India=World's No.1Milk,Fruit,Veg,Sugarcane Producer

[Guest guest]

Vajpayee Government's Agricultural Achievements

AGRICULURE

Achieved a record foodgrain production of 208.88 mt in 1999-2000.

Largest fruit producer (48 mt), coconut (13 billion nuts) and second

largest producer of vegetables (67.28mt).

Largest producer of milk in world (78.1 mt).

Second in production of rice (89.4 mt).

Wheat production 75.57 mt (1999-2000).

Largest area in world under pulses.

First to evolve cotton hybrid.

Largest producer of sugarcane (309.31 mt).

Possesses more than 56% of the buffaloes in world (8.42 million) and

ranks first in respect of cattle and buffalo, second in goats, third

in sheep and seventh in poultry population (31,320 million egg

production during 1999-2000).

Sixth largest producer of fish in world (55.81 lakh tonnes).

First place in global production of bananas, mangoes, coconuts and

cashew. Horticulture production-fruits, vegetables, flowers, cashew,

spices account for 25% of total agri-exports.

National Agriculture Policy announced to attain an annual growth rate

of 4% plus. States consulted in preparation of Action Plan for

implementation of Policy.

Launched regionally differentiated growth strategy for doubling food

production in 10 years to ensure food and nutritional security.

Under macro-management, 27 on going centrally sponsored schemes

integrated to promote decentralised planning in agriculture.

National Agriculture Insurance Scheme introduced to cover more

farmers, more crops and more risks. Basis to be Panchayat level.

Network of agri-clinics and agri-business centres by agriculture

graduates taken-up to extend self-employment opportunities and reach

of agriculture research upto farmers.

100 percent centrally sponsored National Project for Cattle and

Buffalo breeding cleared, to preserve and improve important

indigenous breeds of cattle and buffalo and to upgrade non-descript

breeds. Seafood exports crossed Rs 4,500 crore.

Amendment to multi-State Cooperative Act to provide more autonomy and

powers to cooperative sector on the anvil. Draft of National Policy

on Food Processing prepared to ensure waste reduction, remunerative

prices to farmers, price stability, employment potential and to

simplify and harmonize existing multifarious laws.

Launched - Jai Vigyan National Science and Technology Mission on

Conservation of Agro-biodiversity, and on household food and

nutritional security.

27 Mission mode projects operationalised under National Agricultural

Technology Project, for focussed research on issues of critical

importance.

A total of 61,015 samples of diverse germplasm procured from 63

countries.

Data on all conserved accessions computerized in National Gene Bank.