Indian agri-productivity lower than developed countries

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) India's agricultural production may be registering a marginal increase every year in food grains, oil seeds, sugar cane and cotton but its per hectare production was lower than not just the developed countries but the developing countries as well, the Centre admitted in Rajya Sabha today.

In a written answer to Mr Mangani Lal Mandal, Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria said that according to the fourth advance estimates, production of these crops was highest during 2006-07 except for oil seeds which was likely to register lower production of 23.88 million tonnes compared to 27.98 mt.

He said the country's agricultural production was not lower than the developed countries like USA, Netherlands , Greece, Spain and Austria but lower than countries like Korea, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in rice, wheat and maize crops.

To increase the national cereal productivity and production, the Centrally Sponsored schemes were relevant in cropping systems areas of the country where assistance is provided for propogation of improved hybrid production technology, integrated pest management, transfer of technology, farm implements, installation of sprinkler irrigation systems and varietal replacement of production of certified seeds since October 2000 for rice, wheat and another scheme for oil seeds, pulses, oil palm and maize since April 2004. Of the 141 million hectares of net cultivated area 56 million hectares was irrigated while 85 million hectares was rainfed area.

He said the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Chandigarh had initiated steps to set up terminal markets in their areas in private and cooperative sector and direct marketing. Under this scheme setting up of terminal markets was not location specific but on specificities of the area.

UNI