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AGRICULTURE
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Agriculture is the principal source of livelihood for more than 58% of the
population of this country.
The combined efforts of Central Government, State Governments and farming
community have succeeded in achieving record production of 244.78 million
tonnes of foodgrains during 2010-11.
This record production has been achieved through effective transfer of latest
crop production technologies to farmers under various crop development
schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
Major programmes of Department of Agriculture
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Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – This Scheme, launched in 2007-08 with an
outlay of Rs.25,000 crores for the XIth plan, has succeeded in incentivizing
States to allocate more funds to agriculture and allied sectors.
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States have taken up over 5290 projects in last five years across all segments of
agriculture and allied sectors.
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National Food Security Mission – The salient aspect of the Mission is that it
has been conceptualized to target those districts which have lower productivity
than the State average but have the potential to augment the productivity and
production of three crops, i.e. Rice, Wheat and Pulses.
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New farm practices have been encouraged through 5.79 lakh demonstrations of
improved package of practices on Rice, wheat and Pulses.
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About 100.70 lakh ha area has been treated with soil ameliorants
(gypsum/lime/micro nutrients etc.) to restore soul fertility for higher
productivity.
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National Bamboo Mission – In order to harness the potential of bamboo crop,
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture has launched
a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called ‘National Bamboo Mission’ in 2006-07
with a total outlay of Rs.568.23 crores.
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Important activities being supported for increasing productivity and quality of
bamboo under the Mission are: increasing area under bamboo cultivation, mass
production of quality planting material of recommended species, improvement
of existing stock, pest and disease management, improved post-harvest
management, development of human resource and of marketing facilities.
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Agriculture Credit – The target of doubling of the flow of agricultural credit
in three years with base year as 2003-04 has been achieved in two years and
agricultural credit flow reached Rs.384514 crores during 2009-10 forming
118% of the target.
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While India was not a significant exporter of any agricultural products in 1996
(except plantation crops), India is now a significant agricultural exporter of rice,
cotton, oil meals, eggs and meat.
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Kisan Credit Card – To provide adequate and timely support from the banking
system to the farmers for their cultivation needs a model Kisan Credit Card
Scheme (KCC) was introduced in August, 1998 for short and medium term loan
and was extended further with effect from 31.1.2006 covering all types of loan
requirement of borrowers of State Cooperative Agriculture Rural Development
Bank.
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Special Rehabilitation Package for distressed farmers – Government of India
has implemented a Special Rehabilitation Package of Rs.16978.69 crores for 31
suicide prone Districts in the four States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Kerala.
As on 30.06.2011 Rs.19910.70 crores have been released to these States for
implementation of the package.
Agriculture Insurance - National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) with
increased coverage of crops, risk and farmers is being implemented for
establishing 3 Centres of Excellence at Directorate of Sorghum Research,
Hyderabad for Sorghum, CCAHAU, Hissar for pearl millet and CIPHET,
Ludhiana for small millets.
Agricultural Marketing – The Government has been playing an important role
in developing Agricultural Marketing System in the country.
Directorate of Marketing and Inspection - The Directorate of Marketing and
Inspection (DMI) an attached Office of Ministry of Agriculture was set up in the
year 1935 to implement agricultural marketing policies and programmes of the
Central Government.
It maintains a close liaison between Central and State Government in
implementation of agricultural marketing policies in the country.
Standardization and Grading - The Agricultural Produce (Grading &
Marketing) Act, 1937 provides for grading and marking of agricultural and
other produce.
The Act empowers Central Government to make Rules for (a) fixing grade
designation to indicate quality of any scheduled article (b) defining indicated by
every grade designation and (c) specifying grade designation marks to represent
particular grade designations.
Standards notified as per provisions of the Act are popularly called AGMARK
Standards that differentiate between quality and 2-3 grades and prescribed for
each commodity.
Grading and marking of agricultural commodities is voluntary as per provisions
of the Act.
