GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 374

ANSWERED ON:27.07.2010

AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR SOWING PULSES

(a)whether this kharif season is likely to cover more agricultural area for sowing of pulses as compared to last year;

(b)if so, the details thereof;

(c)whether this has curtailed the sowing area for cultivation of other crops;

(d)if so, the details of the crops most affected indicating their area;

(e)whether the quantum of pulses so produced by additional sowing area will be sufficient to meet the requirement of the country for 2010-11;

(f)if so, the details thereof; and

(g)if not, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER'

 MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (d):Yes, Madam. An area of 57.227 lakh ha has been covered by Kharif pulses so far which is 6.68 lakh ha more than that of the corresponding period in Kharif 2009. As per the sowing position on 22-7-2010, the areas sown under Jowar and Maize have shown a decreasing trend compared to same period of previous year .However, it is too early to assess the actual coverage since the sowing is still in progress.

(e) to (g):The target for total pulses production during 2010-11 is 16.5 million tonnes. Increase in area under pulses would favour the pulses production positively. However, it is too early to predict the production of pulses in Kharif as the crop is still at sowing stage. Production and productivity of pulses in the country is promoted through crop development schemes such as National Food Security Mission- Pulses, ICDP, RKVY; new initiatives of 60,000 pulses & oilseed villages; and bringing in Green Revolution to Eastern India. National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been strengthened recently with enhanced scope for more intensive promotion of pulses crops.

Pulses components of Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM) have been merged in the mission and all the districts in the ISOPOM/NFSM States are now covered under NFSM - Pulses. In addition, 15 districts of Jharkhand and 10 districts of Assam have also been included under NFSM - Pulses based on their potential for pulses development. In addition to the above mentioned enhancement of scope, a new initiative - Accelerated Pulses Production Programme- has been launched as part of NFSM - Pulses from 2010-11, under which 1 million hectare of potential pulses areas for the major pulse crops-tur, urad, moong, gram and lentil- has been taken up for large scale demonstration of technology in compact blocks.