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The two day
Kharif Campaign Conference 2007-08 was concluded on 4th April 2007.
Within the Conference, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed its strategy to achieve
4% agricultural growth in the Eleventh Plan period for consideration and deliberation
by states and other participants.
The conference was chaired by Dr. P.K.Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture &
Cooperation). The Conference was also addressed by Dr. J.S. Sarma, Secretary,
Department of Fertilizers and Ms. Charusheela Sohoni, Secretary, Department of
Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries. It was attended by the policy makers, scientists,
administrators and researchers. The participants in the two days Conference included
State Agriculture Production Commissioners/Agriculture Secretaries, Vice-Chancellors
of State Agriculture Universities, Officers of various departments/organizations
of Central Government such as DAC, Department of Space, India Meteorological Department,
National Horticulture Board, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department
of Fertilizers, Planning Commission and others.
Dr. S.M. Jharwal, Principal Adviser, DAC, welcomed the participants to
the two days Conference. He referred to the Approach Paper for the 11th
Plan, approved by the National Development Council and Draft National Policy for
Farmers based on the recommendations of National Commission for Farmers, and highlighted
the need to translate their recommendations into an action plan.
In his inaugural address, Secretary (DAC) stated that agriculture is at
a cross road but there are immense opportunities. He stressed on the need for
achieving 4% growth in agriculture and allied sectors. He referred to the constraints
which the agriculture sector is facing like agrarian distress, agricultural risks,
spatial and temporal climatic aberrations and vulnerability for food security.
He also referred to the problems of land degradation, soil nutrient deficiency,
imbalanced use of fertilizers, depleting water resources which need urgent attention.
He highlighted the need for concerted efforts to revamp the seed management system,
agriculture extension system and development of horticulture sector.
He stressed that there is need now for preparing an action plan which could
be implemented in medium term for identified areas such as food security, production
of pulses and oilseeds, availability of quality seeds, extension system, horticulture
sector and the present Conference should come up with a road-map for revitalizing
the agriculture sector and enhancing income of farmers.
The states have to finalize their strategy for the 11th Plan
to achieve 4% agricultural growth by making it area specific and crops specific
The thrust areas identified were: ·
extension of area and
productivity of major food crops of the States, depending upon its agro-climatic
zones, including a major thrust on the pulses and oilseeds sector. ·
focused attention to the development of rainfed and dry-land
areas, through the introduction of better watershed management techniques coupled
with appropriate farming and livelihood system approaches. ·
improving farm income through implementation and monitoring
of horticulture development through an area based approach and strengthening of
post harvest management. ·
timely availability of quality seeds in adequate quantity and,
therefore, the need to undertake a Nation-wide campaign on the development of
quality seeds, particularly of pulses, through the Central and State agencies
and improve the seed replacement rates in a determined and sustained manner, ·
immediate revamp of the extension system to improve delivery
mechanism at the grass root level with special emphasis on strengthening ATMA
and the use of information technology through mechanisms such as Kisan Call Centres.
The existing scheme is being strengthened in this regard. ·
farmers welfare especially risk mitigation, reduction of rural distress and ensuring that
farmers earn a minimum net income, through a better social security system, adequate
insurance coverage and reduction of agricultural indebtedness. ·
a greater role for the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the agriculture
sector, specifically in agriculture insurance, extension services, rainfed area
development etc.
Keeping in view the enormity of the task at hand, the delegates to the
conference felt the need for substantial increase in the Plan allocation for agriculture
and the allied sectors both in the Central and State Plans for the XI Plan period.
The above deliberations were held during the National Conference on Agriculture
for Kharif Campaign 2007-08 held on 3-4th April, 2007, at New Delhi.
On 4th April 2007,
Honourable Union Agriculture Minister, Shri. Sharad Pawar, also addressed the
Conference. Secretary (DAC) welcomed the
Agriculture Minister and gave a brief account of the discussions held in the Conference
so far. He also invited senior officers from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan to briefly intimate the efforts made by their State
Governments in increasing the wheat production and likely production estimates
this year. The State Government officers informed that despite few losses due
to rains during February/March this year, the wheat production prospects are very
bright and it will be quite high as compared to last year.
