1.8.4 An important aspect of the livestock development programme is the enhancement of the productivity of milch cattle through upgra- dation by cross breeding. Frozen semen technology based on progeny bulls is a major plank of the programme and has resulted in improved productivity.
1. 8.5 Drought intensity during the Seventh Plan period has pointed to the need for integrating animal husbandry programme with the develop- ment of fodder. Programmes for improving availability of fodder and seeds, development of pasture lands, feed analytical laboratories for analysis of various nutrients and toxins were taken up.
1.8.6 Operation Flood Project was started in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the number of dairy cooperative societies increased from 34,523 in,1984-85 to 64,000 in 1991-92. The peak milk procurement increased from, 7.9 to 13.5 million kgs./day, fluid milk from 5 to 11 million litres/day and rural milk processing capacity from 8.8 to
6
17.8 million litres/day. The Technology Mission on Dairy Development was established to dovetail the activities of the Central and State Governments, NDDB and ICAR research institutes for better implementation of programmes.
1.8.7 The ICAR and the Central and State poultry breeding farm units supported and augmented productivity of quality layer and broiler birds and NAFED provided marketing support for poultry products.
1.8.8 Sheep and Wool Development Boards or federations in potential States assisted in ensuring remunerative returns to shepherds. Indigenous wool production is largely of carpet quality, apparel wool accounting for only about 10% of overall annual wool production. This has necessitated import of 20-25 million kgs.of fine wool every year.
1.8.9 Animal health care services were provided through polyclinics, hospitals, dispensaries and veterinary aid centres, besides mobile dispensaries under the Operation Flood Project. Disease diagnostic facilities at State laboratories were strengthened. Biological units for production of vaccines to prevent various animal diseases were set up. Bio-technology centre on animal health and production were established.
Fisheries 1.9.1 The average annual growth rate of fish production during the Sixth Plan was only 3.94 percent. The major constraints were over- concentration on shrimp fishing, non-exploitation of unconventional fishery resources in the marine sector and slow progress in the expan- sion of extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture systems in the inland and brackish-water fisheries. Processing and marketing facilities for sea food and, inland fish were inadequate. To overcome these difficulties, adequate attention was paid during the Seventh Plan through incentives and regulatory measures and fish production rose to 36.77 lakh tonnes. By the end of the Seventh Plan, 22.75 lakh tonnes of marine and 14.02 lakh tonnes of inland fish were produced; indicating an average annual growth rate 6.25 percent Banning of bull trawlers, motorisation of traditional craft and creation of National Welfare Fund for Development of Fishermen Villages to provide housing, sanitation and drinking water, Group Accident Insurance Scheme etc. have helped in some measure to improve the quality of life of fishermen. Introduction of Beach Landing Craft with assistance through cooperative societies was a success in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
1.9.2 In the inland water fisheries sector, the establishment of about 300 Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDA) and fish seed pro- duction by circular Chinese type of hatcheries etc. contributed to an increase in the average yield in FFDA districts to 1560 Kgs. per ha. per annum from the Sixth Plan level of 900 kg/ha. Fish seed production also rose to 12,000 millions from 5639 millions.
1.9.3 Other important programmes include brackish water fishery development by transfer of technology through Brackishwater Fish Farmers Development Agencies. The semiintensive shrimp farming technology was up-graded under a UNDP assisted coastal aquaculture project (1986). In the deep sea fishing sector, considering the need for foreign technology to exploit non-shrimp resources, introduction of large number of resource specific vessels was considered. Schemes for leasing, test fishing and joint ventures were formulated. The Fishery Survey of India carried out studies on assessment of suitable craft and gears for marine fisheries and disseminated information about fishery resources availability. Deep sea fishing fleet increased to 171. Suitable credit facilities, technology for harvesting non-shrimp resources, skilled manpower and infrastructure facilities including storage and processing facilities were augmented.
