New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI) Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday discussed with state government officials a strategy for increasing the foodgrain production and productivity during the forthcoming zaid season beginning March.

Agriculture crops are grown in three seasons in the country: kharif, rabi and zaid. Zaid crops, also called grishma kal, are sown between March and May, the intervening period between rabi (winter) harvest and kharif (monsoon) sowing.

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Zaid is an overlapping season. Since last four years, the government has been focusing on increasing foodgrains production during zaid as well and organising national conference to chalk out a strategy after discussion with states.

Addressing this year's virtual national conference on zaid crops, Tomar said India is in a very good position in terms of foodgrains production at present, but the country still needs to scale up the production in order to successfully fulfil the global supply demand, an official statement said.

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The conference reviewed crop-wise prospects for zaid season in consultation with state governments, ensure supply of critical inputs and facilitate adoption of innovative technologies with a view to enhance production and productivity of the summer crops.

Agriculture secretary Manoj Ahuja shared that area under zaid crops is increasing in last few years. The acreage rose to 76.41 lakh hectare in 2021-22 from 72.69 lakh hectare in the previous year.

He asked states to look at climate change, high temperature induced reduction in wheat yield and develop value chain in addition to productivity issues.

Fertiliser secretary Arun Singhal shared various steps taken by the government to ensure timely supply of fertilizers.

A pilot study in one district of each state is under way to decide fertilizer requirement based on soil health card recommendation and the subsidy will be given only for recommended amount, he said, adding that additional fertilizer will be given on full cost to stop diversion of subsidised fertilizers to other uses.

He stressed on using nano-fertilizers and organic manures to reduce import dependency.

ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak highlighted the need for adopting climate resilient practices.

The country has 90 lakh hectares under zaid crops.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)