The Agriculture Minister also highlighted measures taken by the Union Government
this year for increasing wheat production like increase in MSP and bonus. He expected
that with high availability of wheat this year, procurement would be adequate
to meet PDS requirements and prices will be relatively comfortable. As desired
by him a presentation was made by National Centre for Agriculture Economics and
Policy Research of ICAR on demand and supply projections for the years 2011-12
and 2020-21. It was highlighted that the
rate of growth of foodgrains at present is 0.7% and there is a need to increase
it to 2.21% for meeting increasing requirements of foodgrains of the country for
food and other uses. He added that requirement of foodgrains for feed, processed
food and industrial uses has reached about 28% of the production. It was pointed
out that over the years, rates of power supply, investment in agriculture, terms
of trade, fertilizers consumption etc have not grown as per the requirements which
have made the supply position of foodgrains very critical. He indicated that if
the Terms of Trade are made favourable to the farmers and other input constraints
are taken care of, the foodgrains production will rise positively.
The Agriculture Minister stressed upon the need to adopt focused approach
to give new direction to 11th
Five Year Plan in the areas of irrigation, power supply, seed replacement rate,
extension system, remunerative prices to farmers, crop diversification including
horticulture sector and credit. He emphasized on the need for associating Panchayat
Raj Institutions as well as research institutes in the Kharif and Rabi campaigns
for boosting foodgrains production.
The Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, assured the State Governments
that his Department will ensure adequate supply of fertilizers. He referred to
the innovative steps being taken in this regard such as maintaining buffer stock
of fertilizers in the major States, arranging availability of 75% of the requirement of fertilizers by 1st
of the month, and 100% of the demand by 15th of the month and online
monitoring of the arrangements at the district and State levels. He urged the
States to ensure equitable distribution of fertilizers within the districts.
The Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries,
referred to the alarming gap in the demand and supply of both dry and green fodder
and informed that a Livestock Food Production
Corporation is being set up for promoting production and consumption of
nutritious fodder and feed by the animals. She also referred to the shortage of
maize being felt by the poultry industry and rising prices of maize in the market
which need urgent attention. She added that a National Fisheries Development Board
has been set up to realize the untapped potential of the fisheries sector which
can contribute towards growth of agriculture and allied sectors.
She stressed the need for maintaining symbiotic and complementary relationship
between agriculture and livestock.
Agriculture Commissioner in his presentation referred to increasing demand
for foodgrains and the problems being faced in increasing their production such
as untapped yield potential, imbalanced use of nutrients. He also referred to
the interventions required such as targeting
potential areas, increased use of hybrids, increasing seed replacement
rates, use of modern agricultural practices, development of improved varieties,
bringing fallow land under cultivation, promoting inter-cropping in case
of pulses, improving quality seed production and encouraging seed treatment with
fungicides.
Presentations were also made relating to area based approach for horticulture
development, improvement of agricultural statistics, revamping of extension system
at the grass root level, promotion of seed treatment, quality control of pesticides,
adequate and timely availability of fertilizers and on indigenous innovations
in agriculture. An interactive session on emerging issues also took place.
The State Governments in their presentations highlighted area coverage
and likely production estimates during 2006-07 and the state of their preparedness
for upcoming Kharif 2007. The States expressed their optimism about agricultural
production during 2007. They also put forward their road-map for achieving 4%
growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Based on the assessments given by the
State Governments, the third advance estimates of crop production for 2006-07
