Food security initiatives result in higher foodgrains production, says Pawar

There has been an increase of 42 million tonnes in the 11 five-year plan

Sharad Pawar

The initiatives taken by the government under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) have resulted in an increase of 42 million tonnes in foodgrains production against a target of 20 million tonnes in the 11 Five-Year Plan.

“The NFSM has helped to widen the food production basket of the country. The focused and target oriented implementation of Mission initiatives has resulted in bumper production of wheat, rice and pulses. The production of foodgrains in 2011-12 has been to a record level of 259.32 million tonnes, against a target of 245 million tonnes. In 2012-13 also, despite drought in parts of the country, foodgrains production is on course to realise target of 254.24 million tonnes,” Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry on Tuesday. In the 11th Plan, NFSM-Rice scheme was implemented in 144 districts of 16 States, NFSM-Wheat in 142 districts of nine States and NFSM-Pulses in 468 districts of 16 States. From this year, NFSM coverage has been extended to all northeast States and Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. The NFSM involves targeted interventions in terms of supply of inputs and extension services.

Mr. Pawar said the Mission has distributed almost 75 lakh of farm equipment, nearly 175 lakh quintals of high yielding variety seed of rice, wheat and pulses, and knowledge transfer through more than 49,000 Farmers Field Schools and eight lakh field demonstrations.

During the 12th Plan, the scope of NFSM is proposed to be widened to include coarse cereals. A target of additional 25 million tonnes of foodgrains production has been proposed, including 10 million tonnes of rice and eight million tonnes of wheat. four million tonnes of pulses and three million tonnes of coarse cereals.

While there will be additional focus on low productivity areas, stabilising the productivity gains in high producing areas will also be attended to. “Accordingly, the NFSM is being revamped during the XII Plan to concentrate on ‘cropping system’ approach in place of promoting ‘individual foodgrain crops’.” the Minister said.