youth for various activities of agriculture & allied sectors like crop loan, infrastructure creation through Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Kisan Credit Card (KCCs), value addition entrepreneurships under Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PM FME), Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs), Self Help Group (SHGs) etc. During 2022-23, the Government has increased the agricultural credit target to Rs. 18.00 lakh crore from Rs. 16.50 lakh crore during 2021-22.

29-Mar-2022: Achieving Self-Reliance in Oilseeds and Pulses

The Government is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for enhancing production of oilseeds and pulses in the country. Under NFSM, assistance is given through State Governments to farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production and distribution of High Yielding Varieties/Hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, cropping system based trainings to the farmers etc. In addition, the mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) & State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists. Besides, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana RAFTAAR (RKVY-RAFTAAR) provides provision for crop production related activities on oilseeds and pulses. Under RKVYRAFTAAR, the states can also implement programme on oilseeds and pulses with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) constituted under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary of the state.

Due to above said interventions, production of Oilseeds and Pulses have been increased in the country, details of last two years are as under:

Under NFSM-Oilseeds and NFSM- Pulses, physical progress during the last two years is enclosed at Annexure-I and funds released are as under:

The prices of oilseeds and pulses are influenced by various factors viz; domestic production, stock available from past seasons, demand from consumers, international prices, agro-climatic conditions etc. The production of oilseeds and pulses increased from 31.52 million tonne and 22.08 million tonne during 2018-19 to 35.95 million tonne and 25.46 million tonne during 2020-21 respectively.

Department of Food and Public Distribution takes various measures from time to time to augment domestic availability and stabilize prices of essential food commodities. These steps, inter-alia, Include releases from the buffer to cool down prices, imposition of stock limits, monitoring of stocks, as also requisite changes in trade policy instruments.

7-Dec-2021: National Food Security Mission

The Government is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a centrally sponsored scheme, launched in 2007-08. The Mission aims at increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and nutri-cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in the identified districts of the country; improving soil fertility, farm level productivity besides, transfer of technology through demonstrations and trainings, incentives on critical inputs like quality seeds, water saving devices, farm equipments and machinery etc.

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) Programme on pulses is being implemented in identified districts of 28 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs) viz., Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the Country. However, for other crops the selection of the districts is based on area under crop and productivity of the district as per criteria approved under NFSM.

In order to encourage water use efficiency, assistance is being provided to the farmers for purchase of pump sets, water carrying pipes, sprinkler sets and mobile rain gun through the State Governments and Union Territories (UTs) under NFSM. The Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) with the objective to enhance physical access of water and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc.

3-Aug-2021: The production of pulses has been increasing during the last 3 years

The production of pulses has been increasing during the last 3 years i.e. 2018-19 to 2020-21.

To increase the production of pulses the NFSM-Pulses programme is being implemented in 644 districts of 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Under NFSM-Pulses, incentives are given to the farmer for cluster demonstration, seeds distribution & production of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), farm machineries/tools, efficient water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, nutrient management, soil ameliorants and training to the farmers. Initiatives taken under NFSM (pulses) are as follow:-

• Support for breeder seed production of pulses.
• 150 Seed Hubs created at ICAR institutes, State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for increasing certified seeds production of pulses.
• Distribution of seed Minikits of pulses free of cost to the farmers of the varieties notified within 10 years.
• ICAR/KVKs/SAUs conduct the demonstrations on improved latest package of practices.
• Assistance is provided to Central Seed Agencies to produce certified seed of latest varieties of pulses.
• A new scheme “Intercropping of pulses with sugarcane” was implemented in 12 States namely- Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during 2018-19 and     2019-20.
• Special Action Plan for increasing pulses productivity was implemented during 2019-20.
• Launched Targeting Rice fallow Area (TRFA) programme under NFSM in 11 states.

Under Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) the Government has increased the buffer target for pulses from 19.5 LMT in financial year 2020-21 to 23 LMT in the current financial year 2021-22.

30-Jul-2021: Self Sufficiency in Production of Oilseeds and Pulses

The self-sufficiency can be measured by the large export of Agricultural Commodities from India viz., rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, spices, fruits, marine products and buffalo meat etc. after meeting domestic requirement.

In order to enhance production and productivity of Oilseeds and Pulses, the Government of India is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on Oilseeds, Oil palm and Pulses. The NFSM - Pulses programme is implemented in 644 districts of 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Under the programme, incentives are given to the farmers for cluster demonstrations, seed distribution & production of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), farm machineries/tools, efficient water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, nutrient management, soil ameliorants and trainings to the farmers. Further, in order to enhance production of pulses, initiatives viz., Support for breeder seed production, creation of 150 Seed Hubs for Certified seed production at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)/State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Distribution of seed Minikits of pulses for the varieties notified within 10 years free of the cost to the farmers, conducting of cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) on improved latest package of practices through ICAR/KVKs/SAUs, support to Central Seed Agencies to produce certified seed of pulses latest varieties notified within 5 years, Special Action Plan for increasing pulses productivity, Targeting Rice fallow Area (TRFA) programme in 11 states across the country etc. are being undertaken.

