The Government has also accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for 12 nuclear power reactors aggregating a total capacity of 9000 MW, which are scheduled to be completed progressively by the year 2031. On their completion, the total nuclear power capacity would reach 22480 MW.
…………………………………………as per the results of ‘Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households’ conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2013, about 63.5 percent of the agricultural households in the rural areas of the country reported cultivation as their principal source of income. Details of the number of farmers still following age old practices are not available in the Survey.
Government has been taking various initiatives to create awareness among farmers about new techniques through such programmes as extension reforms, Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension, Kisan Call Centers, Agri-Clinics and Agri-business Centers, Exhibitions/Fairs, etc. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as ATMA Scheme is being implemented in 676 districts of 29 states & 3 UTs of the country, including all the districts of Maharashtra & Jharkhand. The scheme promotes decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system in the country. Under the Scheme, Grants-in-aid is released to the State Governments {In the ratio of 60:40 (Centre:State) to General States, 90:10 for North-Eastern & 3 Himalayan States and 100% for UTs} with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to revitalize their extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas. The extension activities include farmers training, demonstrations, exposure visits, Kisan Mela, mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools, etc.
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The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) fixes target for the production of foodgrains in the country annually. The target for the production of foodgrains has been fixed at 290.25 million tonnes for the 2018-19.The production of foodgrains in the country has been estimated at 284.83 million tonnes (4th Advance Estimates) for 2017-18, which is a record.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall in the country was normal (-9%) during South-West monsoon season (June to September 2018).
The production of foodgrains in the country during Kharif 2018 has been estimated at 141.59 million tonnes (1st Advance Estimates) against 140.73 million tonnes (4th Advance Estimates) during kharif 2017, which is higher by 0.86 million tonnes.
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Government fixes-the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of various agricultural crops on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after ascertaining the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/ Departments concerned. While recommending MSPs, CACP considers the cost of production and host of factors such as demand-supply situation, trends in domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors and the likely impact of MSP on consumers and overall economy along with rational utilization of scarce natural resources like land and water.
National Commission on Farmers headed by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan submitted its report in 2006. One of the recommendations of Commission was that MSP should be at least 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production. This recommendation was not incorporated in the National policy for Farmers 2007. However, recently Government has increased the MSP for all Kharif and Rabi crops and other commercial crops for the season 2018-19 with a return of atleast 50 percent over cost of production, which was a historic decision by the Government.
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Although Agricultural Marketing is a State subject, however, the Union Government has taken necessary steps for strengthening, upgrading and expanding agricultural marketing facilities across the country including Madhya Pradesh. To expand marketing facilities for the farmers and to facilitate them to receive competitive and remunerative prices in transparent manner, Government has operationalised e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) with integration of 585 regulated markets across the country including 58 number of Madhya Pradesh. Under the scheme, apart from providing technical support, financial assistance for electronic weighing scale, computer IT equipments, assaying equipments, cleaning/ sorting/ grading equipments and bio- composting unit is also provided. To further expand the marketing facilities in State of Madhya Pradesh, it has been promoting direct purchase of farmers’ produce outside the market yard by the private company like ITC through establishment of purchase centres (ITC Chaupal) and undertaking contract farming.
In Madhya Pradesh, the organised wholesale marketing of agricultural produce is being carried out by the network of 555 regulated market yards. In addition, Madhya Pradesh Government has prepared plan for development of about 1064 Haat Bazaars located nearer to farm gate by creating additional and required facilities through existing scheme of MGNREGA etc, which would facilitate farmers to directly sell their produce to consumer and bulk purchasers. Being proposal based received from States; there is no State-wise allocation of funds under e-NAM. However, Rs.17.40 crore has already been released to Madhya Pradesh for integration of 58 e-NAM Mandis.
Further, Madhya Pradesh Government allocates Rs.125 crore per year from Kisan Sadak Nidhi Fund for improving marketing facilities in the State. State is also spending about Rs.150 crore for development of Fruits and Vegetables market yards.
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Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of 22 mandated Kharif and Rabi crops and Fair & Remunerative Prices (FRP) for Sugarcane on the basis of recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned & other relevant factors. In addition, MSP for Toria and De-Husked coconut is also fixed on the basis of MSPs of Rapeseed/Mustard and Copra respectively.
Government generally increases the MSPs of all notified crops which provide adequate return over cost of production. Government has increased MSPs substantially for all mandated crops for the season 2018-19. This decision of the Government was a historic one as it fulfills the commitment to the farmers to provide 50 per cent return over cost of production for the first time for all mandated crops. Details of MSP, cost and percent return over cost for 2016-17, 2017-18 & 2018-19 is given at Annexure.
While recommending MSPs, CACP considers a host of factors including all India weighted average cost of production of crops. The costs considered are comprehensive and include all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased in land, expenses incurred in cash and kind on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc, miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour. The MSPs fixed by Government for most of the crops provide atleast a return of 50 per cent over cost of production for the year 2018-19.