Increasing Production of Pulses and Oilseeds

It is good news indeed that as per the 4th Advance Estimates of 2021-22, the production in the country of pulses and oilseeds is 27.69 million tonnes and 37.69 million tonnes respectively. The production of pulses increased from 23.03 million tonnes to 27.69 million tonnes and oilseeds increased from 33.21 million tonnes to 37.69 million tonnes during 2021-22 compared to 2019-20.

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses programme is being implemented in 28 states and 2 Union Territories (i.e, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) and NFSM-Oil seeds in 25 states and 3 Union Territories (i.e, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry) of the country.

According to the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, assistance is being provided to the farmers through state governments on latest crop production technologies, distribution & production of new varieties of pulses & oilseeds, integrated nutrient and pest management techniques, farm implements, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings etc.

Further, seed mini kits of high yielding varieties of pulses and oilseeds are provided free of cost to the farmers. Under NFSM-oilseeds, assistance is also given on the purchase of breeder seed and production of foundation seeds.

Self Sufficiency in Production of Oilseeds and Pulses

The self-sufficiency can be measured by the large export of Agricultural Commodities from India viz., rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, spices, fruits, marine products and buffalo meat etc after meeting domestic requirements.

In order to enhance production and productivity of Oilseeds and Pulses, the NFSM programme is playing an important role. Incentives are also given to the farmers for cluster demonstrations, seed distribution & production of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), farm machineries/tools, efficient water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, nutrient management, soil ameliorants and trainings to the farmers.

Further, in order to enhance production of pulses, initiatives viz., Support for breeder seed production, creation of 150 Seed Hubs for Certified seed production at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)/State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Distribution of seed minikits of pulses for the varieties notified within 10 years free of the cost to the farmers, conducting of cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) on improved latest package of practices through ICAR/KVKs/SAUs, support to Central Seed Agencies to produce certified seed of pulses latest varieties notified within 5 years, Special Action Plan for increasing pulses productivity, Targeting Rice fallow Area (TRFA) programme in 11 states across the country etc are being undertaken.

For oilseeds production, NFSM – Oilseeds programme provides support to the states and implementing agencies for seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation/certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, supply of seed minikits, creation of seed hubs; production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipments, PP chemicals, nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV)/bio agent, gypsum/pyrites/lime etc., bio-fertilizers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water carrying pipes, seed storage bins, seed treating drum and transfer of technology component covering cluster/block demonstrations, 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, officers/extension workers, need based Research and Development projects, seminar/kisan mela etc.

Besides, the Oil palm development programme under NFSM is being implemented in 12 states of the country. The assistance is given to the States for area expansion, planting material, maintenance of plantation, on cultivation systems, machinery/tools, demonstrations, training to the farmers, setting up of oil palm processing units etc.

In addition to above, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing various schemes viz., Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Formation of Farmers Producer Organization (FPOs), National Project on Soil Health and Fertility etc for promotion of Oilseeds and Pulses.

The adoption of the above technologies by the farmers through these schemes has led to increase in production of oilseeds and pulses.