AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED ACTIVITIES
Approach and Major Thrusts in the Seventh Plan 1.1 Agriculture occupies a key position in the Indian economy because of its contribution to over-all economic growth through supplies of food, raw materials and exports. It is a source of livelihood for a majority of the population and provides a large market for non-agricultural goods and services.
1.2 The area, production and per hectare yield of foodgrains and major commercial crops from First Plan onwards are given in Annexure 1. It will be seen that agriculture output continued to grow at a steady rate during the Sixth Plan period. The performance was particularly impressive in the case of foodgrains. The output of foodgrains which was 132 million tonnes in 1978-79 rose significantly to 151.5 million tonnes in 1983-84. This has been made possible by the accelerated increase in area under irrigation and increased use of high yielding varieties of seeds and fertilizers (Table 1.1). Apart from the provision of infrastructure, the factors mainly responsible for these achievements are the extension of new technology and procurement of foodgrains at remunerative prices. As a result of these developments, not only self-sufficiency in foodgrains has been achieved but also significant possibilities have opened up for further growth of agriculture through modernisation.
1.3 However, there is no evidence, as yet, of a decline in the amplitude of annual fluctuations in the output of foodgrains in the country, because a large proportion of foodgrains continues to be produced under conditions of uncertain rainfall, and even a good part of minor irrigation including the so-called controlled irrigation through wells is vulnerable to the vagaries of monsoons. The persisting fluctuations in agricultural output suggest that there is no basis for complacency and slackening of developmental efforts in agriculture in the wake of a succession of good harvests and consequent accumulation of stocks. It also suggest the need for regional dispersal of output growth through the expansion of assured irrigation in areas where the proportion of area irrigated is low and through the development of dryland farming where irrigation is either not possible or is uneconomical. In a large country like India with significant spatial variations in agro-climatic conditions, a regional dispersal in the growth of foodgrains output is likely to even out annual fluctuations in aggregate output and reduce the costs of distribution on account of carrying stocks from year to and transportation across the regions.
1.4 Another feature of agricultural performance is that the bulk of increase in output particularly foodgrains, has been concentrated in a few regions which are well-
TABLE 1.1
Progress of Crop Production and Selected Inputs
Item Unit 1978-79 Sixth Plan 1983-84 1984-85
Target Actual Anticipated
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(i) Foodgrains Million tonnes 131.9 153.6 151.5 148-150.5
(ii) Oilseeds Million tonnes 10.1 13.0 12.8 13.0
(iii) Sugarcane Million tonnes 151.6 215.00 177.0 180.00
(iv) Cotton Million bales 7.9 9.20 6.58 8.50
(v) Jute & Mesta Million bales 8.3 9.08 7.40 7.80
(vi) High yielding Million
varieties hectares 41.1 56.00 52.50 56.00
(vii) Fertiliser:
N Million tonnes 3.4 6.00 5.24 5.6
P Million tonnes 1.1 2.30 1.76 1.9
K 0.6 1.30 0.80 0.9
TOTAL Million tonnes 5.1 9.60 7.80 8.4
(iii) Irrigation:
Potential Million
hectares 54.46 70.35 65.62 67.89
Utilisation Million
hectares 50.65 66.24 58.71 60.47
endowed with infrastructure like surface irrigation, rural electrification, roads and markets and where farmers are resourceful in terms of their capacity to invest and bear risks. The favourable institutional framework in such areas is also responsible for the initiative and drive displayed by the farmers. It has been estimated that such developed areas accounting for less than 15 per cent of the area under foodgrains in the country contributed as much as 56 per cent of the increase in foodgrains production in the post-green revolution period. Because of this concentration of growth among the developed regions where the consumption of foodgrains is already at a high level, the marketed surpluses of foodgrains have been rising at a high rate, resulting in accumulation of large stocks with the government, especially when there is succession of good monsoons, while the per capita consumption of foodgrains in the country has not been rising appreciably. It has also been estimated that the growth of agricultural output in the recent past has not been commensurate with the increase in inputs, indicating a decline in productivity of inputs. Although the demand for labour generated in high growth pockets has led to large-scale employment of migrant labour from the poorer regions, the demand for labour-displacing machinery like harvest-combines has also been growing. A more balanced growth of agriculture as between different regions and classes of farmers can lead to a rise in the purchasing power of the rural poor through the rise in employment and wages and incomes of small and marginal farmers in the less prosperous areas. Such a pattern of growth is also likely to be cost-effective because of low wages in the less developed regions due to under-employment. Also, since yields are low in these areas, the output response to the package of modern inputs is likely to be greater than in areas where the use of such inputs is already at a high level. The strain on storage and transportation of foodgrains will also be eased because of greater regional dispersal of surpluses.
