Highlights

 

Economics & Statistics        

 Kharif Crop 2002-03         

  • The Minimum Support Prices(MSPs) of Paddy, Coarse Cereals, Arhar(Tur), Cotton. Copra  and Soyabean have been retained at the last year’s level.

  • The MSPs of Moong, Urad, Sunflowerseed have been raised by Rs.10 per quintal. 

  • The MSPs of Groundnut-in-shell have been increased by Rs.15 per quintal.

  • The MSPs of Sesamum and Nigerseed increased by Rs.50 and Rs.20 per quintal respectively over the previous season.

  • The MSP of Jute has been hiked by Rs.40 per quintal during the current season.

  • Keeping in view the widespread drought conditions, the Government announced Special Drought Relief Prices for major agricultural commodities ranging from Rs.5 to 20 per quintal over and above the MSP for Kharif crops of 2002-03 season.

 

Horticulture

  • Horticulture production has increased by 18.7 per cent during the Ninth Plan, from 128.5 million tonnes during 1997-98 to 152.5 million tonnes during 2000-01.

  • Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States including Sikkim launched for horticulture led transformation of the region.

  • Technology Mission on Coconut launched to enable holistic development of the sector.

  • Additional cold storage facility for 26.91 lakh tonnes created, including 15.37 lakh tonnes created this year.

  • Falling price of coconut contained through promotional interventions

 

Machinery

  •           The Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes at Budni (Madhya Pradesh) , Hissar (Haryana) , Garladinne (Andhra Pradesh) and Biswanath Chariali (Assam) continued their activities in training and testing in the field of farm machinery. These institutes , together, have trained 3342 persons and released 103 test reports till 31-12-2002 against the target of training 3500 persons and testing 70 machines respectively for the year 2002-03.

 

 

Natural Resources Management

 

  •            A ‘Climate Change and Agriculture Cell’ was created, which organized South Asia Expert Workshop ‘Adaptation to Climate Change for Agricultural Productivity”  in May, 2002.   Vulnerability assessment, mitigation and adaptation were the core issues of the Workshop.  As a follow up several initiatives have been taken to enhance adaptation to climate change. 

  •             Ministry of Agriculture participated very actively in the 8th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was held in New Delhi from October 23 – November 01, 2002. Delhi Ministerial  Declaration of COP8 has accorded high priority to adaptation to climate change for agricutlural productivity.    

  •              Due to reclamation  of alkali land, land productivity  has been improved thereby the production of 3.5 ton/ha. for paddy and 2.5 ton/ha. for wheat crops has  been achieved in the project area. 

  •             Participation  of  the  beneficiaries  under  various programmes  at  each level of planning,  implementation  & operationalisation  of the project has improved.   In the  formation  of  self help groups and  water  user groups,  women have played vital role in the  project and also improved their socio-economic status. 

  •             Employment  opportunities have been generated for the rural community through their  active  involvement in the reclamation programmes.               

  •              Increase in the bio-mass has improved the ecology and environment

 

Seeds  

  •             The draft Seeds Bill 2002  is under consideration.  This would replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966.  The salient features of the proposed legislation are compulsory registration of seed varieties and  de-regulation & de-control of the Seed Industry.

  •             A scheme for implementation of Legislation on Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Protection has been launched to protect plant breeders’ rights for stimulating investments for research and development both in the public and private sectors for development of new plant varieties and facilitating the growth of the Seed Industry in the country to ensure availability of high quality seeds to the farmers.

  •            In response to the need for creating an appropriate climate for the Seed Industry, safeguarding the interests of Indian farmers and conserving agri-Biodiversity, the National Seeds Policy has been formulated to provide a framework for ensuring the growth of Seed Sector in a liberalized economic environment and to provide Indian farmers with a wide range of high quality seeds / planting material in adequate quantities.

