The Government has approved an allocation of Rs 12,350 crore to increase foodgrain production by about 25 million tonnes (mt) under the National Food Security Mission in the 12{+t}{+h} Plan.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday approved the allocation that would help boost rice output by 10 mt, wheat by eight mt, pulses by four mt and coarse cereals by three mt by 2016-17.
For fiscal 2013-14, the outlay for NFSM has been increased to Rs 2,250 crore from Rs 1,850 crore last year.
NFSM, which will be implemented in 27 States, will focus on cropping systems instead of individual crops and will also include coarse cereals through the development of farmer producer organisations, creating value chains and providing market linkages.
promote technologies
The mission will promote improved technologies, such as water efficiency, adoption of quality seeds, enhancing farm efficiency through improved agronomic practices, such as line sowing, direct seeding and integrated nutrient and pest management, among others. Proven crop production technologies developed by the National Agricultural Research System would be made available to farmers through a series of planned interventions and financial incentives.
Launched in 2007-08 with an outlay of Rs 4,882.48 crore for the 11th Plan (2007-12), NFSM has succeeded in meeting its objective of raising foodgrain output by 20 mt, the statement said.
Stockholding limits
The Cabinet has extended the stockholding limit on commodities such as pulses, edible oils and oilseeds for another year till September 2014, a move that will ensure availability and also keep prices under check.
The move would enable the State Governments to take effective de-hoarding operations under the Essential Commodities Act, an official statement said.
The move will help in the efforts being made to tackle the problem of rising prices and improve the availability of these commodities for the general public, it added.
The validity of the current stockholding limits order with respect to these items will expire on September 30.