» The share of agriculture in the gross domestic product has
registered a steady decline from 36•4
per cent in 1982-83 to 18•5 per cent
in 2006-07.
» Over a medium term, there has generally been
a shortfall in the achievement of target of
foodgrains, pulses and oilseeds during 2000-01
to 2006-07. The actual production of foodgrains
on an average was 93 per cent of the target.
Actual production, however, was only 87•7
per cent of target for pulses and 85•3
per cent of target for oilseeds. Production
of sugarcane and cotton, however, over achieved
their respective targets in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
» Agriculture in our country provides livelihood
to about 64% of the population.
» Agriculture sector provides employment to
58•4% of country’s work force
and is the single largest private sector occupation.
Green Revolution in the country was actually
started in the mid sixties.
» Due to Green Revolution, the share of wheat
in the total production was increased. The
share of rice remained constant while the
shares of cereals and pulses were reduced.
» Coarse cereals include jawar, maize, bajra,
ragi and small millets.
» Between 1950-51 and 2006-07, foodgrain production
increased at an average annual rate of 2•5%
compared to the growth of population which
averaged 2•1% during this period.
» The overall production of foodgrains was estimated
at 217•3 million tonnes in 2006-07 which
shows an increase of 4•2% over 2005-06.
Compared to the target set for 2006-07, it
was, however, lower by 2•7 million tonnes
(i.e. 1•2%).
» During 2006-07, the increase in foodgrain
production was largely because of higher production
of wheat by 6•5 million tonnes (9•3%)
and pulses by 0•8 million tonnes (6%).
» During 2006-07 there was a decline in production
of oilseeds (Decline by 3•7 million
tonnes or 13%) compared to the production
in 2005-06.
» Nine oil seeds which are produced in India
are : groundnuts, mustard, toria, soyabean,
sunflower, sesamum (til), castorseed, nigerseed,
linseed and safflower (kardi).
» Madhya Pradesh has the highest production
of soyabean in India.
» During 2006-07, the production of rice has
been estimated at 93•0 million tonnes
(final estimates). During 2005-06 the production
was 91•8 million tonnes.
» India holds first position in the world in
the production of sugarcane and sugar.
» During 2006-07, the production of sugarcane
has been estimated at 355•5 million
tonnes. During 2005-06, its production was
281•2 million tonnes.
» During 2006-07, the production of cotton has
been estimated at 220 lakh bales of 170 kg.
each. During 2005-06, its production was 185
lakh bales.
» UP accounted for a share of 18•97% in
India’s total foodgrains production
in 2006-07, followed by Punjab with a share
of 11•65%, AP with 7•47%, West
Bengal 7•35% and Haryana with 6•79%.
Compared with the previous year’s production
level of 208•60 million tonnes, 2006-07
all-India production, at 217•28 million
tonnes, recorded a 4•16% growth.
» Rice production in the country amounted to
93•35 million tonnes during 2006-07,
up 1•70% over the 2005-06 production
of 91•79 million tonnes. West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab were
the top four producers cumulatively accounting
for half of the country’s rice production.
» During 2006-07, production of jute and mesta
has been estimated at 110 lakh bales of 180
kg. each while during 2005-06 it was 108 lakh
bales.
» Cashew nuts assumes an important place in
the Indian Economy. India produces 45% of
the global production of Cashew. India is
the largest producer, processor, consumer
and exporter of Cashew in the world.
» India contributes about 13% to the world vegetable
production and occupies first rank in the
production of Cauliflower,second in Onion
and third in Cabbage in the world.
» India’s share in the world production
of mango is about 54%.
» India occupies the first rank in banana production
of 1•16 million tonnes.
» The present availability of human protein
in an Indian diet is 10 gm. per person per
day as against a world average of 25 gms.
The Commission for Agricultural Costs and
Prices (CACP) has proposed a Minimum Support
Price (MSP) of Rs. 675 per quintal for Grade
‘A’ paddy and Rs. 645 per quintal
for common variety to be procured during the
Kharif marketing season October 2007–September
2008. For 2006-07 (October-September) the
corresponding MSPs (with bonus) were Rs. 650
and Rs. 620 per quintal respectively. In addition,
the Centre has announced an incentive bonus
of Rs. 75, taking the procurement price of
the 2007-08 crop to Rs. 725 and Rs. 695 per
quintal for Grade ‘A’ and common
paddy respectively.
