Lok Sabha Question No. 2661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Adequate Production of Pulses and Oilseeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, Santosh Kumar, Dinesh Chandra Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2661

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## ADEQUATE PRODUCTION OF PULSES AND OILSEEDS

2661.  SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH: SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR: SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  despite  having  several  incentive  schemes,  the country has not become self-reliant in the production of pulses and oilseeds so far;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  additional  steps  to  promote  adequate production of pulses and oilseeds; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (d): Government  of  India  is  supplementing  the  efforts  of  state  governments  to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds in the country. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 28 States & 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with the objective to increase foodgrain production including pulses. Under NFSM-Pulses, the incentives are provided to the farmers,  through  the  States/UTs,  on crop  production  and  protection  technologies,  cropping system based demonstrations, production & 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, distribution of seed minikits etc.

National  Agricultural  Research  System (NARS) under the  aegis of Indian  Council of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  developed  the  region  specific,  high  yielding  and  climate resilient varieties of different crops including pulses. Since 2014, total of 369 varieties of 14 pulse crops have been released and notified in the country including 24 varieties of seven pulse crops viz., chickpea (6), fieldpea (6), pigeonpea (5), fababean (3), mungbean(2), urdbean (1) and lentil (1) for Bihar upto September, 2023.

While  the  production  of  oilseeds  is  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  domestic  demand  of vegetable oils, however, the increased production of pulses has narrowed down the import of pulses to around 9-10% per cent of the domestic production. Further, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme,  National  Food  Security  Mission-  Oilseeds  &  Oil  palm  (NFSM-OS&OP)  is  being implemented through the Department of Agriculture/Horticulture in 29 States/UTs in the country to augment the availability of vegetable oils and to reduce the import of edible oils by increasing the  production  and  productivity  of  oilseeds  (Groundnut,  Soybean,  Rapeseed  &  Mustard, Sunflower, Safflower, Sesame, Niger, Linseed and Castor) and area expansion of Oil Palm & Tree Borne Oilseeds (Olive, Mahua, Kokum, Wild Apricot, Neem, Jojoba, Karanja, Simaroba, Tung, Cheura and Jatropha) in the country.

Under NFSM- OS, assistance is being provided to the farmers for cultivation of Oilseeds for three broad interventions viz., (i) seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds , production of foundation seeds, production of certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, supply of seed minikits, seed hub (ii) production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP)  equipments,  PP  chemicals,  NPV/  bio  agent,  gypsum/ pyrites/  lime  etc.,  bio-fertilizers, improved  farm  implements,  sprinkler  sets,  water  carrying  pipes,  seed  storage  bins,  seed treating drum and (iii) transfer of technology component covering cluster/ block demonstration, Field  Level  Demonstrations  and  training  through  National  Agricultural  Research  System (NARS) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Integrated Pest Management on Farmer Field School (FFS)  mode,  training  of  farmers,  training  of  officers/  extension  workers,  need  based  R&D project including seminar/ kisan mela. Besides, oil extraction unit will be covered under flexi funds.

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

The production of pulses and oilseeds has increased from 23.02 million tonnes and 33.22 million tonnes during 2019-20 to 26.05 million tonnes and 41.35 million tonnes during 2022-23 respectively.

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