 

Information Technology           

  • PCs have been provided to all the officers from the level of Section Officer and above.  Video conferencing facility has been established in the Department. Training in computers including office automation is being provided on all working days to officers and staff of the Department. Out of 800 officials, 493 officers/staff have been imparted computer training
  • As part of the objective for accelerated use of Information Technology, a Central Sector Scheme for strengthening the use of IT tools and for networking of the field offices and Directorates (DACNET) was launched with signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and National Informatics Centre (NIC).  The scheme envisages total computerization of the activities of main field offices and linking them with the headquarters of the Department in New Delhi through VSAT communications.  Much headway has been made in the implementation of the Scheme in-as-much as over 2500 officers/staff including 340 women employees have been given computer training. 

 

Agricultural Credit

  • The total ground level credit flow for agriculture and allied activities increased from Rs.319,56,00,00 thousand in 1997-98 to Rs.667,71,00,00 thousand in 2001-02. The total credit requirement during Xth Plan has been projected at Rs.736,570,00,00 thousand.  It is estimated that target of total credit flow projected for Xth Plan would be almost achieved

 

Cooperation 

National Policy on Cooperatives 

  •  National Policy on Cooperatives has been formulated by the Government India in consultation with states/union territories. The objective of the National Policy is to facilitate all round development of the cooperatives in the country

 
Marketing 

  • Regulated Markets existing in the country- 7001.

  • Agmark Standards framed for 163 commodities. Standards for five more commodities have been drafted and are under finalization.
               

  • DMI would be the inspecting agency for fresh fruits and vegetables for export to the European Union.

  • Commodities valued at Rs. 602071 thousand and Rs. 420000 thousand were graded for export purposes during 2001-02 and 2002-03  (upto December).

  • Commodities valued at Rs. 40587000 thousand and Rs. 35050000 thousand were graded for internal trade during  2001-02 and 2002-03  (upto December). 

  • 263 personnel during 2001-02 and 177 personnel during 2002-03 (upto December) trained under different training programmes of DMI

  • Agmark exhibitions organized at Kochi and Lucknow.  Also participated in 8 exhibitions organized by States.

  • DMI participated in International Trade Fair and AHARA.

  • Training to 26 supervisors and 156 operators on operation and management of cold storages organized during 2001-02. Two such training programmes were organized during 2002-03 .

  • 2865.506 M.T of meet food products valued at Rs. 381240 thousand were manufactured during 2001-02.

  • Out of 33 studies undertaken under Research Grant Scheme, 31 reports completed.

  • Reports for estimation of Marketable surplus and post-harvest losses of six foodgrains completed and are under finalisation.

  • 735 agricultural markets, 48 State Agricultural Marketing Boards/Departments and 27 DMI Offices (810 nodes) have been provided computer and internet connectivity.  Agmark portal developed for the use of farmers/traders and other market users. The DMI’s website is at present displaying data in respect of arrivals and prices from nearly 345 markets from all over the country.  The information network is proposed to be utilized for market-led extension during Xth Plan.

  • 2373 number of godowns with a storage capacity of 36.62 lakh MT have been sanctioned the financial assistance for the purpose of construction of rural godowns.

  • A total revenue of Rs. 102200 thousand during 2001-02 and Rs. 58900 thousand (provisional) during 2002-03 (upto December) realized on account of grading charges etc.    

 

Integrated Nutrients Management 

  •             Consumption of chemical fertilisers during 2001-02 was 173.60 lakh tonnes of nutrients against 167.02 lakh tonnes of nutrients consumed during  2000-01.  The per hectare of consumption of NPK has increased from 86.71 kg/ha during 2000-01 to 90.12 kg/ha during 2001-02.

  •             Availability of fetilisers was adequate during the year and no shortage was reported from any State.

  •             There  was an increase of 5% in the price of urea and the new price fixed was Rs.4830/- per MT w.e.f. 28.2.2002.  The prices of decontrolled fertilisers were also increased w.e.f. 28.2.2002.  This increase was affected after a gap of two years. 

  •             Quality of fertilisers was ensured through periodical sampling and analysis of fertiliser samples and about 1.04 lakh samples were analysed in the country during 2001-02.

