1. 21st March, 2009 Kharif Conference Group-I

2. 21st March, 2009 States in Group-I 1.Arunachal Pradesh 2.Assam 3.Chhattisgarh 4.Jharkhand 5.Sikkim 6.West Bengal Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa not represented

3. 21st March, 2009 Structure Rabi assessmentRabi assessment Kharif targetsKharif targets Major schemesMajor schemes Issues in programmesIssues in programmes New initiativesNew initiatives

4. 21st March, 2009 Rabi assessment (foodgrains) State Area (lakh ha) Prodn. (lakh MT) Arunachal Pr. 0.130.20 Assam6.4412.76 Chhattisgarh11.6811.96 Jharkhand3.405.30 Sikkim0.100.12 West Bengal 21.1462.08

5. 21st March, 2009 Rabi – salient points Deficient rainfall/drought has affected production in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhatisgarh and Sikkim; also reduced area under oilseeds in ChhatisgarhDeficient rainfall/drought has affected production in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhatisgarh and Sikkim; also reduced area under oilseeds in Chhatisgarh Cropping intensity (e.g. Ar. Pr.) and SRR (e.g. Jharkhand) improvingCropping intensity (e.g. Ar. Pr.) and SRR (e.g. Jharkhand) improving As a result, production has not suffered much and even increased in some cropsAs a result, production has not suffered much and even increased in some crops

6. 21st March, 2009 Kharif target (foodgrains) State Area (lakh ha) Prodn. (lakh MT) Arunachal Pr. 1.953.54 Assam21.8933.02 Chhattisgarh42.7871.67 Jharkhand23.3543.57 Sikkim0.721.11 West Bengal 45.00111.82

7. 21st March, 2009 Kharif - salient points Seed:No problem is anticipated with States confident of producing/procuring adequate seed, except availability of Jute seed in West Bengal.Seed:No problem is anticipated with States confident of producing/procuring adequate seed, except availability of Jute seed in West Bengal. Fertilizer: Consumption would be higher. Arrangement for supply of DAP in Assam has to be addressed. Availability of MOP and Complexes of concern.Fertilizer: Consumption would be higher. Arrangement for supply of DAP in Assam has to be addressed. Availability of MOP and Complexes of concern.

8. 21st March, 2009 Kharif - salient points Lime application:Useful in soils with ph<4.5 (Sikkim).Lime application:Useful in soils with ph<4.5 (Sikkim). Model Code of Conduct:A problem especially in Chhattisgarh and Sikkim as Collectors are wary of implementing schemes.Model Code of Conduct:A problem especially in Chhattisgarh and Sikkim as Collectors are wary of implementing schemes.

9. 21st March, 2009 Major schemes - issues NFSM Incentive of Rs. 20/kg. for hybrid seed needs to be increased (Assam & W. B.). Include non- certified hybrids (ICAR tested).Incentive of Rs. 20/kg. for hybrid seed needs to be increased (Assam & W. B.). Include non- certified hybrids (ICAR tested). Provision for foundation seed (Assam).Provision for foundation seed (Assam). Outsourcing of post of Mission Director (W.B)Outsourcing of post of Mission Director (W.B)RKVY Assam and Jharkhand have to improve utilization.Assam and Jharkhand have to improve utilization. Ar. Pr. to get balance funds (2008-09) next year.Ar. Pr. to get balance funds (2008-09) next year.

10. 21st March, 2009 Major schemes - issues Extension Provision of LCD projector for ATMA and light vehicle need to be permitted (Ar. Pr.).Provision of LCD projector for ATMA and light vehicle need to be permitted (Ar. Pr.).

11. 21st March, 2009 Issues ICAR New variety of glutinous rice is needed for varietal replacement in Arunachal PradeshNew variety of glutinous rice is needed for varietal replacement in Arunachal PradeshDoF Fertilizer transport subsidy from rake point to distbn. pt. should be provided (Assam)Fertilizer transport subsidy from rake point to distbn. pt. should be provided (Assam)DoC Export of scented Joha rice should be allowed (Assam)Export of scented Joha rice should be allowed (Assam)

12. 21st March, 2009 New Initiatives First Mobile Soil Testing Lab. launched in Arunachal Pr.First Mobile Soil Testing Lab. launched in Arunachal Pr. Farmers Development Workshop-cum- Kisan Mela organized in Ar. Pr. (2008)Farmers Development Workshop-cum- Kisan Mela organized in Ar. Pr. (2008) Contract farming of potatoes in 3 districts (Assam) has improved farmers’ incomeContract farming of potatoes in 3 districts (Assam) has improved farmers’ income Kisan Bandhu: Progressive farmer for extension in Assam (no renum., but preference in inputs & trg.)Kisan Bandhu: Progressive farmer for extension in Assam (no renum., but preference in inputs & trg.)

13. 21st March, 2009 New Initiatives 80 Agri. Prodn. Mgmt. Groups under RKVY for spacing timing of planting of crop/different crops in Assam for preventing glut and better realization of price (50% subsidy on mini-truck provided)80 Agri. Prodn. Mgmt. Groups under RKVY for spacing timing of planting of crop/different crops in Assam for preventing glut and better realization of price (50% subsidy on mini-truck provided) 50% subsidy on pump-set to agripreneur (50) to supply water & levy charges to bring rabi fallows under cultivation under RKVY (Assam)50% subsidy on pump-set to agripreneur (50) to supply water & levy charges to bring rabi fallows under cultivation under RKVY (Assam)

14. 21st March, 2009 New Initiatives Kisan Mahotsav in 304 villages of Chhatisgarh in Feb’09 for direct contact/on the spot solutionsKisan Mahotsav in 304 villages of Chhatisgarh in Feb’09 for direct contact/on the spot solutions Crop loan at 3% interest to farmers for agriculture & allied activities in ChhatisgarhCrop loan at 3% interest to farmers for agriculture & allied activities in Chhatisgarh Kisan Sangi (1,500 men and 500 women farmers’ friends) in 10 districts with renumeration from Mandi Boards in Chhatisgarh.Kisan Sangi (1,500 men and 500 women farmers’ friends) in 10 districts with renumeration from Mandi Boards in Chhatisgarh.

15. 21st March, 2009 New Initiatives Model Agri. Village Dev. pilot project (one village in each district of Chhatisgarh) to provide holistic interventionsModel Agri. Village Dev. pilot project (one village in each district of Chhatisgarh) to provide holistic interventions Integrated Farming System with cluster approach in Jharkhand.Integrated Farming System with cluster approach in Jharkhand. Organic cultivation with no chemical fertilizer consumption in Sikkim (196 bio- villages).Organic cultivation with no chemical fertilizer consumption in Sikkim (196 bio- villages). Agricultural Implement Hub with cooperative societies/SHGs in W.B.Agricultural Implement Hub with cooperative societies/SHGs in W.B.

16. 21st March, 2009 Thank you