Question : PRODUCTION OF PULSES

(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has forwarded any scheme to the Government for increasing the production of pulses in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has started implementing the scheme; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the areas where the scheme is being implemented?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. In addition to the research programmes at Indian Institute of Pulses Research Kanpur and All India Coordinated Research Project Programme in different states, three contract research projects on pulses namely “Enhancing yield and stability of pigeonpea through heterosis breeding”, “Model seep project” and “Improving heat tolerance in chickpea” are being funded by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. These projects are already being implemented. During Tenth Five Year Plan, the Integrated scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil palm and Maize (ISOPOM) is also being implemented in fourteen states in different agro ecologies.