No.PR-26
June 14, 2019
New Delhi
INDIA POISED TO ACHIEVE 291 MILLION TONNES OF FOOD GRAIN PRODUCTION BY 2019-20, SAYS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER AT PHDCCI
Despite challenges of climate change and adversarial environmental conditions, India will be able to achieve 291 million tonnes food grain target for 2019-20, predicts Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Dr S K Malhotra.
Speaking at an event on Strengthening Smart Food Chain for Sustainable Production and Exports under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) here today, he emphasized that the focus of the government is to enhance the food grain production and produce of multiple agricultural commodities including pulses and coarse grains with stress on quality and nutrition.
The government would succeed in this direction protecting the farming communities and other associates involved in the value chain with best of available technologies and inputs so that farming moves on the intended direction, he added.
Dr Malhotra also made a forecast saying that the government would make necessary investments in promoting and encouraging grains such as millets because of their nutrition value and initiate efforts to brand the produce both nationally and internationally. The government has also been able to convince FAO to declare the year 2023 as the “International Year of Millets” which has since been re-branded as “Nutri Cereals”, he added.
Elaborating on the target of 291 million tonnes of food grain production by the end of 2019-20, Dr Malhotra pointed out that the government would achieve the target positively as the focus of the government is towards it even though the challenges of climate change and environmental related problems including aggressive attacks from emerging pest exist with necessary available technological solutions.
Managing Director, NAFED, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Chadha who was also present on the occasion, however, added that his organization has begun to procure lot of commodities directly from farmers particularly that of onion which ensures better and higher margins for farming community.
According to him, the NAFED is also exploring possibilities to collaborate with the private sector to utilize their capacities for storage of agricultural commodities so that supplies do not suffer on account of scarcity of agricultural produce.
Mr Ashok Thakur who is a government nominee Director with NAFED in his remarks assured all government support to all stakeholders for the betterment of the agriculture sector so that the current farming distress is tackled effectively.
Chief Advisor & CEO, NCCD, Mr. Pawanexh Kohli in his key note address reminded that doubling of the farmers income is an important milestone in the history of agriculture sector and all related institutions are engaged in this direction so that pro-active policies are implemented and desired and intended objectives are achieved.
It was also stressed on the occasion that aggregation of agri produce through FPOs and decentralization of storage with private participation is critical for doubling the farmers’ income which is achievable in due course of time.
Among others who were also present on the occasion Co-Chair, Agri Business Committee, PHDCCI, Dr R S Khanna; Chair, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, Mr R G Aggarwal; Director, PMV Maltings Pvt. Ltd., Mr Vikas Jain and Director, PHDCCI, Ms Mallika Verma.
Ends.
Koteshwar Prasad Dobhal
Consultant (PR)