» The cabinet committee on Economic Affairs
has fixed the Minimum Support Price for 2007-08
wheat crop (market year 2008-09) at Rs. 1000
per quintal which is Rs. 250 more than the
Rs. 750 per quintal set for 2005-06. In addition
to this government also announced a bonus
of Rs. 100 per quintal for the year 2007-08,
which hiked MSP of wheat to Rs. 850 per quintal.
» All India Summary Reports of the 17th Livestock
Census released in July 2006 points out that
India possesses the largest livestock populations
in the world after Brazil. It accounts for
about 56 per cent of the world’s buffalo
population and 14 per cent of the cattle population.
It ranks first in respect of buffalo and second
in respect of cattle population, second in
goat population and third in respect of sheep
in the world.
» Animal husbandry output constitutes about
30% of the country’s agriculture output.
» U.P. is the highest wheat producing state
in India. Punjab and Haryana hold second and
third positions respectively.
» Rice is the main food crop in India. The highest
rice producing State is W. Bengal, Andhra
Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh hold the second
and third places respectively.
» The highest cereals producing area is Maharashtra.
Karnataka and Rajasthan hold the second and
third position respectively.
» The highest pulses producing State is M.P.,
U.P. and Maharashtra hold the second and third
places respectively. The production of pulses
in the country has been stagnating at around
14 to 15 million tonnes as against domestic
demand of around 20 million tonnes.
» India is the largest producer and consumer
of tea in the world and accounts for around
27% of world production and 13% of world trade.
» Under the present foreign trade policy, import
of tea is permitted with an import duty of
100%.
India contributes only 4% of world coffee
production but India ranks sixth in world
coffee production. During 2006-07 coffee’s
» » production was 2•88 lakh tonnes. For
2007-08, its production has been estimated
at 2•62 lakh tonnes.
» A total quantity of 2•49 lakh tonnes
of coffee was exported from India during the
year 2006-07 valued at 453 million US dollar,
earning a foreign exchange of Rs. 1016 crore.
» Karnataka which is the largest producer of
coffee in the country accounts for 56•5%
of total coffee production in India.
» Domestic demand for coffee in the country
is about 70000 tonnes per annum 70% of the
total coffee production is exported from India.
» The productivity of rubber in the country
during 2006-07 was 1879 kg per hectare, which
is the highest in the world. At » present country’s
97% of demand for natural rubber is met by
indigenous production.
» India is the fourth largest producer of natural
rubber with a share of 8•8% in world
production in 2006.
» Kerala is the main rubber producing state
which produces 90% of rubber in the country
and accounts for over 85% of the area under
cultivation.
» The Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme (PSFs)
for tea, coffee, rubber and tobacco growers
was launched in April 2003 against the » backdrop
of decline in unit value realisation of these
commodities, at times falling below their
cost of production.
» India is the largest milk producing country
in the world. During 2006-07, milk production
was 100•9 million tonnes in the country.
The country is also world’s fifth largest
producer of eggs, sixth largest producer of
fish and second in inland fisheries.
» Milk production and per capita availability
of milk in 1950-51 was 17 million tonnes and
124 gm/day which became about 100•9
million tonnes and 246 gm/day respectively
in 2006-07.
» Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme
(launched in 1996-97) covered 229 major/medium
irrigation projects and 6205 surface minor
irrigation schemes upto January 29, 2008 with
release of Central Loan Assistance of Rs.
24867 crore for such projects.
» Irrigation is one of the six components for
development of rural infrastructure under
Bharat Nirman. The irrigation component of
Bharat Nirman aims at creation of irrigation
potential of 10 million hectare during 2005-06
to 2008-09 mainly through completion of ongoing
major and medium irrigation projects.
» The total irrigation potential in the country
has increased from 81•1 million hectare
in 1991-92 to 102•8 million hectare
in 2006-07. The potential created so far is
estimated to be 73•5% of the ultimate
irrigation potential. Of the total irrigation
potential created only 87•2 million
hectare (84•9%) is actually utilised.
» A scheme for the establishment and maintenance
of a Seed Bank has been in operation since
1999-2000.
» Irrigation is one of the six components for
the development of rural infrastructure under
the Bharat Nirman and aims at creating the
irrigation potential of 10 million ha by 2008-09.
The target under Bharat Nirman is to be met
largely through the completion of ongoing
major and medium irrigation projects/schemes.
