New Delhi: India witnessed total pulse production of 2.31 crore tonnes in 2016-17 which shows growth of 41% over the previous year’s production of 1.63 crore tonnes. Pulses production in Gujarat and India were 5.74 lakh tonnes and 1.72 crore tonnes respectively in 2014-15. In Gujarat, pulses production witnessed around 50% growth at 8.18 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 over production of 5.43 lakh tonnes in 2015-16. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided this information on March 23, 2018 in Rajya Sabha while replying a question raised by Member of Parliament Shri Parimal Nathwani.

According to the statement of the minister, on account of deficit/deficient rainfall during monsoon season, unseasonal rains/hailstorms and adverse temperature conditions, etc production of pulses during 2014-15 and 2015-16 declined to 1.72 crore tonnes and 1.63 crore tonnes respectively as compared to their previous record production of 1.93 crore tonnes in 2013-14. However, due to normal monsoon in 2016 and various measures taken by the Government, production of pulses increased to 2.31 crore tonnes during 2016-17 in the country, said the statement.

The minister said that in order to increase the production of pulses, Government of India has been implementing various Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMSKY), Soil Health Card, etc.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know about impact of drought on the production of pulses and steps taken by the government to increase the production of pulses along with allocation made for increasing pulses production during the financial year 2018-19.

The minister said that additional areas coverage of pulses during Rabi/Summer is a programme under NFSM-Pulses. The interventions covered under Additional Area Coverage of Pulses include demonstrations on improved technologies, distribution of certified seeds, effective water application tools, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), he said.

He also said that Minimum Support Price (MSPs) of pulses have been increased over the years to encourage farmers to grow more pulses ensuring remunerative prices. Rs1700 crore has been earmarked for implementation of National Food Security Mission during 2018-19, which includes the component of NFSM-Pulses, the minister stated.

DeshGujarat