were also finalized which are given in Annexure-I. After detailed deliberations, the Conference also arrived at a number of conclusions and recommendations
which are given in Annexure-II ****** Annexure-I
| 3rd Advance Estimates of Production
of Foodgrains, Oilseeds and Other Commercial Crops during 2006-07 |
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Production (Million Tonnes) |
| Crop | Season | 3rd Advance Estimates 2006-07 | Final Estimates 2005-06 | % Change |
| Rice | Kharif |
78.54 |
78.27 |
0.3 |
| | Rabi |
12.51 |
13.52 |
-7.5 |
| | Total |
91.05 |
91.79 |
-0.8 |
| Wheat | Rabi |
73.70 |
69.35 |
6.3 |
| Coarse
Cereals | Kharif |
24.98 |
26.73 |
-6.5 |
| | Rabi |
7.94 |
7.33 |
8.3 |
| | Total |
32.92 |
34.06 |
-3.3 |
| Major
Coarse Cereals | | | |
|
| Jowar | Kharif |
3.88 |
4.07 |
-4.7 |
| | Rabi |
3.75 |
3.56 |
5.4 |
| | Total |
7.63 |
7.63 |
0.0 |
| Bajra | Kharif |
8.27 |
7.68 |
7.6 |
| Maize | Kharif |
11.00 |
12.16 |
-9.5 |
| | Rabi |
2.85 |
2.55 |
11.6 |
| | Total |
13.85 |
14.71 |
-5.8 |
| Pulses | Kharif |
4.83 |
4.87 |
-0.8 |
| | Rabi |
9.27 |
8.52 |
8.8 |
| | Total |
14.10 |
13.39 |
5.3 |
| Major
Pulses | | | |
|
| Tur | Kharif |
2.51 |
2.74 |
-8.3 |
| Gram | Rabi |
5.97 |
5.60 |
6.6 |
| Other
Kharif Pulses | Kharif |
2.32 |
2.13 |
9.1 |
| Other
Rabi Pulses | Rabi |
3.30 |
2.92 |
13.0 |
| Foodgrains | Kharif |
108.36 |
109.87 |
-1.4 |
| | Rabi |
103.42 |
98.73 |
4.8 |
| | Total |
211.78 |
208.60 |
1.5 |
| Oilseeds | Kharif |
13.88 |
16.77 |
-17.2 |
| | Rabi |
9.38 |
11.21 |
-16.3 |
| | Total |
23.26 |
27.98 |
-16.9 |
| Major
Oilseeds | | | |
|
| Groundnut | Kharif |
3.35 |
6.30 |
-46.8 |
| | Rabi |
1.63 |
1.69 |
-3.6 |
| | Total |
4.98 |
7.99 |
-37.7 |
| Soyabean | Kharif |
8.67 |
8.27 |
4.8 |
| Rapeseed
& Mustard | Rabi |
6.69 |
8.13 |
-17.7 |
| Sugarcane | Total |
322.94 |
281.17 |
14.9 |
| Cotton
* | Total |
21.04 |
18.50 |
13.7 |
| Jute** | Total |
10.33 |
9.97 |
3.6 |
| Mesta** | Total |
1.02 |
0.87 |
17.2 |
|
* Million
Bales of 170 kg each |
|
|
|
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|
** Million
Bales of 180 kg each |
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Annexure
II National
Conference on agriculture for Kharif Campaign – 2007-08 Major Recommendations
and Conclusions Seed production and availability 1.1 Farmers rely on and use farm saved seeds to the extent of 80
to 85%. Farm saved seeds is of poor quality
and their continuous use affects their quality and consequently their yield.
There is, therefore, need for promoting and encouraging higher seed replacement
rate. For this purpose, the farmers have to be empowered
with training, financial support and inputs like better quality seeds, parental
lines (in case of hybrids) etc. to raise quality seeds in required quantity through:- (a) Training
of farmers in seed production technologies, particularly hybrid seeds. (b) Supply of
inputs like better quality seeds and parental lines to farmers at subsidized rates
and on easy terms. (c) Support for
creating infrastructure including irrigation facilities for seed production. (d) Support for
acquisition of storage and seed processing facilities. 1.2 Public sector seed research and development system and seed
production agencies have played a crucial role in the green revolution. The public sector seed R&D and production
system should be strengthened in terms of infrastructure, upgraded technologically
and professionalized. This is particularly
important in view of the fact that public sector will face serious challenge from
the private sector in the coming years. The place and the role of public sector are
unique and important because private sector will continue to be active in the
area of high value and low volume seeds and may not take the desired interest
in the high volume low value seeds. Further,
strengthening of the State Seeds Corporations and State Seed Production systems
to enable them to work as price stabilizing factor on the basis of recommendations
of the Expert Group framed by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation under
the Chairmanship of Dr. P.L. Gautam, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T. 1.3 The private sector seed industry in India is growing appreciably
and is acquiring an important place in our agricultural production system.
The public and the private sector along with the research institutions
need to be encouraged to form consortia for optimal and beneficial utilization
of talent, capabilities, expertise and infrastructure.