1.9.4 The Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training (CIFNET) catered to the development of trained manpower for the fishing industry and the Institute's vessels provided in- vessel training to the trainees. The Integrated Fisheries Project was engaged in experimental fishing activities for propagation of diversified fishing methods, besides introduction of processed fish products on semi- commercial scale. The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF) conducted pre- investment investiga- tion, examination and designing of the facili-
7
ties required at fishing harbours etc. Besides, the Institute conducted investigation for brackishwater fish farm to obtain the desired culture results. Four major fisheries harbours, 18 minor harbours and 86 landing centres were commissioned by the end of Seventh Plan.
1.9.5 In July, 1988, the Government of India decided to create a separate Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) and some of the functions relating to fisheries were transferred to it. Primarily, the MFPI is to deal with the following areas, so far as fisheries are concerned:
i) Fishingand fisheries beyond the territorial waters including deep sea fishing station now called Fishery Survey of India,( Bombay).
ii) Processing of fish
iii) Technical assistance and advice to fish. processing industry; and
iv) Establishment and servicing of Development Council for Fish Processing Industry.
1.9.6 For suitable coordination, a National Fisheries Advisory Board was set up in January 1989 with the objective of rendering advice in respect of development of fisheries and orderly development of fishing industry, export of marine products, etc.
1.9.7 The processing industry and internal marketing of fish require substantial infrastructural development. There are 216 freezing plants with capacity to handle 2200 tonnes per day, but these have limited use as these mainly have plate freezers which do not give sufficient value addition as compared to Individual Quick Freezing Plants (IQF). The cold storage facilities (5000 tonnes) are highly inadequate. Ice plants with cold storage facilities, establishment of retail fish marketing centres, fish handling sheds, insulated fish marketing centres, insulated fish transportation vehicles etc. are to be developed in substantial way for sustained growth of the fishing industry.
1.9.8 Fish production during 1990-91 stood at 38.36 lakh tonnes, which was marginally above the target. The target for 1991-92 was 39.90 lakh tonnes consisting of 24.40 lakh tonnes of marine fish and 15.50 lakh tonnes of inland fish. No substantial increase from the coastal waters is possible as it is mostly over exploited. A new unit of Integrated Fisheries Project was installed in Visakhapatnam during 1990-91 to help the fishing industry to optimise utilisation of low value fish. Technical consultancy services and introduction of diversified fish products, reimbursement of central excise duty on HSD oil used by fishing vessels less than 20 m. in length was undertaken during the two Annual Plans. For brackish water culture, more areas have been supported through BFDAs. Under the National Welfare Fund Scheme, 72 fishermen villages and about 8.5 lakh fishermen have been insured under the Group Accident Insurance Scheme so far. The number of fishermen Primary Co-operative Societies stood at 8,170 having a membership of 6.6 lakhs. However, except in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Orissa, the fishermen co-operatives in other States do not play any significant role in the development of fisheries.
1.9.9 The export of marine products during 1990-91 was 1,38,400 tonnes valued at Rs. 890 crores. The target of fish exports for 1991- 92 is 1,65,700 tonnes valued at Rs. 1000 crores. Physical targets and achievements of Fisheries during the Seventh Plan as well as the annual plans of 1990-91 and 1991-92 are given in Table-1.3 .
Agricultural Research & Education 1.10.1 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the apex Organisation for sponsoring, co- ordinating and promoting re- search, education and extension education in agriculture and allied fields in the country. Under the Council there are 43 Central Insti- tutes, four National Bureaux, 20 National Research Centres, nine Project Directorates, 70 All India Co-ordinated Research/Improvement Projects (AICRPs) and 109 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the country. The Council also assists 26 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other leading institution,, involved in agricultural education and research.A review committee was set up under the chairmanship
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Table-1.3 Physical Targets & Achievements Fisheries
Sl.No Item Unit Target Achieveme Target Achieveme Target
nt nt 1991-92
1990-91
(Seventh Plan) 1990-91
I. Fish Production
a)Marine Lakh tons 17.90 22.75 23.52 23.00 24.40
b)Inland " 14.60 14.02 14.70 15.36 15.50
TOTAL " 32.50 36.77 38.22 38.36 39.90
II. Fish Seed Production Million 12000 12000 12500 12500 13000
III. Water Area To
Becovered Under Lakh 2.70 2.46 3.00 2.82 3.40
Intensive Fish
Culture ha.(cum)
IV. Fish/prawn Seed
Hatcheries Nos 45 39 5 3 2
(public (pubic
sector) sector)
V. Traditional Craft
To Be Motorised 000'Nos. 5000 4667 2000 2661 2000
of Shri G.V.K.Rao which has been, by and large accepted by the Government.