1.5 Another aspect of imbalance in Indian agriculture concerns crop-wise disparities in growth, between foodgrains and non-foodgrains on the one hand, and among different foodgrains themselves on the other. Part of this inter-crop imbalance derives from regional imbalances. For instance, a breakthrough in rice output in the eastern region where the yields are low and where there is a significant potential for growth, can redress part of this inter-crop imbalance. Similarly, a breakthrough in dryland farming by raising the output of millets, pulses and oilseeds can also correct these inter-crop imbalances. Since small and marginal farmers predominate in these regions, they can benefit a great deal from such development. Fixation of prices of crops at appropriate levels to ensure inter-crop parity and procurement of output would also be necessary for promoting optimal use of agricultural resources by correcting inter-crop imbalances. A further area of major concern is the adverse environmental effects of continued decline in area under forests because of denudation. A massive effort to restore ecological balance through afforestation would be necessary for water and soil conservation which would raise crop productivity in addition to meeting the growing requirements of fuel and fodder.
1.6 It follows from the above that broadening the base of agricultural growth and modernisation through infrastructure development, e.g., irrigation, drainage, roads, markets and credit institutions in the less developed regions, extension of new technology, particularly breakthrough in dryland farming, afforestation and appropriate price and procurement policies for crops are essential for accelerating the growth of agricultural output, reducing annual fluctuations in output and for correcting inter- regional, inter-crop and inter-class disparities. Such a pattern of growth can also provide the necessary impetus to rural development through the dispersal of agro-industries. This is how agriculture can contribute more effectively to the fulfilment of the national objectives of self-reliance, removal of poverty, increase in productivity and eco-preservation.
1.7 The target fixed for the growth of agricultural output during the Seventh Plan period is 4 per cent per annum and the target for foodgrains output is 3.7 per cent per annum. To achieve these targets, efforts will be made to irrigate an additional area of 11 million hectares during the Seventh Plan period. The consumption of fertilizers will be increased from 8.4 million tonnes in 1984-85 to 13.5-14.0 million tonnes in 1989-90.
1.8 The major programme thrusts in the Seventh Plan are:
(i) Special Rice Production Programme in the Eastern Region.
(ii) National Oilseeds Development Project,
(iii) National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Agriculture,
(iv) Development of Small and Marginal Farmers, and
(v) Social Forestry.
These programmes, discussed in the later sections, are briefly mentioned below:
(i) Special Rice Production Programme in the eastern region In the eastern region comprising the States of Assam, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal, eastern Uttar Pradesh and eastern Madhya Pradesh, the gap between the potential and actual yields of rice is the highest among the regions. For exploiting this potential for higher yields, a Special Rice Production Programme is being launched during the Seventh Plan period as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 20 per cent of the blocks in the eastern region. The emphasis of the project will be on removing the basic
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infrastructural constraints, both physical and institutional, through the development of irrigation, particularly exploitation of ground water, drainage, improvement in land tenure and development of credit and marketing institutions. For the success of this programme, special efforts will be made to evolve new varieties of rice and appropriate cropping systems to suit the varying agro-climatic conditions in this region.
(ii) National Oilseeds Development Project Recently, the area under sunflower, soyabean and summer groundnut (irrigated) has been increasing significantly in certain States. This experience shows that the propects of achieving self-sufficiency in oil seeds are bright provided special efforts are made to extend the available technology, evolve new technologies and ensure price and marketing support. The National Oilseeds Development Project will be continued during the Seventh Plan period as a Centrally Sponsored Programme by providing operational flexibility to the State Governments to draw up programmes suited to local situations. Besides, a major technology mission for oilseeds will be mounted to evolve new varieties and practices for achieving a breakthrough in yields. Since raising profit margins for farmers as well as reducing variability in yields and prices are extremely important in the case of oilseeds, the efforts at vertical integration of production, marketing and processing through the growers' cooperatives will be encouraged. In this context, efforts will be made to strengthen the State-Level Oilseeds Growers' Federations, organised under the National Dairy Development Board's Oilseeds Project.
(iii) National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed
Agriculture On the basis of the past experience, it is proposed to take up during the Seventh Plan a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Agriculture, to supplement the State efforts, by merging the ongoing programmes. The main components of Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed (Dryland) Agriculture are to harvest water and conserve soil moisture from the low rainfall which is also highly variable in these areas, and to extend farming practices and cropping systems which increase production by minimising yield risks. Since watershed is a natural drainage unit, it is the most suitable physical unit for land treatment and water management, which is the prerequisite for scientific development of dryland agriculture. It is proposed under this project to delegate to the State Governments the responsibility for evolving a suitable administrative framework for planning as well as implementing the project while Central Government would be responsible for the overall policy formulation and monitoring.
(iv) Scheme for assistance to small and marginal farmers for
increasing agricultural production The number of small and marginal holdings as well as the total area operated by them have been increasing whereas the average size of these holdings has been declining. In view of the growing importance of small and marginal holdings and their vulnerable economic position, raising productivity among these holdings is essential for stepping up the overall growth of agriculture as well as for ensuring social justice. The major constraint is their low capacity to invest and bear risks. These categories of farmers could not be adequately covered under the Integrated Rural Development Programme. The special programme for small and marginal farmers is designed to assist them in the investment for irrigation and to provide various inputs. This programme will have to be supplemented by measures to improve their access to credit and extension services. Security of tenure and regulation of rents for share-croppers would be necessary to provide incentives for intensification of input use. Consolidation of holdings so as to bring small and marginal holdings into continuous blocks of land will help provide various services to them economically and raise their initiative and group-effort.
(v) Social Forestry Apart from the long-term benefits of eco-restoration including soil and water conservation, the immediate benefits of afforestation are substantial in terms of generating employment as well as providing fuel and fodder. Besides the State Sector schemes of social forestry, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Social Forestry including Rural Fuelwood Plantations, in operation in 157 districts at present, will be extended to cover all fuelwood deficit areas during the Seventh Plan period. Special attention will be given to the identification and propagation of indigenous, location specific and thermal-efficient species acceptable to the people. Efforts will also be made to bring down the unit cost of afforestation and to secure people's participation in a big way. Forest management would be made more sensitive to the aspirations and needs of the public. A National Wasteland Development Board has been established, which will formulate perspective plans and programmes for the management and development of wastelands in the country. The Council for Forest Research and Education would be strengthened for intensifying the activities of the Forest Research Institute and for promoting problem-oriented research by the research institutes established by the State Government, Universities and other agencies.
1.9 The implementation of the major programmes outlined above during the Seventh Plan would require concerted efforts in several areas influencing agricultural production. The areas requiring special attention during the Seventh Plan are: (i) water management, (ii) research
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and extension, (iii) credit institutions, (iv) agricultural price policy, and (v) farmers' participation. These are briefly discussed below.
(i) Water management: As discussed in Chapter 3 on Irrigation, a high priority is given in the Seventh Plan for improving the utilisation of irrigation potential already created. Command Area Development Programme is designed to increase the effective area under irrigation as well as to raise productivity per unit of water used through its regulation and proper distribution and also through extension of new technology, supply of inputs, provision of marketing facilities, etc. Besides, exploitation of ground-water will be stepped up, particularly in the eastern Gangetic plains. Also, drainage will form an important component of water management during the Seventh Plan period. In the implementation of all these programmes, priority will be given to areas where the proportion of area irrigated is low and there is a preponderance of small and marginal holdings, so that the increase in irrigation and improvement in its quality can lead to the maximum increase in cropping intensity and employment.
