Why does pulses production need to be given a boost of better incentives?

As we all know India is the land of agriculture and farmers and especially if we talk about the fresh agricultural produce of pulses, India certainly stands out, as it produces a quarter of the world's pulses and consumes 27% more than any other country.

In addition, India is the world's largest importer of pulses. Madhya Pradesh is a significant pulse-producing state in India, accounting for 32% of the country's total output.

Pulses are grown in a variety of agro-climatic zones, including:

• Kharif crops: Arhar, urad, moong, Barbati

• Rabi crops: gram, pea, ramjash masoor (lentil)

• Zaid crops: urad, moong, cowpea

The adaptation of a crop variety to agro-climatic conditions determines its yield. As a result, under the program, varieties are generated for these zones.

At the national level, the average productivity per hectare of various pulses is:

• Moong: 414 kg / hectare (kharif crop), 577 kg / hectare (zaid crop)

• Urad: 519 kg / hectare (Kharif crop), 745 kg / hectare (zaid crop)

• Arhar: 725 kg / hectare

• Moth: 382 kg / hectare

• Chick pea: 932 kg / hectare

• Peas and beans: 940 kg / hectare

The average yield of all pulses is around 660 kg per hectare, compared to 909 kg per hectare globally.

Surprisingly, Beharin has the greatest average output in the world, at 18,485 kg/hectare. It is evident that there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of yield.

In the country, there are a number of agricultural institutions, research stations, and national/international centres dedicated to the creation of novel, high-yielding pest and disease-resistant varieties. However, the output isn't particularly high.

Only a few of the 90 kinds released by the federal and state governments have met the output target. Average pulses productivity in various states are as follows;

• Andhra Pradesh - 652 kg per hectare;

• Gujarat - 1,109 kg per hectare;

• Karnataka - 712 kg per hectare;

• Madhya Pradesh - 620 kg per hectare;

• Maharashtra - 921 kg per hectare; and

• Uttar Pradesh - 888 kg per hectare.

It demonstrates that scientists' predicted potential has not been realised.

Despite government-run programs, despite the availability of time-tested high-yielding pulse types, their seeds have not reached farmers as intended. This will be aided by a specific drive. Fertilizers and plant protection measures should also be taught to farmers.

Farmers in states like Punjab can also be offered specific incentives to cultivate pulses instead of rice or wheat. In Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, there is a large quantity of rice fallow land with potential for pulse growing.

Similarly, existing rice, millets, barley, mustard, and wheat fields can be expanded to accommodate pulses. Intercropping of short-duration and long-duration pulse crops such as red gram, sugarcane, maize, cotton, and sorghum will benefit.

Disclaimer: All the data mentioned in this article is only for information purposes and is fetched from reliable sources.

Sources:

• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/why-pulse-production-in-india-needs-better-incentives-78914 

• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/government-programmes-to-increase-yield-better-seeds-will-aid-production-of-pulses-78755