Foodgrain output over 250 mn tonne despite drought: Pawar

New Delhi, Feb 8. India's foodgrain production is estimated to have crossed 250 million tonne in 2012-13 crop year despite drought in several parts of the country, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today. "We had produced 260 million tonne foodgrains last year. This year, we have crossed 250 million tonne irrespective of drought in some districts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and parts of Karnataka," Pawar said at Indian Seed Congress, organised by the National Seed Association of India (NSAI). This year's production is sufficient to meet the domestic demand, he said, adding that the government's second advance estimate of foodgrains for 2012-13 crop year (July-June) will be released later in the day. He said the country needs to reduce import dependence on pulses and edible oil. "My colleagues in the Finance Ministry are worried about higher import of pulses and edible oil. We have to increase domestic production of these two commodities for which the support of technological breakthrough in seeds and other inputs is required," Pawar said. India imports more than 50 per cent of its edible oil and pulses requirement. To achieve the desired growth rate of 4 per cent in agriculture, Pawar said there is a need to pay attention to all vital links in the value chain including seed. "Seed is the critical initial input for agriculture. The public and private sectors have to partner the process of change equally by bringing in better products, supplement transfer efforts of government and ensure that we never have to go bake to the era of food shortages," he said. Highlighting private sector's participation in crops like pulses and oilseeds is low, the Minister said: "While there are technological barriers in developing hybrids in pulses, success met with some of the oilseeds crops need to be pursued with vigour. This will help reduce import bill." On New Seed Bill, Pawar said: "The important bill is pending for long time. The hope is that the bill will come for discussion in the Budget session. The bill will resolve lot of issued faced by the industry.