Agriculture and Food Management

8
C H APTER

Pioneering work by agriculture scientists and the efforts of farmers

had helped achieve a breakthrough in the agriculture sector in the 1960s, popularly known as the Green Revolution. High agricultural production and productivity achieved in subsequent years has been the main reason for attaining food security to a large extent. The country has not witnessed any big technological breakthrough in agriculture since then. The food safety net for each and every of the over a billion citizensa number that is growing requires enhanced agricultural production and productivity in the form of a Second Green Revolution. Further, special attention is required for achieving higher production and productivity levels in pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables, which had remained untouched in the First Green Revolution but are essential for nutritional security. In this regard, achieving high production of poultry, meat and fisheries is also essential. The relatively weak supply responses to price hikes in agricultural commodities, especially food articles, in the recent past brings back into focus the central question of efficient supply chain management and need for sustained levels of growth in agriculture and allied sectors. The choice before the nation is clearto invest more in agriculture and allied sectors with the right strategies, policies, and interventions. This is also a necessary condition for inclusive growth and for ensuring that the benefits of growth reach a larger number of people.

8.2 The growth of agriculture and allied sectors is still a critical factor in the overall performance of the Indian economy. As per the 2010-11 advance estimates released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on 07.02.2011, the agriculture and allied sector accounted for 14.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), at constant 2004-05 prices. During

the period 2004-05 to 2007-08, the GDP for agriculture and allied sectors had increased from ` 5, 65,426 crore to ` 6,55,080 crore, at constant 2004-05 prices; thereafter it stagnated at this level for two years (200809 to 2009-10) (Figure 8.1). In 2009-10, it accounted for 14.6 per cent of the GDP compared to 15.7 per cent in 2008-09 and 19.0 per cent in

Figure 8.1
700

GDP for agriculture and allied sectors

GDP

cror e tho usa nd R

05 -

650 600 550 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 2008

(Q E )

(A E )

2004

10 2009

11 2010

Year

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Table 8.1 : Agriculture Sector: Key Indicators

(per cent)
Sl. No. Item 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 (Advance Estimates)

GDPShare and Growth (at 2004-05 prices) Growth in GDP in agriculture & allied sectors Share in GDPAgriculture and allied sectors Agriculture Forestry and logging Fishing Share in Total Gross Capital Formation in the Country (at 2004-05 prices) Share of Agriculture & Allied Sectors in total Gross Capital Formation Agriculture Forestry and logging Fisheries Agricultural Imports & Exports (at current prices) Agricultural imports to national imports Agricultural exports to national exports Employment in the agriculture sector as share of total workers as per census 2001
Department of Agriculture and

-0.1 15.7 13.3 1.6 0.8 8.3 7.7 0.07 0.56 2.71 10.22 58.2

0.4 14.6 12.3 1.5 0.8 7.7 7.1 0.06 0.54 4.38 10.59

5.4 14.2

Source : Central Statistics Office and

Cooperation.

2004-05. Its share in GDP has thus declined rapidly in the recent past. This is explained by the fact that whereas overall GDP has grown by an average of 8.62 per cent during 2004-05 to 2010-11, agricultural sector GDP has increased by only 3.46 per cent during the same period. The role of the agriculture sector, however, remains critical as it accounts for about 58 per cent of employment in the country (as per 2001 census). Moreover, this sector is a supplier of food, fodder, and raw materials for a vast segment of industry. Hence the growth of Indian agriculture can be considered a necessary condition for inclusive growth. More recently, the rural sector (including agriculture) is being seen as a potential source of domestic demand, a recognition that is even shaping the marketing strategies of entrepreneurs wishing to widen the demand for goods and services. In terms of composition, out of a total share of 14.6 per cent of the GDP in 2009-10 for agriculture and allied sectors, agriculture alone accounted for 12.3 per cent followed by forestry and logging at 1.5 per cent and fisheries at 0.8 per cent (Table 8.1).