A conducive environment should be created to foster the growth of private
sector seed industry and public-private partnership with a view to meeting country’s
quality seed requirements and facilitate India’s emergence as a major seed exporter
in accordance with the National Seed Policy, 2002. 1.4 Yield increase through better quality seeds can no longer be
delayed as the area under cultivation is unlikely to increase. This calls for use of new technologies like
biotechnology. Therefore, Biotechnology
Research and Application to Agriculture should be promoted on a large scale. 1.5 Quality control of seeds should be rigorously enforced to ensure
that the farmer does not suffer on account of sub-standard seeds. For this purpose, seed testing and seed certification
systems should be strengthened and improved using modern technologies. One Seed
Testing Laboratory in each district of the State should be established in a phased
manner. 1.6 Seed production in the country should be increased to reach
the desired level in 3 years. 1.7 Seed production Departments of States / State Seeds Corporations
and farmers should be involved in trial and evaluation of new varieties. Rain-fed area development
2.1 Preparation of base data ( demographic, socio-economic and on
existing natural resource) at the inception of XI Plan for rainfed agriculture. 2.2 Equity for resource poor families and women empowerment through
their participation in Natural Resource Management (NRM ) programmes should be
given adequate thrust. 2.3 Capacity building of various stakeholders (community, project
implementation staff) should commence immediately. 2.4 Timely release of funds to Project Implementing Agency ( PIA
) for completion of time bound activities should be ensured. 2.5 Proposed activities to be taken up under NWDPRA Programme during
Kharif Season in Rainfed Areas are as below:-
i.
Activities such as, bunding, bench terracing, contour bunding/
terracing, land leveling etc. need to be taken up under mechanical measures for
arable lands well in advance of the monsoon.
ii.
There is also need to take up biological measures, such as,
vegetative barriers, for arable lands.
iii.
For non-arable lands, the activities such as, diversion drains,
contour trenching, gully plugging etc. needs to be taken up under conservation
measures in the watershed areas.
iv.
In order to harvest rain water during rainy season, soil conservation
measures such as, construction of check
dams, vegetative cover etc. in the drainage line is required to be planned in
advance.
v.
In order to create adequate soil moisture, deep ploughing at
the time of first showers of monsoon is required to be encouraged to conserve
soil moisture for sowing of kharif crops in dryland areas.
vi.
In order to cover the non-arable / arable area of the watershed,
advance preparations are required to raise suitable species of plantation crops
to take up mass plantations at the onset of monsoon. Macro-management Schemes 3.1 This scheme has provided a major intervention to supplement
the efforts being made by the States to enhance their production and productivity,
offering significant flexibility to the States to implement programmes on a regionally
differentiated basis suited to their local requirements, thus creating a sense
of ownership amongst the State officials of the projects implemented under this
scheme. The scheme should , therefore, continue but the scope of this scheme should
be further expanded. 3.2 The guidelines laid down for implementation of various programmes
subsumed under this Scheme need to be updated, made more flexible and capable
of providing better incentives. The existing rigidity in the individual sub-schemes
and their compartmentalization is required to be removed so that the scheme functions
as an integrated whole and not as a basket of different components put together
without appropriate linkages. 3.3 The re-structured Scheme should focus on promotion of integrated
development of major food crops essential from point of view of food security;
encourage agricultural mechanization; enhance soil health and efficient quality
control of inputs; and integrated development of wastelands on watershed basis.
This will ensure that the funds are not thinly spread and proved unproductive.
The need to retain all the existing sub-schemes, therefore, needs to be
seriously considered. 3.4 The subsidy structure under this Scheme has become visibly outdated
and in fact, does not even compare favourably with the subsidy tariff of several
other Centrally Sponsored Schemes. It
is recommended that the subsidy rates under this Scheme be suitably enhanced to encourage the farming
community to undertake the activities approved under the Scheme. All anomalies
in the pattern of subsidy should be removed. 3.5 The Scheme provides much needed opportunity to the States to
implement innovative activities/programmes not covered under any of its sub-schemes.
However, the cap of 10 per cent of the total allocation applicable at present
for such innovative schemes is restrictive in nature and discourages meaningful
new interventions of the required magnitude. 3.6 It is not at present permissible under the Scheme to implement
any activity covered under any other Central or State scheme. This restriction
is a clear disincentive as the funds available under other schemes are not always
sufficient enough to meet the needs of the States for implementation of that activity. Extension 4.1 Greater attention may be given to provide extension support
to farmers in rainfed areas. Accordingly,
at least proportionate resources available for extension activities may be utilized
in rainfed areas. 4.2 Social prestige and status being accorded to farmers at present
is not very high. As such, farmer awards
may be instituted at Block, District and State levels. 4.3 Public extension functionaries would continue to perform a critical
role in providing extension support, particularly to small and marginal farmers.
Their training and capacity building may be given utmost importance. 4.4 Farmer-to-farmer learning is the most credible and effective.
