Question : PRODUCTION OF PULSES

(a) whether cultivation and production of pulses have remained the same all through this decade, thus leading to shortfall in the indigenous supply of pulses;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to increase the cultivation and production of pulses in the country;

(d) whether export of pulses would be banned in view of the shortfall in the country; and

(e) the quantum of pulses imported by India and the countries from which they are imported?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.188 DUE FOR REPLY ON 12TH MARCH, 2007.

(a) & (b): The position of area and production of total pulses from 1996-97 to 2006-07 is given below:

Year	Area	Production	(Million Hectares)	(Million Tonnes)
1996-97	22.45	14.24	1997-98	22.87	12.98	1998-99	23.50	14.91	1999-00	21.12	13.42	2000-01	20.35	11.08	2001-02	22.01	13.37	2002-03	20.50	11.13	2003-04	23.46	14.91	2004-05	22.76	13.13	2005-06	22.36	13.36	2006-07#	22.31	14.52
#	=	2nd advance estimates released on 05.02.2007

It may be observed that the area under cultivation of pulses fluctuated between 20.4 to 23.5 million hectares and the production of pulses between 11.1. million tonnes to 14.9 million tonnes during the last decade.

(c): A Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize is under implementation with effect from 01.04.2004 for increasing production and productivity of pulses in 14 States of the Country. Under the scheme financial assistance is provided for purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation seeds, distribution of seed minikits, infrastructure development, block demonstrations on improved technology, integrated pest management, weedicides, sprinkler sets, farmers training for increasing production and productivity of pulses.

(d): The Government has banned export of pulses in June 2006 in view of the overall shortfall in the country. However, recently, the export of kabuli chana has been permitted.

(e): The quantity of pulses imported by the country during the last six years is given in the following table:

Year	Quantity Imported (`000 Tonnes)
2000-01	349.84	2001-02	2217.82	2002-03	1992.29	2003-04	1723.33	2004-05	1339.45	2005-06	1608.24

The import of pulses is mainly from Australia, China, USA, Canada, Myanmar, Pakistan, Iran, France, Tanzania and Ukraine.

Question : PRODUCTION OF PULSES

Answer given by the minister

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