(ii) Research and extension: Of considerable promise in the field of agricultural research is the effort to bridge the gap between the proven potential and the actual yields on the farms through adaptive research to suit the varying agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions. Priority will also be given during the Seventh Plan period to evolving intercropping and multiple-cropping systems suitable for different agro-climatic conditions. Research for biological fixation of nitrogen and to increase the fertilizer-use- efficiency by minimising losses in its use and for evolving varieties incorporating multiple resistance against pests and diseases and adverse environmental conditions will be encouraged.
Steps will be taken during the Seventh Plan period to streamline and strengthen the extension service by bringing about coordination between T&V system and supply of inputs and related services. Measures will also be taken to enhance the capabilities of extension staff through training in professional skills, encouraging mutual exchange of experience and by providing necessary incentives to improve motivation.
(iii) Credit institutions: Mounting overdues of agricultural cooperative credit institutions have prevented recycling of scarce resources for expanding farmers' access to credit. This effects growth as well as impairs equity. Effective measures will, therefore, be taken during the Seventh Plan period to restore the cooperative movement to its normal health. In line with the major programme thrusts in the Seventh Plan, greater flow of credit needs to be ensured for the eastern region, dryland farming, oilseeds development and for small and marginal farmers. To achieve these goals, steps will be taken to improve the operational efficiency of cooperatives by ensuring adequate manpower with the requisite training as also by simplifying the procedural formalities. During the Seventh Plan period a comprehensive crop insurance scheme will be taken up under which there would be a built-in crop insurance cover in all crop loans.
(iv) Agricultural price policy: Whereas the use of high yielding varieties aided by incentive prices and public procurement have contributed to a break through in the output of certain crops, notably wheat, they have also led to the creation of surpluses which cannot readily be absorbed while shortages persist in respect of certain other commodities. Agricultural price policy needs to be increasingly concerned with the maintenance of a scale of appropriate relative prices of crops so that the supplies of different commodities are brought in line with the respective demands. Also, procurement operations have to be strengthened for crops like rice, oilseeds and pulses in areas inadequately served with marketing infrastructure, to ensure that the producers are in fact, able to sell at the prices fixed by the Government.
(v) Farmers' participation: While the farmers have individually responded adequately to the opportunities offered by the new technology and various infrastructural facilities and services provided by the Government, not much headway has been made in regard to their group or cooperative endeavour. In the ensuing phase of agricultural and rural development, the nature of activities is such that cooperative effort on the part of farmers would be particularly beneficial. Because of the growing awareness of farmers, the prospects for cooperative efforts are also encouraging. Water- management and pest-control on a group basis and joint endeavour in land development offer large benefits to individual farmers participating in them. Similarly, there is considerable scope for the exploitation of groundwater by bringing together small and marginal holdings. Growers' cooperatives for commodities like oilseeds can help to increase earnings by eliminating middlemen's margins in trading and processing. Afforestation, on the scale being envisaged, cannot succeed without the active involvement of people for growing and protecting the trees through groups effort and vigilance. In all these sectors, special efforts will be made during the Seventh Plan period to enlist farmers' participation on a large scale through decentralised planning by elected bodies, and through activity- specific associations and cooperatives.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Targets of Crop Production for the Seventh Plan 1.10 The targets of crop production envisaged for the Seventh Plan are given in Table 1.2. The Statewise break-up of the production targets of foodgrains, cotton,
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jute, oilseeds and sugarcane are given in Annexure 2. The State Governments will have to disaggregate these targets further and fix district-wise and crop-wise targets separately for irrigated areas, assured rainfall areas and dryland farming areas so that there could be proper focus on evolving, implementing and monitoring suitable strategies for maximising production and productivity in each of the situations. Areawise break up of all India Plan target of food rains production is given in Table 1.3
1.11 Rice: For increasing rice production and productivity, steps will be taken for diversification of varieties, higher seed replacement, intensification of community nurseries programme and development of technology suitable for problem areas like deep water, drought/flood prone areas, pest-infested areas and saline and alkaline areas. Emphasis will be placed on the use of low cost and non- monetary inputs like timely sowing, line-sowing, optimum plant population, efficient water management and weed control measures.
