The major reason of the declining pulses cultivation has been the green revolution which focussed only on rice and wheat. This was revealed at a regional workshop on pulses diversity and exhibition here.
Representatives from civil society organisations, Government agencies, farmers, scientist participated in the two-day deliberations held earlier this week. The major areas of deliberation were conservation of pulses diversity, decline of pulses production and malnourishment, soil enrichment, production of quality seed, Government supply of seeds timely to farmers, minimum support price, crop insurance for pulse cultivation, loss of foreign exchange due to import of pulses.
Experts opined that it is high time for Government to review the focus of research on pulses at Government research stations in order to enhance areas of cultivation of pulses and productivity of pulses.
Farmer leader lingaraj, social activist Radhamahan, Sabaramatee seed conservationist Aditya Singh Deo, Raj Kishor Mukherjee, Soumik Banerjee, Nishant Maharale, Ramgulab Sinha and Kailash participated in the workshop. At least 62 varieties of pulses were exhibited in the exhibition.
The participants opined that there should be a reorientation of research on crop improvement based on local varieties.
NIRMAN executive director Prasant Mohanty presented an overview of the pulses scenario and constraints and prospectus in Odisha. The Government should take it seriously to increase of areas of pulses cultivation and productivity by taking steps to focus on 12 lakh hectare areas of rice fallows. Pulses varieties like pigeon pea, rice bean, country beans and cowpea grown in tribal regions should be given Government support in procurement, processing and insurance cover.
Farmers shared the hardship in the absence of processing facilities and absence of MSP.