The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution expressed satisfaction over the production figures as per the 2nd advance estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry. The expected record output proves that the farmers are responding positively towards the measures taken by the Central Government. Shri Paswan congratulated the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh on the record production of foodgrains which he shared with the media on 16th February, 2017. According to the 2nd advance production estimates, the production of major crops is expected to be 271.98 mMT. Shri Paswan said that soon after the NDA Government took-over, the country faced drought like situation continuously for two years and this is for the first time that monsoon was good. Now farmers and consumers will reap the benefits of pro-farmer policies of the Union Government.
The Minister said that sowing of wheat grew by 7%, while the increase in pulses was 11% and in oilseeds it was 6% as compared to last year. As a result, we are expecting 221.4 LMT record production in pulses. Similarly the wheat production is expected to be 965 LMT. Union Government has framed a policy to transfer the MSP directly to the accounts of farmers in a transparent manner. Government has increased the MSP of pulses and oilseeds considerably and there is steady increase in the MSP of paddy and wheat. Shri Paswan told that during the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season a record 444 LMT of paddy has been procured from the farmers. Shri Paswan said that farmers have produced record pulses, however, there were complaints that they were not getting even then MSP for Moong and Arhar. The Government immediately responded, first, by increasing the buffer stock of pulses from 1.5 MT to 20 LMT in order to protect farmers’ interests. Further the Government has engaged 3 central agencies viz. FCI, NAFED and SFAC to procure pulses directly from farmers which is still going on.
As per the data released by the Agriculture Ministry, wheat production will be around 965 LMT. Going by the sowing area and favourable weather conditions, the country will have good yield of wheat. The Food Department held a meeting with wheat producing States on 15th February, 2017 and has set the procurement target at 330 LMT for the ensuing Rabi Marketing Season 2017-18. Extensive preparations have been made for procurement operations and Government will make necessary arrangements for payment of MSP to farmers. Special attention has been given to the farmers of Eastern States. Government has recently removed import duty on wheat to increase its availability in domestic market. In a span of around 2 months, 40 LMT Wheat has been imported and this year more than 55 LMT wheat imports have happened in total. Fresh wheat crop is expected to come by mid-March. It has been experienced when there is price-rise the benefit is taken by the traders and consumers are exploited. However, when fresh crop hits the market prices fall and the farmers have to take the loss. Shri Paswan assured that the Government will take all necessary steps to ensure payment of MSP to farmers and may review the import duty on wheat if required.