» Agricultural Insurance Co. of India Ltd. (AICIL)
has introduced Rainfall Insurance Scheme known
as ‘Varsha Bima’ during 2004 South-West
monsoon period.
» The Government has decided to provide 2% subsidy
to Public Sector Banks and RRBs to ensure
availability of farm loans at 7% interest.
» At present India is the third largest fertiliser
producing country in the world. India meets
94% of nitrogen fertiliser domestic demand
and 82% of phosphate fertiliser domestic demand.
For potash fertiliser India is totally dependent
on imports.
» Since August 1992, all controls on price and
movement of phosphate and potash have been
removed.
» India is the third highest tobacco producing
country in the world. Annual production of
tobacco in India is about 5•5 to 6•00
lakh tonnes.
» In April 1995, Comprehensive Crop Insurance
Scheme was launched. Premium of Insurance
is shared by the Centre and State Government
in ratio of 2 : 1 under this scheme.
» India ranked first in production of vegetable
in the world. Besides India is the second
largest producer of fruits in the world.
» Per hectare consumption of fertilisers has
increased from 69•8 kg in 1991-92 to
113•3 kg in 2006-07.
» As against the desirable NPK proportion of
4 : 2 : 1, the average use is 6 : 2 : 4 :
1.
» Nitrogenous fertilisers accounts about 60%
share in total fertiliser consumption while
share of pottasic fertilisers is about 12%.
» Per hectare fertiliser application is quite
high in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and
Tamil Nadu but quite low in Rajasthan, Orissa
and Madhya Pradesh.
» Since marketing year 2001-02, massor and rubber
have been brought in the purview of minimum
support price.
» The Commission for Agricultural Costs &
Prices (CACP) recommends the Minimum Support
Prices (MSPs) for 24 important crops. » The
Commission, apart from other factors, considers
the cost of production which includes the
cost of paidout inputs, imputed » value of family
labour and rentals for the own land while
recommending MSP.
» Acreage under horticulture which includes
fruits, vegetables, spices, floriculture and
coconut is expected to be 20 million hectares
in 2006-07.
» The horticulture sector in 2005-06 contributed
around 28% of GDP in agriculture.
» Vegetables, fruits, plantation crops and spices
contributed to 59•8%, 30•9%, 6•5%
and 2•1% of total horticulture production
respectively in 2006-07.
» There are 21,780 rural primary periodic agricultural
markets but of which 15% function under the
ambit of regulation.
» Gross capital formation in agriculture as
a proportion to the total capital formation
has shown a continuous decline. The share
of agriculture in total gross capital formation
remained 5•8% in 2006-07.
» The stock position of foodgrains as on January
1, 2008 is 19•2 million tonnes comprising
of 11•5 million tonnes of rice and 7•7
million tonnes of wheat.
» The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
on Thursday fixed the Statutory Minimum Price
(SMP) for sugarcane for the 2008-09 sugar
season (October-September) at Rs. 81•18
per quintal for a basic recovery of 9•0%.
Extra payment for recovery beyond 9•0%
has been fixed at 90 paise for each 0•1
percentage point increase. The new rate, based
on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural
Costs and Prices (CACP), shows no change from
the rate fixed for the 2007-08 season.
» Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional
Rural Banks contributed 69•0%, 10•1%
and 20•9% respectively in total credit
flow to agriculture during 2006-07.
» Noted Agri.-Scientist Dr. Swaminathan gave
a new call for ‘Evergreen Revolution’
for doubling the present production level
of foodgrains from 210 million tonnes to 420
million tonnes.
» During 2006-07, the total number of (Kisan
Credit Cards) KCCs issued were 85•11
lakh and the amount sanctioned was Rs. 46,729
crore. As per the available information for
2007-08 (as on November 30, 2007), the amount
sanctioned was Rs. 25,263 crore.
» Union government has planned to establish
Rural Knowledge Centres in various states
through NABARD. Initially these centres will
be established in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West
Bengal.
http://goexams.blogspot.com/2008/07/important-facts-related-to-agriculture.html
Swaminathan calls
for 'Ever Green Revolution'
Bangalore July 9, 2008: The
father of Green Revolution in India and renowned
Agriculture Scientist Prof M S Swaminathan
has advocated 'Ever Green Revolution' to ensure
sustainability in food availability in the
country.
