food grains to meet the rising demand, besides controlling high food prices. Delivering the foundation day lecture of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, ICAR here , Dr Singh said, the total demand for food grains is projected to touch 280 million tonnes by 2020-21. He said, to meet this requirement, the food grains output needs to grow by 2 per cent annually.
He said the inclusive development strategies that the government is following will increase the income of the poorer section of the society thereby raising the demand for not only foodgrains but also fruits, vegetables and animal produce.
Earlier, the Prime Minister gave away Krishi Karman awards to five states Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam and Odisha for performance in achieving record foodgrain production.
Speaking on the occasion the Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar said, foodgrain production has reached a record 241 million tonnes in 2010-11. He stressed the need for technological breakthrough and innovative agriculture development programmes to maintain the current momentum in agricultural production.
Speaking to media Pawar said, the government has decided to lift the over four-year-old ban on wheat exports. He said, the government has not announced the quantity of wheat allowed for exports as global prices are very low.