As on date, 108 Commodities Grading and Marking Rules covering 205
agricultural commodities have been notified under provisions of AP (G&M) Act
1937.
Horticulture - Horticulture includes a wide range of crops such as fruits,
vegetables, root and tuber crops, flowers, aromatic and medicinal plants, spices
and plantation crops, and facilities diversification in agriculture.
There is a growing realization that horticulture is now an option to improve
livelihood security, enhance employment generation, attain food and nutritional
security and increase incomes through value addition.
National Horticulture Mission – This Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched
in 2005-06 aims at the holistic development of horticulture sector by ensuring
forward and backward linkages through a cluster approach, with the active
participation of all stake-holders.
This mission covers all States and three Union Territories of Andaman Nicobar
Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry, except the North Eastern and Himalayan
States, which and covered under the Horticulture Mission for North East &
Himalayan States (HMNEH).
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NHM promotes horticulture through area based, regionally differentiated
strategies.
Supply of quality planting material through establishment of nurseries and
tissue culture units, production and productivity improvement programmes
through area expansion and rejuvenation, technology promotion, technology
dissemination, human resource development, creation of infrastructure for postharvest management and marketing in consonance with the comparative
advantages of each state/region and their diverse agro-climatic conditions are
major programmes of the Mission.
Rainfed area Systems - Rainfed area assumes special significance in terms of
ecology, agricultural productivity and livelihood for millions of rural
households in India.
Rainfed agriculture is complex, diverse and risk prone. It is characterized by
low level of productivity and input usage which coupled with vagaries of
monsoon result in wide variation and instability in yields.
Realizing importance of rainfed areas, a fresh flux of interest has been
calibrated into programmes/schemes focusing on three important dimensions
like ecological restoration, productivity enhancement and drought mitigation.
National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed areas (NWDPRA) –
This was launched in 1990-91 in 28 States and 2 Union Territories based on
twin concepts of integrated watershed management and sustainable farming
systems.
This programme specially focuses on:
1. conservation, development and sustainable management of natural resources;
2. enhancement of agricultural production and productive in a sustainable
manner;
3. restoration of ecological balance in degraded and fragile rainfed ecosystems
by greening these areas through and appropriate mix of trees, shrubs and
grasses;
4. reduction in regional disparity irrigated and rainfed areas; and
5. creation of sustained employment opportunities for rural community
including landless.
Cooperative Sector - The Cooperative Sector has been playing a significant
role in the area of disbursing inputs and imparting cooperative education and
training.
The basic objective of Cooperation Division is to design long term and short
term strategies for reducing economic disparities between downtrodden rural
people and rural rich as well as regional imbalances including rural and urban
differences.
COOPERATIVE STROAGE AND COLD STROAGE
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Storage - The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), through
NCDC, has been making systematic and sustained efforts to assist cooperatives
in creating additional storage capacity aimed at facilitating expanded operations
of cooperative marketing of agriculture produce, distribution of inputs and sale
of consumer articles.
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Cold Storage – It has been providing financial assistance through State
Government and also directly to cooperative societies for establishment of Cold
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Storages aimed at facilitating expanded shelf life of potatoes and other fruits
and vegetables.
Drought Management – Keeping in view impact of drought on agricultural
economy, DAC closely monitors progress of South-West Monsoon in the
country, in close coordination with India Meteorological Department (IMD) and
keeps watch over deficit rainfall conditions in the country.
The department remains in touch with State Governments and supplements their
efforts in the wake of drought.
Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries - The Department of Animal
Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries is responsible for matters relating to livestock
production, preservation, protection & improvement of stocks, dairy
development, matters relating to the Delhi Milk Scheme and the National Dairy
Development Board.
It also looks after all matters pertaining fisheries, which include inland and
marine sectors and matters related to the National Fisheries Development
Board.
Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries sectors play an important
role in the national economy and in the socio economic development of the
country.