Farm Schools may be established in the fields of outstanding farmers and
awardees of nationally recognized awards for farmers. States would take immediate
action to identify progressive farmers and establish Farm Schools. 4.5 Agri-clinic Scheme of the DAC aims to provide extension and
other support to farmers by agriculture graduates in self-employed mode. The agri-preneurs may be fully utilized in
implementation of extension activities. 4.6 ICAR may take necessary action for setting up a system to recognize
agriculture graduates as Registered Farm Practitioners and also to ensure the
quality and credibility of the services provided by them. 4.7 Non-Government extension functionaries such as agri-preneurs,
NGOs, Cooperatives, PRIs, Input dealers, Corporate sector, etc. may be proactively
integrated into the extension system. 4.8 Demonstration, training, exposure visit, various forms of research-extension-farmer
interactions are effective extension activities. The focus of extension effort may be on Commodity
Interest Groups (CIG) of farmers so as to provide economies of scale to small
farmers. Maximum extension resources may be utilized for these activities. Increasing
use of ICT may be made for providing right information to farmers at the right
time. Electronic and print media may also
provide necessary support. 4.9 ICAR may take up digitization of available information in a
farmer friendly manner. 4.10 SAUs may develop, and announce, training calendar for training
of extension functionaries belonging to both Government and Non-Government sectors.
The training calendar may take into consideration training needs emerging
from SREPs. States may sponsor extension functionaries
for these training courses. The target
should be to provide at least one round of training, on an average of about a
week in each season, to all the extension functionaries available in the district.
4.11 Similarly, KVKs may develop, and announce, a training calendar
for training of extension functionaries, progressive farmers, leaders of CIGs,
etc. This training calendar may also be
based on training needs emerging from SREP. 4.12 KVKs may also disseminate technologies through increased number
of frontline demonstrations taken up on the field of members of CIGs. 4.13 Extension functionaries may provide season long technical backstopping
to CIGs and other farmers on whose plot demonstrations are being supported.
4.14 States would forward the list of candidates for one year Diploma
Course in Agriculture Extension Management to MANAGE expeditiously. 4.15 States would review the existing extension system within the state
and provide their suggestions for the revitalization of the extension system,
including launch of a new programme. These
suggestions would be sent to DAC by 7th May, 2007. 4.16 Funds for implementation of various extension activities may for
the present be rovided under the ATMA programme. States would provide dedicated
manpower at State and District levels for strengthening the ATMA programme. States
would prepare and submit SEWP for 2007-08 for districts already covered under
the ATMA programme latest by 15.05.2007. Soon
after SEWP 2007-08 has been approved by the DAC, States would take necessary action
for bringing additional districts under the coverage of the ATMA programme. 4.17 States would also take necessary action so that the meetings of
the State Level Committees on Mass Media Scheme and Kisan Call Centres initiative
are held at least once in a quarter. Horticulture 5.1. Production and distribution of good quality
planting material is key to enhancing productivity. Therefore, efforts are required to produce
the required quantity of quality planting material and make them available to
the farmers. There is an urgent need to
make an assessment of the requirement of planting material and put in place a
mechanism for its production and supply before the ensuing planting season. 5.2 Immediate arrangements are required to
be made to publish the particulars of certified/accredited nurseries for the information
of farmers. 5.3 Area expansion under horticulture crops
to be restricted to recommended varieties. Such
area expansion should be taken up after assessment of existing potential of ICAR
institutions, State Agricultural Universities and other research institutions. 5.4 There is a need to develop and promote
modern production technologies for different crops based on agro-ecology of the
region, with the active participation of ICAR institutions, State Agricultural
Universities and other research institutions. 5.5 End to end approach with forward and backward
linkages with farmer as center of focus needs to be ensured. 5.6 More emphasis to be laid on post harvest
management through introduction of advanced technologies for on-farm storage,
grading and packing of horticultural product, at production centres. 5.7 Farm mechanization to be actively pursued. 5.8 Assets created such as Plant Health Clinics,
Disease Forecasting Units, Tissue/Leaf Analysis Labs., Bio-control Labs etc. out
