With production of pulses and oilseeds having drastically declined across the globe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the initiative to launch dedicated programmes promoting sowing of these two items. Two schemes assisted by the Centre are expected to be launched in a joint conference of Agriculture ministers across the nation scheduled on November 24 and 25 in Delhi.
According to minister for agriculture Eknath Khadse, only 30 per cent countries across the globe produce pulses and oilseeds, whereas each and every country consumes them. “During the past five to six years, due to natural calamities and other reasons, the production of pulses has come down in a serious manner. According to demand and supply rule, the shortage of production has affected the price and it has suddenly shot up during the festive season,” said Mr Khadse.
He claimed that in the coming ten years, the position will be worse in terms of production of tur and other pulses, including oilseeds. “Hence, there is need to prepare for a longterm solution, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken this initiative,” said Mr Khadse. Despite the winter session of Parliament, which will be underway, the Prime Minister has permitted Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan to hold a meeting of agriculture ministers of all states on November 24 and 25 in the national capital, said Mr Khadse.
The Union government plans to introduce the “Pulses Development Programme” and the “Oilseed Development Programme” which will probably be approved and announced in the Delhi meeting. It will be a Centre-state programme and the Centre and states will share subsidy to promote production of oilseeds and pulses across the country. Another issue that will be on the agenda is finalisation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Tur Dal.
Mr Khadse said, “MSP of tur dal has not increased during the past four years. As of now, the MSP is '42/kg. It should be increased up to a certain limit so that both farmers and customers will benefit.” He added that he did not mean MSP will double but whatever the increase, people should know about it. It will also stop hoarding and huge rise in prices of pulses by traders.
Meanwhile, Rahuri (Ahmednagar)-based Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Agriculture University has developed seeds of pulses which can give produce all 12 months. Dr Panjabrao Agriculture University (Akola) and Vasantrao Naik Agriculture University (Parbhani) are also conducting research on pulses, the agriculture minister said.