Livestock are the best insurance against the vagaries of nature like drought;
famine and other natural calamities.
Milk Production - Several measures have been initiated by the Government to
increase the productivity of livestock, which has resulted in increasing the milk
production significantly to the level of 102.6 million tonnes at the end of the
Tenth Plan (2006-07) as compared to 53.9 million tonnes in 1990-91).
Egg Production - Poultry development in the country has shown steady
progress over the years.
India ranks third in egg production in the world as per FAOSTAT data for the
year 2010.
The annual estimate of Wool production declined marginally from 43.12 million
in 2009-10 to 42.99 million kgs. In 2010-11 indicating decline of 0.3%.
Fish and Fish Seed Production - India is the second largest in aquaculture
production in the world.
Fish production has increased for marine and inland fisheries.
Development of Poultry - The poultry sector has emerged from entirely
unorganized farming practice to commercial production system with State-ofthe-art technological interventions.
Poultry sector is also a potent tool for subsidiary income generation for many
landless and marginal farmers.
Pig Rearing - The Pig Rearing scheme is aimed to assist farmers/landless
labourers/cooperatives and Tribal particularly in North-Eastern States by rearing
pigs under stall fed condition for quality pork production and organized pork
marketing in rural and semi-urban areas.
Livestock Health - With the improvement in the quality of livestock through
launching of extensive cross breeding programmes, the susceptibility of these
livestock to various diseases including exotic diseases has increased.
In order to reduce morbidity and mortality, efforts are being made to provide
better health care.
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Department of Agricultural Research and Education - The Department of
Agricultural Research and Education, set up in 1973 in the Ministry of
Agriculture, facilitates linkages of ICAR for international co-operation in the
field of agricultural research and education.
Agricultural Research, Education and Extension - The Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) provided the critical technological inputs for
various processes of agriculture that led the highest ever food production of all
component of cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, fish and eggs
during 2011-12.
Natural Resource Management - The Natural Resource Management
programme offers innovative management system for efficient utilization and
conservation of natural resources, especially related to agriculture, water, forest,
biodiversity, and soil management.
ICAR scientists are developing new methods, new technologies and new
knowledge for better soil and water management practices, improved cropping
systems and better crop management.
Soil and Water Productivity - The area that needs attention is the management
of water, which is going to be probably the scarcest factor in the twenty-first
century.
At the individual farms in rainfed production systems, biochar (fine-grained
carbonized materials), developing from the crop residues, has shown the
potential to sequester carbon and increase crop productivity and sustainability of
the soil systems.
Climate Change - The ICAR has launched ‘National Initiative on Climate
Resilient Agriculture’ with the objective of undertaking strategic research on
climate change adaptation and mitigation, technology demonstration on
farmers’ field to cope with the current climate viability and capacity building of
different stockholders on climate change awareness.
Agriculture Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology - The farm
mechanization has played a critical role in improving agricultural production as
well as productivity through timeliness of field operations and by enabling
proper and efficient use of inputs.
Post-Harvest Management and Value-addition - A juteglass hybrid fabric
was developed to mould products such as fittings for automobiles.
Development of a fibre segregator has opened up a new avenue for utilization of
finer coconut fibres for value-added products.
Packaging of soy-paneer in retortable pouches and autoclaving extended the
shelf-life by 18 days at room temperature and 45 days under refrigeration.
Digital radiography, CT and MRI imaging techniques were developed to detect
presence of seed weevils in mango.
In papaya and pineapple, osmotic dehydration to the moisture levels of 13-15%
prevented browning and enhanced the shelf-life.
Animal Science - The Animal Sciences facilitated need based research in
ongoing and emerging areas of livestock and poultry sector to denote
productivity increase, reduce gap between potential and actual yield, and to
prepare the country for the challenges of globalization.
The development of technologies was done to support production enhancement,
profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of livestock and poultry sector
for providing food and nutritional security to Indian masses.