PERFORMANCE AGRICULTURE
SECTOR

OF THE

YEAR PLAN (2007-2012)

DURING THE

CURRENT FIVE

8.3 During the first three years of the current Five Year Plan, the agriculture sector (including allied

activities) recorded an average growth of 2.03 per cent against the Plan target of 4 per cent per annum. In the first year, 2007-08, of the current Plan the agriculture sector had achieved an impressive growth of 5.8 per cent. However, this high growth could not be maintained in the following two years and agriculture-sector growth fell into the negative zone of - 0.1 per cent in 2008-09, although this was a year of a record 234.47 million tonnes food production. The decline in growth of agricultural GDP was primarily due to the fall in the production of agricultural crops such as oilseeds, cotton, jute and mesta, and sugarcane. In 2009-10, despite experiencing the worst south-west monsoon since 1972 and subsequent significant fall in kharif foodgrain production, the growth marginally recovered to 0.4 per cent primarily due to a good rabi crop. Several advance measures taken by the government to salvage the rabi crop had the desired effect of checking the impact of the drought situation on the rabi crop. Things are looking bright in the current year with a relatively good monsoon and the agriculture-sector is expected to grow at 5.4 per cent as per the 2010-11 advance estimates. The agriculture sector growth in the first four years of the Plan is estimated at 2.87 per cent. In order to achieve the Plan target of average 4 per cent per year, the agriculture sector needs to grow at 8.5 per cent during 2011-12.

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Agriculture and Food Management Table 8.2 : GCF in Agriculture and Allied Activities (` crore at 2004-05 prices)
Year GDP Agriculture & allied activities GCF 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09P 2009-10QE 29,71,464 32,54,216 35,66,011 38,98,958 41,62,509 44,93,743 76,096 86,611 90,710 1,05,034 1,28,659 1,33,377 GDP 5,65,426 5,94,487 6,19,190 6,55,080 6,54,118 6,56,975 GCF/GDP in agriculture & allied activities 13.46 14.57 14.65 16.03 19.67 20.3

18 9
GCF in agriculture as per cent of total 2.56 2.66 2.54 2.69 3.09 2.97

Source : Central Statistics Office. Notes: Pprovisional.

Q-quick estimates.

GROSS CAPITAL FORMATION (GCF) IN AGRICULTURE AND THE ALLIED SECTOR

8.4. The GCF in agriculture and allied sectors as a proportion to the GDP in the sector stagnated around 14 per cent during 2004-05 to 2006-07. However, there is a marked improvement in this figure during the current Five Year Plan. It increased to 16.03 per cent in 2007-08 and further to 19.67 per cent in 2008-09 (provisional) and to 20.30 per cent in 2009-10 (quick estimates [QE]). However, the GCF in agriculture and allied sectors relative to overall GDP has remained stagnant at around 2.5 to 3.0 per cent (Table 8.2). As a result the share of GCF in agriculture and allied sector in total GCF has remained in the range of 6.6 to 8.2 per cent during 2004-05 to 2009-10 (Table 8.3). There is need to significantly step up investment in agriculture, both by the private and public sectors to ensure sustained target growth of 4 per cent per annum.

tonnes in 2008-09. The production of foodgrains declined to 218.11 million tonnes during 2009-10 (final estimates) due to the long spells of drought in various parts of the country in 2009. The productivity of almost all the crops suffered considerably, which led to decline in their production in 2009. As per the second advance estimates released by Ministry of Agriculture on 9.2.2011, production of foodgrains during 2010-11 is estimated at 232.07 million tonnes compared to 218.11 million tonnes last year (Table 8.4). This is only marginally below the record production of 234.47 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2008-09. The country is likely to achieve record production of wheat (81.47 million tonnes), pulses (16.51 million tonnes) and cotton (33.93 million bales of 170 kg. each) this year. This high level of production has been achieved despite crop damage due to drought in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal and the effects of cyclones, unseasonal and heavy rains, and cold wave and frost conditions in several parts of the country.

CROP PRODUCTION
8.5 For four consecutive years from 2005-06 to 2008-09, foodgrains production registered a rising trend and touched a record level of 234.47 million

GROWTH RATES OF AREA, PRODUCTION AND YIELD OF

AGRICULTURAL CROPS 8.6 Growth in the production of agricultural crops depends upon acreage and yield. Given the limitations in the expansion of acreage, the main source of long-term output growth is improvement in yields. Trends in indices of area, production, and yield of different crops for two periods 1980-81 to 1989-90 and 2000-01 to 2009-10 (base triennium ending[TE] 1981-82=100) are given in Table 8.5. An analysis of growth rates of area, production, and yield of various crops based on their respective indices has been made in the following paragraphs.

