The agriculture sector will see a record production of foodgrains and oilseeds in the year 2013-14, according to the Economic Survey for 2013-14, released in New Delhi today. As per the third Advance Estimates, the production of foodgrains is likely to touch a record output of 264.4 million tones (mt) in 2013-14 showing an increase of 2.88% over the previous year. Similarly, oilseeds are likely to have a record output of 32.4 mt showing an increase of 4.85% over the previous year. The production of rice is expected to be 106.3 mt and of wheat 95.8 mt. Cotton will touch a production of 36.5 mt in 2013-14. Overall, the agricultural sector is expected to grow at the rate of 4.7% in the year 2013-14. The agriculture sector grew at a rate of 4.1% during the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12).

The integrated scheme of oilseeds, pulses, oil palm and maize (ISOPOM) has resulted in record production of 19.6 mt of pulses (i.e., 7.10% increase over previous year), oilseeds production at a record of 32.4 mt (4.85% increase over previous year) and maize gave a record production of 24.2 mt (increase of 8.52% over previous year). The Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (TMO&OP) has been introduced in the Twelfth Plan to realize substantial increase in domestic production of edible oilseeds/oil, which is 50% short of the domestic demand. The emphasis of TMO&OP will be on ‘focused’ and ‘integrated’ interventions.

In 2013-14, the higher production in case of most of the major crops has been achieved by expanding area rather than yield/productivity. However, Groundnut with productivity of 1723 kg/ha has shown the largest jump in yield i.e., 73.17% over the previous year. Tur productivity at 857 kg/ha increased by 10.44% while yield of cotton (529 kg/ha) also showed an increase of 8.85%. Gram productivity (974 kg/ha) showed the largest productivity decline i.e., 5.98% in 2013-14.

The net availability of foodgrains increased to 229.1 million tones i.e., an increase of 15% over last year and that of edible oils increased to 12.7 kg per year in 2013. The per capita net availability of foodgrains also rose to 186.4 kg per year in 2013 from 162.1 kg per year in 2009.

Expansion in area and increases in the Minimum Support Prices of select agricultural crops, have resulted in higher foodgrains production. As per the 3rd AE, the acreage under foodgrains increased to 126.2 million ha and to 28.2 million ha under oilseeds.

Minimum Support Price increases and targeted oilseeds missions drove higher foodgrain and oilseed production in 2013 14. Record foodgrain and oilseed production in 2013-14 was achieved mainly through expanded acreage and policy measures rather than widespread yield improvement; notable crop yield shifts included a large increase for Groundnut and a decline for Gram. Policy measures referenced include the ISOPOM scheme and the Twelfth Plan Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm, together with increases in Minimum Support Prices for select crops that influenced production incentives.