The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Kharif crop prospects bright’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007
ePaper

New Delhi

New Delhi

‘Kharif crop prospects bright’

Special Correspondent

Production of several crops likely to cross targets

Rabi food grain production beats previous record
Oilseeds and pulses production may be higher in 2007-08

NEW DELHI: The Government on Tuesday said the prospects for kharif crop were good and production was likely to cross the targets for several crops.

Inaugurating a National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign, 2007-08, Union Agriculture Secretary P.K. Mishra said the government expected the kharif output to cross the target as both rainfall and distribution were good.

The Agriculture Ministry was expecting a record food grain output in 2007-08. It was was 216.13 million tonnes in 2006-07 as per the fourth advance estimates.

The rabi food grain production of 105.6 million tonnes surpassed the previous record production of 104.2 million tonnes in 1999-2000 as well as the target set for 2006-07, Mr Mishra said.

Though import was necessary to meet the domestic demand for the next couple of years, the production of oilseeds and pulses was likely to be higher in 2007-08.

Complimenting the farming community for realising “newer landmarks” in production performance in 2006-07, Mr Mishra said there was no room for complacency as the output level had not maintained the pace with demand, particularly in respect of oilseeds and pulses, causing substantial import dependence.

The stimulation of agricultural growth would necessitate special efforts to reverse the trend of growth deceleration with short-term to medium and long term perspective to achieve the targeted 4.1 per cent annual growth rate during 11th Plan, he said.

Agricultural Commissioner N.B. Singh said the National Food Security Mission would be implemented in 16 States.

It sought to increase the production of rice by10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 2 million tonnes by the end of the 11th Plan.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Rainfed Area Authority J.S. Samra highlighted the priorities of the newly constituted body.

Vice-Chancellors of agricultural universities, State Agriculture Secretaries, and Commissioners and representatives from different Ministries and departments and agricultural research organisations are participating in the two-day conference.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail