Government's Multi-Pronged Strategy Yields Higher Pulses, Oilseeds Production

Total production of pulses and oilseeds has increased by 43 per cent and 44 per cent respectively during the last ten years -2014-15 to 2023-24 as per 3rd Advance Estimates. An official release said the Government of India implements the National Food Security Mission to promote the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

Under NFSM-Pulses, incentives are provided to farmers, through the States/Union Territories, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system-based demonstrations, production and distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season etc.

Initiatives like distribution of seed mini-kits of newer varieties of pulses, production of quality seed, creation of seed hubs at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), technological demonstration by KVKs have also been included under NFSM for enhancing pulses production and productivity, the release said, quoting Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Ramnath Thakur.

Under NFSM-Oilseeds, incentives are provided to the farmers for cultivation of oilseeds for three broad interventions-

1. Seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation seeds & certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seed mini-kits and seed hub,

2. Production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipment & seed treating drum, PP chemicals, distribution of gypsum/pyrites/lime etc., Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus/bio agent, supply of bio-fertilisers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water-carrying pipes, and

3. Transfer of technology component covering cluster/block demonstration, Frontline Demonstrations, Cluster Frontline Demonstrations and training through National Agricultural Research System and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Integrated Pest Management through Farmer Field School (FFS) mode, training of farmers, training of officers/extension workers, need based R&D project including seminar/kisan mela and oil extraction unit under flexi funds.

The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state-specific needs/priorities under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The states can promote pulses/oilseeds under RKVY with approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by the Chief Secretary of the State.

In order to increase the productivity potential of pulses and oilseeds in the country, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) undertakes basic and strategic research on these crops and applied research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing location-specific high-yielding varieties and matching production packages.

Besides, to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, Government of India implements an umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) comprising the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra.

In case of tur, masoor and urad, the procurement limit of 25% of the actual production of the commodity has been lifted for the year 2023-24 and 2024-25 under PSS to incentivise the farmers for enhancement of domestic production.