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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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
AGRICULTURE : : ASSAMISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES
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.
3434
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