Terminal Markets Complex Scheme to Help Farmers Get Better Prices

         The scheme of Terminal Markets Complex (TMC) has been conceptualized and introduced as a new model under National Horticulture Mission. It is implemented in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in a Hub (Main Market) and Spokes (Collection Centers) format by private enterprise. The project aims at helping the farmers in reaping the benefit through better price realization, reducing wastages and creating opportunities of rural employment in addition to regular supply of agricultural commodities including fruit and vegetables. The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has also been promoted by Government which involves private sector and farmers to implement agriculture extension activities.

           This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries

Sensitization Programme for Kisan Call Centre Agents

      Kisan Call Centres function from 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM on all days throughout the year. They receive calls through the toll-free number 1800-180-1551. Call Centre agents reply farmers’ queries instantaneously by using their own expertise as well as by referring to reference material available with them. They also browse Kisan Knowledge Management System data base for answering farmers’ queries in local language. If some of the queries cannot be answered by the Call Centre agents, such calls are referred to experts. Call Centre agents record the details of every call in terms of farmer’s details, query asked, reply given etc.

     Funds for organising sensitisation programmes for Kisan Call Centre agents are being provided to respective Nodal Agencies. Each Nodal Agency is required to organise 6 programmes of one day duration each in a year involving all the call centre agents as well as the experts. The State Governments have been requested to get directly involved in a big way in implementation of this scheme. Detailed instructions in this regard have been issued.

Communication Support for Agricultural Extension Services

Agriculture Extension Services, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Kisan Call Centres disseminate farm related information and knowledge amongst the farmers. Information is focussed on prosperity of the farmers and food security of the nation. Adoption of appropriate technologies by farmers is a continuous process involving creation of interest, generation of awareness, dissemination of detailed information, trial by farmers and finally wide-spread use, leading to increase in productivity/ income.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms”, popularly known as ATMA Scheme, is under implementation in 603 districts of 28 states and 3 UTs of the country. Under the Scheme, grant-in-aid is released to the State Designated Agency of respective States with an objective to support State Government’s efforts of revitalization of the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different agro-climatic conditions through various extension activities.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendras established by Indian Council of Agricultural Research aim at assessment, refinement and demonstration of technologies / products. The activities include on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming system, frontline demonstrations to establish the production potentials of improved agricultural technologies on the farmers’ fields and training of farmers and extension personnel to update their knowledge and skills.

The Kisan Call Centre (KCC) initiative aims at providing information to the farming community through toll-free telephone lines (telephone No. 18001801551). Under this scheme, Call Center facilities have been extended to the farmers in the entire country through 25 call centers located in different States so that farmers can get the required information in their own languages.

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries

Reserve Stocks of Foodgrains

The Government has a policy of maintaining minimum stock of foodgrains  in the Central Pool under the buffer stock norms for foodgrains for each quarter of the year  as under:

(in lakh tons)

	1st January	1st April	1st July	1st October
Rice	138.00	142.00	118.00	72.00
Wheat	112.00	70.00	201.00	140.00
Total	250.00	212.00	319.00	212.00

The above buffer norms include a food security reserve of 30 lakh tons of wheat and 20 lakh tons of rice.

This information was given by the Minister  of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas

Production & Availability of Fertilizers in the Country During July 2011

            In July, 2011 estimated production of Urea was 19.71 lakh MT against the target of 19.76 lakh MT. Estimated production of DAP during the month was 3.36 lakh MT.

           During July 2011, approximately 18.91 lakh MT (both indigenous and imported) urea was despatched to various States. Availability of urea during the month of July 2011 was about 30.25 lakh MT and availability was satisfactory in all the States. Further, sale of Urea in the current season upto 31.7.2011 was about 85.76 lakh MT which is higher by 16.5% as compared to the sale of 73.59 lakh MT in the corresponding period of the previous year.

      As regards decontrolled fertilizers, availability of DAP and MOP during the month of July 2011 had been about 13.63 lakh MT and 1.27 lakh MT respectively, which was adequate to meet the demand of the States.

