Govt to raise oilseed output

Concerned over the rising edible oil import bill, the Centre has launched a new mission to enhance production of oilseeds to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

"Although we are not in favour of imports but a huge demand-supply gap leaves us with no other option.Government has launched a mission to increase area under cultivation and also asked the states to do so," Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said in Lok Sabha on Monday.

A special mission was launched recently and production of oilseeds has increased from 148 lakh tonne in 2002-03 to 261 lakh tonne in 2004-05, he said.India's import bill for edible oil stood at Rs 6,496 in 2001-02 and it increased to Rs 11,683.24 crore in 2003-04, Pawar said. The country plans to import edible oil worth Rs 10,755 crore in 2004-05.

Replying to another question, the minister said the sugar production during the current year (October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005) is estimated at 130 lakh tonne against the 139.59 lakh tonne last year.

Despite this, government is likely to release 175 lakh tonne of edible oil for sale in the open market as well as through Public Distribution System (PDS) in 2004-05. It had made available 173.17 lakh tonne of edible oil last year.

Pawar also informed the house that India received Rs 9.87 crore as foreign direct investment (FDI) in sugar sector and Rs 90.34 crore in horticulture sector.

Pawar said both Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Nafed would be involved in procurement of cotton from farmers in view of estimated bumper crop. To strengthen the infrastructure for cotton procurement, government had declared Nafed as an agency in addition to CCI, in February this year.

He also informed the House that a special meeting of the governing body of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been called on September 1 to discuss the report of Mashelkar Committee on restructuring and remodelling of ICAR.