1.10.2 A number of new centres to conduct research on several specific problems and All India Coordinated Projects were established during the Seventh Plan. These cover many major areas such as Brackishwater Aquaculture, Post-Harvest Technology, besides issues connected with animal husbandry, horticulture etc.
1.10.3 Three new Agricultural Universities, namely Dr. Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, the University of Ag- ricultural Science in Dharwad and Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Raipur, were established during the Seventh Plan.
1.10.4 As many as 109 Krishi Vigyan Kendras have been set up in the country till March, 1992. Of them, 65 are under State Agricultural Universities, 25 being operated through Voluntary agencies, State Governments, and other institutions and the remaining 19 are under the ICAR.
1.10.5 For strengthening the regional research capability of State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), the National Agriculture Research Project (NARP) was launched by the ICAR in January, 1979 with the support of soft loan from the World Bank. It is now in the middle of its second phase. The NARP-II shall continue the process initiated under NARP-I, for strengthening the zonal and the regional research stations of SAUs and also include need-based strengthening of ICAR Institutes. Under NARP-I, extended to NARP-II phase, 117 sub-projects and about 250 zonal/regional stations have been strengthened.
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Agro-climatic Regional Planning Approach 1.10.6 The Agro-climatic Regional Planning Approach (ACRP) was initiated by the Planning Commission in 1988 to formulate integrated development plans for agriculture and allied sectors differentiated by homogeneous agro-climatic regions. During the Eighth Plan, emphasis is on development of resources and their optimum utilisation in an integrated and sustainable manner for constituent subsectors. A macrolevel strategy for the 15 broad agro-climatic zones, is proposed to be incorporated in operational integration in state plans covering activities in crop and non-crop sectors. ARPU teams are preparing Operational Plans for about 30 districts. These will be implemented in pilot block/watersheds during the Eighth Plan with the help of the State Agricultural University, ICAR, and State extension officials working at the district level.
Eighth Plan Strategy and Thrust 1.11.1 The Eighth Plan will aim at consolidating the gains from the base built over the years in agricultural production; sustaining the improvements in productivity and production to meet the increasing demands of the growing population; enlarging the incomes of farmers, and realising the country's potential by stepping up agricultural exports. While the production of several commodities has shown significant increases, a cause for major continuing concern is that the growth rates in agricultural production is highly skewed in terms of geographic areas as amongst crops. Rapid improvement in productivity and production of a few of the agricultural crops, since the introduction of high yielding varieties technology from-the mid- sixties, has been conspicuous only in small pockets of well endowed irrigated areas. Eastern India in the heavy rainfall zone the vast rainfed tracts in the country and the hill regions have not been able to adopt, the technologies for achieving high growth rates. It will be of crucial significance, not only on account of the need to reduce regional disparities, but also essentially to raise production levels, that far greater attention is devoted to bring about an accelerated growth in. areas which have relatively lower growth. Efforts to concentrate on productivity of principal crops in these regions through programmes initiated in the Sixth and the Seventh Plans will have to -be further intensified. Appropriate technologies designed to meet the specific location problems, need to be generated.
