Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

14-December-2012 15:52 IST

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has taken several measures to strengthen the basic research in pulses to generate information for its utilization by All India Coordinated Research Projects on Pulses to develop location specific varieties and technology and 124 high yielding, short duration varieties of pulses suitable for varied agro ecologies have been developed during last 5 years. Besides, to increase the production and productivity of pulses in the country, the Government of India is implementing several Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses), Special Plan to achieve more than 19 million tones of pulse production during 2012-13, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA), Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) etc.

As per a study by Tata Strategic Management Group, the practices like existence of strong Pulses Grower Associations; more attention on pest and nutrient management; focused approach on development of new markets; easy access to credit for farmers and more investment in research and development are helpful in achieving higher yield of pulses.

This information was given by Shri Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

DS: CP: development (14.12.2012)

Agricultural development schemes promote pulse yield through research backed varietal development, targeted programmes, and farmer support measures. The Government pursues integrated Crop Development Schemes to increase pulse production by leveraging ICAR research-which produced numerous high yielding, short duration varieties-to support implementation through NFSM Pulses, RKVY, MMA, A3P and related programmes, complemented by measures addressing grower organisations, pest and nutrient management, market development, farmer credit access, and research investment.