Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Pulses and Creation of Seed Hub

An amount of Rs 1,720 crore (Government of India share) has been earmarked for National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for 2017-18, out of which an amount of Rs 834.71 crore has been allocated, so far, for NFSM-Pulses to States for increasing the production of pulses in the country. An amount of Rs 169.28 crores has been released so far to States for implementation of the pulses programme.

In order to create awareness among the farming community with regard to the cultivation of pulses, Government of India has been taking steps like the organization of cluster/cropping system based demonstrations on latest crop production technology, cropping system based training, etc. through State Governments and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Besides, seed production of pulses through seed-hubs has also been taken up by ICAR Institutes/ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)/ State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).

A two-day Group Meeting on Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Pulses and Creation of Seed Hub Projects (22nd-23rd March, 2018) for Nodal Officers of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Rajasthan and Haryana under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been organised at ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Dr S.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur in his inaugural address briefed about the implementation of Cluster Frontline Demonstration laid out by the KVKs at farmers’ field. India is the largest producer, consumer and up to last year importer of the pulses in the world.

But in year 2016-17 pulses production of 22.95 million tonnes recorded and now India is self-sufficient on pulses. He also mentioned the importance of the Seed hub project and highlighted about genesis of Pulses Seed Hub Project. Out of 100 seed hubs across India, 10 seed hubs are being implemented by 10 KVKs under ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur for seed procurement (8 in Rajasthan and 2 in Haryana) and with a target of 1000 quintals allotted to each KVK.

Dr J S Chauhan, Former-ADG (Seeds) presented the technologies for increasing the production of Pulses. He presented the norms, rules and procedure for quality seed production in pulses. He also briefed upon different technological options relevant to various Farming System(s) of Rajasthan & Haryana States.

Dr. M. S. Meena, Principal Investigator of the NFSM, ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur presented the methodology of impact assessment of different technologies by implementing KVKs so that the recommendations for research, policy makers and development departments could be considered for future implementations.

Nodal officers of 36 KVKs from Rajasthan and Haryana states participated in this Group Meeting. Experts from ICAR institutes will deliver interactive lectures on improved technologies and production practices in pulses.