TABLE 1.2
Targets of Crop Production-Seventh Plan
Crop Unit 1984-8 Seventh Plan Compound Growth
Assumed Target Rate-column 4
Base Level (1989-90) over column 3
(% per annum)
1 2 3 4 5
(i) Foodgrains
(a) Rice Million tonnes 60.00 73.00-75.00 4.00-4.56
(b) Wheat " 45.00 56.00-57.00 4.47-4.84
(c) Coarse Cereals " 32.00 34.00-35.00 1.22-1.81
(d) Pulses " 13.00 15.00-16.00 2.90-4.25
TOTAL Foodgrains " 150.00 178.00-183.00 3.48-4.06
(ii) Oil seeds
(a) Groundnut Million tonnes 7.30 9.37 5.11
(b) Rapeseed and
Mustard " 2.60 3.82 8.03
(c) Sesamum " 0.60 0.74 4.28
(d) Safflower " 0.50 0.72 7.71
(e) Niger " 0.20 0.25 4.56
(f) Soyabean " 0.60 1.28 16.27
(g) Sunflower " 0.30 0.6 14.98
(h) Linseed " 0.50 0.66 5.61
(i) Castor " 0.40 0.56 6.96
TOTAL Oilseeds 13.00 18.00 6.72
(iii) Sugarcane Million
tonnes 180.00 217.00 3.81
(iv) Cotton Million
bales of
170 kgs 7.50 9.50 4.84
(v) Jute and Mesta Million
bales of
180 kgs 7.50 9.50 4.84
TABLE 1.3
Area-wise (irrigated and unirrigated) break-up of All-India Plan
Target of Foodgrains Production
Crop Type of Area Area Yield Production
(Million (Kg/hectare) (Million
hectares) tonnes)
1 2 3 4 5
(i) Rice Irrigated 21.5 2237 48.10
Unirrigated 22.5 1151 25.90
Total 44.0 1682 74.00
(ii) Wheat Irrigated 22.9 2210 50.60
Unirrigated 5.1 1059 5.40
Total 28.0 2000 56.0
(iii) Coarse
Cereals Irrigated 4.6 1478 6.80
Unirrigated 35.5 766 27.20
Total 40.1 848 34.00
(iv) Pulses Irrigated 2.3 1130 2.60
Unirrigated 23.4 573 13.40
Total 25.7 623 16.00
TOTAL
Foodgrains Irrigated 51.3 2107 108.10
Unirrigated 86.5 831 71.90
Total 137.8 1306 180.00
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1.12 The eastern region accounts for about 67 per cent of the total rice area in the country but contributes only less than 50 per cent of the country's rice production. In these States, the productivity of rice is much below the national average. Stagnation of production and low productivity levels of rice are affecting the income level of about 66 million rice farming families in these six States. The important factors responsible for this situation are the lack of suitable technology, particularly availability of improved varieties capable of withstanding the problematic environment as well as socioeconomic constraints like poor infrastructure for input supply, credit and extension, inadequate irrigation and drainage facilities, small size of holdings and poor economic conditions of the farmers.