1.11.2 In the rainfed areas, farming system approach should be the basis for enabling farmers to make scientific and optimum use of their land and water resources to increase their incomes. Diversification of the agricultural production systems may be called for, together with scientific management of land, to prevent soil erosion and achieve better in situ moisture conservation. A holistic approach towards the development of rainfed areas, which forms the raison detre for the restructured National Watershed Development Programme for the Rainfed Areas, cannot be over emphasised. This programme will be adequately funded and implemented vigorously.
1.11.3 A preponderant proportion of land holdings is small or marginal. Even with the best of productivity of traditional crops cultivated by the small holders, the resultant incomes may not be sufficient to support a minimal standards of living. Agricultural production systems followed by this segment of farming community may have to be diversified into other allied activities, capable of generating higher returns and incomes such as animal husbandry, horticulture, both irrigated and unirrigated, sericulture, fisheries, agro-forestry etc.
1.11.4 Rural unemployment and under-employment are issues of serious concern in areas with relatively poor growth in agriculture. The treatment of rainfed areas on watershed basis may provide employment opportunities for unskilled labour by way of developing the potential of drylands, construction of water harvesting structures, plantation of horticulture, agro-forestry etc. Many of the alternative agricultural production systems can generate employment opportunities on a self-sustaining basis.
1.11.5 Even in the irrigated areas, there is potential for increasing productivity through dissemination of improved technologies amongst the entire farming community, when viewed in the context of the yield potential of varieties presently under cultivation and further improvements which agricultural research can engender. Effective water management, through timely application of the minimal re-
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quired volumes of water in the light of the prevailing agro-climatic factors, can enhance the yields further. Continued emphasis in this area is a prerequisite for achieving higher level of agricultural production to ensure food security and meet the agricultural raw materials requirements of the processing units. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water will need to be promoted, especially in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa.
1.11.6 Watershed management principles also address themselves to the environmental concerns in the ecologically fragile areas like the undulating rainfed lands, the hilly terrains etc. Efficient use of chemical fertilizers, recycling of organic wastes and use of bio- fertilizers have an important place in the sustainable agricultural development process. A major plank in recent years has been the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for achieving control over pests and diseases affecting crops. Though the use of toxic pesticides is still relatively low, it is necessary from several angles to ensure that the use of pesticides is restricted only to those circumstances where it is inescapable. The use of minimal quantities of chemical pesticides in an effective manner will improve the returns to the farmers, Secondly, this will substantially reduce the environmental pollution. Use of cultural means, selection of pest resistant varieties and use of biotic agents for control of pests such as parasites and predators will have to be recommended and widely adopted. Effective. surveillance of pest build-up is a critical aspect of IPM. The Eighth Plan will greatly increase the use of IPM in several major crops.
1.11.7 The marketing infrastructure has to be further augmented and streamlined, especially in respect of perishable commodities, if diversification is to succeed and primary producers are enabled to realise a fair share of the price paid by the consumers. As the country increases production beyond its own requirements, or where the country has comparative economic advantage in the light of technological gains, or to promote diversification, the marketing of agricultural produce within and outside the country assumes greater importance. Strengthening of the existing marketing infrastructure, besides improving the logistics in the movement and storage of goods is necessary to cut down losses at various stages of handling of the produce. This is vital from the view points of both the producers as well as the consumers. Efficient marketing by co-operatives of producers themselves and their Apex organisations will need to be intensively promoted.
1.11.8 Recent changes in the Industrial policy with de-regulation and lesser direction by the State, have thrown open opportunities for a rapid phase of expansion of the agro-based industries, particularly the processing units. Induction of the latest technologies in processing and better packaging can help Indian processed food prod- ucts compete in the international markets, besides catering to the growing market within the country. Special efforts would have to be mounted to give a fillip to the production of fruits, vegetables, milk and meat for being processed in units established, including those in the rural areas. This can create jobs for the educated, the semi- skilled and the unskilled in the country-side. Increased value additions can also help larger realisations for the primary products produced by the farmers.
