Conference on Agriculture : Strategies, Policies & Practices for North-East On

11

Conference on Agriculture : Strategies, Policies & Practices for

North-EastOn

30th September & 1st October, 2010

Assam’s PerspectivePresentation by

R. T. JindalAgriculture Production Commissioner,

Assam

22

AGRICULTURE : Some facts of Assam vis a vis all India

Fact India AssamNet cropped area 1403.0 lakh

hectare27.53 lakh

hectareCropping Intensity 138% 142%Irrigated area 72% 18%Farm power 1.20 HP per

hectare0.69 HP per

hectareFertiliser Consumption 129 Kg. per

hectare63.20 Kg. per

hectareSmall & Marginal Farmer 81.3% 85.3%Average land holding 1.33 hectare 1.11 hectareProductivity of Rice (2008-09)

2178 Kg. per hectare

1638 Kg. per hectare

33

TREND OF PRODUCTION OF FIELD CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

(in lakh MT, Jute in lakh bales)

Crop 2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Rice 39.98

38.54

37.38

38.81

34.70

35.52

29.16

33.19

40.70

Pulses 0.68 0.72 0.67 0.69 0.66 0.57 0.62 0.64 0.73

Foodgrains

41.72

40.29

39.00

40.41

36.18

36.77

30.59

34.67

42.24

Oilseeds 1.86 1.89 1.90 1.61 1.52 1.17 1.37 1.45 1.53

Sugarcane

9.88 10.11

9.16 9.81 8.44 8.71 10.55

9.80 10.97

Jute 6.68 6.75 6.91 6.65 4.10 5.79 5.59 6.57 6.36

44

TREND OF PRODUCTION OF FIELD CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09

Pro

du

ctio

n (

lak

h M

T)

RicePulsesFoodgrainsOilseedsSugarcaneJute

55

Year Fund utilized (Rs. in lakh)

Production (lakh MT)

% increase over previous year

2000-01

8116.47 41.72 -

2001-02

10466.23 40.29 -3.4%

2002-03

4406.96 39.00 -3.2%

2003-04

7423.75 40.41 3.6%

2004-05

5240.32 36.18 -10.5%

2005-06

7644.37 36.77 1.6%

2006-07

10220.22 30.59 -16.8%

2007-08

11894.31 34.67 13.3%

2008-09

33813.29 42.24 21.8%

IMPACT OF FUND UTILISED ON FOODGRAINS PRODUCTION

66

TREND OF PRODUCTIVITY OF FIELD CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

(in Kg. per hectare)

Crop 2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Rice 1531 1540 1491 1555 1475 1487 1349 1428

1638

Pulses 556 556 539 546 568 533 542 544 617

Foodgrains

1454 1457 1410 1467 1402 1416 1284 1379

1581

Oilseeds 554 558 562 531 536 472 497 524 574

Sugarcane

36898

37230

36422

38589

36919

37190

39634

38075

38387

Jute 1730 1781 1830 1870 1274 1836 1744 1976

1939

77

TREND OF PRODUCTIVITY OF FIELD CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

(Kg.

per

hec

tare

)

Rice Pulses Foodgrains Oilseeds Jute

Jute

Rice

Foodgrains

Pulses

Oilseeds

88

Crop Assam(08-09)

National Average (08-

09)

Highest in India (07-08)

Highest in World (07-

08)Rice 1638 2178 4019 (Punjab) 6360 (Egypt)Wheat 1300 2907 4507 (Punjab) 8039 (U.K.)Sugarcane

38387 64553 107484 (Tamil Nadu)

120887(Egypt)

Oilseeds 574 1006 1739 (Tamil Nadu)

4388(Malaysia)

Pulses 617 659 843 (Gujarat) 4920 (Ireland)

Jute 1939 2264 2419 (West Bengal)

2264 (India) (2008-09)

(in Kg/hectare)

COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF ASSAM WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE AND

HIGHEST IN INDIA AND WORLD

99

TREND OF PRODUCTION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM

2000-01 TO 2008-09.(in lakh MT)

Crop 2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Fruits 12.98

13.16

12.84

13.51

13.25

13.52

13.72

14.08

14.95

Vegetables

24.71

28.37

28.45

32.82

36.61

38.18

38.87

39.18

40.52

Spices 1.87 1.90 1.95 1.95 2.06 2.12 2.14 2.18 2.24

Tubers 7.21 6.64 6.32 5.85 6.30 3.93 5.46 5.57 6.71

1010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09

Pro

duct

ion

(Lak

h M

T)

Fruits

Vegetables

Spices

Tubers

TREND OF PRODUCTION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

1111

PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PRODUCTION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN 2008-09 OVER 2000-01.