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Fisheries - Sustainable growth of Indian fisheries and aquaculture by
interfacing research, education and extension resulted in a proper fit between
the human needs and the habitat, with an important role in global fisheries.
Fish Management - The marine fish landing statistics of the Central Marine
Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi was recognized as official statistics of the
Government of India.
Farm-pond emerged as the most profitable landshaping model with highest
benefit.
Agricultural Education - The ICAR promotes research, education and
extension in 52 State Agricultural Universities, five Deemed Universities, and
four Central Universities with Agricultural faculty by giving financial assistance
in different forms.
Information, Communication and Publicity Services - The Directorate of
Knowledge Management in Agriculture is committed to promote Information,
Communication Technology and information dissemination system for quick,
effectual and cost-effective delivery of messages to all the stakeholders in
agriculture.
Keeping pace with the current knowledge diffusion trends, Directorate is
delivering and showcasing ICAR technologies, policies and other activities
through print, electronic and web mode.
The ICAR technologies were showcased in 21 national conferences and fairs
across the country and in a first of its kind, participated in the overseas trade fair
at Muscat, Oman.
IP portfolio management - The ICAR now has a corporate platform, ‘AgriInnovative India Limited’ for technology commercialization and consultancy at
home and abroad.
‘Weather Cock’ software package, capable of agro-meteorological analysis to
understand possible impacts of climate change on crop performance, was
developed and registered.
Future Thrust Areas - The Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s
emphasis would be on research and development for enhancing both
productivity and profitability of farming in all its dimensions, including climate
resilient agriculture and secondary agriculture and also quality human resource
development, through greater synergy and partnerships.
The Twelfth Plan contains all measures that are required to accelerate our
agricultural growth rate.
India currently spends about 0.6% of its agricultural gross domestic products
(GDP) on agricultural Research and Development.
This needs to be enhanced at least 2-to 3-fold by 2020, since a substantial
portion of our agricultural growth would come through the application of new
technologies and new knowledge to production processes.
ENERGY
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Energy is an essential input for economic development and improving the
quality of life.
Development of conventional forms of energy for meeting the growing energy
needs of society at a reasonable cost is the responsibility of the Government.
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Nuclear energy development is being geared up to contribute significantly to the
overall energy availability in the country.
POWER
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With the formation of State Electricity Boards during Five-Year Plans, a
significant step was taken in bringing about a systematic growth of power
supply industry all over the country.
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The Ministry of Power is primarily responsible for the development of electrical
energy in the country.
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In all technical matters, the Ministry of Power is assisted by the Central
Electricity Authority (CEA).
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The constriction and operation of generation and transmission projects in the
Central sector are entrusted to Central Sector Power Corporations, viz., the
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), the National Hydroelectric
Power Corporation (NHPC), the North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation
(NEEPCO), and the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).
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The Power Grid is responsible for all the existing and future transmission
projects in the Central Sector and also for the formation of the National Power
Grid.
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Programmes of rural electrification are provided financial assistance by the
Rural Electrification Corporation (REC).
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The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) provides term-finance to projects in the
power sector.
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A Power Trading Corporation has also been incorporated primarily to support
the Mega Power Projects in private sector by acting as a single entity to enter
into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Setting up of Ultra Mega Power Project
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Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) are being promoted with a view to
providing power to all at a reasonable rate and ensuring fast capacity addition
by the Central Government as an initiative facilitating the development of Ultra
Mega Power Projects (UMPP) of 4000 MW capacity each under tariff based
international competitive bidding route.
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So far, four UMPPs, namely, Sasan in M.P., Mundra in Gujarat, Krishnapatnam
in Andhra Pradesh and Tilaiya in Jharkhand have been awarded and transferred
to the developers selected through tariff based competitive bidding.
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
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Central Electricity Authority (CEA), plays an important role in formulating
policies and programmes for power development in the country and in planning
and coordinating various development activities in the Power Sector.