Prof Swaminathan was addressing
the media persons after delivering a talk
on 'Scientific Management of the Impact of
Climate Change on Agriculture' at the a centenary
in Indian Institute of Science (IIS). Prof
Swaminathan said, after Green Revolution the
country had become self sufficient in food
production but in the present global scenario
it was imminent to sustain this to face the
food scarcity.
Advocating the need of increase
in production of organic commodities, Prof
Swaminathan said it was equally important
to maintain sufficient buffer stock due to
the global surge in the prices of food commodities
apart from crude oil. "The global food
stock is depleting and we have to usher in
an Ever Green Revolution," he said.
Stressing the need for going
for Organic Agriculture, he said cultivation
without the use of chemical fertilizers like
mineral and chemical fertilizers and dangerous
pesticides had to be done away with gradually.
Farmers should look seriously at conservation
farming with the help of integrated pest management,
nutrient supply and natural resources management
system to increase farm yield.
"The outlook for the
agriculture sector this year is good. The
growth rate will be more than last fiscal.
Of course, it depends on how good the monsoon
progresses though it is predicted to be normal
despite some aberration. I hope the sector
will sustain the growth to be higher than
last year," Swaminathan said.
The agricultural and allied
sectors grew by 4.5 percent during 2007-08
against 3.8 percent in 2006-07 on account
of above normal monsoon. The sector, on which
about 60-70 percent of the population depends
for its livelihood, lifted the country's gross
domestic product (GDP) growth to nine percent
from the earlier projection of 8.7 percent.
As per the fourth advance estimates of crop
production, the food grain production for
2007-08 is estimated at 230.67 million tonnes.
According to a report released
by Agriculture Secretary P.K. Mishra, the
total food grain production includes rice
production at 96.43 million tonnes, wheat
at 78.40 million tonnes, coarse cereals at
40.73 million tonnes, pulses at 15.11 million
tonnes and oilseeds at 28.82 million tonnes.
Admitting that production and distribution
of fertilisers to farmers has been a cause
for concern, Swaminathan said the administration
did not prepare in advance to supply these
in time to farmers for commencing sowing operations.
"Unfortunately, distribution
of fertilisers to farmers has not been proper
this time. Normally, these things are planned
six months in advance because everyone knows
that we have two major crop seasons - kharif
(summer) and rabi (winter) and when these
(seasons) start," he said.
Emphasizing the need of science
and biotechnology in the farming sector, Prof
Swaminathan called for linking ecology and
technology in the evergreen revolution to
increase the production without endangering
the environment. Highlighting the various
methods of increasing the rice production
under flood and drought conditions, he said
MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF)
had done genetic research which transferred
gene from mangroves into rice. These transgenic
plants can withstand salinity stress of 150
mM of NaCl for a period longer than the untransformed
control plants and they also have shown better
tolerance to drought stress in comparison
to untransformed control plants. “We
need to have a proper regulatory body that
will satisfy everyone and make the risks and
benefits clear," he added.
Prof Swaminathan said the
National Biotechnology Regularity Bill recommended
by a committee headed by him might be placed
in the Parliament during Winter Session. "A
sub-committee constituted for drafting the
Bill has completed its work and the Bill may
be moved in the Parliament during the Winter
Session for passing," he added.
A task force on application
of agriculture biotechnology, constituted
under the chairmanship of Swaminathan in 2004,
has recommended to the science and technology
ministry to set up NBRA to regulate research,
manufacture, import and marketing of genetically
modified organisms. The NBRA is set to replace
the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee,
which is under the environment and forests
ministry.
"The government made
a commitment two years ago to establish an
autonomous statutory body (NBRA) in conformity
with the agricultural biotechnology policy
for the well being of farm families, food
security of the nation, health security of
the consumer and security of trade in farm
commodities," Swaminathat pointed out.
Though the ministry held widespread
consultations on the draft bill with stakeholders
over the months, a similar exercise with the
legal fraternity on the regulatory mechanism
is scheduled this month.
"As I believe that the
process is as important as the end product
(that is, Act), the next consultation is due
with lawyers to evolve a consensus on the
regulatory mechanism. Hopefully, this process
will be completed by the end of this month
to introduce the bill soon in parliament to
enact the Act," Swaminathan noted.
The Swaminathan Committee
has recommended a five-point programme to
the government to revive the agriculture sector
and prevent farmers from committing suicide
over debt burden and poor remuneration from
farm produce.
