India is moving towards goal of self-sufficiency in pulses production: Narendra Singh Tomar

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar yesterday said that India is moving towards the goal of self-sufficiency in pulses production. 

Addressing the World Pulses Day event in New Delhi organized by Indian Pulses Research Institute, Mr Tomar said, in the last five-six years, due to the tireless hard work of farmers, scientists and farmer-friendly policies of the central government, the country has increased its pulses production from 140 lakh tonnes to 240 lakh tonnes. 

He said, now we also have to pay attention to future requirements. Mr Tomar said, according to an estimate, by the year 2050, about 320 lakh tonnes of pulses will be required. He said, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call, the dependence on imports of pulses has reduced and the country is saving more than Rs 15,000 crore per year.

 

The Minister said that in 6 years, the MSP of pulses has been increased from 40 per cent to 73 per cent, which is definitely benefiting the farmers. He said that more work needs to be done on pulses to eradicate malnutrition and Indian Council of Agricultural Research should play the main role to ensure it. Mr Tomar said, agricultural scientists are providing many varieties to the country, which will help in increasing both production and productivity.

 

The Minister said that better species and high-quality seeds are a major component of a good crop and keeping this in mind,



150 Pulses Seed Hubs have been established. He said, the overall agriculture sector should move forward, this is the need of the country. Mr Tomar said, India should be self-sufficient in the field of oilseeds and scientists are constantly doing research in this direction.

 

Speaking about doubling farmers' income by 2022, the Minister said that the central and state governments and the ICAR and farmers are working with full diligence towards achieving this goal, which will yield results. He said, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has been implemented in a modified form so that the farmers can get safety cover and they can be free from risk. 

He informed that in 4 years, farmers paid Rs 17,000 crore as premium in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, while they were paid more than 5 times which is more than Rs 90,000 crore as the claim amount. Mr Tomar said, it has provided a big relief to the farmers.

 

On this occasion, the Minister inaugurated office and laboratory buildings at IIPR's regional centers Bhopal and Bikaner and laid the foundation stone of IIPR's regional center at Khordha in Odisha. A three-day national seminar 'On Self-reliance and Nutrition Security' is being organized, which is being attended by more than 700 scientists, researchers, policymakers, students and farmers, who will deliberate extensively on pulses and nutritional security.