Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-19
Subject: Decline in Production of Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, DHARMENDRA YADAV, NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE, Shrirang Appa Barne, RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 304 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH   JULY, 2016

## DECLINE IN PRODUCTION OF PULSES

304.   SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI NANA PATOLE:

SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) the details of the production and acreage of pulses in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
- (b) whether there has been a significant decline in the production of pulses and shortage of pulses  in  the  market  during  the  said  period  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  signed  any  agreement  for  farming  of  pulses  with  some foreign countries to meet the shortage of pulses in the country and if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to set up a separate Directorate to conduct study and oversee  the  research  and  development  on  pulses  to  enhance  the  production  of  pulses  and other agricultural produce and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  manner  in  which  the  farmers  of  the  country  are  being  provided  assistance  for increasing the production of pulses and oilseeds in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a): State-wise details of area coverage and production of pulses in the country during last three years and the current year i.e. 2012-13 to 2015-16 are at the Annexure.

(b): Depending on yearly variations in weather, rainfall situation, irrigation facilities and their inter-crop  shift  in  area due to comparative profitability of other competing crops, the

production of pulses in the country during 2012-13 to 2015-16, has been fluctuating.  Total production of the pulses in the country increased from 18.34 million tonnes in 2012-13 to 19.25 million tonnes in 2013-14. However, due to erratic/deficient rainfall in many parts of the country, the production of pulses during 2014-15 and 2015-16 declined to 17.15 million tonnes and 17.06 million tonnes respectively.  Annual production of pulses in the country has been falling short of their requirement and the gap is met through import.

(c): The Government has signed a MOU with Mozambique for import of pulses through G2G sales.  The objectives of the MoU include promoting the production of pigeon peas through active cooperation and other pulses in Mozambique and encouraging progressive increase in the quantity of pigeon peas and other pulses traded between Mozambique and India,  subject  to  the  quantities  produced  and  the  consumption  requirements  of  both countries.

(d): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has no plan to setup separate Directorate  to  conduct  study  and  over  see  the  research  and  development  on  pulses  and other agricultural produce.  However, to achieve higher productivity of all agricultural crops including  pulses,  the  (ICAR)  is  conducting  basic  and  strategic  research  relating  to  crop improvement, production and protection technologies suitable to different situations including development of location-specific varieties/hybrids and technologies.

(e): To  encourage  farmers  to  produce  more  pulses  and  oilseeds  in  the  country, Government of India has been implementing various Crop Development Schemes/Programmes  such  as  National  Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM-Pulses,  National Mission  on  Oilseeds  and  Oil  Palm  (NMOOP),  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana,  National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) etc.

Under  the  above  schemes,  assistance  is  provided  for  certified  seed,  planting material,  establishment  of  seed  gardens  of  oil  palm,  distribution  of  production  inputs, transfer of technology through block demonstrations, integrated pest management, supply of plant protection equipments/chemicals, farmers training etc.

To  incentivize  cultivation  of  pulses  and  oilseeds  in  the  country,  Government  has increased their Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 2016-17 seasons.  Besides, over and above  MSPs,  the  Government  has  also  announced  a  bonus  of  Rs.425/-  per  quintal  for Kharif Pulses, namely Arhar (Tur), Urad and Moong.  A bonus of Rs.200/- per quintal for sesamum  and  Rs.100/-  per  quintal  for  other  Kharif  oilseeds  namely,  Groundnut-in-shell, sunflower seeds, Soyabean, and Nigerseed has also been announced.

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