The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today said the country has achieved a record foodgrain production of 241 million tonnes in 2010-11 crop year but stressed on ushering in a second Green Revolution to meet the mounting domestic demand for foodgrain.

“Production of major crops has been at record levels in the year just over. An estimated total production of 241 million tonnes in 2010-11 was achieved because of record production of wheat, maize and pulses.

Oilseeds production also set a new record,” he said, while delivering speech at an ICAR function here.

The estimated 241 mt foodgrain production is higher by 5 mt as announced by the Agriculture Ministry in its third estimate. It is also higher by 23 mt compared with the previous crop year 2009-10 (Crop year runs from July to June).

But, Dr Singh emphasised that the country needs a second green revolution to accelerate agriculture growth and achieve self-sufficiency in food.

He said the total demand for foodgrains of the country is projected to touch 281 mt by 2020-21.

“Meeting this demand will necessitate a growth rate of nearly 2 per cent a year in foodgrain production,” the Prime Minister said.

Stating that the country was spending about 0.6 per cent of its agriculture GDP on agricultural research and development at present, he said this needs to be enhanced two to three times by 2020.

“India needs a second green revolution that is broad-based, inclusive and sustainable,” Dr Singh said.

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