1.11.9 The changes in the trade policies have vastly improved the prospects for realising the full potential of the country with its varied agro-climati c conditions from tropical to temperate regions, in producing commodities for exports. Apart from maximising the production of the traditional export commodities, the new seed policy has created a climate for producing non-traditional commodities like flowers and different types of vegetables for exports. Systematic efforts to overcome, such constraints as may exist in the development of markets abroad will have to be launched and sustained in the coming years.
1.11.10 There can never be a stage where the effort to continuously monitor and ensure, through well conceived programmes, the avail- ability of high quality inputs at reasonable prices can cease. Timely availability at as near the place of cultivation as possible vitally influences the farmers' ability to accept and adopt the recommended technologies. Further streamlining of delivery systems is necessary in many parts of the country where the current levels of consumption are very sub-optimal. Production and distribution of inputs have been undertaken by the public, the private and the cooperative sectors. Similarly, the require-
11
ments of short, medium and long-term credit need to be met in larger measure in several states to provide the required backing for intensive application of improved technologies.
1.11.11 Promotion of, initiatives outside the Government to further socioeconomic development is of cardinal importance and is central to the strategy of the Eighth Plan. The non-governmental initiatives may be in the form of those undertaken by the industry, formally or informally organised groups of individuals etc. In addition, over the years, efforts have also been directed towards decentralisation of the development administration. The Panchayat Raj institutions and the cooperatives need to be strengthened to facilitate much greater involvement of the people in the identification of the felt needs, plan formulation, implementation and monitoring. Many of the agricultural development programmes lend themselves to better administration through the closest involvement of the beneficiaries. The non-governmental organisations have begun to play an important role. This process will be further strengthened. In several areas like integrated development of the rainfed areas on watershed management principle, agricultural extension and Organisation of provision of services, the association of NGOs can lead to far greater cost-effectiveness in the implementation of the programme.
1.11.12 Many of the programmes and schemes will have to be continued from the previous plans, with necessary refinements/modifications to address themselves sharply to the problems they seek to overcome. The changing scenario of agricultural development in different areas would require A periodic review based on continuous evaluation of the implementation of the programmes. A beginning has to be made par- ticularly to promote and accelerate the diversification process. The following paragraphs deal with some of these aspects.
1.11.13. The importance of land reforms with respect to increasing agricultural production and productivity can not be overemphasised. The land reform measures through provision of security to tenants and consolidation of land holdings, etc., apart from other things, can help bringing land under profitable agronomic practices. In West Bengal, land reform measures comprising vesting of ceiling surplus land, distribution of vested land among the landless and the submarginal farmers, providing tenurial security to share croppers, updating of records of rights, etc. has significantly contributed to augment productivity of major crops.
1.11.14. The procurement and support prices for important agricultural crops will be fixed by taking into consideration factors like cost of production, change in market prices, input-output parity, inter-crop price parity, effects on industrial cost structure, etc. A suitable price policy could play a vital role in giving appropriate signals to farmers and also help in providing incentives for stepping up agricultural investments. A major aspect of this policy will be to ensure adequate return on investment made by the farmer. In this, the recommendations of various expert committees will be considered by government and necessary modifications effected. The price policy will be reviewed keeping in view the major objectives of moving towards commercialisation of agriculture, achievement of food security and generation of adequate surplus for export.
Crop Production Oriented Programmes: 1.12.1 Many of the important programmes to maximise production of several crops will be continued during the Eighth Plan. Those in- clude: the Special Foodgrains Production Programme in respect of rice, wheat, coarse cereals, as well as programmes like the oilseeds, pulses, cotton development, etc. The focus of these programmes is to extend improved technologies amongst the farmers. Demonstrations of the latest technologies constitute a critical element of these programmes. These will have to be streamlined, systematised and closely monitored to get the optimum results. The farmers' acceptance of the technologies will be facilitated through successful demon- strations. A far greater planning in the organisation of demonstrations will be sought to be achieved. Special efforts will be made to reorient the programmes to address themselves to the basic constraints faced by the farmers in the States/areas where the current yield levels are low, as in the case of rice in Eastern India, wheat in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Eastern UP and coarse cereals in the Central and Western parts of India. A further intensification of measures to improve productivity and produc-
12
tion of pulses and oilseeds will be achieved under the programmes through linkage with the technologies being generated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research State Agriculture University (ICAR- SAU) research system.
