Conference on

Agriculture

:

Strategies, Policies

&

Practices

for

North-East

On

30

th

September

&

1

st

October, 2010

Assam’s Perspective

Presentation by

R. T. Jindal

Agriculture Production Commissioner, Assam

1

AGRICULTURE

:

Some facts of Assam

vis a vis

all India

Fact Net cropped area Cropping Intensity Irrigated area Farm power Fertiliser Consumption Small & Marginal Farmer Average land holding Productivity of Rice India 1403.0 lakh hectare 138% 72% 1.20 HP per hectare 129 Kg. per hectare 81.3% 1.33 hectare 2178 Kg. per hectare Assam 27.53 lakh hectare 142% 18% 0.69 HP per hectare 63.20 Kg. per hectare 85.3% 1.11 hectare 1638 Kg. per hectare 2

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 Rice Pulses Foodgrains Oilseeds Sugarcane Jute 2000 01 2001 02 2002 03 39.98 38.54 37.38

0.68

0.72

0.67

41.72 40.29 39.00

1.86

9.88

6.68

1.89

10.11

6.75

1.90

9.16

6.91

2003 04 2004 05 38.81 34.70

0.69

0.66

40.41 36.18

1.61

9.81

6.65

1.52

8.44

4.10

2005 06 35.52

0.57

36.77

1.17

8.71

5.79

2006 07 29.16

0.62

30.59

1.37

10.55

5.59

2007 08 33.19

0.64

34.67

1.45

9.80

6.57

2008 09 40.70

0.73

42.24

1.53

10.97

6.36

3

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

15 10 5 0 30 25 20 45 40 35 Rice Pulses Foodgrains Oilseeds Sugarcane Jute 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09

4

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

IMPACT OF FUND UTILISED ON FOODGRAINS PRODUCTION

Fund utilized (Rs. in lakh) Production (lakh MT) 8116.47

10466.23

4406.96

7423.75

5240.32

7644.37

10220.22

11894.31

33813.29

41.72

40.29

39.00

40.41

36.18

36.77

30.59

34.67

42.24

% increase over previous year -3.4% -3.2% 3.6% -10.5% 1.6% -16.8% 13.3% 21.8% 5

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

(in Kg. per hectare) Crop Rice Pulses Foodgrains Oilseeds Sugarcane Jute 2000 01 1531 556 1454 554 2001 02 1540 556 1457 558 2002 03 1491 539 1410 562 2003 04 1555 546 1467 531 2004 05 1475 568 1402 536 2005 06 1487 533 1416 472 2006 07 1349 542 1284 497 2007 08 1428 544 1379 524 2008 09 1638 617 1581 574 36898 37230 36422 38589 36919 37190 39634 38075 38387 1730 1781 1830 1870 1274 1836 1744 1976 1939 6

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

2500 Jute 2000 1500 Rice Foodgrains 1000 500 Pulses Oilseeds 0 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Rice Pulses Foodgrains Oilseeds Jute 7

Crop Rice Wheat Sugarcane Oilseeds Pulses Jute

COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF ASSAM WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HIGHEST IN INDIA AND WORLD

Assam (08-09) 1638 1300 38387 574 617 1939 National Average (08-09) 2178 2907 64553 1006 659 2264 Highest in India (07 08) 4019 (Punjab) 4507 (Punjab) 107484 (Tamil Nadu) 1739 (Tamil Nadu) 843 (Gujarat) 2419 (West Bengal) (in Kg/hectare) Highest in World (07-08) 6360 (Egypt) 8039 (U.K.) 120887(Egypt) 4388(Malaysia) 4920 (Ireland) 2093 (India) 8

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

(in lakh MT) Crop Fruits Vegetables Spices Tubers 2000 01 2001 02 2002 03 12.98 13.16 12.84

24.71 28.37 28.45

1.87

1.90

1.95

7.21

6.64

6.32

2003 04 13.51

32.82

1.95

5.85

2004 05 13.25

36.61

2.06

6.30

2005 06 13.52

38.18

2.12

3.93

2006 07 13.72

38.87

2.14

5.46

2007 08 14.08

39.18

2.18

5.57

2008 09 14.95

40.52

2.24

6.71

9

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

45 40 35 10 5 0 30 25 20 15 Fruits Vegetables Spices Tubers 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09

