The country aims to produce 273 MT of foodgrains in the crop year 2017-2018 commencing July and maintaining 4 percent farm growth in anticipation of a good monsoon.
Food grain production is estimated to touch a record 271.98 MT in the current year (July-June) on the back of good rains after two years of drought, according to the second estimate of the agriculture ministry.
Foodgrain production target for next year is set at record 273 million tonnes, the ministry announced at a two-day national conference that is discussing sowing strategy for the coming kharif season.
Southwest monsoon is forecast to be normal which will help achieve the desired target.
It may be noted that 50 percent of the foodgrain output comes from both kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) seasons.
Kharif crops are normally sown in around 72 million hectares. Rice, pulses (tur, urad and moong), oilseeds (groundnut and soybean), cotton and sugarcane are main crops grown in this season.
The country expects another year of good monsoon. A 4 percent agri-growth rate will be maintained in 2017-18.
Since kharif crops are heavily dependent on the performance of the southwest monsoon, the states should plan for all possible scenarios like delayed onset of rains, prolonged dry spells and less/excess rains.
States have been asked to help farmers to buy the crop insurance policy Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and aim to insure 40 percent of the sown area (194 million hectares) in 2017-18 crop year.
Another area of focus is the supply of quality seeds and achieve the target of 23 million tonnes in 2017-18.
Stress is on diversification, market reforms and setting up of state and district committees for monitoring of agri-schemes.
According to the agriculture ministry, there is sufficient supply of seeds for the forthcoming kharif season.
For instance, about 83.46 lakh quintals of paddy seeds and 3.75 lakh quintals of tur dal seeds are available.
Fertiliser requirement is estimated to be 28.99 million tonnes for the season.
The two-day national conference is deliberating on how to increase food grain production in the next year and implement technology and new innovations in the farm sector.