Table 8.3 : Share of Agriculture & Allied Sectors GCF in total GCF (per cent) (at 2004-05 prices)
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 7.5 7.3 6.6 6.5 8.3 7.7

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Economic Survey 2010-11

Table 8.4 : Agricultural Production 2010-11

(million tonnes)
2nd Advance Estimates 2010-11 94.01 81.47 40.08 16.51 232.07 27.85 336.70 33.93 10.08 Target 2010-11 Percentage of 2010-11 production to target set for 2010-11 92.17 99.35 91.09 100.06 94.92 83.89 106.89 130.50 87.65 2009-10 (final estimates) Percentage change in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10 5.52 0.83 19.46 12.62 6.40 11.94 15.19 40.09 -14.72

Rice Wheat Coarse Cereals Pulses Total Foodgrains Oilseeds Sugarcane Cotton* Jute and Mesta**

102.00 82.00 44.00 16.50 244.50 33.20 315.00 26.00 11.50

89.09 80.80 33.55 14.66 218.11 24.88 292.30 24.22 11.82

Notes : *million bales of 170 kg each

**million bales of 180 kg each

Table 8.5 : Compound Growth Rates of Area, Production and Yield

(as per cent per annum with base TE 1981-82=100) Crop Area Rice Wheat Jowar Bajra Maize Ragi Small millets Barley Total Coarse Cereals Total Cereals Gram Tur Other Pulses Total Pulses Total Foodgrains Sugarcane Oilseeds Cotton 0.41 0.46 -0.99 -1.05 -0.20 -1.23 -4.32 -6.03 -1.34 -0.26 -1.41 2.30 0.02 -0.09 -0.23 1.44 1.51 -1.25 1980-81 to 1989-90 Production 3.62 3.57 0.28 0.03 1.89 -0.10 -3.23 -3.48 0.40 3.03 -0.81 2.87 3.05 1.52 2.85 2.70 5.20 2.80 Yield 3.19 3.10 1.29 1.09 2.09 1.14 1.14 2.72 1.62 2.90 0.61 0.56 3.03 1.61 2.74 1.24 2.43 4.10 Area -0.03 1.21 -3.19 -0.42 2.98 -3.03 -5.28 -1.41 -0.76 0.09 4.34 0.26 -0.34 1.17 0.29 0.77 2.26 2.13 2000-01 to 2009-10 Production 1.59 1.89 -0.07 1.68 5.27 -1.52 -3.58 -0.25 2.46 1.88 5.89 1.82 -0.32 2.61 1.96 0.93 4.82 13.58 Yield 1.61 0.68 3.23 2.11 2.23 1.57 1.78 1.17 3.97 3.19 1.48 1.56 0.02 1.64 2.94 0.16 3.79 11.22

8.7 Rice and wheat: During the 1980s the growth in area in rice was marginal at 0.41 per cent but growth in production and yield was above 3 per cent. From 2000-01 to 2009-10 the situation changed with growth in area turning negative and in production and yield standing at 1.59 per cent and 1.61 per cent respectively. In wheat too, during the 1980s the growth in area was marginal at 0.46 per cent but in production and yield was above 3 per cent. During 2000-01 to 2009-10 the growth in area in wheat was 1.21 per cent and in production and yield was 1.89 per cent and 0.68 per cent respectively. This

suggests that in these two crops the yield levels have plateaued and there is need for renewed research to boost production and productivity (Figures 8.2 and 8.3). Given the constraints in area expansion, there is no other alternative. Both public and private- sector investment in research and development (R&D) needs to be encouraged. Figure 8.4 shows changes in the index of area, production, and yields of rice during 2003-04 to 2009-10, Figure 8.5 shows changes in the index of area, production, and yield of wheat during 2003-04 to 2009-10.

