Lok Sabha Question No. 703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Production of Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 703

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## PRODUCTION OF PULSES

703. SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  production  of  most  of  the  crops  has  increased  in  the  post  Green Revolution  Period  but  the  production  and  acreage  of  pulses  has  remained  almost  stagnant and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there has been no major breakthrough in the production of pulses and their certified seeds are not available in adequate quantity;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the per capita net availability of pulses?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a): The Production of major field crops like rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, cotton, jute, sugarcane and oilseeds has increased during post green revolution period.  The area under production of pulses has also increased from 22.72 million hectare in 1965-66 to 25.26 million hectare in 2015-16 (4 th Advance Estimates) and production of pulses has increased from 9.94 million tonnes to 16.47 million tonnes during the same period.  The production of major crops is as below:

| Crops            |   1965-66 Production (mt) |   Production (mt.) |
|------------------|---------------------------|--------------------|
| Rice             |                     30.59 |             104.32 |
| Wheat            |                     10.4  |              93.5  |
| Pulses           |                      9.94 |              16.47 |
| Coarse cereals   |                     21.42 |              37.94 |
| Cotton**         |                      4.85 |              30.15 |
| Jute & Mesta***  |                      5.78 |              10.46 |
| Sugarcane        |                    123.99 |             352.16 |
| Oilseeds         |                      6.4  |              25.3  |
| Total foodgrains |                     72.35 |             252.23 |

(b) & (c): The  Government  of  India  has  launched  National  Food  Security  Mission (NFSM)  in  2007-08.    The  pulses  production  has  increased  from  14.20  million  tonnes  in 2006-07 to a record 19.25 million tonnes during 2013-14.  However, due to adverse climatic conditions  in  many  pulses  growing  states,  pulses  production  has  been  declined  to  16.47 million tonnes during 2015-16 (As per 4 th Advance Estimates).

To achieve higher Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) in pulses, Government of India has taken up several steps to  augment supply of certified seeds of pulses under NFSM.  The Government  of  India  has  taken  several  steps  to  increase  availability  of  quality  seeds  as under:

- (i) Support on production & distribution of certified seeds of pulses.
- (ii) Setting  up  of  seeds  hubs  in  major  pulses  growing  states  for  production  of quality seeds of pulses.
- (iii) Targeting rice fallow area in eastern states for pulses production.
- (iv) Enhancement of production of breeder seeds of pulses through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
- (v) Dissemination  of  latest  crop  production  technologies  by  Cluster  Frontline Demonstration of pulses through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

(d): To  bridge  the  gap  in  demand  and  supply  of  pulses,  Government  of  India  imports pulses.

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