Multiple Initiatives being taken for Storage of Vegetables, Fruits

Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) - a sub-scheme of RKVY has been launched from 2011-12 with aim to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with an allocation of Rs. 300 crores in 16 States. As regards the production and consumption of millets during current year is concerned, it is too early to make an assessment for current year at this stage, when sowings are in progress. However, it is stated that millet grains are used as traditional food including fermented products like rabri in their areas of cultivation, value added bakery products, in Urban areas, feed for live stock including birds. National Sample Survey Organization, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2009-2010 indicates per capita consumption of coarse cereals, which includes millets, maize and barley @ 8.74 kg/ annum at National level and 10.34 kg/annum in Rural household and 4.6 kg/annum in Urban household.

Millets are largely grown under rain¬fed condition and can thrive with rain fall of 300 mm, wherein major cereals like wheat and rice cannot be grown. Therefore, millets supplement the nutritional security of both human as well as livestocks in such areas.

The cultivation of millets is also supported by the Government through other programmes like Macro¬ Management in Agriculture (MMA), which provides support for organizing demonstrations of improved package of practices, supply of certified seeds, seed minikits and supply of micro nutrients, gypsum and farmers training for production and productivity improvement of coarse cereals including millets.

Millets are the hardy crops against the disease/pests and also grown as trap crops in Oilseed and Pulses for control of disease and pest management. Therefore, they require lesser support for chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. The operational guidelines of INSIMP provides flexibility to the States, to modify the contents of the input kits as per local situations in consultation with their State Agriculture Universities/lCAR institutions.

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

MP: CP: fruits (21.8.2012)
(Release ID :86400)