         During the month of July, 4.07 lakh MT of urea was imported of which 1.65 lakh MT was imported from OMIFCO, Oman and 2.42 lakh MT from others. In addition, 10.6 lakh MT of DAP, 0.64 lakh MT of MAP and 3.94 lakh MT of NPK was also imported into the country.

Establishment and Maintenance of Seed Bank

      The Ministry of Agriculture is presently implementing a component on "Establishment and Maintenance of Seed Bank" under the Scheme "Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds". The objective of the component is to meet requirement of seeds during natural calamities and unforeseen conditions.

     The Government also provides assistance under various schemes for seed production, distribution, certification, quality control and related components for ensuring timely availability of certified quality seeds.

      This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries

Rice Sown in 322 Lakh Hectare, Oilseeds Acreage UP by 4.33 and Cotton by 10 Lakh Hectare

          As per data received from States, rice has been sown in 322.19 lakh hectare as on today. It represents an increase of 24.86 lakh hectare over last year’s acreage on this date. Higher area coverage has been reported from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

            Oilseeds have been sown in 168.84 lakh hectare. Compared to last year, sown area is higher by 4.33 lakh hectare. Higher area coverage has been reported in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

            Coarse cereals have been sown in 180.60 lakh hectare. Compared to last year, higher area coverage has been reported from Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

           

Cotton has been sown in 116.81 lakh hectare as against 106.80 lakh hectare last year on this date.

             The cropped areas as on today are as follows:

Crop	This year’s area [as on 19thAugust]	Last year’s area [as on 19th  August]
Rice	322.19	297.33
Maize	69.91	71.70
Jowar	24.35	28.11
Bajra	74.36	82.29
Total of coarse cereals	180.60	197.34
Arhar	35.88	42.82
Moong	22.33	26.80
Urad	21.13	22.18
Total pulses	99.33	111.65
Soyabean	102.73	92.75
Groundnut	40.62	48.70
Total oilseeds	168.84	164.51
Sugarcane	51.67	49.32
Cotton	116.81	106.80

Rs. 2756 Crore Released to States for Micro Irrigation

        Rs. 2756.43 crore have been released by the Government during Eleventh Plan period (till 31st July 2011) under Micro Irrigation Scheme to the various States. Out of this amount, Rs. 2678.01 crore have been utilized. In the first four years of the Eleventh Plan period, an area of 26 lakh ha has already been brought under micro-irrigation as against target o 28.5 lakh ha. During 2011-12, Rs. 1150 crore has been earmarked for micro irrigation. Cumulative achievement under micro irrigation during Eleventh Plan period would be more than the targeted area. 

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha 

Availability of Subsidised Fertilizers to the Farmers

     At present, Government of India is implementing New Pricing Scheme-III for Urea and Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for 22 grades of decontrolled Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers namely DAP, MAP, TSP, DAP Lite, MOP, SSP, Ammonium Sulphate (caprolactum grade produced by FACT and GSFC) and 15 grades of complex fertilizers to make fertilizers is fixed annually on the basis of its nutrients content (i.e. Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash and Sulphur).  NBS is fixed taking into consideration the affordability of the farmers and prices of fertilizers in the international market.  Under this scheme, Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of fertilizers has been left open and manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable level.  It is seen that as per the present MRP of P&K fertilizers, farmers are paying only 27% to 58% of the delivered cost of these fertilizers.  Urea is provided to farmers at subsidized Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 5310/- Per MT.

            The amount of subsidy given to fertilizers companies during the last three years for chemical fertilizers viz.  Urea and 22 grades of P&K fertilizers are as under:

Fig. in Rs. Crore

Period	Urea	P&K Fertilizers	Total
2008-09	33939.92	65554.79	99494.71
2009-10	24580.23	39452.06	64032.29
2010-11	24336.68	41500.00	65836.68

            This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Creation of Additional Storage Capacity

          To overcome the shortage of covered storage space for foodgrains in the country, the Government had formulated a Scheme for construction of storage godowns through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). A total of 152.97 lakh MT capacity has been approved for creation under the scheme. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
          He said that the tenders have been finalized for creation of storage capacity of 52.32 lakh tonnes by the private entrepreneurs. CWC and SWCs are constructing 5.31 and 15.49 lakh tonnes respectively under the Scheme, out of which a capacity of about 3.23 lakh tonnes has already been completed by CWC/SWCs till April, 2011 and has been taken over and used.
         No foodgrains under FCI storage have accrued as damaged upto June’2011 due to lack of storage facility, however a quantity of 541.33 MTs of foodgrains have accrued as damaged due to pests, rodents and natural calamities during 2011-12, the Minister added.

