Seeds to be given to states if sowing fails: Pawar

Accepting that monsoon has been inadequate in several parts of northern India, the government today said that in case sowing failed due to lack of rains, it would make additional seeds available to the states.     

"As of now seeds and fertilisers have been provided to state governments. However, in case sowing fails in areas where it had been completed, then we will provide additional seeds," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed Rajya Sabha.     

Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour, he explained problems prevailed in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh, where monsoon has been inadequate, "but I feel that the situation will improve".     

On the plight of farmers in Vidarbha region, Pawar said several of them had taken loans from private money lenders, but the loan waiver scheme announced by the UPA government last year did not cover them.     

"The government has announced in the Union Budget that a task force would be constituted to address this issue. The Finance Minister will set up the task force on protecting such farmers (who have taken loan from private money lenders). Once this task force is set up, I will be able to give a satisfactory reply," he said.

Pawar informed the House that Maharashtra has reported decline in incidence of suicides among farmers during 2008-09 as compared to previous years since 2006.     

"The Centre has taken steps to mitigate farmers' distress. A rehabilitation package has been implemented in 31 identified suicide prone districts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala," he added.     

Pawar referred to Union Budget proposals that agriculture credit would be increased from Rs 2.87 lakh crore in 2008-09 to Rs 3.25 lakh crore in 2009-10 and that crop loans up to Rs three lakh will be provided at seven per cent interest.     

He said that under the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief scheme 2008, farmers having more than two hectares of land can pay 75 per cent of their overdues by December 31, 2009 instead of June 30, 2009.