Limit to providing fertiliser subsidy: Sharad Pawar

NEW DELHI: High price of fertiliser has affected implementation of a programme aimed at increasing production of wheat and rice, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told the Lok Sabha today, but said there was a limit to providing subsidy.

Pawar said during Question Hour that in order to harness the potential of eastern Indian plains, 'Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India' programme was announced in 2010-11 under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

"The government is implementing this programme in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with the objective of increasing productivity of rice based cropping system," Pawar said.

The minister maintained that government is focusing on this region to increase rice production as the crop produced by Punjab and Haryana could not meet the requirement.

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (TMC) said more fertiliser subsidy should be given to rice farmers as production levels have fallen due to high prices of urea.

"Prices of fertiliser is a serious issue. But there is a limit to providing subsidy," Pawar said. He refuted Dastidar's charge that production of rice is falling.

While Rs 400 crore was earmarked under the scheme in 2009-10 to improve quality of seeds, providing power and other facilities to these states, Rs 1,000 crore has been sanctioned in this year's budget.

Rajnath Singh (BJP) sought to know about the funds allocated and its utilisation to which Pawar replied, "I have written to all Chief Ministers to take personal interest to increase production."

Pawar said additional production Centres have been set up in these states and a scientist posted in every district.

Government is trying to increase production of rice through promotion of recommended agriculture technologies, he said.

"The state-level sanctioning committee constituted under the chairmanship of chief secretary is vested with authority to sanction projects under RKVY, including BGREI," Pawar said.

He claimed that the implementation of these schemes has resulted in increased foodgrain output in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.