Details of Cotton/Yarn Export

            In the current cotton season 2010-11 cotton production has been projected at 325 lakh bales by the Cotton Advisory Board in their meeting held on 25.7.2011.  Cotton export has been placed under OGL with effect from 2^nd August, 2011 without any quantitative limit  subject to registration with the DGFT.

Government of India has taken the following measures, to protect the interests of the domestic textile producers / weavers of the domestic industry:

·           Duty drawback on cotton yarn was withdrawn w.e.f. 29.4.2010.

·           Strict monitoring of hank yarn obligation from 1.4.2010.

·           Cotton Yarn Advisory Board was constituted to monitor the domestic supply, consumption and export of cotton yarn.

·           Cotton Yarn Export has been placed under Open General Licence (OGL) with effect from 1^st April, 2011 subject to registration of export contracts with Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

        The number of spindles in the country is 47.57 million and the number of Rotors is 7.49 lacs. (Source – Textile Commissioner):

        India is a yarn surplus country, with domestic production exceeding domestic consumption.   Details of Import and export of cotton yarn are as follows:

                                             (Mn. Kg)

Item	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10 (Prov.)	2010-11 (Prov.) (Apr.-Oct)
Import	7.14	4.89	5.35	2.74
Export	664.14	555.77	589.02	438.04

Cotton Workshop in China

       An Indian delegation from Ministry of Textiles attended the 2 day cotton workshop in China convened by the International Cotton Advisory Committee on June 21-22, 2011. The workshop was also attended by official delegations from China, United States of America and Pakistan. The discussion centered on global practices for estimation of cotton production, cotton use, cotton stock and cotton prices. The delegates from India made presentations on Indian practices for Estimation of Cotton Production; Measuring Cotton Prices; Estimating Cotton Usage and Estimating Cotton Stocks.
         The Cotton Conference projected that world cotton production in 2011-12 cotton season is projected to rise by 8% to 26.9 million tons, cotton mill use will rise by 2% to 25 million tons, ending stocks will increase by 20% to 10.9 million stocks with global stock to use ratio increases from 37% in 2010-11 to 43% in 2011-12.
       This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

45 DAYS DAIRY TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA STARTS FROM AUG 16

          With a view to providing update knowledge of commercial diary farming to the youth, the Punjab Government has decided to start from AUG 16, 2011 (45 days) new dairy technology course at seven centers in Punjab.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Punjab said that this training would be provided at Chattamali (Ropar), Bijja (Ludhiana), Tarn Taran, Phagwara (Kapurthala), Abdul Khurana  (Mukatsar), Gill Kalan (Moga) and  Verka (Amrtisar).

                   The State Diary Development department would provide new techniques for dairy farming, better shed design and cattle feed to the milk producers to increase the milk production in the state.            

                   The Minister further said that anybody above the age of 18 to 45 undertake this training at their nearest training centre. All matriculate or above qualified persons are eligible for this training and should have own five milk animals farm. Walk in interview-cum-selection will be held for this training at all diary training center on August 08, 2011 at 10:00AM. For more information in this regard can be had from telephone no. 0172-2700228.

REVIEW CAP ON COTTON EXPORTS AND ALLOW ADDITIONAL EXPORTS OF 1 MILLION BALES- BADAL WRITES TO PM

            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh urging him to review the cap on the exports of cotton besides allowing additional exports of about one million bales to ensure remunerative price to the cotton growers for their produce during the ensuing Kharif Marketing Season 2011.

