India breaks new ground, grain output storms a peak

If you are still sceptical about India’s GDP growth, here’s something that can remove some of your worries. The country has just notched up a record foodgrain production of 241 million tonnes (mt) in 2010-11 crop year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday.

He didn’t stop there. Mindful of the challenges that lie ahead on the food security front, he talked about a second Green Revolution to meet the mounting future domestic foodgrain demands. “Production of major crops has been at record levels in the year just over. An estimated total production of 241 million tonnes in 2010-11 was achieved because of record production of wheat, maize and pulses. Oilseed production also set a new record,” the PM said, while delivering speech at an ICAR function in New Delhi.

The estimated 241 mt foodgrain production is higher by 5 MT as announced by the agriculture ministry in its third estimate. It is also higher by 23 MT as compared to previous crop year 2009-10. Crop year runs from July to June.

The PM said the record foodgrain production has been achieved because of hard work of the farmers and scientists. But Singh emphasised that the country needs a second Green Revolution to further accelerate agri growth and achieve self-sufficiency in food.

He said the total demand for foodgrains of the country is projected to touch 281 MT by 2020-21. “Meeting this demand will necessitate a growth rate of nearly 2 per cent per annum in foodgrain production,” the PM said.

Stating that the country was spending about 0.6 percent of its agriculture GDP on agricultural research and development at present, he said this needs to be enhanced by 2-3 times by 2020. “India needs a second Green Revolution that is broad-based, inclusive and sustainable,” Singh said.

(With inputs from PTI)