Fostering seeds of new varieties of Pulses under NFSNM

Pulses are one of the important food crops globally due to their higher protein content. India, with >34 million ha of pulse cultivation area, is the largest pulse-producing country in the world. It ranks first in area and production with 36 per cent and 27 per cent respectively (Avg. of 2018-19 to 2022-23). The productivity of pulses has increased by 37 per cent to reach 902 kg/ha during 2022-23 from the level of 656 kg/ha during 2015-16. Pulses are the major sources of protein in the diet. (Source: DOPD, DA&FW Annual Report 2023-24).

- DR ANUPAM BARIK, Ex-Additional Commissioner (Crops), MoA&FW, DA&FW, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi

India cultivates and consumes a wide variety of pulses, including chickpeas, lentils, pigeon peas, mung beans, and kidney beans. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are the top five pulse-producing states. Chickpeas (also known as Bengal gram or chana) and pigeon peas (tur or arhar) are among the most widely grown and consumed pulses. Due to proactive pulse programme implementation through various schemes like NFSM, ISOPOM and now NFSNM and robust strategies, monitoring mechanism of the Government of India, significant growth in area, production and productivity of pulses has been recorded in recent years.

The production of Pulses has increased at compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of 5 per cent (Tur-9 per cent, Gram-11 per cent, Mung-12 per cent, Urd-6 per cent and Lentil-4 per cent) respectively, during the last six years from 2015-16 to 2021-22 (DOPD, Bhopal). The production of pulses to the tune of 27.30 million tonne during 2021-22 is close to self-sufficiency in pulses, and the country is hopeful to mitigate the projected demand of 35 million tonne by 2030.

Total pulses production during 2023-24 was estimated at 242.46 Lakh tonne, which was lower by 9.72 lakh tonne than the last five-year average pulses production of 252.18 lakh tonne. The per capita per day availability of pulses in 2013 was 43 g (15.8 kg/annum/person) which increased to a provisional level of 45 g in the year 2021 (16.4 kg/annum/person).

Strategies of NFSNM on pulse production