For oilseeds production, NFSM – Oilseeds programme provides support to the states and implementing agencies for seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation/certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, supply of seed Minikits, creation of seed hubs; production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipments, PP chemicals, nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV)/bio agent, gypsum/pyrites/lime etc., bio-fertilizers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water carrying pipes, seed storage bins, seed treating drum and transfer of technology component covering cluster/block demonstrations, Field Level Demonstrations and training through National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Integrated Pest Management on Farmer Field School (FFS) mode, training of farmers, officers/extension workers, need based Research and Development projects, seminar/kisan mela etc. Besides, Oil palm development programme under NFSM is being implemented in 12 states of the country. The assistance is given to the States for area expansion, planting material, maintenance of plantation, on cultivation systems, machinery/tools, demonstrations, trainings to the farmers, setting up of oil palm processing units etc.

In addition to above, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing various schemes viz., Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Formation of Farmers Producer Organization (FPOs), National Project on Soil Health and Fertility etc. for promotion of Oilseeds and Pulses.

The adoption of the above technologies by the farmers through these schemes has led to increase in production of oilseeds and pulses from 31.52 million tonnes (mt) and 22.08 mt during 2018-19 to 36.57 mt and 25.58 mt during 2020-21 (as per 3rd advance estimates), respectively.

23-Jul-2021: Self Sufficiency in Production of Oilseeds

To enhance the production of Oilseeds in the Country, the Government is implementing the  centrally sponsored scheme of National Food Security Mission: Oilseeds from 2018-19 onwards. The scheme is being  implemented with the  objective to augment the availability of vegetable oils and to reduce the import of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds. The interventions under NFSM (Oilseeds) comprises of three major components i.e (i) seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds , production of foundation seeds, production of certified  seeds, distribution of certified seeds, supply of seed Minikits, seed hubs (ii) production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipments, PP chemicals, NPV/ bio agent, gypsum/ pyrites/ lime etc., bio-fertilizers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water carrying pipes, seed storage bins, seed treating drum and (iii)  transfer of technology component covering cluster/ block demonstration, Field Level Demonstrations   and training through National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Integrated Pest Management on Farmer Field School (FFS) mode, training of farmers,  training of officers/ extension workers, need based R&D project including seminar/ kisan melas etc.

For the year 2020-21, the   production of edible oils in the country is 124.70 lakh tonnes, import is 133.50 lakh tonnes, and the  total consumption of edible oil in the country is 258.20  lakh tonnes.

20-Jul-2021: Boosting Production of Pulses

The seed Minikits of pulses are distributed to the farmers of major pulse growing States under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). The district wise allocation and distribution of seed Minikits is managed by the respective State Governments.

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is implemented by the States under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). The States transfer the benefit to the targeted beneficiaries through DBT by using Aadhar enabled system. Many states viz., Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. have reported Aadhaar enabled distribution of seed Minikits. The production and productivity of pulses under seed Minikits programme is primarily monitored by State Government field functionaries and State Food Security Mission Executive Committee (SFSM-EC) headed by Chief Secretary/Agriculture Production Commissioner. Besides, field visits of seed Minikits fields are also undertaken by National Level Monitoring Teams (NALMOTS) constituted by The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. As a result of the various interventions under NFSM-Pulses programme, the production of pulses has increased from 16.32 million metric tonnes in 2015-16 to 25.56 million metric tonnes in 2020-21 (3rd Advance Estimates). The productivity of pulses has also increased from 655 kg/ha to 878 kg/ha during the same period.

15-Feb-2021: Initiatives of Government of India to increase Production and Productivity of food crops under National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 to increase the production of rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement; restoring soil fertility and productivity; creating employment opportunities; and enhancing farm level economy. Coarse cereals were included from 2014-15 under NFSM. The Mission was continued during 12th Five Year Plan with target of additional production of 25 million tonnes of food grains comprising of 10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, 4 million tonnes of pulses and 3 million tonnes of coarse cereals by the end of XII Plan. Beyond the 12th Plan, the mission was continued with new additional targets of 13 million tonnes of food grains comprising 5 million tonnes of rice, 3 million tonnes of wheat, 3 million tonnes of pulses and 2 million tonnes of nutri-cum-coarse cereals from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