of GOI Schemes on Horticulture be made accessible/available to the farmers at
reasonable costs. 5.9 Various components and assistance under
the on-going schemes on horticulture such as Technology Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States (TMNE) and National Horticulture
Mission (NHM) to be given wide publicity for the information of the growers and
other stakeholders. Marketing reforms 6.1 All States which have not
amended their APMC Acts, would complete the process of amendments and create a
policy environment for creating efficient marketing system. Those States, who
have amended the Act but have not notified the Rules, will do so urgently to realise
the benefits of reforms. To facilitate States in drafting such Rules, a Model
Rule should be circulated by the Ministry of Agriculture. 6.2 All States eligible for
Terminal Market Scheme would identify suitable locations for setting up such markets
in PPP mode and would initiate the process of selection of entrepreneurs and execution
of the scheme. 6.3 All States, which have
implemented market reforms, would generate wide awareness about the opportunities
available for setting up post harvest marketing infrastructure under the new Central
scheme and would also propose viable projects for creating new marketing infrastructure
or upgrading existing markets. Major crops Rice 7.1 The System of Rice Intensification is ideally suited for adoption
in upland conditions of rice cultivation
with assured irrigation facilities The productivity of SRI system has been found
to be significantly high as compared to conventional planting of rice. The
initial results of the SRI method have been very encouraging. The SRI need be
promoted in upland conditions of rice growing States especially in Punjab, Haryana,
Western Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. 7.2 Hybrid rice is one of the most potential tools to bridge the
gap between potential yield and actual yield realized at farmers’ field. The States need to popularize the hybrid rice
technology through availability of quality seeds and technology demonstration
for augmenting the productivity of rice. 7.3 Promotion of early maturing rice varieties in rainfed upland
and midland situations in North Eastern and Eastern States to facilitate early
harvesting and exploitation of rice fallows through short duration oilseeds and
pulses. 7.4 Integrated nutrient management with supplemental use of micronutrients
in deficient areas need be promoted to enhance the productivity of rice. Jowar and Bajra 7.5 The dual purpose varieties of sorghum need be promoted to cater
to the need of fodder and grains. The extra early varieties of bajra need be promoted
in arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
7.6 The rabi sorghum may be promoted in irrigated areas of Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Karnataka. 7.7 The rainfed/dryland technologies for moisture conservation like
water harvesting, sowing on ridges in furrow irrigated raised bed system to enhance
the water conservation and its utilization in rainfed areas need be promoted. Wheat 7.8 The sowing of wheat is often delayed in
cotton-wheat and rice-wheat system of northern States. The states need to adopt
early maturing varieties of cotton and rice to vacate the field in time for ensuring
timely sowing of wheat. 7.9 Resource conservation technologies especially
zero tillage has proved very promising in reducing the cost and facilitating timely
planting of wheat especially in rice-wheat system in north-western and north-eastern
plains. This technology needs to be promoted to encourage early/timely sowing
of the crop and reduce the cost of production. 7.10 Enhancing seed replacement rate form about
20% at present to 30% with greater emphasis on high temperature tolerant varieties
so as to minimize the loss in yield due to rise in temperature during flowering/grain
formation stages. 7.11 Balanced use of fertilizers including micronutrients
should be promoted to achieve higher productivity. Pulses 7.12 Concerted efforts are required for area expansion
under kharif pulses (8.0 m ha) and rabi pulses (1.2 m ha) through
intercropping with cereals, cotton, sugarcane and oilseeds and targeting rice
fallows of southern, eastern and central States. 7.13 Emphasis should be given to increase the
area under short duration pigeonpea in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 7.14 Seed replacement rate need to be enhanced
to 25-30% which is at present very low. 7.15 A national campaign need to be launched to
promote seed treatment with fungicides and Rhizobium culture to enhance
the productivity by 10 to 15%. 7.16 Ridge planting of pulses should be promoted
in eastern States and black soils of southern States to avoid the loss due to
water logging. 7.17 Application of phosphatic fertilizers and
need based micronutrients like boron, zinc and sulphur need be promoted. 7.18 Integrated pest management involving bio-pesticides/pesticides
and cultural practices should be promoted to minimize the losses from pod borer.