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Agriculture and Food Management Figure 8.2

ce nt) (p er rat e gr ow th Co m po un d
4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 -0.5 Area Production Yield

191

Compound growth rate of area, production and yield of rice

1980-81 to 1989-90 2000-01 to 2009-10

Figure 8.3
ra te gr o ce wt nt h ) C o(p m er po un d
4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0

Compound growth rate of area, production and yield of wheat

1980-81 to 1989-90

2000-01 to 2009-10

Area

Production

Yield

Figure 8.4
250 200

Index of area, production and yield of rice

A re a P ro d u c tio n Y ie ld 05 2004 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 2008 10 2009

In de x

150 100 50 0 04 2003

Year

Figure 8.5
250

Index of area, production and yield of wheat

A re a P ro d u c tio n Y ie ld 05 2004 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 2008 10 2009

In de x

200 150 100 50 0 04 2003

Year

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8.8 Coarse Cereals: In coarse cereals the situation

is totally different. Since there was no technological breakthrough in these crops, the growth rate in area of total coarse cereals, in both the periods (1980-81 to 1989-90 and 2000-01 to 2009-10) was negative reflecting either shift to other crops or relatively dry area remaining fallow. In all the major coarse cereals there was negative growth in area during both the periods except for maize, which recorded a growth rate of 2.98 per cent in the 2000-01 to 2009-10 period. However, growth in production and yield for coarse grains which was 0.40 per cent and 1.62 per cent respectively in the 1980s improved significantly to 2.46 per cent and 3.97 per cent respectively in the 2000-01 to 2009-10 period (Figure 8.6). This increase is primarily driven by maize and bajra. Figure 8.7 illustrates changes in the index of area production and yield of total coarse cereals during 2003-04 to 200910. Special effort is required to promote production and productivity of all coarse cereals to ensure food security (Box 8.1)

Box 8.1 : Coarse cereals

The food and nutritional security of India currently depends to a great extent on the production of wheat and rice. These two crops together constituted 78 per cent of total foodgrains production in 2009-10, whereas coarse cereals constitute only 15 per cent in the same year. The area under coarse cereals has shown a decline over the years whereas their yield has shown significant improvement despite decrease in area in all the major coarse cereals except maize. The nutritional value of coarse cereals is also gradually being realized. There is every reason to promote the production of these crops and help them realize their full potential with increased investment in research and schemes to promote their cultivation particularly in rain-fed areas.

8.9 Pulses: Pulses are the main source of protein

for a large section of population in India. Gram and Tur are the major contributors to the total production

of pulses in the country. During the 1980s there was negative growth in total area under pulses and growth in production and yield was 1.52 per cent and 1.61 per cent respectively. During 2000-01 to 2009-10, whereas area and production have grown by 1.17 per cent and 2.61 per cent respectively, growth in yield at 1.64 per cent has remained at about the

Figure 8.6
ce 3.5 nt) 3.0 (pe r 2.5 rat 2.0 e 1.5 gr ow 1.0 th 0.5 Co 0 m p -0.5 ou nd -1.0
-1.5 4.0

Compound growth rate of area, production and yield of coarse cereals

1980-81 to 1989-90

2000-01 to 2009-10

Area

Production

Yield

Figure 8.7
250 200 150 50 0 04 2003

Index of area, production and yield of coarse cereals

A re a P ro d u c tion Y ie ld 05 2004 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 200 8 10 2009

Ind ex 100

Year

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193
same level reflecting that the growth in production is primarily because of increase in area (Figure 8.8). A technological breakthrough in pulse production is necessary to keep pace with rising demand for this commodity. Figure 8.9 illustrates changes in the index of area, production, and yield of total pulses during 2003-04 to 2009-10. 8.10 Sugarcane: The compound growth rate of area, production, and yield of sugarcane during 2000-01 to 2009-10 has declined compared to the 1980s. The decline in growth rate of yield during this period is because of relatively higher decline in growth rate of production compared to decline in growth rate of area (Figure 8.10). Concerted effort is required to increase yield rate of this crop to avoid fluctuations in production and spikes in price of sugar. Figure 8.11 displays changes in the index

of area, production, and yield of sugarcane during 2003-04 to 200910.