1.13 In order to overcome the existing constraints and accelerate the growth of production and productivity of rice is these areas, a pilot project was initiated in 1984-85 in 51 selected blocks in the eastern region, as a Central Sector project. A sum of Rs. 10 lakhs per block was sanctioned to the participating States for the implementation of the project. On the basis of the experience gained in implementing the pilot project, a special rice production programme is being launched during the Seventh Plan period as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 20 per cent of the blocks in the eastern region. The project will aim at identifying constraints in the way of rice production at the block level and undertake planning and implementation of suitable location-specific programmes. It will consist of several sub-projects having different components based on actual area needs. The emphasis of the project will be on the removal of basic physical and infrastructural constraints through development programmes such as exploitation of groundwater and development of irrigation and drainage facilities. Stress will also be laid on strengthening institutional framework through improvements in land tenure, water use efficiency, credit, marketing, storage and post- harvest handling, timely delivery of inputs and services as well as research for evolving new varieties and appropriate technologies so as to make a tangible impact on rice production and productivity.
1.14 Pulses: Growth in the production and improvement in the productivity of pulses have not been quite satisfactory largely due to factors like high risk and low profitability, small proportion of irrigated area, inadequate use of modern inputs and gaps in technology and extension. The major elements of the strategy envisaged for achieving the Seventh Plan target of pulses production are the following:
(a) introduction of pulses in irrigated farming systems;
(b) bringing additional area under short-duration varieties of moong and urad in rice fallows in the rabi season and as a summer crop where irrigation facilities are available;
(c) inter-cropping of arhar, moong and urad with other crops;
(d) multiplication and use of improved seeds;
(e) adoption of plant protection measures;
(f) use of fertilizers and rhizobial culture;
(g) improved post-harvest technology;
(h) remunerative prices relative to competing crops; and
(i) marketing support.
To supplement the efforts of the States in increasing the production of pulses, it is proposed to undertake a new Centrally sponsored National Pulses Development Programme.
1.15 Oilseeds; The main constraints in the way of accelerating production are:
(a) preponderance of rainfed cultivation;
(b) inability/hesitation on the part of the farmers to use modern inputs due to high risks for yields and prices;
(c) high cost and inadequate availability of certified seeds;
(d) susceptibility of oilseeds crops to pests and dis- eases which cause substantial losses;
(e) inadequate use of improved agricultural implements for proper placement of seeds and fertilizers, and
(f) problems of price support, particularly in times of bumper production.
1.16 Recent trends of oilseeds production indicate certain encouraging features. Firstly, the area under sunflower has increased five-fold during the Sixth Plan period. Sunflower, which is spreading rapidly in Karnataka and Maharashtra and to a lesser extent in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, is drought tolerant and, therefore, farmers find it a low-risk crop under rainfed conditions. Secondly, the area under soyabean is increasing fast in Madhya Pradesh, and the crop is also spreading in some districts of Maharashtra bordering Madhya Pradesh. Thirdly, summer groundnut is becoming popular in many States. These developments indicate that, given a low risk environment which is dictated by the crop variety and agro factors, farmers do take up oilseeds cultivation and apply cash inputs. The research and demonstration efforts should, therefore, focus on identifying the opportunities in the midst of constraints and adopting suitable measures to exploit these opportunities. However, at present, there are many gaps in the research and development efforts in the areas of technology, credit, inputs and irrigation management. The strategy for oilseeds development in the Seventh Plan will, therefore, aim at bridging these gaps. In particular, attention will be given to procuring oilseeds from the farmers at remunerative prices through appropriate agencies.
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1.17 The demand for edible oils in the country was met mostly by indigenous production supplemented by imports in the last few years of the Sixth Plan. According to the present indications, the gap between demand and supply of edible oils will continue to persist. Keeping in view the trend of production during the Sixth Plan period, the demand for vegetable oils in the Seventh Plan and the scope for expansion of area under oilseeds and increase in their productivity, a target of 18 million tonnes of oilseeds production has been kept for the Seventh Plan.
1.18 To achieve this target, it is proposed to adopt a two-fold strategy, namely, productivity increase through better spread of technology and area increase through measures of inter-cropping, sequence cropping and relay cropping. The National Oilseeds Development Project, initiated in 1984-85, will be continued during the Seventh Plan period as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The funds provided under this project will be mainly utilised for (a) filling the gaps in the existing programmes for overcoming the perceived constraints, and (b) intensifying the existing level of services in the selected districts. Operational flexibility will be provided to the State Governments so that they can draw up suitable programme components depending on local situations. This programme will be closely monitored so as to facilitate a critical review of its progressive impact.