7.19 Promotion of sprinkler irrigation system
to provide one or two life saving irrigation. Oilseeds 7.20 Enhance seed replacement rate to cover more
area under improved varieties 7.21 Promotion of use of phosphatic fertilizers
along with sulphur in sulphur deficient areas to enhance the productivity 7.22 Encourage early/timely sowing using seed-cum-fertilizer
drill for better growth and yield. 7.23 Intercropping of pigeonpea with soybean need
be encouraged to enhance the return per unit cropped area. 7.24 The seed rate in soybean need be adjusted
according to quality of seeds and its germination percentage. 7.25 Provide supplementary irrigation for realizing
higher productivity of oilseeds. Cotton 7.26 Pests particularly
the American Bollworm are the main constraints in increasing cotton
yield. The States may invariably give more thrust
to IPM and popularize Bt-hybrids .64 Bt-hybrids have been released since 2002
for different cotton growing States, which are suitable both for irrigated and
rainfed conditions. The Bt–cotton area which was about 0.29 lakh ha in 2002-03,
has increased to almost 34 Lakh ha in 2006-07 which is 37% of total cotton area.(
The total cotton area was about 91.6 lakh ha in the country during 2006-07). This
clearly indicates its’ popularity amongst farmers. The States, however, may
keep close watch that spurious Bt-cotton seeds are not supplied. 7.27 The efforts are needed for efficient use of water through sprinkler
and drip as water is a scarce commodity in most of the cotton growing States.
This way the saved water could be used to irrigate more area for increasing productivity
as presently 65% cotton area in the country is rainfed. 7.28 Presently the country is importing Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton.
Therefore, States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh ,Maharashtra etc may make concerted efforts under Mini Mission-II
of Technology Mission for increasing production of such cotton , which fetches
better price than other types of cotton. Sugarcane 7.29 The major constraint in sugarcane cultivation in the sub tropical
region is late planting of sugarcane after harvesting of wheat causing reduction
in yields and therefore timely planting
needs to be ensured. 7.30 Since sugarcane is consuming too much water, water saving devices
like drip need to be popularized for saving water particularly in states having
shortage of water. 7.31 Ring pit method of sugarcane planting increases yield significantly
compared to conventional methods. A ring pit of 90 CM diameter with 45 CM depth is dug by Ring-pit
digger machine attached to tractor and sugarcane sets are planted in the
pit. Such planting reduces emergence of unproductive shoots
and therefore inputs are effectively used by main shoots of plant giving
more yields The States may popularize Ring Pit Digger machine under Macro management
scheme, where assistance @ 25 % of cost is available for supply of machines to
farmers. Jute and
Mesta 7.32 Jute is grown in the Eastern and NE States but due to higher humidity,
seeds produced in these Sates have poor seed viability and hence seeds are mostly
imported from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Thus, major thrust be given to procure and distribute jute seeds
timely to farmers. And also increase more seeds to farmers. 7.33 Jute fiber produced is poor quality due to lack of flowing water
compared to jute fibers produced
in Bangla Desh. Technology for retting of fiber with the limited available water
has been developed by ICAR for increasing fiber quality. States may demonstrate and popularize improved method
of jute retting under newly launched
Mini Mission-II of Jute Technology Mission. Fertilizer availability 8.1 It was noted that assessed requirement of Urea, DAP and MOP
as worked out in consultation with the State Governments, DOF and Industry is
132.65 lakh MTs of Urea, 40.08 lakh MTs of DAP and 16.5 lakh MTs of MOP. This does not include pipeline requirement.
The Government of India will ensure that the availability of the fertilisers
to the farmers including the pipeline requirement are fully met. Also the prices
of the raw material and finished product for the purpose of subsidy/concession
be decided by the GOI in time to ensure availability.
However, the State Governments should also take the following steps :-
- The availability of the fertilizer within the State
should be ensured through equitable distribution.
- The quality control mechanism under FCO should
be fully operationalized so that the farmers get right quality of fertilizers.
- The tie up of
the fertilisers be fully worked out with DOF and Industry
under intimation to DAC.
- Gap, if any, in the availability should be brought
to the notice of DOF and DAC.
8.2 Regarding National Project on Organic Farming, it was noted
that the implementation of the programme needs to be stepped up and State Governments
will take all possible steps in this regard with assistance from the National
Centre of Organic Farming and through its six Regional Centres so that the formally
certified areas increases to give full benefits to the farmers. Agriculture Research 9.1 Agriculture research should focus on the specific needs of the
farmers, especially small and marginal farmers with a focus on research on organic
farming. Miscellaneous 10.1
There should be greater degree of convergence between the several
central ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry
of Food and Consumer affairs, Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries,
Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj,
Ministry of Food Processing etc. Specifically this convergence is immediately
necessary between the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Food Processing
for processing of horticultural products. MP:AMT:CP:backgrounder(kharifcampaign)9.4.2007
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National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign – 2007-08