1.12.2 In particular, the emphasis will be on production of Basmati rice which is one of the top foreign exchange earners. The prospects of exports of hard wheat (durum) are also bright and production will have to be improved. Coarse cereals not only constitute the staple diet in several regions but also have industrial use as well as in the manufacture of cattle/poultry feeds.
1.12.3 For accelerated production of oilseeds, the production programmes will seek to expand the area under oilseeds through (a) diversion of upland rice in many States like Madhya Pradesh and Orissa to groundnut cultivation, where the yield levels of rice are very low and the crops often suffer from moisturestress condition; (b) larger coverage of soyabean in Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, partly through substitution of less remunerative crops or taking soyabean as an inter-crop in several cropping situations; (c) further enlarging the area under rapeseedmustard in place of rainfed wheat or in place where assured irrigation is not easily feasible with consequent impact on wheat yields and (d) extension of groundnut, and. sunflower to be grown in summer season.
1.12.4 The production of cotton hits to be increased in the coming five years at rates higher than the long-term trends keeping in view the much larger exports which the country can achieve in the form of raw cotton, yam and garments. Significant increases in yields through provision of life saving irrigation, better agronomic practices in the traditional rainfed cotton tracts of the country i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, can improve the economic lot of the farmers and enlarge. employment opportunities, as cotton generates large number of mandays per unit of land. The Intensive Cotton Development Programme will have to be stepped up.
Targets of Production of Principal Crops: 1.12.5 The targets of crops production as well as likely area of the principal crops or groups of crops are given in the Table 1.4.
1.12.6 Targets of major agricultural crops for the Eighth Five Year Plan have been projected on the basis of agricultural sub-model which takes into account factors, such as gross irrigated area, gross cropped area, fertiliser consumption, area expansion, rainfall index and outputs in a regression frame work.
The targets proposed above would call for much higher efforts in the Eighth Plan than the earlier Plans.
Horticulture Crops 1.13.1 During the Eighth Plan, the emphasis in respect of horticultural crops will be on production of quality planting materials, area expansion, improvement in quality and increase in productivity. Popularisation of modern agrotechniques, especially of growing horticultural and floricultural crops in controlled conditions such as green/glass houses, will be vigorously promoted. Strengthening of infrastructure facilities for grading, sorting, storage, packing and marketing, together with the propogation of post- harvest technology will be the major thrust in the area of horticulture development. The Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), The NAFED and the National Horticulture Board will continue to support marketing and establish facilities for vapour, heat and cold treatments etc. Joint ventures can be encouraged to obtain technology for processing purpose. A standing.export promotion committee should be set up to promote infrastructural development for facilitating export of horticulture products.
1.13.2 Fruits, vegetables and cut flowers will receive greater attention. For export of horticulutral products, suitable selection of varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers including orchids in the potential areas will be identified and supported. Modem technologies like plasticulture, drip irrigation, and tissue culture will be encouraged for speedy development of horticulture.