10

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

Fruits Vegetables Spices Tubers : : : : 15% 64% 20% -7% 11

Crop Fruits Vegetables Spices

HORTICULTURE SURPLUS

(2008-09) Production (lakh MT) 14.95

40.52 2.24 Surplus of Assam (lakh MT) 4.47 lakh MT 16.27 lakh MT 0.94 lakh MT 12

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

(in Kg. per hectare) Crop Fruits Vegetables Spices Tubers 2000 01 2001 02 2002 03 2003 04 2004 05 2005 06 11908 11750 11673 12043 12045 12005 12672 13510 13548 15627 2309 2262 2294 2323 7753 7297 7349 6569 2482 7500 2475 4930 2006 07 12139 2476 6166 2007 08 2478 6553 2008 09 12142 12256 16417 16485 16469 16462 16744 2490 6690 13

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

18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 Vegetables Fruits 6000 4000 2000 0 Spices 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Fruits Vegetables Spices 14

COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF ASSAM WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HIGHEST IN INDIA & WORLD

Crop Fruits Vegetables Spices Assam (2008-09) 12256 16744 2490 National Average (2008-09) 10825 Highest in India (2007-08) 31100 (Pondicherry) 15820 31700 (Lakshadweep) 1617 6300 (Haryana) (in Kg/hectare) Highest in World (2007-08) 21000 (Brazil, USA) 19000 (China) 15

    

MORE THAN 85% OF ASSAM FARMERS ARE SHORT OF THEIR OWN REQUIREMENT

No. of Small and Marginal farm families 23.44 lakh.

     Land owned by Small & Marginal farm families 14.79 lakh hectare.

Average land holding of Small & Marginal farm families 0.63 hectare Area under Rice per family (S&M) 0.57 hectare Average Rice production by S&M farm families (1638 Kg.

X 0.57) Average no. of members in a family (S&M) 934 Kg. per year.

07 Average Rice consumption per family (S&M) Shortfall of Rice per family (S&M) Average Pulses consumption per family (S&M) Shortfall of Pulses per family (S&M) 1150 Kg. per year.

216 Kg. per year (19% of requirement) 77 Kg. per year.

55 Kg. per year (72% of requirement)   Average Oilseed consumption per family (S&M) Shortfall of Oilseeds per family (S&M) 102 Kg. per year.

57 Kg. per year (56% of requirement) This proves that 85.3% of the farmers are net consumers and not the net producers. 16

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING IN ASSAM AT A GLANCE

Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) was set-up as a statutory body in 1976.

AAPM Act 1972 came into force with effect from 15 th June, 1977.

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.

17

AGMARKNET connectivity maintained Organic Market Godowns established Cold Storages established Processing Units

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE

: 23 Regulated Market Committees.

: : 1 no. is being established in Guwahati.

   Rural Godown - 22 nos.

Rural Seed Storage Godown – 21 nos.

Other Godowns – 29 nos.

:   25 nos.

Total capacity : 1.08 lakh MT : 6 nos. (Horticultural produce) 18

a.

b.

WHAT COMES TO THE MARKET ?

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

Other major commodities : Vegetables – Marketable Surplus – 16.0 lakh MT + imported Vegetables ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi.

vii.

vii.

Fruits – Marketable surplus – 4.5 lakh MT + imported fruits Spices – Marketable Surplus – 1.0 lakh MT + imported Spices Arecanut – 0.57 lakh MT Coconut – 15.00 million nuts.

Jute – 6.50 lakh bales.

Sugarcane – 11.00 lakh MT And other minor fresh and value added produces.

