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| Centre raises subsidy for wheat, pulses under NFSM |
| Press Trust of India / Chandigarh Sep 15, 2009, 15:02 IST |
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The Centre has decided to increase the subsidy on distribution of certified seeds for wheat and pulses by Rs 200 per quintal and Rs 800 per quintal, respectively, for the coming rabi crop season to boost the area under cultivation.
"The upper limit of subsidy on distribution of certified seeds has been increased under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for wheat and pulses for the coming rabi season...
"This decision is taken in view of the current situation (dip in area in kharif due to scanty rains) ... So as to incentivise farmers to bring more area and increase productivity of crops," NFSM Director G K Chaudhary said here today who was here to assess the progress of NFSM in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
In the rabi season 2009-10, wheat growers would get Rs 700 per quintal or 50 per cent of cost, whichever is less, for buying certified seeds. Earlier, the upper limit of subsidy was Rs 500 per quintal.
In case of pulses, oilseeds and maize, the farmers would get Rs 2,000 per quintal of 50 per cent of cost, whichever is less, on seeds including hybrid ones. The earlier maximum limit was Rs 1,200 per quintal.
Stating that revised rates of subsidy would be valid only for rabi season 2009-10 and summer season in 17 identified states, he informed that the disbursement of subsidy on seeds distribution would involve an outlay of over Rs 100 crore.
NFSM Director also said that the national consultants of the mission have also been dispatched to several states to study the situation at the ground level before the start of the rabi season so that effective measures could be taken if any problem exists in these areas due to weather conditions.
He said that rains in September would be beneficial for existing crops as well as rabi crops. "With the rains, the moisture level of soil will increase which will prove good for upcoming crops," he said.
Launched in 2007-08, NFSM has a mandate to jack up the country's output of food grain commodities by additional 20 million tonnes, comprising rice by 10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 2 million tonnes, by the end of 11th Five-Year Plan.
Its objectives also include expanding area under crops, productivity enhancement, creation of employment opportunities and enhancing farm profits. It has identified 17 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where it is operational.
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