  •             The Government formulated a National Programme for ensuring production, promotion, market development and regulation of organic farming in the country

 

Drought Management

  •             The work relating to Management of Natural calamities other than Drought was transferred to Ministry of Home Affairs w.e.f. 23.2.2002. The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation coordinates matters relating to Drought only.    

  •             During the South West Monsoon-2002, July, 2002 turned  out to be the driest ever since 1875 when IMD started maintaining its records, except on two occasions in the past (1911 & 1918) it was over 45% and both the years had major drought. It was –30% for the country as a whole during July 2002. Although there was considerable recovery in the months of August and September 2002, the Kharif Agricultural operations were adversely affected.    

  •            Out of 523 meteorological districts monitored by India Meteorological Department(IMD), the rainfall was deficient to scanty in 312 districts. The cumulative area weighted rainfall in the season is deficient, being 19% less than Long Period Average (LPA).  In short, in the wake of erratic behaviour of South-West monsoon, a number of States suffered from severe drought.    

  •             Rajasthan is the most severely affected State, facing severe scarcity of drinking water and fodder and losses in agricultural operations. Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, Southern districts of Haryana, Western Madhya Pradesh, Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, South Interior Karnataka, some pockets in Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh have been severely affected.  

  •             
    Immediately on receipt of the information from IMD about delayed rainfall, Union Agriculture Minister convened a Conference of Agriculture and Relief Ministers of the affected States on 24th July 2002 and discussed about the immediate remedial measures, such as launching of relief employment works, alternate cropping, assistance required, etc.  

  •            
         Prime Minister constituted a Task Force for Management of Drought under the Chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister on 31.7.2002, for taking policy decisions to deal with the drought situation. The Task Force met eight times till 28.12.2002 and took major decisions to mitigate the drought.  

  •            
    16 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh have sought relief assistance to undertake drought mitigation works.  Central Teams visited these  States for assessment of the situation.  Following this, Rs. 700.97 crores have been released as additional assistance from the National Calamity Contingency Fund(NCCF).  

  •             
    Parts of Gujarat and West Bengal have also been declared as drought affected, by the States concerned.  

  •             
    In addition to financial assistance, foodgrains have been allocated, free of cost, under the Special Component of Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), for relief employment.  

  •            
         Hon’ble Prime Minister announced relief to farmers in the affected States which inter-alia envisage deferment of recovery of principal and waiver of interest from farmers, on current borrowings for agricultural purposes, for the current year.  

 

Crops   

Crops production 2001-2002 

  •             The overall production of food-grains for 2001-2002 is estimated at 211.32 million tonnes which is 15.40 million tonnes more than the last year.  

  •           
         The production of Rice during 2001-2002 is expected to be slightly lower than the targets.  Production of Rice during 2001-2002 has been estimated to be 91.61 million tonnes as against the target of 93.00 million tonnes.     

  •            
    The production of Wheat for 2001-2002 is estimated at 71.47 million tonnes against target of 78 million tonnes.     

  •            
    The Coarse Cereals production at 34.72 million tonnes for 2001-2002 is more than the target of 33.0 million tonnes.     

  •            
    The estimated production of Cotton during 2001-2002 at 11.69 million bales is higher by about 2.14 million bales of 170 kg. each compared to 2000-2001.       

  •             
    The Sugarcane production during 2001-2002 at 292.2 million tonnes which is slightly lower than the all time record during 1999-2000 at 299.32 million tonnes. 

Kharif crop prospects 2002-2003 – estimated production: 

  •            The overall Kharif foodgrains production during 2002-2003 is estimated to be 90.64 million tonnes compared to last year’s  production of 111.51 million tonnes.  This is attributed to drought, floods and adverse agro-climatic conditions in certain areas of the country. 

  •             The Kharif rice production is expected to be 66.86 million  tonnes.   

  •             In Kharif Coarse Cereals, inspite of moisture stress the total production is estimated to be 19.54 million tones.

