New Delhi: Marred by intense and multiple challenges, the Indian farm scene has shown revolutionary and record-breaking performance.
The National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2022-23 has set the national target for total food grain production at 3,280 lakh tonnes for 2022-23, compared to the expected production of 3,160 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.
Of course, the strategy would be to increase the area through inter-cropping and crop diversification.
Notably, higher production has been made possible by the farm sector in a year when there were multiple challenges in the form of lockdown due to Covid and farmers’ agitation in north India.
Officials also say there is a focused approach towards productivity enhancement through measures like adopting suitable agronomic practices in the low-yielding regions.
The target of 3,280 lakh tonnes is 3.7% higher than the estimated output of 316 million tonnes in 2021-22, raising hopes of further growth in the export of farm products.
Though there are reports of the possibility of a shortage of fertilisers due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the government insists that there will not be any problem with fertilisers.
Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, said the centre and states would work together to ensure pesticides and seeds availability to reduce input costs for farmers.
Tomar also said there should be a strategy to replace Urea with Nano-urea. He declared that the government would continue to emphasise natural and organic farming.
On exports, the Minister said, while agriculture exports have increased, attention should be paid to quality products.
We have to ensure that the Indian products can compete in International Markets and exporters and farmers both should benefit, the minister said.
Mr Tomar also urged states and other stakeholders, including Agri research institutes, to boost seed production.