 NFSM presently comprises of the sub-components viz., NFSM-Rice, NFSM-Wheat, NFSM-Pulses, NFSM-Coarse Cereals, NFSM-NFSM-Nutri-Cereals and NFSM-Commercial Crops. Currently, NFNSM is being implemented in identified districts of 28 States & 2 Union Territories (UTs) viz. Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh in the country. NFSM-Rice in 193 districts of 24 States & UT of J&K, NFSM-Wheat in 124 districts of 10 states & 2 UTs viz. J&K and Ladakh, NFSM-Pulses in 644 districts of 28 States & 2 UTs viz. J&K and Ladakh and NFSM-Coarse Cereals in 269 districts of 26 States & 2 UTs viz. J&K and Ladakh. Assistance is being provided to the farmers for organizing cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system. To spread the newer improved crop production technologies around 80.00 ha area has been covered under technology demonstrations of food grains crops such as rice, wheat, pulses & coarse cum nutria-cereals from 2014-15 to 2019-20.

Under the Mission, Seed distribution of HYVs, farm machineries/resources conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection, nutrient management, cropping system based trainings to the farmers etc. are provided. From the year, 2020-21, primary processing units/small storage bins/flexibility interventions have been added as per local requirements with the aim of increasing the income of the farmers.

Focused attention for improving the seed replacement rate and varietal replacement is given in the Mission. Mini kits of the latest varieties are distributed free of charge to farmer’s doorstep through the central seed agencies. To increase the seed replacement rate (SRR) of improved varieties of food grains, about 74 lakh quintals of certified seed of high yielding varieties/ hybrids of rice, wheat, pulses & coarse cereals were distributed under NFSM from 2014-15 to 2019-20.

To ensure the good quality seed of pulses & nutria-cereals at the farmer’s doorstep about 16 lakh quintals of certified seed of pulses & nutri-cereals were produced from 2014-15 to 2019-20.

The Mission has been able to achieve around 110 lakh ha area to be treated with Micronutrients, Bio-fertilizers, soil ameliorants/ (Gypsum/Lime/others) from 2014-15 to 2019-2020. Around 120 lakh ha area under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were achieved during from 2014-15 to 2019-20. To strengthen mechanization at farmer’s field about 15 lakh improved farm implements were distributed under NFSM from 2014-15 to 2019-2020. To support to achieve objective of “har khet ko pani” & “Per Drop More Crop” , 274600 pump sets, 126967 sprinklers and around 764 lakh metres of water carrying pipes were distributed amongst the farmers under NFSM from 2014-15 to 2019-2020.To educate to farmers about the newer improved crop production and protection technologies at real time, 60677 cropping system based trainings for capacity building of farmers were conducted from 2014-15 to 2019-2020 and this benefitted around 18 lakh of farmers .

During 2014-15 to 2019-20, a sum of Rs.8760.81 crores has been released under the scheme to the States and other implementing institutions as Central share. After implementation of the programme in the country and concerted efforts made by the state governments as well as Government of India. This has resulted in increase of total foodgrains production from 252.02 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 296.65 million tonnes during 2019-20, which is a 17.71% increase. The productivity of foodgrains which was 2028 kg/ha in 2014-15, has increased to 2325 kg/ha during 2019-20 (14.64% increase). Especially noteworthy is the production of pulses which has increased from 17.15 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 23.15 million tonnes in 2019-20 which is about 35% increase.

12-Feb-2021: Implementation of National Food Security Mission

Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) on 1st July, 2015 with the motto of “Har Khet Ko Paani” for providing end-to-end solutions in irrigation supply chain viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level applications. The components of PMKSY are; Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), PMKSY - Har Khet Ko Paani, PMKSY - Per Drop More Crop (PMKSY – PDMC) and PMKSY (Watershed). The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of PMKSY-PDMC from 2015-16 in all the States of the country which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz., Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems. Besides promoting Micro Irrigation, this component also supports micro level water storage or water conservation/management activities to supplement source creation for Micro Irrigation.

Besides, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) provides assistance to the farmers for purchase of pumps sets, water carrying pipes, sprinkler sets and mobile rain-gun through the State Governments/UTs. Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is being implemented in 7 Eastern States including Odisha under which, assistance for construction of minor irrigation tanks, check dams, water harvesting structures, shallow tube wells, dug wells, bore wells, pump sets and water carrying pipes is also provided to the farmers through State Governments.

These schemes promoting irrigation for crops supports for enhancing production and productivity of crops to achieve the objective of NFSM.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its various research institutes, All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs), network projects and State Agriculture Universities develop high yielding varieties(HYV)/hybrids of various crops in the country. In order to promote the latest high yielding varieties/hybrids of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, nutri-cereals, cotton, jute, sugarcane and oilseeds, assistance is given to farmers on certified seeds under NFSM. Priority is given for distribution of seeds of less than 10 years old varieties for quick spread of new varieties for enhancing production and productivity. In addition, mini-kits of newly released varieties of pulses and oilseeds are also provided free of cost to farmers.