         

Millennium Study 

  •             A major study entitled “State of the Indian farmer- A Millennium Study” aiming to inquire into the conditions of the Indian farmers at the commencement of the third millennium has been initiated by the Department. 

  •             
    The Study would enrich our understanding of impact of past policies and programmes on socio-economic and professional environment of the farmers and would help in determining the appropriate future policy directions for the welfare of farmers.     

  •           
         The Study is planned to be conducted in three phases which would be implemented under overall guidance of a Technical Committee and the supervision of a Steering Committee of Experts.     

  •             
    A seminar to review the draft sectoral papers being written as part of Phase-I of the Study, was organized at Institute of Social & Economic Change, Bangalore on 30-31 January, 2002.     

  •           
          A plan of a countrywide survey of farmers has been prepared.  The survey will be conducted in 60,000 farmer households selected from all over the country by National Sample Survey Organization during January-Decembner,2003.

 

International Cooperation  

  •             The 22nd World Food Day was celebrated at the India International Centre, New Delhi on 16.10.2002.  The theme chosen by FAO this year was “Water: Source of Food Security”.  Secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation) presided over the function.

  •            Co-operative Ministers’ Conference for Asia Pacific Region held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 3-7 April, 2002; 26th Session of FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 13-17 May, 2002 and also the SAARAC meeting of Agriculture Ministers held there on 15.5.2000; Fifth Anniversary of the World Food Summit (WFS+5) held in Rome from 10-13 June, 2002 and participated in the 14th Session of Indo-Bulgarian Joint Commission Meeting held in Sofia, Bulgaria from 11-12 July, 2002.

  •             MOS(A) participated in the International Workshop on the Code of Conduct on the Right to Food held from 22-23 May, 2002 in Bonn, (Germany) and visited Holland, Netherlands from November 10-14, 2002 to study their experiences in cooperative sector.

  •             Secretary(A&C) participated in the FAO Council meeting held on 28.10.2002 to 02.11.2002 in Rome, Italy.

  •             Agreements/Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in Agriculture were signed with the Republic of Croatia and the United Republic of Tanzania on 13.11.2002 and 16.12.2002 respectively.
     

  •             During the period, 22 officers were nominated for trainings/deputations abroad under various programmes to acquire knowledge and expertise in Agricultural & Allied fields.

  •            15 officers from this Department/Subordinate Offices/State Governments were recommended for short-term assignments, trainings study visits, etc. to New Zealand, Yemen, Sudan, China and Philippines. Three Officers were also deputed to Mozambique under the Food & Agriculture Organization’s Special programme for Food Security.

  •             During 2002-03, 14 dignitaries from various countries, visited India to share views on WTO, discuss bilateral issues and sign MOUs for cooperation in the field of Agriculture.

 

Extension  

  •             The innovation in Technology Dissemination Management component of World Bank funded National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) is being implemented on pilot basis in seven states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Punjab for testing new institutional arrangements for technology dissemination.  Four districts in each project state have been selected for implementation.  The broad objectives of the Project include strengthening capacity of extension functionaries, re-structuring public extension services, promoting non-Governmental organisation and private sector participation in extension and imparting greater use of information technology.  

  •            The Central Sector Scheme ‘Women in Agriculture’ launched in 1993-94, is under implementation in one district each in fifteen states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh on pilot basis.  Specialised village based training programmes for farm women including skill upgradation programmes for link workers, result demonstrations, study tours and mahila goshtis were organised for transfer of technology.

  •             At the instance of the Agriculture Minister, an Expert Committee on ‘Women in Agriculture’ has been constituted to advise the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) on matters relating to women in Agriculture.

  •             The first Workshop on ‘Information and Communication Technology’ in Agriculture Extension was organised on 12-13th September, 2002 in Vigyan Bhavan.  The broad recommendations of the Workshop were formulated and circulated to all State Departments of Agriculture, State Agriculture Universities, ATMA’s, MANAGE and SAMETI’s for implementation.