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Table-1.4 Areawise Break-up of ALL India Targets of Principal Crops
P- Production-million tonnes
A - Area - million hrctare
Y - Yield - kgha
1991-92$ 1996-97
Crop A P Y A P Y
1.Rice 42.50 72.50 1706 43.50 88.00 2023
2.Wheat 23.50 56.00 2383 24.25 66.00 2722
3.C o a r s e 37.50 30.00 800 37.75 39.00 1033
Grains
4.Pulses 23.50 14.00 596 24.50 17.00 694
5. All 127.0 172.5 135 130.0 210.0 1615
Foodgrain
6. Oilseeds 23.5 17.5 74 24.5 23.0 939
7.Sugarcane 3.70 235.00 63514 3.90 275.00 70513
8. Cotton * 7.40 10.50 241 7.50 14.00 317
9. J u t e & 1.00 9.00 1620 1.00 9.50 1710
Mesta **
10. Other 19.60 23.70
crops
11. All Crops 182.20 190.60
$ Likely Achievement * In million bales of 170 Kg each **In million bales of 180 Kg each
Plantation Crops
Tea 1.14.1 Tea production in the country has increased from 652 million Kgs in 1985-86 to 703 million Kgs in 1989-90. There is need for a further increase in the production and productivity of tea to meet the, growing domestic consumption and also to increase our share in the global tea export. During the Eighth Plan, a high priority will be accorded to the scientific management of small tea gardens, replanting o old and uneconomic tea bushes by high yielding planting material, reduction in regional disparity in tea productivity, extension of tea cultivation in traditional and non-traditional areas through encouragement at family tea gardens, tea cooperatives and group farming system and popularisation of Indian tea in the global market.
Coffee 1.14.2 The average production of Coffee during the Seventh Plan is estimated at 1,55,000 tonnes against the target of 163,000 tonnes. Coffee production was of the order of about 1,73,000 tonnes in 1990- 91. The Coffee Board has substantially increased the production base and built up infrastructure in the field of research, extension, marketing and promotion. Sustained export promotion efforts will be made to establish India as a major supplier of quality coffee.
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Rubber 1.14.3 India is the fourth largest natural rubber producer in the world. Production of natural rubber was satisfactory during the Seventh Plan period. It has significantly increased from 201,000 tonnes in 1985-86 to 297,000 tonnes in 1989-90. It is expected to be about 364,000 tonnes in 1991-92, showing an increase of 10.3% over the level of 330,000 tonnes recorded in 1990-91. The Eighth Plan strategy for development of rubber plantation will focus on (i) expansion of rubber cultivation in non-traditional areas; (ii) replanting of old and low yielding plants with high yielding planting materials; (iii) increasing productivity of existing plantation through promotion of irrigation and adoption of improved cultural and crop exploitation practices; (iv) adoption of improved processing techniques/methods and practices and (v) quality improvement. Though rubber is not included under "forest" under the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 1988, in areas like North-East Region, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Orissa, Madhya pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Western Region covering Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra it could do well as major afforestation species.
Spices 1.14.4 At present, the country produces around 20.0 lakh tonnes of different spices valued at about Rs.3500 - Rs.4000 crores. India's share in the global trade of spices is 22 % in volume and 10% in value. Among the major spices, Cardamom suffered a serious set back during the Seventh Plan period. The export of pepper declined to about 32,000 tonnes in 1990-91 from 37,000 tonnes in 1986-87. The export of spice oil and oleoresins exhibited a rising trend. The main thrust in the development and export programmes will be on identifica- tion of better export markets and cultivation of improved high yielding varieties, improved post-harvest technology and storage facilities. Some spices varieties are imported to meet the domestic demand in the country. These include clove,cinnamon, nutmeg, mace and cassia. Efforts will be made to achieve import substitution by encouraging cultivation of these spices in the country.
Tobacco 1.14.5 Tobacco as a commercial crop, is one of the major export items. During the Eighth plan, the focus will be on (i) intensification of R & D activities for developing alternate, use of tobacco for medicinal purposes, etc. and (ii) diversion of the tobacco area to some other crops, giving higher returns.
Targets of Plantation Crops: 1.14.6 The targets for production and export of plantation crops for the Eighth Plan are given in Table-1.5.
Table 1.5 Eighth Plan Production & Export
Targets for Plantation Crops,
VIII Plan(1996-97)
Crop Unit Produc- Exports
tion
Tea (million kg) 950 300
Coffee (000 tonnes) 220 125
Spices (000 tonnes) 2076 163
Cardam (tonnes) 6000 2250
Om
Tobacco (mill kg) 175 80
Rubber (000tonnes) 600