Research On To Develop High- Yi8elding Wheat Underway

Major emphasis was being put on the development of superior genotypes with improved yield potential, resistance to diseases and other desirable traits, Pradhan told the house in a written reply.

In another reply, minister of state for agriculture S B P B K Satyanarayana Rao said preliminary studies carried out by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Icar) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) show that fly-ash could be used to increase crop production.

During field trials, an average increase of 15 to 25 per cent in crop yields was observed, he said. He, however, added fly ash contained toxic and heavy metals which could affect the soil health adversely in the long run.

On the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, Rao said the government was in the process of reviewing it and would consider the recommendations of all states and Union territories on the matter.

Rao said to increase production of oilseeds in the country, a centrally sponsored oilseeds production programme (OPP) was being implemented in 25 states covering 397 selected districts. The Centre was also encouraging cultivation of oilseeds by providing various incentives under OPP, he said. The government had also been announcing the minimum support prices (MSP) of oilseed crops every year to keep a tab on the rates, he added.

In another reply, Pradhan said the country was exploiting about 70 per cent of the potential marine fisheries resources of the country. The present annual marine fish production was estimated at 2.70 million tonne against a potential of 3.9 million tonne.

Allaying fears that import of fish would adversely impact the domestic industry, he said the recent hike in import duty on fish from 21.16 per cent to 44.04 per cent was a deterrent on large-scale imports.