Reduce import dependence on agri-commodities: PM

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA Modion Saturday urged farmers to reduce their dependency on global markets and work towards achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, similar to the progress made in riceandwheat.

- SANDIP DAS

“India must aim to reduce imports and increase exports without falling behind,’ Modi said while launching agriculture and allied sector projects worth %42,000 crore.

“The country imports a large quantity of pulses from other countries. With an allocation of over 11,000 crore, this mission will greatly help farmers,’ he added, after launching the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana and the Pulses Atmanirbharta Mission.

Under the pulses mission, the government has set a target to boost pulses production by 40%, reaching 35 million tonne (MT) by the 2030-31 crop year, up from the current 24.2 MT. This increase is expected to be achieved through expansion of cultivation area and enhanced productivity under a mission-mode approach.