The Union Minister of Agriculture highlighted strategies to boost pulses production in India. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses was emphasized, operating in 28 states and 2 Union Territories. The initiative includes various interventions such as cluster demonstrations, seed distribution, efficient water application tools, and more. Additionally, 150 Seed Hubs for Pulses have contributed to quality seed availability. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) focuses on research and variety development, recognizing 343 high-yielding pulse varieties since 2014. The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme aids farmers through procurement and compensation measures.
Prelims pointer
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses: Led by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, this initiative aims to enhance pulses production across India through interventions like seed distribution, water application tools, and demonstrations.
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): ICAR plays a pivotal role in improving pulse crop productivity through research and development, focusing on high-yielding varieties and strategic research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities.
- Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme: Launched in 2018, this scheme has three components—Price Support Scheme (PSS) for procurement, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) for compensating price differences, and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) to involve the private sector in procurement.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): A government-supported price at which crops are purchased from farmers to ensure their income security.
- Seed Hubs for Pulses: Established to increase the availability of quality pulse seeds, these hubs have collectively produced substantial quantities of pulse seeds, contributing to enhanced production.