8.11 Oilseeds:
The significant improvement in annual growth in indices of yield and area under oilseeds during 2000-01 to 2009-10 as compared to the 1980s has resulted in increase in the annual growth rate of production of oilseeds. India, however, still imports a significant proportion of its requirement of edible oil (Figure 8.12). The current growth rate needs to be maintained to ensure a reasonable level of self-sufficiency in this crop. Figure 8.13 shows changes in the index of area, production, and yield of oilseeds during 2003-04 to 2009-10.

8.12 Cotton:

A significant improvement in yield has resulted in an increase in growth rate of cotton production from 2.80 per cent during the 1980s to 13.58 per cent per annum during 2000-10 (Figure

F ig u re 8 .8
ra te gr o ce wt nt h )
3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5

Compound growth rate of area, p

C o(p 1.0 m er 0.5 po 0 un d -0.5

Area Production

Figure 8.9
250 200 150 50 0 04 2003

Index of area, production and yield

Ind ex 100

05 2004

06 2005

07 2006

Year

Figure 8.10
ra te gr o ce wt nt h ) C o(p m er po un d
3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0

Compound growth rate of area, p

Area

Production

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250 200 150 50 0 04 2003

Economic Survey 2010-11

Figure 8.11

Index of area, production and yield of sugarcane

A re a P ro d u c tio n Y ie ld

Ind ex 100

05 2004

06 2005

07 2006

08 2007

09 2008

10 2009

Year

Figure 8.12
cen t) (pe r rate gro wth Co mp oun d
5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0

Compound growth rate of area, production and yield of oilseeds

1980-81 to 1989-90 2000-01 to 2009-10

Area

Production

Yield

Figure 8.13 Index

300 250 200 100 50 04 2003 05 2004

of area, production and yield of oilseeds

A re a P ro d u c tion Y ie ld 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 2008 10 2009

Ind ex 150

Year

Figure 8.14
ra 12 te 10 gr 8 o wt ce h nt) 6 C (p 4 o er 2 m po 0 un d
-2 14

Compound growth rate of area, production and yield of cotton

1980-81 to 1989-90

2000-01 to 2009-10

Area

Production

Yield

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Figure 8.15 Index
500 400

of area, production and yield of cotton

A re a P ro d u c tio n Y ie ld

Ind ex 200
100 0 04 2003 05 2004 06 2005 07 2006 08 2007 09 2008 10 2009

300

Year

8.14). Figure 8.15 shows changes in the index of area, production, and yield of cotton during 200304 to 2009-10.

AREA COVERAGE

IN

2010-11

8.13 The total cropped area under foodgrains, oilseeds, sugarcane, and cotton during kharif 2010 is higher by 2.33 lakh ha as compared to that in kharif 2009. Owing to drought in major rice-producing areas, i.e. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the area under rice during kharif 2010 is lower by about 5.40 lakh ha. While the area under coarse cereals has gone down by 3.42 lakh ha, there has been significant increase of 6.11 lakh ha in the area under pulses with the result that total area under foodgrains in kharif 2010 is only marginally lower by 2.71 lakh ha than that in kharif 2009. In oilseeds, while area under groundnut has gone up by 4 lakh ha, seasmum, soyabean, and sunflower have recorded lower acreage; consequently the overall area under oilseeds during kharif 2010 is lower by 8.27 lakh ha as compared to kharif 2009. However, there is significant increase in the area under sugarcane (6.53 lakh ha) and cotton (6.90 lakh ha). Thus there appears to be some shift in the cropping pattern in kharif 2010.

Further, export of non-basmati rice is permitted on diplomatic/humanitarian considerations. Export of basmati rice is permitted with a minimum export price (MEP) of US $ 900 per ton or ` 41, 400 per ton. Government has reduced the import duty on pulses to nil from 8 June 2006 to augment their supply. Export of pulses except kabuli chana (chickpeas) has been prohibited with effect from 1 April 2008.

AGRICULTURAL INPUTS
8.15 Agricultural inputs play a crucial role in determining yield levels and in turn augmentation of level of production in the long run. Improvement in yield depends on application of technology, use of quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, micronutrients and irrigation.

