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 requirements.
In order to enhance the 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 program is implemented in 644 districts of 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Under the program, incentives are given to the farmers for cluster demonstrations, seed distribution & production of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), farm machinery/tools, efficient water-saving devices, plant protection chemicals, nutrients management, soil ameliorants, and training to the farmers.
Further, in order to enhance the 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 mini kits of pulses for the varieties notified within 10 years free of the cost to the farmers, conducting of cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) on an 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) program in 11 states across the country, etc are being undertaken.
For oilseeds production, NFSM – Oilseeds program provides support to the states and implementing agencies for seed components covering the purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation/certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, supply of seed mini kits, creation of seed hubs; production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipment, PP chemicals, nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV)/bioagent, 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, the Oil palm development program 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, training to the farmers, setting up of oil palm processing units, etc.
In addition to the 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 an increase in the 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.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
