NFSM scheme implemented in 16 states for Rabi 2007-08: Pawar

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said a Centrally sponsored scheme National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been launched in 305 identified districts of 16 States for Rabi 2007-08 with an aim to achieve additional production of 10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of pulses by the end of Eleventh Plan 2011-12.

Replying during the question hour in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said the total outlay of NFSM was Rs 4882.48 crore for the Eleventh Five-year Plan.

He said the NFSM has three components -- rice, wheat and pulses.

The major interventions under NFSM were demonstrations on improved production technologies, distribution of quality seeds of high yielding varieties and hybrids, popularisation of newly released varieties through seed minikits, support for micro-nutrients, grypsum, zero tillage, rotavators, conoweeders and other farm implements, integrated pest management, integrated nutrient management, water lifting and moisture saving device, training and mass media campaign including award for best performing districts.

He said besides, the pilot projects on community generators, management of blue bulls and demonstrations of International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) technologies were also included, he added.

Mr Pawar said in reply to another question that the procurement of foodgrains mainly rice, wheat and coarsegrains was carried out by the State Governments and agencies for the Central Pool, while the payment to the States was made by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on delivery of the foodgrains on the basis of the claims of the State Government at the rates of procurement incidentals fixed by the Government. The final procurement incidental were based on audited accounts submitted by the States.

He said only one proposal from Andhra Pradesh Government for Kharif marketing season (KMS) 2005-06 for coarsegrains was pending with the Government. No other proposal for Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2005-06 and KMS 2005-06 had been received by the Government.

Responding to questions, Mr Pawar also disclosed FCI informed that an amount of Rs 8 crore was paid to Rajasthan State Warehousing Corporation (RSWC), an agency of Rajasthan Government, as on account payment against incidental charges for the previous years. Since RSWC failed to submit the claims against this amount, FCI adjusted the amount of Rs 8 crore along with interest of Rs 64 lakh from the incidentals of 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2005-06. RSWC had claimed an amount of Rs 69.95 lakh from FCI for RMS 2005-06 and had filed a writ petition in Rajasthan High Court.

In response to another question, the Minister said the Prime Minister's Special Rehabilitation package announced for the six distressed districts in Vidarbha region in Maharashtra on July one, 2006, and for 25 identified distressed districts covering Andhra Pradesh (16), Karnataka(6), and Kerala (3) States announced on September 29th, 2006 was implemented by the concerned agencies consisting of line Departments of Central and State Governemnt, banks and NABARD.

Mr Pawar said the government was also monitoring the progress in the implementation of the package through review meetings held periodically.

UNI