1.19 The programmes envisaged under the National Oilseeds Development Project would be supplemented by the State sector programmes. Besides, the State-level Oilseeds Growers' Federations, organised under the National Dairy Development Board's Oilseeds Project, would be strengthened to help in increasing the production of oilseeds. Under this project, assistance in the shape of arrangements for production of inputs, marketing and extension would be provided to the member-growers. In additions, funds available through the cess on vegetable oil collected by the National Oilseed and Vegetable Oils Development Board would also be utilised for promoting vegetable oil production in the country.
1.20 Cotton: Compared to the productivity of 167 kg/ha in 1978-79 which itself was low, the average yield declined further in the subsequent years. The main constraints in the way of cotton production have been: (a) preponderance of rainfed cultivation; (b) inadequacy of quality seeds; (c) high incidence of pests and diseases; and (d) unstable market and low price realisation when farmers market their kapas.
1.21 The requirement of cotton at the end of Seventh Plan (1989- 90) is estimated at 9.5 million bales, as indicated in Table 1.4:
TABLE 1.4
Projected requirement of cotton-Seventh Plan
Requirement
Item (million
bales)
(i) Mill consumption 8.25
(ii) Extra-factory consumption 0.17
(iii) Khadi sector 0.40
(iv) Export & Miscellaneous 0.68
TOTAL 9.50
1.22 To meet this requirement, the Seventh Plan envisages cotton production to rise from the assumed base of 7.5 million bales in 1984- 85 to 9.5 million bales in 1989-90. The staplewise break-up of cotton production will be broadly as shown in Table 1.5.
TABLE 1.5
Staple-/wise Cotton Production-Seventh Plan
Staple Group Target for the
Seventh Plan
(million bales)
(i) Short staple 0.60
(ii) Medium staple 3.45
(iii) Superior medium staple 1.75
(iv) Long staple 1.50
(v) Superior long staple 2.20
TOTAL 9.50
1.23 Since the scope for area expansion is limited, much of the additional production of cotton in the Seventh Plan will be achieved through increased productivity. The strategy for raising production and productivity of cotton during the Seventh Plan period will consist of the following components:
(a) accelerating the spread of improved technology in both irrigated and rainfed areas, with stress on the use of pure seeds, optimum agronomic practices, integrated pest management, inter-cropping in rainfed area and bringing more area under cotton in rice fallows;
(b) expansion of irrigated area in the commands of major and minor irrigation projects;
(c) maximising the area under high yielding hybrids of cotton including the new desi-cotton hybrids being developed for the rainfed areas; and
(d) provision of adequate facilities for voluntary grading of kapas in selected markets to enable farmers to realise better prices commensurate with the quality.
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1.24 There is wide gap between the production and consumption of medium staple and long staple cotton whereas the production of superior long staple cotton is far in excess of the requirements. Appropriate pricing in favour of medium and long staple cotton is called for to correct this imbalance. This should be preferred to the alternative of exporting superior long staple cotton and Importing medium staple cotton.
1.25 Jute and Mesta: The constraints in securing a sustained increase in the production of jute and mesta. mainly relate to the inadequacies in respect of availability of improved seeds, retting facilities, credit and research support for specific situations.
1.26 The main strategy for raising production of jute and mesta. from the assumed base level of 7.5 million bales in 1984-85 to 9.5 million bales by 1989-90, will consist of the following:-
TABLE 1.6
Achievements in Sixth Plan and Targets for Seventh Plan in respect of
Horticultural Crops
Sixth Plan Seventh Plan
(1985-90)
Crop Unit Target Anticipated Target
achievement in
1984-85
(i) Fruits Million tonnes 24.40 23.50 28.00
(ii) Vegetables " 35.60 34.00 40.00
(iii) Potatoes " 12.50 12.50 16.00
(iv) Coconut Million nuts 6750 6000 8000
(v) Cashewnut Million tonnes 0.30 0.22 0.32