Fruits : 15%

Vegetables : 64%

Spices : 20%

Tubers : -7%

1212

Crop Production (lakh MT) Surplus of Assam (lakh MT)

Fruits 14.95 4.47 lakh MT

Vegetables 40.52 16.27 lakh MT

Spices 2.24 0.94 lakh MT

HORTICULTURE SURPLUS(2008-09)

1313

TREND OF PRODUCTIVITY OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN ASSAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM

2000-01 TO 2008-09.

(in Kg. per hectare)

Crop 2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Fruits 11908

11750

11673

12043

12045

12005

12139

12142

12256

Vegetables

12672

13510

13548

15627

16417

16485

16469

16462

16744

Spices 2309 2262

2294 2323 2482 2475 2476 2478 2490

Tubers 7753 7297

7349 6569 7500 4930 6166 6553 6690

1414

TREND OF PRODUCTIVITY OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS IN ASSAM

DURING THE PERIOD FROM 2000-01 TO 2008-09.

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

2000-012001-02 2002-032003-042004-052005-062006-072007-082008-09

(Kg.

per

hec

tare

)

Fruits Vegetables Spices

Vegetables

Fruits

Spices

1515

Crop Assam(2008-

09)

National Average

(2008-09)

Highest in India(2007-08)

Highest in World (2007-

08)Fruits 12256 10825 31100

(Pondicherry)21000

(Brazil, USA)Vegetables

16744 15820 31700 (Lakshadweep)

19000 (China)

Spices 2490 1617 6300 (Haryana)

(in Kg/hectare)

COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF ASSAM WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE AND

HIGHEST IN INDIA & WORLD

1616

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING IN ASSAM AT A GLANCE

● 25 out of 27 districts covered under AAPM Act 1972.

● Total no. of markets = 1140 (405 Wholesale Markets and 735 Rural Primary Markets)

● No of Market Committees = 24.

● Principal Market Yards set-up = 20 nos.

● Sub Market Yards set-up = 206 nos.

● 25 out of 27 districts covered under AAPM Act 1972.

● Total no. of markets = 1140 (405 Wholesale Markets and 735 Rural Primary Markets)

● No of Market Committees = 24.

● Principal Market Yards set-up = 20 nos.

● Sub Market Yards set-up = 206 nos.

1717

a. Total arrival of Rice = 9 lakh MT. (Rice produced locally + imported Rice through Private Traders)

b. Other major commodities :

i. Vegetables – Marketable Surplus – 16.0 lakh MT + imported Vegetables

ii. Fruits – Marketable surplus – 4.5 lakh MT + imported fruits

iii. Spices – Marketable Surplus – 1.0 lakh MT + imported Spices

iv. Arecanut – 0.57 lakh MT

v. Coconut – 15.00 million nuts.

vi. Jute – 6.50 lakh bales.

vii. Sugarcane – 11.00 lakh MT

vii. And other minor fresh and value added produces.

WHAT COMES TO THE MARKET ?

1818

PERIODICITY OF MARKETS IN ASSAM

Daily - 19%

Weekly - 42%

Bi-Weekly - 39%

1919

PERCENTAGE SHARE OF MARKETS OWNED BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES

3% 4%

17%

73%

3%

Regulated Market

Town Committee Market

Municipality Market

Panchayat Market

No Committee

2020

ACCESS TO MARKETS

Farmers have access to market but road conditions are bad.

60% of farmers have unpaved roads to travel to market.

Common mode of transport used by farmers is bicycle.

Depending upon volume, cycle thela, truck, minivan wooden cart, etc. are hired for transport.

Poor condition roads and high transportation costs are key constraints in physical access to markets

Farmers have access to market but road conditions are bad.

60% of farmers have unpaved roads to travel to market.

Common mode of transport used by farmers is bicycle.

Depending upon volume, cycle thela, truck, minivan wooden cart, etc. are hired for transport.

Poor condition roads and high transportation costs are key constraints in physical access to markets

Distance from markets

Percentage

Up to 5 Km. 71%5 – 10 Km. 22%10 – 15 Km. 3%15 – 20 Km. 1%Above 20 Km. 2%

2121

The Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972 has been amended in 2006 to promote market reforms and has permitted Private Market Yards, Farmer-Consumer Markets, Direct Marketing and Contract Farming.

The Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1972 has been amended in 2006 to promote market reforms and has permitted Private Market Yards, Farmer-Consumer Markets, Direct Marketing and Contract Farming.

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING - REFORMS

2222

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING : NEW INITIATIVES

1. A modern Organic Market, first of its kind in the North-East, is in advanced stage of completion.

2. The Government is encouraging contract farming amongst producers of Sugarcane, Ginger, Potato and Flowers. A few cases of contract farming on the initiative of certain local young entrepreneurs have already come to the notice.

