INTEGRATED SCHEME OF OILSEEDS, PULSES, OILPALM & MAIZE (ISOPOM)

In order to provide flexibility to the States in implementation based on regionally differentiated approach, to promote crop diversification and to provide focused approach to the programmes, the four erstwhile schemes of OPP, OPDP, NPDP and AMDP have been merged into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM) being implemented from 1.4.2004.

The salient features of ISOPOM are as under:-

1.      Flexibility to the states to utilize the funds for the scheme/crop of their choice.

2.      Annual action plan to be formulated by the State Governments for consideration and approval of the Government of India.

3.      Flexibility to the states for introducing innovative measures or any special component to the extent of 10% of financial allocation.

4.      Involvement of private sector by the State Governments in the implementation of the programme with a financial cap of 15%.

5.      Flexibility for inter component diversion of funds up to 20% for non-seed components only.

6.      Diversion of funds from seed components to non-seed components with the prior approval of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

7.      Increase under staff & contingency not permitted except by revision of pay scale and increase in rate of Dearness Allowance with the prior approval of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

1.1 Oilseed Development Programme

Under ISOPOM the programmes for development of oilseeds are implemented in 14 potential states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The programme pre-dominantly benefits small and marginal farmers as the majority of the farmers involved in the cultivation of oilseed crops  belong to these categories.  Under the Scheme, assistance is provided for purchase of breeder seed, production of foundation seed, production and distribution of certified seed, distribution of seed minikits, distribution of plant protection chemicals, plant protection equipments, weedicides, supply of rhizobium culture/phosphate solubilising bacteria, distribution of gypsum/pyrite/liming/dolomite, distribution of sprinkler sets and water carrying pipes, publicity, etc. to encourage farmers to grow oilseeds.  In order to disseminate information on improved production technologies amongst the farmers, block demonstrations and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstrations are organized through State Department of Agriculture and Front Line Demonstrations through ICAR.

Thrust Areas for Oilseeds Production

             The thrust areas identified for increasing production of oilseeds during Tenth Plan are special production programme in areas at the tail end of the command irrigation system, diversification programme of rice – wheat system into oilseed, convergence  of oilseeds production programme with watershed development programme, inter cropping of oilseed with other crops and extension of the oilseed crops in selected regions of the various States for production. Besides, thrust will be given to increase the seed replacement rate (SRR), promotion of proper and balanced mix of NPK and use of sulphur, use of bio fertilizers , popularization of IPM technologies and promotion of sprinkler sets.

1.2  Pulses Development Programme

For increasing the production and productivity of pulses in the country, pulses production programmes are being implemented under ISOPOM in 14 states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, U.P. & West Bengal. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for the production and distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seed minikits, distribution of sprinkler sets, rhyzobium culture and Phosphare Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), gypsum/pyrite, supply of plant protection chemicals/weedicides/bio-pesticides and plant protection equipment,distribution of bio-fertilizers and gypsum etc.  In order to disseminate the production technology amongst the farmers, frontline demonstrations are organised by the ICAR.  Block and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstrations are organised through State Department of Agriculture on large scale.  Provision for crash programme for quality seed production of pulses has also been made in the scheme in order to meet the shortage of quality seeds.

Thrust Areas for Pulses Production:

The thrust areas identified for increasing production of pulses during Tenth Plan are special production programme in areas at the tail end of the command irrigation system, diversification programme of rice–wheat system, convergence of pulses production programme with watershed development progrmme, inter cropping of pulses with other crops and extension of these crops in selected regions of the various states for production. Besides above, thrust will be given to increase the seed replacement rate (SRR), promotion of proper and balanced fertilization

including macro & micro nutrients, use of bio fertilizers like rhizobium culture & PSB, popularization of IPM technologies and promotion of sprinkler sets. Involvement of private sectors for extension support, production of seeds, supplying inputs will also be promoted. Increasing availability of seeds by under taking programme for production of certified/quality seed will also include in the crash programme for quality seed production of pulses.

1.3 OIL PALM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

            In view of its importance and significance, oil palm cultivation was included under the Technology Mission on Oilseeds & Pulses in 1991-92.  The Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP) was launched with a total outlay of Rs.126.17 crores for development of oil palm over 80,000 ha in the identified states during Eighth Plan (1992-97).  OPDP continued during IX Plan to bring an additional area of 80,000 ha under oil palm with an outlay of Rs.179.65 crores including central outlay of Rs.134.74 crores.   For 10^th Five Year Plan scheme is approved to cover additional 50,000 ha with an allocation of Rs.50.00 Crores. The basic objective of giving assistance to farmers for Oil Palm cultivation is the need to induce them to take up Oil Palm cultivation, which is capital intensive and has long gestation period.  

            The programme is being implemented in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa, Orissa, Kerala, Tripura, Assam & Mizoram

Pattern of Assistance

            Assistance is being provided under OPDP for the following components:-

1.      Planting Material;

2.      Cultivation;

3.      Drip Irrigation;

4.      Training;

5.      Extension & Publicity;

6.      Establishment including Staff;

7.      Seed Gardens;

8.      Testing of Oil Palm Genotypes; and

9.      Leaf Analysis Laboratories;

10.  Diesel Pumpset;

11.  Demonstration;

12.   Development of Wasteland

Thrust Areas for Oil Palm Production

Ø      Rationalization of duty structure on imports of edible oils.

Ø      Ensure availability of credit to farmers for cultivation of oil palm.

Ø      Establishment of adequate processing facilities in the States.

Ø      Enactment of Oil Palm Act by the states to provide assured marketing of FFBs.

Ø      Establish seed gardens for availability of adequate seed/sprouts.

Ø      Financial assistance for R&D to undertake experiments for reducing gestation period of the crop, developing dwarf and water-resistant varieties, development of new hybrids, inter-crop and mix cropping systems and tissue culture, conduct of Genotype X Environment experiments for establishing suitable eco-systems etc. 

Ø      Development of appropriate harvesting tools/techniques. 

Ø      Emphasis on inland and abroad trainings of staff /farmers. 

Ø      Increase in number of demonstration plots for popularization of oil palm crop. 

1.4   Accelerated Maize Development Programme (AMDP)

Maize is cultivated over an area of 74.22 lakh hectares with a grain production of 147.17 lakh tonnes (2003-2004) annually in India.  About 90 per cent of cultivated maize is Kharif rainfed.  Maize cultivated mainly for food, fodder, feed and industrial use.  More than 3500 value added products of daily application are derived from maize. 

2.  Under ISOPOM, Maize Development Programmes are being implemented in 15 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, U.P. & West Bengal.The main emphasis had given for transfer of modern crop production technology to the farmers’ fields through front line demonstrations, field, IPM & seed minikit demonstrations, officers and farmers trainings, conference/ seminars/workshops on Maize Development, use of improved implements, etc.

Component-wise Allocation during X Plan  

The financial allocation of the scheme is as follows: