Question : Decline in Production of Pulses

(a) the details of the production and acreage of pulses in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) whether there has been a significant decline in the production of pulses and shortage of pulses in the market during the said period and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has signed any agreement for farming of pulses with some foreign countries to meet the shortage of pulses in the country and if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard;

(d) whether the Government proposes to set up a separate Directorate to conduct study and oversee the research and development on pulses to enhance the production of pulses and other agricultural produce and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the manner in which the farmers of the country are being provided assistance for increasing the production of pulses and oilseeds in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): State-wise details of area coverage and production of pulses in the country during last three years and the current year i.e. 2012-13 to 2015-16 are at the Annexure.

(b): Depending on yearly variations in weather, rainfall situation, irrigation facilities and their inter-crop shift in area due to comparative profitability of other competing crops, the
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production of pulses in the country during 2012-13 to 2015-16, has been fluctuating. Total production of the pulses in the country increased from 18.34 million tonnes in 2012-13 to 19.25 million tonnes in 2013-14. However, due to erratic/deficient rainfall in many parts of the country, the production of pulses during 2014-15 and 2015-16 declined to 17.15 million tonnes and 17.06 million tonnes respectively. Annual production of pulses in the country has been falling short of their requirement and the gap is met through import.

(c): The Government has signed a MOU with Mozambique for import of pulses through G2G sales. The objectives of the MoU include promoting the production of pigeon peas through active cooperation and other pulses in Mozambique and encouraging progressive increase in the quantity of pigeon peas and other pulses traded between Mozambique and India, subject to the quantities produced and the consumption requirements of both countries.

(d): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has no plan to setup separate Directorate to conduct study and over see the research and development on pulses and other agricultural produce. However, to achieve higher productivity of all agricultural crops including pulses, the (ICAR) is conducting basic and strategic research relating to crop improvement, production and protection technologies suitable to different situations including development of location-specific varieties/hybrids and technologies.

(e): To encourage farmers to produce more pulses and oilseeds in the country, Government of India has been implementing various Crop Development Schemes/Programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses, National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.

Under the above schemes, assistance is provided for certified seed, planting material, establishment of seed gardens of oil palm, distribution of production inputs, transfer of technology through block demonstrations, integrated pest management, supply of plant protection equipments/chemicals, farmers training etc.

To incentivize cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in the country, Government has increased their Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 2016-17 seasons. Besides, over and above MSPs, the Government has also announced a bonus of Rs.425/- per quintal for Kharif Pulses, namely Arhar (Tur), Urad and Moong. A bonus of Rs.200/- per quintal for sesamum and Rs.100/- per quintal for other Kharif oilseeds namely, Groundnut-in-shell, sunflower seeds, Soyabean, and Nigerseed has also been announced.