            In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal apprised him that Punjab is one of the major cotton producing states of the country and it produces about 20 lakh bales of cotton annually. As per estimates of the Cotton Advisory Board of India, the total cotton production in the country during 2010-11 is likely to be 339.3 lakh bales while the domestic consumption of cotton is estimated to be 240 lakh bales. Hence as per current scenario there is surplus of cotton in the country. The union government had imposed a quantitative restriction on cotton exports in October, 2010 when prices of the natural fiber had shot up.  The government allowed export of only 6.5 million bales of cotton during 2010-11 seasons to protect domestic textiles industry in the wake of rising prices of the raw material.

            The Chief Minister also informed Dr. Manmohan Singh that the restrictions on cotton exports led to softening of cotton prices which have been sharply criticized by farmers' organizations of cotton producing states. During kharif 2010, prices of cotton remained firm and consequently, the area under cotton during current kharif season increased. 

            Mr. Badal also pointed out that the production of cotton in the country is likely to increase. The International Cotton Advisory Committee has estimated that global cotton production could reach 27.3 million tonnes by 2012 due to improving prices. In light of these facts, he impressed upon the Prime Minister to immediately review the restrictions imposed on the exports of cotton and permitting additional exports of about one million bales to the cotton growers during the current kharif marketing season.

BONANZA FOR PUNJAB FARMERS AS PUNJAB APPROVES 75,000 TUBE WELL CONNECTIONS

       The farmers of Punjab received a great bonanza from SAD-BJP government as Punjab State Power Corporation Limited approved new Agriculture Pumpset policy sanctioning 75,000 new Agriculture Pumpsets, meeting their long pending demand.

           Disclosing this here today Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister,  said that in a major step to clear the backlog of tube well connections under the new policy 25,000 connections would be released in General Scheme whereas 50,000 additional connections would be released in Accelerated Release of Tube Well Connections (ARTC) scheme.  He said that till date the SAD-BJP government has released 182589 tube well connections during last four years and with the release of 75,000 connections, 257589 connections would be released in the tenure of this government that would be the highest number of connections released by any government in its tenure. Mr. Badal said that the release of 75000 connections in a single year would be the largest number of connections released by any government during single calendar year. The Spokesman said that presently there were 14 lakh tube well connections installed in the state, out of which 1143267 connections were operated with Power connections.

           Giving out the details of the scheme, Mr. Badal said that over 15,000 connections would be released to the General Category whereas 7500 connections would be provided to priority categories and 45,000 connections would be release under ARTC scheme.

           Emphasising on giving priority to the small and marginal farmers, Mr. Badal clarified that the applicants with land holding up to 5 acre would be given 30% connections whereas other 30% would be given to those having land above 5 acres and remaining 30% would be given to priority categories including Martyrs of Kargil War, Operation Rakshak, J&K Insurgency, Gallantry Awardees, Scheduled Castes, Oustees, Ex-Servicemen, Kandi areas etc. He said that apart from these 75000 numbers additional AP Connections have also been planned for Sem Area, Drip/Micro Sprinkler System, Gram Panchayat, Religious Institutions, Gaushalas, Harijan Farmers Co-operative Society without cut- off date. It would be over and above the fixed annual target of 2011-12.

           Mr. Badal said that the eligible AP Applicants would be allotted connections as per seniority and normal service connections charges @ Rs 3600 per BHP would be charged from the general category consumers. He clarified that however those seeking out of turn release of connections/load/demand will pay actual cost of release of connections or PSERC prescribed per BHP/KW/KVA service connection charges, whichever is higher. 

          Mr. Badal said that this scheme may be opened upto 31.12.1992  first having pending application 61116 Nos. for two weeks and if the response is less than target, it will be extended upto 31.12.1994 having total pending applications 90817 for another two weeks and still short of target, we may extend it upto 31.12.1996 having total pending applications 108705 for another two weeks. The scheme may close within six weeks from its start to enable timely floating of tenders etc. He said that the applications/ option under proposed ARTC scheme shall be available to applicants already registered under General Category & pending for issue of Demand Notice. He added that the connections under ARTC shall be released on turnkey basis through open tender process or departmentally. The material conforming to standard specification of PSPCL will be purchased/ procured by the Contractors from approved suppliers of PSPCL and the release of Tubewell connections under the policy shall commence after July/Aug. 2011.