Seeds
8.16 Seeds are a critical input for long-term
sustained growth of agriculture. In India, more than four-fifths of farmers rely on farm-saved seeds leading to a low seed replacement rate. Hence the Central Government has been addressing this issue through various programmes/schemes. This includes the Indian Seed Programme involving the participation of Central and State Governments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State agricultural universities, cooperatives and the private sector, and farmers and plant breeders. Year-wise details of production of breeder and foundation seeds and distribution of certified seeds are given in Table 8.6. Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing the Central- sector Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds scheme since 200506 with the aim of ensuring timely availability of quality seeds of various crops at affordable prices. The major thrusts of the scheme

Exports and Imports

8.14 Depending on domestic availability, Government allows exports and imports of food items especially wheat, rice, and pulses. Government has reduced the import duty on wheat to nil from 9 September 2006 to augment its supply. Export of wheat has been prohibited since 8 October 2007. The import duty on semi-milled or wholly milled rice has been reduced to nil from 20 March 2008 to augment its supply. Export of non-basmati rice has been prohibited since 15 October 2007 except for a quantity of 10,000 tonnes per annum of organic non-basmati rice permitted since 7 December 2009.

8.17 The

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The new Act is expected to (i) create a facilitative climate for growth of the seed industry, (ii) enhance seed replacement rates for various crops, (iii) boost the export of seeds and encourage import of useful germ plasm, and (iv) create a conducive atmosphere for application of frontier sciences in variety development and for enhanced investment in R&D. The Seeds Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2004. It was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture which recommended several modifications in 2008. These will be taken up for further consideration.

Table 8.6 : Production of Breeder and Foundation Seeds and Distribution of Certified Seeds
Year Production ofProduction of breeder foundation Distribution seeds seeds of certified/ (quintals) (lakh quality seeds quintals) (lakh quintals) 66,460 68,654 73,829 91,960 74,361 94,410 6.9 7.4 7.96 8.22 9.69 11.46 113.10 126.74 155.01 179.05 215.81 257.11
(Anticipated) Source : Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Fertilizers
8.20 India is meeting 85 per cent its urea requirement through indigenous production but depends heavily on imports for its phosphatic and potash (P & K) fertilizer requirements. Urea, 21 grades of P & K fertilizers, and 15 grades of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash) complex fertilizers are provided to farmers at subsidized prices. Farmers pay only 25 to 40 per cent of the actual cost and the rest of the cost is borne by the Government in the form of a subsidy, which is reimbursed to the manufactures/importers.

are improving quality of farm-saved seeds through seed village programmes to enhance seed replacement rates, boosting seed production in the private sector, and helping public-sector seed companies contribute to enhanced seed production. Since the inception of the scheme in 2005-06, 1,31,023 seed villages have been covered across the country and 183.10 lakh quintals of certified/ quality seeds produced till 2009-10, which is a significant achievement. This effort needs to be further promoted.

Production
8.21 The domestic production of urea, Diammonium phosphate (DAP), and complex fertilizers in the year 2009-10 has increased compared to 200809. The production of urea is estimated at 215.37 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 and that of DAP and complexes at 39.58 lakh tonnes and 91.66 lakh tonnes, respectively (Table 8.7). Availability of raw material/intermediates has been a major bottleneck in the increase in production of fertilizers.

8.18 Under the component of assistance for

boosting seed production in the private sector, credit-linked back-ended capital subsidy of 25 per cent of project cost subject to a maximum limit of ` 25 lakh per unit is provided on seed infrastructure development. In order to establish/strengthen infrastructure facilities for production and distribution of quality seeds, States/UTs and State Seeds Corporations are provided financial assistance for creating facilities for seed-processing plants and machinery for seed cleaning, grading, treating, and packing. Assistance is also provided for creation/strengthening of seed-processing plants. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights (PPV&FR) Authority established in November 2005 at New Delhi has been mandated to implement provisions of the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
8.19 Considering the vital importance of the seed industry in promoting agricultural growth, the Ministry of Agriculture has been proposing replacement of the existing Seeds Act 1966 by suitable legislation.

8.22 Timely import of urea and other fertilizers

was arranged to ensure timely availability of fertilizers in required quantity (Table 8.8).

Table 8.7 : Production of Urea, DAP and Complex Fertilizers

(in lakh tonnes)

Year Urea DAP Complex fertilizers

200607 48.52 74.64

200708 42.12 58.50

200809 29.93 68.48

2009- 201010 11* 42.46 39.58

203.10 198.60 199.20 211.12 215.37 80.38 91.66

Note: *Estimated

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Agriculture and Food Management Table 8.8 : Import of Urea, DAP and MOP
(in lakh tonnes)

197
(iv) Distribution and movement of fertilizers are monitored through the online web-based fertilizer monitoring system (FMS), which tracks the import, production, movement, availability, distribution, and sale of fertilizers in all States.
produced/imported decontrolled P & K fertilizer under the Movement Control Order of the Department of Fertilizers as per the Essential Commodities Act 1955 with the objective of making fertilizers available in the difficult areas.

Urea 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-2011* 47.18 69.28 56.67 52.09 45.83

DAP 28.76 29.90 61.91 58.89 68.12

MOP 34.48 44.20 56.72 52.86 47.84

(v) Government has placed 20 per cent of the

Note : *(April-November 2010). DAP : di-ammonium phosphate MOP : muriate of potash.

8.23Chemical fertilizers play a significant role in

the development of the agricultural sector. In India, (vi) the per hectare consumption of fertilizers in nutrient terms has been increasing (Table 8.9).
8.24There have been major policy initiatives in the fertilizer sector. A few recent ones are as follows:

The manufacturers of customized and mixture fertilizer are allowed by the Government to source the subsidized fertilizers from the manufacturers/importers after their receipt in the districts.

(i)

Introduction of nutrient-based subsidy scheme with (vii) Government has put the export of (DAP) and MOP in the restrictive category to discourage effect from 1 April 2010. Under the nutrient-based subsidy scheme (NBS), Government has amended export and illegal diversion. subsidy per kg of nutrients N, P, K and S contained in P & K fertilizers as well as per MT of Irrigation fertilizers. Maximum retail prices (MRPs) of the 8.25Irrigation is one of the most important inputs for decontrolled P&K fertilizers have been kept open enhancing productivity and is required at different and companies are free to announce their MRPs. critical stages of plant growth of various crops. The However, manufacturers/ importers of fertilizers Government of India has taken up irrigation potential are required to print MRPs along with applicable creation through public funding and is assisting NBS on each bag of fertilizer clearly. The failure to farmers to create potential on their own farms. do so invites action under the Essential Substantial irrigation potential has been created Commodities Act 1955.

(ii)

through major and medium irrigation schemes. The total irrigation potential in the country has increased A uniform freight subsidy policy has been from 81.1 million hectares in 1991-92 to 108.2 million announced under which rail freight is paid on hectares in March 2010.

(iii)

actual and road freight on a normative 8.26The Central Government initiated the Accelerated average district lead for urea. Government has included three new grades Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) from 1996-97 to extend assistance for the completion of incomplete of complex fertilizers under the NBS.

Table 8.9 : Per Hectare Consumption of Fertilizers in Nutrient Terms

Product Nitrogenous(N) Phosphatic (P) Potash (K) Total (N+P+K) Per Hectare Consumption (kg) 2006 -07 55.43 23.35 2007 -08 55.15 26.36 2008 -09 65.06 33.13 127.2 (in lakh tonnes) 2009 2010-10 11* 155.80 72.74. 36.32 135.3 80.56 41.72 17.13

137.73 144.19 150.90

216.51 225.70 249.09 111.8 116.50

264.86 139.41

Note : *Relates to estimated kharif 2010.

irrigation schemes. Under this programme, projects approved by the Planning Commission are eligible for assistance. Further, the assistance, which was entirely a loan from the Centre in the beginning, was modified by inclusion of a grant component with effect from 2004-05. AIBP guidelines were further modified in December 2006 to provide enhanced assistance at 90 per cent of the project cost as grant to special category States, Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) States/tribal areas/flood-prone areas, and Koraput-BalangirKalahandi (KBK) districts of Orissa. Under the AIBP, ` 41,729.37 crore of Central loan assistance (CLA)/ grant has been released up to 31 March 2010. As on 31 March 2010, 281 projects have been covered

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