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Under the Electricity Act, 2003, the CEA makes regulations/standards on
matters such as construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity
to the grid, installation and operation of meters, concurrence of hydro-electric
schemes, safety and grid standards.
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It also makes studies for the optimum location of dams and other river works
keeping in view the norms regarding dam design and safety.
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It promotes and assists in the timely completion of schemes and projects for
improving and augmenting the electricity system by carrying out a close
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monitoring of the construction, generation and transmission projects to ensure
their timely completion by identifying bottlenecks and problem areas and
initiating remedial measures/actions.
Collection and recording the data concerning the generation, transmission,
trading, distribution and utilisation of electricity and carrying out studies
relating to cost, efficiency, competitiveness, etc., are important functions of the
CEA.
The CEA facilities exchange of power within the country from surplus to deficit
regions and with neighbouring countries for mutual benefits.
It actively participates in power supply restoration process in case of occurrence
of
unfortunate
incidents
of
destruction
caused
due
to
drought/cyclone/floods/tsunami, etc., in various parts of the country.
The CEA renders consultancy services in the planning and design of hydro,
thermal and transmission projects.
The Electricity Act, 2003 - The provisions of the Act have been brought into
force with effect from 10 June 2003.
The Central Government established Appellate Tribunal for Electricity under
the Section, 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003 on 7 April 2004.
The National Electricity Policy has been notified by the Government under the
Act Competitive bidding guidelines has been issued by the Government.
23 States have set up Special Courts under section 153 of the Electricity Act
2003.
ACCELERATED POWER DEVELOPMENT AND REFORMS PROGRAMME
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The main objective of the programme is creation of reliable and sustainable data
base, demonstrable performance in terms of AT&C loss reduction to below 15%
at town level on sustained basis and improved services.
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Re-structured APDRP for 11th Plan - Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs (CCEA) approved the ‘Restructured APDRP’ for 11th Plan as a Central
Sector Scheme in its meeting held on 31 July 2008.
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The focus of the programme is on actual, demonstrable performance in terms of
AT&C loss reduction.
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The aim of the scheme is to reduce the AT&C losses up to 15 per cent in project
areas.
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Power Finance Corporation (PFC) is the nodal agency for operationalising the
programme.
THERMAL GENERATION PROJECTS
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With the enactment of Electricity Act, 2003, a whole new system was evolved
where private players were invited to be an active participant in the power
sector.
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In order to facilitate procurement of power through competitive bidding, the
Government has issued guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding.
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The Government has also set up Special Purpose Vehicle under Power Finance
Corporation (PFC) for collective procurement of power on behalf of the
distribution utilities by inviting tariff based bids for supplying power from ultra
mega power projects.
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The private sector has responded enthusiastically to the opening up to the power
market and a substantial amount of generating capacity is coming up through
IPPs in coal, lignite, gas and hydro power projects.
Government of India is making its best efforts to facilitate this process to help
the independent power producers to overcome various challengers in the way of
project implementation.
Transmission Sector - Efforts are being made to bring competition in
development of inter-State transmission system through private participation.
For encouraging and streamlining the process of private sector participation,
Government of India brought out ‘Guidelines for encouraging competition in
development of Transmission services’, Standard Request for Qualification
(RFQ) document for selection of transmission Service provider, and TSA.
Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (RFC)
have been nominated as nodal agencies to act as Bid Process Coordinators
(BPC) for the selection of Transmission Service Providers.
Revised Mega Power Policy - Mega Power Policy was introduced in
November 1995 for providing impetus to development of large size (mega)
power projects in the country and derive benefit from economies of scale.
The provision of granting provisional mega power status certificate have been
added in the mega power policy guidelines in August 2011 to further facilitate
implementation of mega power policy.
Automatic approval for FDI - Automatic approval (RBI route) for 100 per
cent foreign equity is permitted in generation, transmission, and distribution and
trading in power sector without any upper ceiling on the quantum of investment.