Department
of Agriculture and Cooperation under the
Ministry of Agriculture is the nodal organisation responsible for development
of the agriculture sector. It is responsible for formulation and implementation
of national policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid agricultural
growth through optimum utilization of land, water, soil and plant resources
of the country.
It undertakes all possible measures to ensure timely and
adequate supply of inputs and services such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides,
agricultural implements and also provides agricultural credit, crop insurance
and ensures remunerative returns to the farmer for their agricultural
produce.
It is also entrusted with the responsibility of collection
and maintenance of a wide range of statistical and economic data relating
to agriculture, required for development planning, organising agricultural
census, assisting and advising the States in undertaking scarcity relief
measures and in management of natural calamities e.g. flood, drought,
cyclone, etc. It also participates in activities of international organizations,
for fostering bilateral cooperation in agricultural and allied sectors
and for promotion of export in agricultural commodities.
The Department is organised into 24 divisions and a 'Technology
Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize'. It has 4 attached offices; 21
subordinate offices; 2 public sector undertakings; 7 autonomous bodies;
and 11 national-level cooperative organisations under its administrative
control. In addition, two authorities, namely, the 'Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority' and the 'National Rain-fed Area
Authority' have been set up. Besides, the Department essentially supplements
and complements the efforts being made by the state governments to promote
agricultural production and productivity. Some of the more important functions
discharged by it are :
- endeavouring adequate and timely supply of inputs and
services such as agricultural credit, fertilisers, pesticides, seeds
and implements to the farmers;
- administering the 'Crop Insurance Scheme' to provide
relief to the farmers in the event of crop failure;
- laying down Minimum Support Prices (MSP's) for certain
key agricultural commodities to ensure food security in India and remunerative
prices for farmers;
- assisting States in management of drought and to undertake
scarcity relief measures;
- endeavouring to bring about the integrated development
of marketing of agricultural produce to safeguard the economic interests
of the farming community;
- assisting the State Governments to improve agricultural
extension services by adopting new institutional arrangements through
the involvement of NGOs, farmers’ organisations and agricultural
universities;
- promoting plant protection measures through the dissemination
of appropriate information and technology;
- working towards promoting measures for production of
quality seeds and distribution of improved plant varieties;
- developing suitable strategies for rain-fed farming
through, inter alia, people’s participation for holistic and integrated
development of potential watershed and the promotion of a farming system
approach for augmenting income and the nutritional level of farming
communities; and
- strengthening the cooperative movement through appropriate
policy measures and also through organisations like the 'National Cooperative
Development Cooperation (NCDC)', 'National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED)'
and the 'National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI)'.
Ministry
of Food Processing Industry is the main central agency of the
Government responsible for developing a strong and vibrant food processing
sector. It has been set up with a view to create increased job opportunities
in rural areas, enable the farmers to reap benefit from modern technology,
create surplus for exports and stimulate demand for processed food.
The Ministry acts as a catalyst and facilitator for
attracting domestic & foreign investments towards developing large
integrated processing capacities , by creating conducive policy environment,
including rationalization of taxes & duties. It processes applications
for foreign collaborations, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), etc. and assists/guides
prospective entrepreneur in his endeavour.
The subjects looked after by the Ministry are :
- Fruits and vegetable processing industry;
- Foodgrain milling industry;
- Dairy products;
- Processing of poultry and eggs, meat and meat products;
- Fish processing;
- Bread, oilseeds, meals (edible), breakfast foods, biscuits,
confectionery(including cocoa processing and chocolate), malt extract,
pr0-tein isolate,high protein food, weaning food;
- Alcoholic drinks from non-molasses base;
- Aerated waters / soft drinks and other processed foods;
- Specialized packaging for food processing industries;
as well as
- Technical assistance and advice to food processing industry.
