Seasonal availability of agricultural residues india
Answers
Explanation:
India accounts for about 2.4 % of the world’s geographical area and 4.2% of
its water resources, but supports about 17.6% of its population which highlights the
fact that our natural resources are under considerable strain. The need for providing
foodgrains for a growing population, while sustaining the natural resource base, has
emerged as one of our main challenges. Foodgrain are a major source of energy and
are thus vital for food and nutritional security. As such, food grains would continue to
be the main pillar of food security and out of various crops grown, rice, wheat, and
pulses are still part of the staple diet of most of the rural population.
1.2 As per available estimates {Directorate of Economics & Statistics, MOA, DAC,
New Delhi (final estimate-2012-13)}, India produced about 93.51 million tons (Mt) of
wheat, 105.24 Mt of rice, 22.26 Mt of maize, 16.03 Mt of millets (jowar, bajra, ragi
and small millet), 341.20 Mt of sugarcane, 7.79 Mt of fiber crops (jute, mesta, cotton),
18.34 Mt of pulses and 30.94 Mt of oilseed crops. Out of various crops grown, rice,
wheat and sugarcane are prone to crop residue burning. These crops are preferred by
farmers since they provide higher economic return, as compared to other crops.
State-wise details of crop residue generated, residue surplus and crop residue burned
are given in Annexure-