19

PERIODICITY OF MARKETS IN ASSAM

Daily - 19% Weekly - 42% Bi-Weekly - 39% 20

PERCENTAGE SHARE OF MARKETS OWNED BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES

3% 3% 4% 17% Regulated Market Town Committee Market Municipality Market Panchayat Market No Committee 73%

21

MARKET CHANNELS

Apart from Direct Sale, the following channels are also prevalent -

Channel-I Producer-Retailer-Consumer (Lemon, Tomato, Chillies, Banana) Channel-II Producer-Whole Seller-Commission Agent-Retailer-Consumer (Mango, Mustard, Jute, Arecanut) Channel-III Producer-Trader-Retailer (Ginger, Okra, Ridge gourd, cabbage) Channel-IV Producer-Mobile Trader (Banana, Rice, Pineapple) Channel-V Producer-Trader-Miller / Processor (Paddy, Jute, Arecanut) 22

ACCESS TO MARKETS

Distance from markets Up to 5 Km.

5 – 10 Km.

10 – 15 Km.

15 – 20 Km.

Above 20 Km.

Percentage 71% 22% 3% 1% 2%      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 23

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING - REFORMS

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.

24

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING

:

NEW INITIATIVES

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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

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.

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

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

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.

25

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING

:

ISSUES

1.

2.

3.

4.

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

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

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

Improvement in market intelligence.

26

1.



AGRICULTURE

: :

MAJOR CONCERN

ASSAM

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.

27

1.

Issue : Strategy : Policy :

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

     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.

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

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.

28

2.

Issue : Strategy : Policy :

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

  Low capacity of Seed Certification :   Seed Certification Agency does not have technical manpower (only 4 officers against 46 posts) Strengthening of Assam State Seed Certification Agency (ASSCA).

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

Technical staff will be engaged on contract.

29

3.

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

Issue : Strategy : Policy :    Low use of Hybrid / HYV Seeds :  65% area is covered under HYV Rice.

Area under Hybrid Rice is only 2%.

Creation of awareness.

To cover 80% area under Hybrid / HYV.

 To provide subsidised Hybrid / HYV seeds.

30

4.

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

Issue : Strategy : Policy :    Very low use of inputs like Micronutrients, Bio-fertilisers :  Assam’s soil is deficient in micronutrients like Zinc, Boron, Copper, Iron & Manganese.

 At present, micronutrients are applied in only 1% of Net Cropped Area.

 Bio-fertilisers are essential for better soil health and its application is also very low.

Creation of awareness.

Soil Testing facilities to be strengthened.

Provision for subsidised Micronutrients, Bio-fertilisers etc. is made under various schemes.

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

31

5.

Issue : Strategy : Policy :

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

 i.

Low consumption of fertilisers :  ii.

iii.

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

Low consumption is due to – Shortage of fertilisers during peak period has attributed to low consumption rate.

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

Lack of enthusiasm amongst dealers because of low margin.

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

Provision of working capital for Assam Seeds Corporation is made under RKVY.

32

6.

Issue : Strategy : Policy :

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

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.

Extensive and intensive campaign through Agri. Extension Workers.

To persuade the banks.

Simplification of procedure for KCCs already done.

Regular monitoring of priority sector lending.

Subsidisation of interest on Agricultural Credit.

33

7.

Issue : Strategy : Policy :

AGRICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES, STRATEGIES & POLICIES

    Vacancies in the Department :    Agriculture sector is facing huge shortage of manpower.

About 700 key posts are lying vacant due to various reasons which causes enormous problems in extending effective extension services to the farming community.

To expedite disposal of various court cases.

To fill-up the posts wherever disputes are resolved.

Constant follow up of court cases.

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

Immediate promotion against vacancies.

34

8.

HORTICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES & INTERVENTIONS PROPOSED

Issue : Intervention Proposed : Release of fund :   One time release of fund by Govt. of India under the scheme of Horticulture Mission for NE and Himalayan States.

For timely and proper planning well as monitoring.

to take up various seasonal plantation works under HMNE, it will be very helpful if the existing pattern of release of fund in piece meal manner is discontinued and once the Action Plan is approved, fund should be released in one installment. This will also facilitate submission of utilization certificate as 35

9.

HORTICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES & INTERVENTIONS PROPOSED

Issue : Intervention Proposed : Genuine planting material :   Availability of genuine planting materials within easy reach of farmers with support from ICAR system 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.

36

HORTICULTURE

: :

ASSAM

ISSUES & INTERVENTIONS PROPOSED

10.

Issue : Intervention Proposed : Packaging Industry :   Lack of outside state.

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

37

38