India on track to become self-sufficient in pulses production: Agriculture Minister

 India, world's largest consumer and importer of pulses, is on track to become self-sufficient in production of protein-rich commodity and will furr boost output to meet global demand, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Monday.

He mentioned that government has taken many measures including a hike in minimum support price and procurement of pulses to support farmers.

country h produced 23.40 million tonnes of pulses during 2018-19 crop year (July-June), still short of annual domestic demand of 26-27 million tonnes. gap is met through imports.

However, for current year, government is targeting pulses output of 26.30 million tonnes.

Speaking at an event on occasion of World Pulses Day, Tomar said, "pulses are becoming necessary t only in India but also in or countries. We faced a huge short of pulses earlier but w situation has improved."

Research and development (R&D) at government's research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and appropriate policy intervention has helped achieve a substantial increase in pulses output in last few years, he said.

Stating that India is almost on path to becoming self-sufficient in pulses, Tomar said: "As of w, maximum of domestic requirement is being met in India Itself. We will furr boost pulses production and will also help in meeting global demand."

Minister also launched an organic range of pulses at day-long event, organized by cooperative Nafed and Dubai-based n-profit body Global Pulses Confederation (GPC).

As more people are becoming vegan across world, Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said, India has opportunity to meet future demand but country needs to take measures to improve yield level of pulses which at present are lower than pre-Green Revolution days of 1965.

He emphasized on need to strengn R&D for improving productivity, reorientation of tre policies, increase in private investment and identifying suitability of pulses in different crop sequences.

Global Pulses Confederation (GPC) President Cindy Brown said climate change poses a challenge and India needs to continue to grow more as protein-rich commodity is still t on diet list of many people in country.

Nafed ditional Managing Director S K Singh said India can meet pulses requirement of neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Banglesh from its surplus produce.

Im Credit-PTI