3. 224 nos. of Auto vans have been provided at subsidised rates for transportation of various products grown in the interior to agricultural markets.

4. 30% transport subsidy along with revolving fund of Rs. 5000.00 is provided to each of 680 Grower Societies.

5. The State is going to set-up cool chain facilities in 11 markets in the current financial year at a cost of Rs. 5.0 crores.

2323

1. Formation of Growers Societies to give them bargaining power for their produce.

2. Improvement of rural roads for better connectivity to the markets. Presently only 35% of rural roads are metalled.

3. Involvement of private sector in the light of amended AAPM Act.

4. Improvement in market intelligence.

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING : ISSUES

2424

AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMMAJOR CONCERN

1. Low productivity :

Rice is the major foodgrain crop. Highest Rice productivity (2008-09) i.e. 1638 Kg. per hectare as compared to national average of 2178 Kg. per hectare.

2. Very small & fragmented land holding :

More than 85% farmers are Small & Marginal.

Average land holding : 1.11 hectare.

Average land holding of Small & Marginal farmers : 0.63 hectare.

2525

AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

1. Issue : Low Irrigation :

18% of net cropped area is under assured irrigation.

Due to poverty, farmers can’t afford to share the 50% of cost of pump sets and LLPs.

Strategy :

Focus on minor irrigation i.e. STWs, LLPs & Flow Irrigation.

Policy : Provisions for about 1.5 lakh STWs / LLPs made for this year.

Similar provision will be made in near future for about 4 lakh Tube Wells.

Focus on Electric Pump Sets. In case of Small & Marginal farmers, group of

farmers will get one pump set.

2626


2. Issue : Low capacity of Seed Certification : Seed Certification Agency does not have

technical manpower (only 4 officers against 46 posts)

Strategy :

Strengthening of Assam State Seed Certification Agency (ASSCA).

Policy : Provision of corpus fund for ASSCA is being made under RKVY.

Technical staff will be engaged on contract.

2727


3. Issue : Low use of Hybrid / HYV Seeds : Area under HYV seeds : 65% Area under Hybrid Rice is only 2%.

Strategy :

Creation of awareness. To cover 80% area under Hybrid /

HYV seeds.Policy : To provide subsidised Hybrid / HYV

seeds.

2828


4. Issue : Low consumption of fertilisers :

Consumption of 63 Kg. per hectare is much less than the national average of 129 Kg. per hectare.

Low consumption is due to –

i. Shortage of fertilisers during peak period.

ii. No pre-positioning of fertilisers due to non-existence of State Nodal Agency.

iii. Lack of enthusiasm amongst dealers because of low margin.

Strategy :

Strengthening Assam Seeds Corporation as Nodal Agency for pre positioning of fertilisers.

Policy : Provision of working capital for Assam Seeds Corporation is being made.

2929


5. Issue : Very low use of Micronutrients : Soil is deficient in Zn, B, Cu, Fe & Mn. Micronutrients are applied in only 1% of Net

Cropped Area.Strategy :

Creation of awareness. Soil Testing facilities to be strengthened.

Policy : Provision for subsidised Micronutrients is made under various schemes.

Provision for Soil Health cards in 3 years under RKVY/NFSM etc.

3030


6. Issue : Low Credit Support :

Total no. of valid KCCs is only 3.80 lakh (14% of total farm families).

86% farm families are deprived of agricultural credit through KCCs.

Strategy :

Extensive and intensive campaign through Agri. Extension Workers.

To persuade the banks.Policy : Simplification of procedure for KCCs already

done. Regular monitoring of priority sector lending. Subsidisation of interest on Agricultural Credit.

3131


7. Issue : Vacancies in the Department :

Agriculture sector is facing huge shortage of manpower.

About 700 key posts are lying vacant. Strategy :

To expedite disposal of various court cases. To fill-up the posts wherever disputes are

resolved.Policy : Constant follow up of court cases.

To pursue recruiting agency (APSC / others) to fill-up the vacancies.

3232

HORTICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES & INTERVENTIONS PROPOSED

8. Issue : Genuine planting material :

Low on availability of genuine planting materials within easy reach of farmers with support from ICAR system

Intervention Proposed :

Sourcing elite, disease free prolific bearing true t0 type mother plants having quality standard of fruits is still a problem. It will be very helpful if the ICAR / SAU / KVK / RARS network come out for producing mother plants of desired traits for public and private sector nurseries.

3333

HORTICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES & INTERVENTIONS PROPOSED

9. Issue : Packaging Industry :

Lack of modern packaging industry in Assam is contributing towards escalation in cost of production of value added products as they are to be imported from outside state.

Intervention Proposed :

NERAMAC should set up such an industry. Alternatively, the proposed Mega Food Park should have such a facility for our local budding entrepreneurs in particular.

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