Centre identifies 2 mn hectares for mega pulses boost

The Centre is working on an ambitious plan to grow pulses on two million hectares of unused, fertile land across the country, two people aware of the matter said, as falling production and rising imports drive up food prices.

- Dhirendra Kumar

Farmers will be encouraged to grow tur (arhar), urad and masur varieties that are imported in large quantities from countries such as Mozambique, Myanmar, Canada and Australia, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. The scheme involves the ministries of consumer affairs and agriculture, and the department of land resources.