India 2018

48 India 2018
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Agriculture
AGRICULTURE plays a vital role in India's economy. 54.6 per cent of the
population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities (census 2011) and it
contributes 17 per cent to the country's Gross Value Added (current price 2015-
16, 2011-12 series). Given the importance of this sector, Government of India
took several steps for its sustainable development. These have been taken to
improve soil fertility on a sustainable basis through the soil health card scheme,
to provide improved access to irrigation and enhanced water efficiency through
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), to support organic farming
through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and to support for creation
of a unified national agriculture market to boost the income of farmers. Further,
to mitigate risk in agriculture sector a new scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana (PMFBY) was also launched for implementation from Kharif 2016.
Production
Notwithstanding the setback in kharif crops 2015-16 due to bad monsoon and
rabi crops due to warm winter, total foodgrain production in the country
increased marginally in 2015-16. As per 4th Advance Estimates for 2015-16,
total production of rice is estimated at 104.32 million tonnes which is lower by
1 .17 million tonnes than the production of 105.48 million tonnes during the
preceding year. Production of wheat, estimated at 93.50 million tonnes, is higher
by 6.97 million tonnes than the production of 86.53 million tonnes achieved
during 2014-15. Total production of coarse cereals estimated at 37.94 million
tonnes is lower by 4.38 million tonnes than their production during 2014-15.
Total foodgrain production in the country is estimated at 252.22 million
tonnes which is marginally higher by 0.20 million tonnes than the previous
year's foodgrain production of 252.02 million tonnes. Production of pulses
estimated at 16.47 million tonnes is lower by 0.68 million tonnes than their
production during 2014- 15. With a decline of 2.21 million tonnes over the last
year, total production of oilseeds in the country is estimated at 25.30 million
tonnes. Production of sugarcane is estimated at 352.16 million tonne. Total
production of cotton estimated at 30.15 million bales (of 170 kgs each) is lower
than previous year's production of 34.81 million bales and also lower by 4.48
million bales than its five years average production of 34.63 million bales.
Production of jute and mesta estimated at 10.47 million bales (of 180 kg each) is
lower by 0.66 million bales (6.3 per cent) than their production during the
previous year.
National Policy for Farmers
Government of India approved the National Policy for Farmers (NPF) in 2007.
The policy provisions, inter alia, include asset reforms in respect of land, water,