The programme consists of
soil health card to all farmers, water harvesting
and conservation, credit and insurance to
farmers and their families (parivar bima policy),
appropriate technologies, including ICT (information
and communication technology) and assured
remunerative marketing to ensure higher return
on produce, with fool-proof linkages from
farm to consumer.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=84216
CIPHET gets award
for developing seed processing technology
Ludhiana, July 17 The team
consisting of Dr. S.K. Tyagi, Dr. Mridula
Devi and Dr. V.R. Bhagwat of CIPHET has bagged
an ICAR team award for developing mustard
seed processing technology. They were selected
from amongst 72 applicants from all over the
country.
The new method of separating seed hull with
separation of bittering compound (allylisothiocynate)
was developed. The defatted dehulled blend-taste
mustard flour was developed, which has around
47.8 per cent protein content. This flour
was used to make bakery products, biscuits,
cake and noodles and was found acceptable
in terms of taste, flavour and textural properties.
Mustard sauce has also been prepared using
this blend-taste mustard flour and found having
an edge in terms of colour, flavour and taste.
These technologies have been
licensed for five years to a big food company
with popular brand name and Rs. 6.45 lakh
revenue was generated by the products of mustard
seed like hull and allylisothiocynate (both
in aliphatic and aromatic form) was separated
and tried separately for food grains environment
friendly pest management.
Four patents were filled,
two technologies were transferred, three prototypes
were designed and fabricated. This technology
is being developed further into pilot plant,
which is suitable for small-scale industry
in production catchment.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/CIPHET-gets-award-for-developing-seed-processing-technology/337103/
System of Rice Intensification
(SRI)
“Look, this plant has
45 tillers. And one more here, with 53…”
There is no end to Govindaraj’s excitement.
Govindaraj, who has been growing paddy for
the last 20 years in Nallathangalpatti in
Tiruchi, has not seen a paddy plant producing
so many tillers. He is sure he will be able
to harvest double the normal yield. He is
surprised by the fact that this has happened
despite using seeds and water lesser than
usual, on his paddy crop this time. Govindaraj
did not flood his field. Instead, he irrigated
it when necessary, saving about 30% of water.
He is happy that he can grow another acre
of paddy with the amount saved.
There are many more farmers
in and around Nallathangalpatti who are bringing
about a silent revolution in paddy cultivation
- by merely making adjustments in the way
they use their resources. This innovation,
more popularly known as SRI, System of Rice
Intensification, was first developed in Madagascar,
some 25 years ago, and is gaining momentum
all over.
The method is very simple.
There is no need to flood paddy fields. Instead,
the soil is kept moist, facilitating better
supply of oxygen to the roots. Young, single
seedlings are planted on a wider spacing to
enable better aeration and root growth. With
these simple changes in managing the crop,
these farmers were able to get a higher yield
of 2.5-3.0 tons per acre.
Farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh are slowly shifting to
this method. The AME Foundation (AMEF), a
resource organisation based in Bangalore,
is helping farmers to make this transition.
With its emphasis on LEISA (Low External Input
Sustainable Agriculture), AMEF feels that
SRI is one of the best innovations, which
is getting increasingly accepted by farmers
for its savings on seeds and water.
SRI is a typical example of
farmer-to-farmer extension, spreading new
knowledge, primarily by farmers. Farmers who
have been quick in adopting the principles
are also making necessary changes to suit
their local conditions.
Aptly said by Dr Norman Uphoff,
Professor, Cornell University, SRI is not
finished yet. It is a work in progress, still
evolving and improving. The very fact that
SRI is a method and not a technology may be
one of the limitations for the Agriculture
Department to spread it in a typical extension
mode.
Looking ahead
Irrigated rice production
system needs to undergo change in the coming
years. With increasing scarcity of water and
water disputes looming large, it is high time
that we look at alternative water saving technologies.
National and international research institutions
are investing a lot of time and money, but
not to farmers’ benefit. While simple
innovations are available at hand, we are
looking at complex technologies like Genetic
Engineering to produce varieties needing less
water. On the other hand, some formal institutions
are still trying to prove, or rather disprove,
SRI through their trials.
Farmers have been quick to
respond to SRI, but the state governments
are yet to capitalise on its merits. If the
paddy farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
adopt this water saving technique, it could
probably provide a permanent solution to the
endless Cauvery dispute. Tamil Nadu has already
put its foot forward and has announced that
SRI will be taken up in the entire 61,000
ha of paddy area in Tiruchi, during the year
2008-09.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul222008/snt2008072180112.asp
