Context
The annual retail inflation for pulses was 16.84% and the imports hit a seven-year high in April, 2024.
Production of Pulses in India
- India is the biggest manufacturer (25% of global manufacturing), client (27% of global intake) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
- Pulses account for around 20 percent of the area underneath meals grains and make contributions around 7-10 percent of the total foodgrains production within the country.
- Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total production.
- Gram is the maximum dominant pulse having a proportion of around 40 percent inside the overall production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 percent and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong at around 8-10 percent each.
- The regions with excessive productivity are Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal delta region, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal and jap Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra.
Surge in imports of Pulses
- India’s pulses imports have been worth $3.75 billion in 2023-24 (April-March), the most for the reason that account for $3.90 billion and $4.24 billion of 2015-16 and 2016-17.
- In amount phrases, import of foremost pulses totaled 4.54 mt in 2023-24, up from 2.37 mt and 2.52 mt within the previous fiscals, even though lower than the all time-highs of 5.58 mt, 6.36 mt and 5.41 mt in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively.
- Domestic manufacturing: There is a decline in domestic pulses manufacturing from 27.30 million tonnes (mt) in 2021-22 and 26.06 mt in 2022-23 to 23.44 mt in 2023-24, as according to the Agriculture Ministry’s estimates.
Reasons for Low Production in India
- Low Productivity: Pulses have historically been an overlooked crop due to the instability of its yields.
- Climate Variability: Pulses are frequently grown in rainfed areas in which they are noticeably vulnerable to climate variability, like erratic rainfall, droughts and so on. Which results in yield fluctuations and decreased manufacturing.
- The El Niño-prompted patchy monsoon and winter rain, is causing a decline in domestic pulses manufacturing in 2023-24
- Residual Crop: Pulses in India are taken into consideration as a residual crop and grown underneath rain-fed conditions in marginal/less fertile lands, with little or no recognition on pest and nutrient management.
- Preference for Cash Crops: Farmers may additionally decide on cultivating coins plants such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane over pulses because of assured procurement, higher marketplace charges, and perceived decrease manufacturing dangers.
- Post Harvest Losses: There are publish-harvest losses in the course of storage, because of excessive moisture and attack by saved grain pests especially the pulse beetle
- With the appearance of the Green Revolution, which promoted rice and wheat, pulses were driven to the marginal lands. This resulted in decline in productivity and land degradation.
- Penetration and adoption of excessive yielding sorts (HYV) seeds also are low.
Measures taken by government to boom manufacturing
- PM-AASHA: To make certain remunerative prices to farmers, Government implements an umbrella scheme PM-AASHA comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) which will make certain Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra.
- The Integrated scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) was released in 14 most important pulses growing states.
- National Food Security Mission: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is imposing the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses with the objectives of growing production through growth and productivity enhancement in all of the districts.
- Research and Development: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is challenging basic and strategic studies in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing area-specific high yielding varieties of Pulses.
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna: It was launched under which states can undertake Pulses Development Programmes.
Way Ahead
- Pulses provide a range of social, financial, and environmental services, making them precious components of sustainable agriculture.
- Also regular efforts are being made to acquire self-sufficiency in pulses by way of 2027.
- Further improving farmer cognizance and capability-constructing initiatives can assist enhance productivity and production levels in the pulses area.
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Mention the advantage of pulse production and constrained India facing increasingu pulse production. (250 Words)
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